Answer Angel: Ankle boots

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I am puzzled by “ankle boots” aka “booties.” I saw a headline online that said they were the “in” shoe of the fall season.

What am I suppose to wear them with?

--Cate L.

Dear Cate: Wear them with pants only! Not skirts. Not dresses.

This might not be a popular answer with the high-fashion crowd or style tastemakers and celebrities who have professional stylists to help them with their outfits. However, just as I have long contended that capri pants make virtually all women’s legs look stumpy, the same is true of boots that hit a few inches above the ankle. It’s just that the stumpy illusion is coming from the opposite direction. Boots that rise only an inch or two above the anklebone cut off the leg at an awkward place.

But, worn with pants or jeans they’re fine. Ankle boots with block heels only an inch or two high are especially popular and more comfy under pants than knee-high boots, which are very hard to wear with narrow-leg pants and jeans.

And another fashion trend that needs to come with a warning…

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I know that “pattern mixing” is popular on fall fashion runways, but I can’t get used to wearing plaids with florals or tweeds with lacy dresses and skirts. Are there any “rules” on this because I don’t think I know how to do this and not look like a 4-year-old who dressed herself with no adult guidance.

--Marina J.

Dear Marina: Pattern mixing can look sophisticated, clever, whimsical (in a good way). It also can go terribly wrong wherein you look like were half awake when fishing around your closet to get dressed and hurry for the bus.

The chief rule — with any style decision -- is to try it with clothes already in your closet. If you think you look silly, forget it. There are multitudes of YouTube videos on how to pattern mix. But here are the basics:

*Start by mixing two patterns only: one larger and more eye-catching than the other. For example, a small floral with a bold choice like big stripes.

*Stick with one color family in the two patterns you chose.

Angelic Readers

I had no idea there were so many practical uses for the tiny pocket in 5-pocket Levis and other jean brands. Readers weigh in…

Christine D: “That tiny pocket is the perfect size for an Apple AirTag. I just feel so lost lately I need to find myself.” Elizabeth K. sent me a screenshot from TikTok with this message: “Did you know the tiny pocket on your jeans is for a photo of your cat.?” Linda L.: “My husband smiled when I pointed out your Answer Angel question about the teeny tiny pocket. That’s where my guitar-playing husband stores his guitar picks. He says, ‘Everybody knows it’s a pick pocket!’"Jeff S. calls it a pick pocket too. Bruce T. says beware: The guitar picks falls out of the pocket in the wash machine!

Ben M. writes: “My dental hygienist loves my use of the tiny pocket on my 5-pocket Levis: dental floss!” William L. says: “ I regularly use ear plugs for hearing protection and the little pocket is a great place to put them to separate them from other stuff in my bigger pockets. Same thing for my ball markers that I use for marking the golf ball on the green. When I’m golfing, ball markers are so small that it makes it hard to find amongst the other stuff in a big pocket but very easy to dig it out of the tiny pocket.” James P.: A stopwatch. A small LED flashlight.

Judy V. has a total pocket system: “Since I don't like to carry a purse most days, I put my small wallet in my front right jeans pocket, my small cell phone in left front pocket. My back right pocket is for dog walking bags. My two dogs and I do a number of hikes so I need the bags and don't want a purse to keep track of. (I have seen women hiking with their purses!) My teeny pocket is used for 'to-do' lists, grocery lists and similar lists.” Gordon S.: “In my younger days (1970s-1990s) I spent a lot of time in pinball/video arcades. That little pocket was where I kept quarters. Now, I'm ‘that guy’ who everybody goes to when their computer isn't behaving. Today, for example, my little jeans pocket holds three USB drives.”

To be continued…

Reader Rant

Ann A. fumes: “Can someone please explain to me why someone invented 'barrel jeans'? These are loose around the thighs then taper to the ankle. In no universe are these flattering on any figure.” From Ellen: Amen!