dear annie

My problem is finding a replacement lipstick. My mother's generation - I am 60 - used to wear a wonderful orange-looking lipstick, Tangee Natural Lipstick, available from Woolworths throughout the Second World War. It went out of production in the Sixties, but my mother collected boxes of it from Britain and the USA, which I have been using until now. But I'm down to my last one! The orange shade takes on a pinky hue when applied to the lips. It's very long lasting and moisturises the lips and is an excellent product. I have tried other lipsticks but cannot find anything to replace it. Ask anyone aged 60-plus if their mothers used the lipstick and they will say, "Oh yes, it was wonderful!" I have tried in vain to find a replacement. Can you please help?

Angeline Levy, Aberdeen

An orange lipstick that takes on a pinky hue? It sounds, well, spooky to me. Da na na na, da na na na. I don't know where to begin with this one. My mother is over 60 - bless her - but she doesn't look it, and she has never used a lipstick in her life, so she was no good. But, if this is as widespread a phenomenon as you say, then I should hope to be inundated with helpful women writing in to tell me what they've replaced it with. Come on you old birds, there's a snog with Shane Ritchie in it for you.

I admit it and I don't care who knows - I want to fulfil a lifelong desire and own a fur coat. What the heck, I didn't know any of those little minks personally! I'm a large and lovely size, so the fur will have to be close cropped (no arctic fox or I'd look like a large polar bear!) and dark in colour. It also needs to be cheap as I'm poor, but I like the idea of a used coat as long as its condition is good. Can you help, please?

Diana Baker, Oakley, Hants

Any real fur coat you buy will be a "used" coat. The animal whose skin you are wearing was the previous, rightful owner. I know that fur is supposedly coming back, but I think it is appalling to wear real fur. Just because you don't know "those little minks" personally doesn't mean you can have no social conscience about wearing their skin for goodness sake. You may be poor, but be rich in morals, please.

Here we go, here we go. A selection of "I know the answer Miss" letters to readers' previous dilemmas:

Sorry, I can't bear this correspondence about static cling any longer. I know the answer, have always known the answer - no it's not bloody body lotion (9 Feb) - but have not written in sooner for fear you had already published the answer one week when I had failed to read the Independent On Sunday. Now, I realise you can't possibly have published the answer or your mailbag would have been full of thank-you letters - not increasingly bizarre remedies. The answer is Bounce, the fabric conditioner you put in your tumble drier to ELIMINATE STATIC CLING. Yes, it says so on the packet. I discovered it many years ago when I - then a wardrobe mistress - sent an actor (male) on stage in a Tina Turner wig and freshly washed polyester frock to fool the audience, only to discover that they weren't fooled at all. They were the next night though, thanks to Bounce. Bounce is on sale in every supermarket in the land. Why don't your readers know about it?

Sally Jackson, Cardiff

You wanna calm down, calm down, don't you luv? In answer to your smarty warty farty pants letter: several readers put forward fabric conditioner as a solution and this was published; an equal number of readers said it didn't work, this finding was published also; not everyone has a tumble drier; do you work for Bounce or something? Are you insulting my readers? 'Cos if so, I shall send Paddington my Very Large Pig round to snort displeasingly at you.

I have just bought exactly the sort of dressing gown that Sarah Hollis of Sunningdale (26 Jan) is looking for - wool/cashmere, full-length zip, made in Italy, Selfridges, pounds 165. It's taken me years to find it!

SK. Smith, Canterbury

Hello. With regard to Mary Morris' quest to hold up her woolly Finnish stockings (12 Jan). First, Ms Norris obviously has narrow hips in proportion to her waist. Even a sturdy supporter belt from Cover Girl probably won't solve her problem - it will need to be fastened too tightly at the waist for comfort. I know because I am a transvestite. I wear heavy winter stockings and have a sturdy suspender belt, as you describe, from Cover Girl. Years ago, here in the US, we had available a bra-suspender belt combination garment. This is the best solution - it was easily adjustable for various hosiery lengths - but is no longer available. Woods of Morecambe (call 01524 412101) have in their catalogue a "vest": fleecy lined, reaching to the waist, with suspenders attached. It would be just the garment for Ms Morris. I have found it quite satisfactory, when I am not fully corsetted. I enjoy your column.

JL, Tulare, California

I couldn't make our your initials too well, and am sure to have got them wrong. My! Is there no corner of the world my column doesn't reach? It travels more than I do. Thank you for your letter and hello to you too.

Mrs Woods should try Sulis for her sleeveless vest (19 Jan), they have very reasonable prices. They produce silk underwear. Call them on 01761 410107.

Someone who didn't put their name or where they came from, thus now missing their moment of print fame.

Re the duvet coat (19 Jan), I believe there is one advertised in the Sartor catalogue. I'm nearing 70 and I love my quilted coat.

M Pringle, Kingston upon Thames

Lovely. Could you let us have the number for Sartor? Ta luv.

I am 80, with similar dimensions to Antonia Gerard (duvet coat, 19 Jan), and about ten years ago I made a winter coat to my own design with help and advice from several further-education classes. The outside fabric is shower-proof black nylon, with a long zip, then ordinary foam padding and a bright print lining. Over the years, I have knitted three sets of collars and cuffs.

Mary Leete, London