Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I am a successful woman executive who makes big business decisions every day and a leader in my field. I am considered, a good, fair and smart boss.

So why can’t I work up the nerve to just tell my hairstylist that he is not listening to me? That he is not giving me the cut and color I want? Why can’t I just speak up and explain that I am going to have to find a new stylist if things don’t improve? I am so “fearful” that I do not even want you to use my initials if you print this question.

--No Name Please

Dear No Name: Great question. You are not alone. I’m throwing this important issue out there to mental health pros. Help us understand what is going on. Why are smart women like us so hesitant to stand up for ourselves when it comes to our issues with our hairstylists?

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Despite searches in stores or catalogs, I have not found any women’s pajama tops with a pocket over BOTH breasts. Why just one pocket? Who needs a single “pen pocket” on their jammies? I like full coverage of my top half when in a guest’s or my own home without the need for a robe. Do you or your readers have any recommendations for modest PJs that make a robe unnecessary?

--Jane M.

Dear Jane: Believe it or not, a relatively new fashion trend is wearing cute PJ pants with matching button-up tops not as sleepwear but street wear! While many of these outfits still look like pajamas to me, “fashion-forward” women seem to think they’re cute enough for daytime wear. Who knew?

In the coming months watch fashion blogs and magazines for where to buy what you’re looking for. Readers? Can you suggest some stores and online sites that are already marketing trendy PJs (with two breast pockets) for Jane? I’ve done a pretty extensive search but am coming up with zilch.

Reader Rant

Wayne L. writes, “Shame on owners of vintage clothing shops who brag about supporting 'sustainable fashion' and keeping 'fast fashion' (bargain priced clothes) out of landfills by selling pre-owned (second hand) clothing instead. And yet they promote their own stores by producing brand new exclusive T-shirts with their store brands plastered all over them. Hypocrites!”

Angelic Readers 1

Interesting commentary from readers who wrote to tell me what they carry in that tiny pocket-within-a-pocket on their Levis traditional “five pocket jeans.” Jerry B. writes, “I don’t think I would buy jeans without that handy feature. In fact I would campaign for a similar pocket on the other side — making them ‘six-pocket jeans.’” Here’s what Jerry B. puts in his little pocket: “A car fob as well as a small Swiss Army knife. The one with a screw driver, nail file, tweezers and toothpick as well as a knife blade.” Jerry K. says his mini pocket holds “a pair of ear plugs, which I use when running my lawn mower.”

Angelic Readers 2

Eileen T. wants to share her packing formula for long travels without hauling around a heavy suitcase:

“One of your readers asked about packing light for travel and specifically what tops to bring and wear. I travel both domestically and internationally. For international flights, a lot of airlines have a suitcase weight limit of 10 kilos (22 pounds), which includes the weight of the bag! For domestic travel I carry my bag on and do not want to heft a lot of weight.

"All my travel clothes are super-lightweight and I bring layers that all coordinate. In colder temps, I wear four layers and peel them off as needed:

* Short-sleeved polyester blouses: easy to wash and they don't need ironing

* Sweaters: merino wool and cotton knit

* Jackets: stretch fleece, hoodie or lightweight knit

* Outerwear: lightweight or medium-weight rain jacket with hood

* Shoes: two pair of walking shoes, one more casual and one more dressy.

* Pants: I don't travel with dresses or skirts unless I am attending an event. I bring one pair of jeans that I wear on the plane and one or two pair of pants in 'featherweight polyester' like Brooklyn Mid Rise Ankle Pants (athleta.gap.com,$99). Pricey but worth it. You can dress them up or down.”

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