Answer Angel: Searching for scarves

Ellen Warren, Tribune News Service on Jun 10, 2025

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Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Well, I did not realize scarves were totally out of fashion until I started looking for scarves for a friend undergoing cancer treatment, and you know what that leads to. At any rate, no scarves in the stores in my immediate area, although I must admit my shopping options are limited to the usual big-box suspects.

So if I were looking for scarves in a store -- not online -- where would I look? Second-hand really isn't an option for a gift, and sadly I'm a terrible online shopper, much more touchy-feely. I seem to be disappointed when I order online ... color, fabric, size, too many ways to go wrong. I'm thinking I'll have to drive out of my area for a bigger department store, but before I waste gas and time, where would you suggest?

--Janice D.

Dear Janice: Please don’t apologize for wanting to actually see, touch, try on before you buy. I too prefer in-person shopping. But with scarves — a wardrobe staple definitely still fashionable (and useful) — I agree with you. It is difficult to find scarves in conventional stores — big box ones like Target or most department stores. Museum gift shops almost always have a selection of scarves — and most museums will let you shop in their stores without a paid entry ticket.

This doesn’t solve your problem but the only scarves I buy new these days are when traveling to foreign countries where I often buy from street vendors — where the selections are unique and prices are great. New York City street vendors often have excellent selections, too.

But I want to encourage you to shop “pre-owned” — thrift stores, vintage stores, second-hand stores, charity shops, consignment stores. That’s where I find many of my very favorite scarves for gifting. Unique and well-priced. I don’t try to pass them off as new. I’ve received lots of kudos. Don’t worry: Yes, I wash and iron them or dry-clean them first.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Is it a fashion faux pas to wear a different color of nail polish on one’s manicure verses one’s pedicure? I like my toes to be a much brighter color than my nails.

--Pam R.

Dear Pam: It’s absolutely great to choose different colors for hands and feet. Not a faux pas at all. Go wild!

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have a crazy mystery problem and I hope that you or one of your readers might have an idea or recommendation. For a couple of years now, many of my tops (even a nightie made of sweatshirt fabric) show significant pilling on the left torso side. I don’t believe that I brush my left side with my arm when walking. I’m right-handed and cannot imagine why this occurs!

--Peri P.

Dear Peri: Those little lint balls or fuzz balls are much more prevalent in fabrics with high synthetic content like nylon, polyester and acrylic. Wool blended with synthetic also is a high-piller. Generally these fabrics are less expensive, which makes them so popular. Check your labels to see if the fabric is a contributor. Loosely woven material also pills more than a tight weave like denim or high quality cotton.

But there’s still the mysterious left-side-only phenomenon. Rubbing of the fabric is a huge factor so I wonder if your car seat belt is to blame. However … you don’t drive your car in your nightgown!

How about this: You’re a side sleeper? On your left side! And as your torso rubs the nightgown fabric against your sheets, you’re creating the pills. If your sleepwear and/or your sheets contain synthetic fibers that increases the likelihood of pilling.

Readers please tell me if you have other ideas about the culprits in this mystery.Angelic Readers

Mary Alice H. was searching for pajamas with long pants, but not capri length. I came up with some strong candidates but several readers said I should have sent her to L.L.Bean.

Mary W. writes: “Your list was very comprehensive, but you missed two of my favorites: L.L. Bean carries both sets and separates, and there is always pajamagram.com (although they are more pricey).” MaryAnn G. likes Bean’s Women’s Seacoast Seersucker Pajama Pant set (a jersey top and seersucker blend pants, llbean.com, $64.95): “It is roomy, comfortable, in very feminine colors. And, most importantly has full-length pants.”