Boulder

• Where can I find a nice cravat for a friend without hurting my wallet too much?

  - Daniel

• Are you looking for an actual cravat? Like an ascot? If your friend has a thing for Victorian neckwear, then you can find some silk versions at Fine and Dandy for $35. If by cravat, you cleverly meant a regular neck tie, then they've got you covered on that end too. The Tie Bar also has some slim silk ties that would rival a lot of designer labels for a tenth of the price ... just $15.

• I need something to freshen up a room, but not smell flowery or like AXE. Suggestions? - Thom

• You can't go wrong with a good candle. The ladies love them, they make your place look warm and comfortable and the best ones offer a light fragrance without overpowering. I've got a Linea's Lights soy candle burning in my office most days (the blue agave, bamboo and moss are all great scents that are clean and slightly manly). And what's more, once they're done, you can easily wash them out and make the perfect rocks glass for drinks.

Philadelphia

• Mister Mort recently blogged about Greek fisherman hats. Where can I find one? - Shaun

• The Village Hat Shop, an online depot of fine headgear, has a range of them in charcoal, black and classic navy. And if you want to try them in person, head to your local Sears, where oddly enough, they're carried.

New York

• I'm a sweaty guy, and most of my shirts develop yellow sweat stains after a couple of wearings. I wear the dress shirts without a tie, so I shy away from wearing an undershirt. Could you recommend a good antiperspirant or perhaps an undershirt that isn't noticeable under a collared shirt? - Rodrigo

• First, switch to an aluminum-free deodorant—like Tom's of Maine—as that's what is causing the yellow stains. Also, if you're sweating in your shirts, make sure to wash them after each wearing. Then get some lightweight, gray v-neck tees, which won't show under your dress shirts as much as a regular white undershirt.

Lincolnwood

• I want to wear my suede desert boots without socks, but my mom says it'll create a permanent stink. Is she wrong? How can I prevent it? - Ben

• As you'll learn, mothers are never wrong. She has a point here, but you can still get away with going sockless (or faking sockless) this spring. After all, it's such a great look, especially with desert boots. First off, you can sprinkle some powder (like Gold Bond) into the shoes before wearing them. It's also good practice to give them a day to breathe and dry out in between wearings. You can also give the illusion of going sockless with a pair of loafer socks. Gold Toe makes the best version. They're treated with an antimicrobial agent to avoid smells and they feature a grippy rubber tab on the heel to keep them in place.

New York

• Where can I find a good, decently priced straw hat for the summer? - Phil

• Because "decently priced" is a relative term, we'll give you a range to choose from: Urban Outfitters sells some pretty slick Brixton fedoras for a mere $38. Manhattan's JJ Hat Center sells a range of straw summer hats (from pork pies and boaters to fedoras and Bermudas) in the $85 - $150 range. And if you want a more modern option, Still Life NYC sells some trilbies in a range of colors for $250. And if you need a refresher on the various styles, we've got that covered too.

Washington

• In terms of fit, construction, material and versatility, who makes the best all-around oxford shirt? - Kirk

• That's a tough one. It depends on your personal tastes and how much you have to spend, but here are a few best-in-class shirts for a variety of budgets and fits. Gap makes a really respectable oxford for $44. It's slightly more fitted than their usual offering, but for an even better fit (slightly slimmer body, smaller collar) check out Rugby's University oxford, $60, which comes in six colors—all washed for extra softness. Of course, a Brooks Brothers oxford is a classic, but their new Extra-Slim Fit washed oxford, $80, fits the way you'd wish all your shirts fit—trim and tailored without being constricting-and it comes in seven colors. For a more modern classic, the Band of Outsiders oxford, $208 (in the only color that matters, blue) has darts sewn into the back of the already slim body, a narrow placket and proportioned collar. It's cut from a thick, but soft cotton that wears like iron.

Glenshaw

• Where can I find some nice topcoats that won't break the bank. Also, when buying a topcoat do you buy your size or go larger so that it fits over your suit? - Robert

• If you're lucky, you'll likely be able to find a decent amount of topcoats on sale right now. I've got an old Banana Republic one from years and years ago, still fits like a charm and has outlasted other coats. They're offering one from their recent winter collection for $180, on sale. J.Crew has one of theirs on sale too—a Thinsulate option that'll stand up to the elements better than any other topcoat you'll find we're sure. Nordstrom's house line has a pretty hardy one as well, with a simple design and half the price slashed. The sizing comes down to the individual brands, but you should be able to buy your true size and the coat will fit accordingly. You definitely don't want a baggy topcoat. Not only does it look sloppy, but it won't keep you as warm.

Detroit

• I just bought a suit from J.Crew and it came to me with some additional grey thread along the top of the shoulders. What is this for besides making me paranoid about removing it? - Justin

• Don't be paranoid. It's called a "basting thread" and it's used in bespoke suiting when seams (like armholes or shoulders) aren't finished until a client's fitting when final adjustments can be made. When you find them on an off-the-rack piece it could be one of two things. One, the threads indicate that parts of the jacket were hand-stitched and once complete, they were finished with a basting thread. Or two, it's basically a marketing gimmick. Let 'er rip!

Greeley

• I've been using American Crew Fiber for a long time, but it stopped holding my hair up. Is there anything stronger? - Wes

• Well if you want some serious hold, a good product to try is John Allan's "Rock," a thick citrus-scented gel that works fast and sets hard. If you want your hair standing up, this will do the trick, but use it sparingly. This stuff is no joke—use too much and you'll end up looking like an extra on Jersey Shore.

Surrey

• I picked up a great slim-fit shirt (labeled Torrente Couture) during a trip to Paris for about $35. Now I'm back in Canada wishing I had more. Any idea where I could find something slim enough for the very slim out this way? - David

• If the shirt's perfect, your best bet would be to have some replicas made in various fabrics and patterns. Custom shirt makers like Alexander West actually allow you bring (or send) in a favorite shirt and remake them stitch-for-stich. Closer to home, Joy at Oakridge Tailors (5534 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604.325.0545) was trained in Paris, and her custom work is pretty popular. She'd likely be able to help you recreate the look, feel and fit of the Torrente shirt.