Answer Angel: How many jeans is too many?
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have a total of three pairs of blue denim jeans, which I wear a lot and am happy with. What I don't understand is why women have whole "wardrobes" of jeans in various shades and washes and fit and length and whatnot.
More specifically, a Gap online ad landed in my inbox for "horseshoe" jeans, which made me wonder why are there so many styles and colors and who needs all that? Who is their target customer?
--Emma M.
Dear Emma: Clearly you aren't Gap's target customer for the new "horseshoe" style, which I had never heard of until I opened your email.
First off, jeans and their changing styles, colors, washes and shapes are targeted at trend-following females (and some men) who want the latest fashions, but, unlike the Kardashians, et al., don't have an unlimited budget. Jeans are one way for all of us to keep current without breaking the bank.
I am not one of those people with a closet full of jeans and you aren't either. However, there are plenty of shoppers eager to pay under $100 for the latest style that doesn't break the bank. Which brings me to the Gap horseshoe (gap.com), which is an oddball addition to the jeans family. Let me just add that this new style isn't for everyone. The name derives from the exaggerated U-shape of an actual horseshoe. Gap's ad copy says they're "unlike anything in your denim collection." You can say that again.
Right now they're half price ($44), which tells me this style is not catching on.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I'm at the age that many of my friends are getting married and my latest wedding invite describes the guest attire as "semi-formal," which really puzzles me. Can you clarify?
--Madisen L.
Dear Madisen: Of course you're confused. All wedding guests puzzle over dress codes. I assure you that the other guests invited to this wedding are as confounded as you are. I'm going to give you some guidelines but you will see an enormous number of interpretations of what's semi-formal.
Women:
*Don't show up in any outfit that will draw attention away from the bride and wedding party (showing an eye-popping amount of cleavage; a skirt that barely covers your behind).
*All colors (including black and white) are fine.
*When in doubt about the temperature (including air conditioning), bring a sweater, jacket, shawl, etc.
*If it's outdoors, heels (except block heels) are likely to sink into the grass. Think wedges or flat shoes.
*All dress lengths are acceptable but no fancy ball gown outfits.
Men:
*Not even "dressy" T-shirts unless you're wearing a jacket.
*Think twice about wearing gym shoes, although some guests will be wearing them.
*Safest bet: A suit or a jacket and dress pants with a button-up shirt (and bring a tie along stuffed in your pocket just in case everybody else is wearing them).
All:
*No casual jeans or shorts
My unsolicited wedding gift advice:
*Do not bring a gift to the wedding or reception--especially not to a destination wedding.
*Don't freelance the gift-chose from the list provided by the couple or at least be sure it can be returned. Another option is to give money. But sending actual cash or bringing gift cash to the wedding is asking for trouble.
Angelic Readers
Readers have suggestions on well-priced prescription eyeglasses-especially colorful ones (think judge Prue Leith from "The Great British Baking Show")…
Michael L. says, "For fun Rx eyeglasses, try Zenni ( zennioptical.com ). I just bought my first pair online and love them. They cost under $120 after various discounts. I had spent almost $1,000 on my previous pairs." Mary Ann J.M. loves Zenni too: "Your reader Louise wanted to try brightly-colored frames. I got bright turquoise frames for $15.95, the entire pair of prescription glasses (with bifocals) costing $44.85 (including shipping). You do have to measure the distance between the center of each pupil to the bridge of your nose, but that is not a super-difficult thing to do. The Zenni website will explain."
Katie O. writes: "Louise was wondering about colorful frames for her glasses without spending a fortune. Pair Eye ( paireyewear.com ) is the answer! You pick out a basic frame shape then choose from hundreds of magnetic covers for the frames. They have all the colors, glitter, seasons, holidays, Peanuts characters, sports teams, etc. I have at least 30 different toppers and love how I can change my look according to wardrobe, season or holiday. The basic prescription glasses are no more expensive than other prescription glasses and the magnetic toppers are $20-35."
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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 6:16 AM.