Dear Short Answers:

A friend of mine's husband recently passed away. He was very stylish and had a great many wonderful clothes (which I often commented on). I know that my friend remembered that because she has given my husband boxes and boxes of her husband's old clothes. The problem is, they aren't the nice ones. They're a bit old and stained and really unwearable. My friend has asked why Derrick isn't wearing Ken's clothes and I don't know what to say. So I have a few questions. How do I answer my friend without hurting her feelings? Or should I just make my husband wear a tattered old cardigan to make my friend happy? And would it be impolite to ask my friend for the good clothes? Derrick would happily wear those.

-- Clothes Remorse

Dear CR:

Tell your friend that sadly, Ken's clothes looked better on Ken. And apparently that was true. And yes, asking for "another shipment" is rude.

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