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On Style, she rules

I hate normal stockings and I'm desperate for dark green fishnets to match a special outfit. I've looked in a few places but they don't have them. Help!

Going Fishing, Wan Chai

The Dictator rules: Invited to a cocktails-and-paintball war party? Trying to imitate a frog? For your sake, I hope you are not older than your teenage, angst-peppered question suggests. We checked the usual cheap-tights haunts (Jardine's Bazaar in Causeway Bay, Li Yuen streets East and West in Central), but could only come up with fishnet tights in red, pink, pale blue and many odd colours - but not dark green. If you really want them you'll have to fork out big bucks. Fogal has a pair in dark green for $250 (Shop 208, The Landmark, Central, tel: 2526 1751). Now, before you go any further, put down that green hair dye and get help.

No matter how much I exfoliate, the bumps on the back of my arms keep coming back. Any ideas?

Skin Deep, Repulse Bay

The Dictator: Yes, here's an idea - ask a skin expert. A dermatologist. I'm no doctor, but it sounds like you might have a condition called keratosis pilaris, which is a fancy way of saying extra-dry skin. It is most common in young children and teenagers and is often mistaken for pimples or in-grown hairs. If you haven't shrugged off the condition by your 20s, consider yourself unlucky and take the necessary steps. Opinion is divided on whether using a loofah alleviates or exacerbates the problem, but specialists agree too much scrubbing irritates the bumps. Exfoliating and moisturising, however, are essential. Acids such as topical retinoids (including prescription-only Retin-A) and alpha-hydroxyl acids, or AHAs, are often recommended because they do both. We know you tai tais love 'the latest', so we suggest you try New York dermatologist Ellen Gendler's Optimal Body Lotion ($234). Its key ingredients - lactic acid, sodium lactate and salicylic acid - work together to do the jobs. Check www.ellengendlermd.com, where you will be able to order in a few weeks. Apply after showering and at night for best effect.

I used to shop in Ma On Shan for my clothes but the store has disappeared. Can you tell me where I can buy outsize gear?

Big Problem, Kennedy Town

The Dictator: If you want to be elegant go to a local tailor: they have been catering to expanding waistlines since before the Treaty of Nanjing. Casual clothing can be found in most markets; or you could try Ma Lung Kee Jean Shop (196 Fa Yuen Street, Mongkok, tel: 2397 6826). There you'll find lots of XXL button-downs and T-shirts ($69 up) and jeans and cotton trousers with waists of up to 56 inches ($100 to $159). Basic alterations can also be made in the shop. Meanwhile, Super Sample

(43 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2776 3943) has a fine selection of designer-quality gear in all sizes, including corduroy trousers, khakis and jeans, shirts, sweaters and jackets ($99 up). You will have to do some digging and they don't usually let you try anything on. Then there is good old Marks & Spencer (Ocean Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2926 3346), which stocks trousers up to size 42; XXL size (44 to 46 inches) can be ordered from Britain. Delivery time is about six weeks.

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