Does 'no gifts' really mean 'no gifts'?

Dear Answer Angel: I was invited to a wedding shower and the invite explicitly said, "No gifts please." Does that really mean don't bring a gift or should I buy something? What? Thank you!

Earrings today: The bigger the better

Earrings are big this year. I mean huge. You could even say enormous. I'm going with gigantic.

DIY personal style

Wouldn't it be great if we all had the cash to hire a personal stylist who would put together great outfits that make us look and feel terrific?

Cool solutions to hot summer temperatures

You're steamed! And so am I. The temperature's been brutal out there. Some hot questions. And, of course, Angel's got answers.

Is the heat melting your fashion sense?

Summer wardrobe do's and don'ts.

The bottom line: Shorts are too short

It's hard to get them right. Here's your guide to sexy, flattering options.

Work wardrobes that won't break the bank

The best way to overhaul a work wardrobe on a budget.

The right look to sell the dream

Behind the scenes at a casting call, we learn that a fashion model is less about glamour, more about selling that dress and those shoes.

The right wedding wear

It's tough to figure out what's right to wear to today's weddings. Yes, there are rules. But some of those rules are made to be broken, or at least bent. That's where I come in.

No-sweat summer makeup

What's the best way to avoid what is, literally, a hot mess? And are more expensive products worth the added cost?

Shorts at work won't put you a cut above

Dear Answer Angel: Is it OK to wear shorts to work? Not short shorts, obviously — but the Bermuda length ones I've seen that often come with a matching tailored jacket, so it looks like a suit? And then what kind of shoes do you wear? Can you wear heels with shorts? And do you need stockings as well?

Scarf-tying 2.0: Twist it up a notch

One of the fastest, best — and cheapest — ways to add some zing to your look this season is to twist a scarf around your neck.

Taking clothes shopping to new heights

For the first time ever, I felt the same way my friend Kristin Samuelson usually does when she goes shopping.

Hunting deals with the Budget Fashionista

For years, I've been nagging Kathryn Finney to take me shopping.

A cap and gown tutorial for graduates

Don't sweat it. Answer Angel has you covered on how to look great at graduation, fabulous in your jeans and so much more.

Finding jeans to cover your assets

Across the age spectrum, from teenagers to 90-year-olds, come questions. Great news for all: Angel has answers.

Your tried and true beauty fix

Of course we all want to look fantastic. For most of us, that takes some serious effort — and an alarming number of beauty products.

One pair of pants, 10 days

This all started because I was too lazy to hang up my clothes.

A dash of white to cure your winter woes

Got the blahs? Who doesn't! Gray days. Cloudy skies. Everybody's asking: Where's spring?

The urge to purge: When to toss makeup, clothes

You want to throw out your stuff, find more stuff, recycle your stuff. Amid all these contradictory impulses, it's Answer Angel to the rescue.

Girls get their game on — with great gear

Pink it and shrink it.

Best kind of shopping is personal

You're not quite sure what you're shopping for, but you sure wish someone would help you locate it — whatever it is. Or, you know exactly what you want to buy but can't find it anywhere. You've come to the right place. Wings flapping, Answer Angel flies to the rescue.

Are these exercise gizmos a good fit?

About half the country has made a New Year's resolution to get fit. The other half is thinking about it.

Feet treats for every pocketbook

Who doesn't love a little — or a lot — of 'me' time?

These gifts take the (fruit)cake

That department store song that you can't get out of your head says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year."

Tricks to belting sweater minus bulk

How to keep yourself looking sharp when fashion trends are lurking to trip you up? Answer Angel to the rescue!

Don't buy trouble along with bargains

Thrifty shoppers have questions. Answer Angel has ... you guessed it.

Block thieving hands sneaking into your purse

Dear Answer Angel: I'm hoping you could write a column on security when shopping. Just this past week I was pick-pocketed. I realized it five minutes later. Needless to say, I have been busy filling out reports and replacing cards that were stolen. It's a scary experience, and I want others to avoid it if possible. I hope you can spread...

Taking the right step with bare legs

If you're lovelorn and looking for answers, you won't find them here. But advice to the leg-lorn? You've come to the right place. It used to be that a well-dressed woman never went to work with her legs bare. Now, is wearing hosiery hopelessly dated? Read on.

Short skirt could truncate career

Dear Angel: Do you have any thoughts about the proper skirt length for an office these days? A lovely young woman, recently out of college, has begun working in our office, and she wears her skirts very short. I don't know how she can sit down. That said, she's very bright, personable and has a great figure and looks good in the...

When deodorant fails, that stinks

Dear Answer Angel: I'm a little embarrassed to ask this question. I've been using the same deodorant since I was in high school, and it has always "done the job." Now, many decades later, it isn't working. I was in a crowd the other day, and I started thinking someone near me had not taken a shower after a workout or something. And then I...

They're dogged by lint and dog hair

Dear Answer Angel: Some of our dearest friends have two very large, very hairy dogs that shed a lot, including all over my friends' furniture since the dogs are allowed on the couches. You can guess the rest: Every time we visit, we return covered with dog hair. I've learned not to wear black on these visits, but what else can I do short...

How to stop duplicate gifts

If even the nicest people you know are getting their bah humbug on, blame it on holiday mayhem. This is the season when good intentions go awry, so relax. Deep breaths! Forget your cares. Whether you have a burning question or are just burned up and need to vent, I'm not just Santa's little helper, I'm yours. Effective immediately: You've got an...