The Louis Vuitton Christopher MM bag, which retails at $5,050.
Louis Vuitton | TNS
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Can a backpack really be worth $3,600? I always read those “Holiday Gift Guides” and wonder who would spend so much money on some of that stuff. The backpack was a gift suggestion “For The Sporty & The Posh.” It’s a black leather backpack from the Louis Vuitton FIFA World Cup 2022 “capsule collection.” What is a capsule collection anyhow?
— Jade E.
Dear Jade: You’ve asked two questions, so let me answer the easy one first. A capsule collection is a limited-edition fashion item, often hard to find and the object of envy in the small circle of people who are in the know about such things. They’re often gifted by the design company to celebrities and “influencers” who provide valuable endorsements just by wearing them. Especially popular in this category are shoes and purses.
But another more frequent use of “capsule” means a capsule wardrobe, which is a limited number of individual, versatile, basic pieces of clothing that can be mixed and matched to create many looks. These are especially useful for those of us on a budget who want to get the most out of our style spending. The internet has loads of capsule wardrobe lists that are mostly classics like a solid color jacket, well-fitting trousers, a trench coat, white button shirt … you get the idea.
As for your second question: Is any backpack worth thousands? Not unless you put a big value on a luxury brand item that is hard to acquire and will make your friends (and enemies?) jealous. Or, you’ve got more money than you know what to do with it. FYI, when I checked, the cheapest backpack on the Louis Vuitton website (us.louisvuitton.com, tiny backpack) was $1,960. The most expensive is the Christopher MM for $5,050!
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Are hair rollers back? I thought that blow-dryers did away with them. My grandma used to sleep in “brush” rollers and complained that they were horribly uncomfortable but she wore her hair in tight curls (like Queen Elizabeth), which certainly is not the style now.
— Kate R.
Dear Kate: The now-popular longhair loose curls have brought back hair rollers with a vengeance. Yep, you can still buy those killer brush rollers and the more modern substitute (Velcro) and all manner of soft rollers too. Ulta.com has 21 different hair roller options online and Conair classic brush rollers are $11.99 at Rite Aid (riteaid.com).
Angelic Readers 1
Suggestions for the best eyeliner keep coming in. Here are the latest. H.B.G. writes, “The best eyeliner is Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner Pencil (sephora.com, $26). I like the Sumatra (dark brown) color.” Pam J.: “I have been wearing Avon Glimmersticks Eyeliner for decades” (avon.com, on sale $3.99). Ginny E.: NYX Professional Makeup Retractable Eyeliner (nyxcosmetics.com, $6.50; drugstores, $5.50 and up; target.com, $4.99); Carla S.: Benefit Cosmetics, Roller Liner Matte Liquid Eyeliner (benefitcosmetics.com, ulta.com, $12 and up). Linda G.: Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner (bobbibrowncosmetics.com; department stores; sephora.com, $32). Linda says, “It glides on like a magic marker and no need to sharpen.”
Angelic Readers 2
From Ellen: Many thanks to the readers who are concerned about Emily J., who wrote me about her “night sweats,” “day sweats” and “head-to-toe” sweats. My first advice should have been to seek a doctor’s opinion since those can be a symptom of serious maladies. You can rest easy. I’ve already contacted Emily, who assures me her doctor, after testing, has ruled out any serious medical conditions as the cause of her condition.
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