Wearing a colorful shirt can give you a terrific boost, especially when you’re living in a place with dreary winter weather.
Dreamstime/TNS
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I recently returned from a trip to Hawaii where I bought myself a Hawaiian shirt.
While I guess I am a tourist cliché, I love everything about my new shirt. The colors, the surfboard-palm tree print, the feel (cotton and poly) and the good feelings I get about the memorable trip. I live in a cold climate where the sun rarely shines in winter.
My question: Can I still wear it in the chilly, dark winter, maybe under a sweater or zip hoodie, etc.? Or must I let it hang in my closet for the next four or five months taunting me?
— Derek C.
Dear Derek: Wear that shirt! Clothing that makes you feel good is a terrific boost anytime but especially when you’re living in a place with dreary winter weather (and I speak from experience). It might be a surprise to your friends or colleagues when you take off your parka and show off a sunshine scene shirt. But, so what? There is no need to confine winter wear to dark or muted colors to match your mood. Obviously your Hawaiian shirt would not be appropriate in certain social or work settings where a suit/tie/jacket is called for. Otherwise, go for it.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: How do I remove the weird stains that show up on my workout shirts when I exercise on the mats at my gym? I pay a decent membership fee to use the gym and it burns me up to get I-don’t-know-what nasty stains from the exercise equipment I’m paying for.
— Meredith L.
Dear Meredith: Let’s first address the issue of wiping off the equipment after we use it. Every gym I have ever worked out in has signs telling you to do so and provides sprays, paper towels or wipes for that purpose!
Complain to management if it continues to be problem. Let me add that I don’t think you’ll get much satisfaction. The people who don’t wipe off the mats and other equipment seem to think those instructions are meant for somebody else and certainly not them.
Next suggestion: Bring your own mat. Don’t have one? You can pay a fortune for one at, say, Lululemon ($78 and up, lululemon.com ) or buy one at a discount place like T.J. Maxx or Marshalls for under $20. You might not see them on the discounters’ websites but they usually have a decent selection in stores.
But none of that answers your question about the damage that’s already been done to your exercise clothes. The best solution I’ve found is Oxi Clean Max Force spray, which has worked for me on stains that I had pretty much given up on. Spray generously directly on the stains, let it sit for a bit, then wash as normal using Oxi brand detergent and following the instructions on the Oxi package. You can buy Oxi products online or in most grocery stores.
And another smelly issue …
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have a fabric band on my (Apple) watch—the woven, stretchy kind. It’s a sort of light color and is a bit dirty and smells. What do I do to get the stench and dirt out?
— Kelley J.
Dear Kelley: Remove the band and soak it in a solution of dishwashing soap (keeping the metal part as dry as possible). Gently scrub with a nail or other soft brush. Rinse thoroughly. Pat out excess moisture and air dry. This will work on most bands. If it still smells, do the same thing but soak in a solution of a little liquid laundry detergent and warm water in a 1-to-4 ratio. That should do the trick.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I know this is asking a lot but could you poll your readers and find out if, by some miracle, there is a bra out there that separates the left and right breasts (no smooshing), no underwire but keeps “the girls” in place. I don’t mean an elastic sports bra! I have purchased a slew of bras that ARE NOT CHEAP and I end up with two boobs smashed together whenever I bend down from the waist. When I stand back up I have a MOUND in the middle! I need lift and separation. HELP!!
— Nancy A.
Dear Nancy: I’m betting my helpful, generous readers will come through for you! Let’s solve this for Nancy and the tens of thousands of women with the same issues. Please send detailed answers, links, photos, brands and style names.
