Answer Angel: Puffy coats

Ellen Warren, Tribune News Service on Sep 29, 2026

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Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Am I the only woman who is tired of the puffy, or even not puffy but heavily insulated, coats for winter? They are everywhere!

I am the owner of four or five in various colors, with or without hoods with imitation fur. While appreciating their warmth, I would love an option for casual winter wear to mix things up!

--Patti A.

Dear Patti: You are not alone. Parkas, aka puffer coats and jackets—wonderfully warm due to down or down-substitute filling—make us look like roly-poly snowmen. Not a flattering look. Winter coat manufacturers have upped their game in order to compete and there is new emphasis on warm (often removable) linings -- in fashionable coats in heat-retaining wool, wool blends and other stylish fabrics -- that don’t add (as much) bulk.

But one key to staying warm without a puffy parka is layering, depending on the outdoor temperature.

1.Start with a body hugging T-shirt or turtle neck base layer such as Uniqlo’s HEATTECH Technology Wear ( uniqlo.com ) that comes in regular (for temps 41-68 degrees Fahrenheit, $19.90), extra warm (cashmere blend, 23 to 59 F, $29.90) and ultra warm (-4F to 50F, $34.90).

2. Second layer: Wool, cashmere or wool/cashmere-blend sweater.

3. Top layer: Lined wool, wool-blend, cashmere-blend overcoat to knee or calf. (A self-belt gives a defined waistline.)

Check the outdoor temp and choose accordingly.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I can’t fall asleep without reading a book—not too dull, not too scary, but not too interesting that it will keep me reading into the a.m. Meanwhile, my husband complains that even the smallest amount of light in the room keeps him awake. Even headlamps and tiny lights that are made for this purpose are too bright for him. Are there any solutions for this nightly struggle?

--Tina B.

Dear Tina: A Kindle or e-reader might be your solution. The screen light is adjustable and, hopefully, even undetectable by your sensitive spouse.

Angelic Readers

Mary Z. writes: “Can you or your readers recommend a good pen brand. I have tried just about all brands from the drugstores and they either last a very short time or sometimes none of them in the package work at all! I would appreciate any suggestions.”

From Jean S.: “You recently warned your readers to be sure to check that they were dealing with ‘legit shops’ when buying fashions online since there are many that use phony photos that look nothing like the clothing they offer for sale at ‘bargain’ prices. Shoppers can avoid scams by going on Trust Pilot (https://www.trustpilot.com/) and check legitimacy and reviews before they buy.”

A recommendation from N. Diane: “I cannot recommend The Fragrance Shop highly enough. Please share with all of your readers: thefragranceshop.com. They sell fragrances that replicate original scents and I was delighted to find them a very long time ago when my favorite scent, Realities by Liz Claiborne, was no longer available.”

Barbara S. needs your help: “I have curly/wavy hair and use a diffuser when drying it. I travel fairly often, including on cruises, and I’d really rather not pack a full-size hair dryer if I can avoid it. I previously bought a collapsible ‘universal’ diffuser attachment from Amazon that was supposed to fit a range of hair dryers, but when I took it on a cruise, it didn’t fit the hair dryer provided in my cabin. Do any readers know of a truly versatile diffuser attachment that works with the different-sized and oddly shaped hair dryers commonly found in hotels and cruise cabins? Or, if that really doesn’t exist, can you recommend a very small, lightweight travel hair dryer with a good diffuser that would be worth packing instead? My priority is something compact enough for travel but that actually works well on curly/wavy hair.”

Reader Rant:

Sophie L. is steaming mad: “We all know that shoppers are barraged with Christmas decorations well before Thanksgiving but what about the appearance of Halloween decorations that show up in stores before the end of summer? Is there no peace from this holiday madness???” (From Ellen: Nope.)