dear annie

I've taken this week off as, if I don't pay my husband and children some attention soon, they will leave me. Since there was such an outcry last time, (bless, thank you), when I took time off and my column went with me, I have decided not to leave you quite so empty-handed this time. Therefore, here is a selection of readers' letters with useful info ... which means no research for me this week! Hurrah. See you next week for a normal column, unless I get rather too used to this larking-about business.

With some exceptions, today's perfumes either smell too flowery and sweet, or of a chemistry lab. Last summer, I came across Les Senteurs and have completely given up on perfume sold in deparment stores. Send for their nice, fat brochure and you will find lists of perfumes made by some of the oldest perfume houses in the business. Molinard have been producing fine fragrances from their Grasse HQ since 1849. Creed, once a well-know couturier, established in London in 1760, made Jasmine Imperatrice Eugenie for the wife of Napoleon III. Their Fleurs de Bulgarie is a luscious blend of Bulgarian roses. It lasts and lasts. Nicolai, run by Patricia de Nicolai, grand-daughter of Pierre Guerlain, produces the most seductive scent I know, Crepuscule Vanille. Les Senteurs run a mail-order service and will send samples of their perfumes for pounds 1 each. They also have bath and body fragrances, aromatherapy products and fragrances for men.

Pam Glanville, London

Les Senteurs, 227 Ebury Street, London SW1, tel 0171 730 2322.

What a marvellously interesting letter. Although I can't be sure you don't work for Les S, I had to print your letter anyway. My husband wears Creed's Green Irish Tweed, which is, to my mind, the finest thing a man can smell of. Thanks, Pammie.

I think I may be able to help with the large stocking enquiry (6 April). Magnus, the people who do shoes in large sizes, offer extra-long stockings and tights which they claim fit up to size 22.

Rebecca Rushforth

Magnus, 2 High Street, Harpole, Northhampton NN7 4DH, tel 01604 831271.

Has your reader tried the Evans shops for stockings? Last summer I bought black stockings there which I found great (I am 5ft 7in, size 18). I can't remember whether they sell other colours.

Another tip for tights: the 30 and 60 denier opaque tights from Marks and Spencer are the only ones I have come across which stay up all day! Any other make needs continuous pulling up when you're a larger size like me.

Els, Cornwall.

On the advice of the IoS "Tried and Tested" article, I tried 'Trust' - an Israeli deodorant product. Quite ridiculously small but very effective - no more nasty, smelly sweating and hence no odour or stain. Tell Elsie to try it - from Boots etc, pounds 7.95 for a tiny pot that lasts forever! The sweat stains are beyond me, though!

Pat Colgan, Water Orton, Birmingham.

The best thing to remove sweat stains is a solution of sodium percarbonate at the fabric's max temperature. It is a high-oxygen, chlorine-free bleach which is found in many stain removers such as some stain devils (check the ingredients) and some fabric whiteners. It is fairly harmless stuff and if you can get it from someone who works in a lab of any sort, all the better. The best way to remove anti-perspirant stains is a solution of citric acid, again as hot as the fabric will tolerate. You can buy citric acid from the shops that supply home brewers, or you can ask your pharmacist to get you some. Again, it is fairly harmless stuff. I think it works best with aluminium-based stains. The best thing is never to use underarm antiperspirants or deodorants. I use a product called Trust, available in underarm or foot form. It is a cream that you put on about twice a week. It doesn't stop you sweating but ensures that your sweat never smells. I think it works by inhibiting the bacteria in the skin. It sounds strange but it works brilliantly; it's expensive at around pounds 8 a jar but lasts for ages and is safe. A few people are allergic to it, so look out for trial sizes available in some health food shops.

A man from Birmingham