Scandinavian Comforters and Other Questions

In our advice column, “Ask the Strategist,” we answer your most burning shopping questions by surveying friends, calling up experts, and drawing on our own personal experience. Today, we’re answering reader questions about down comforters, elegant trousers, and a sturdy dresser. If you want a chance to get expert advice from our team, send us an email at strategist@nymag.com with the subject “Ask the Strategist.” We’re here to help – and you may see your question answered in a future newsletter.

In your 2022 story on down comforters, you talked about a down comforter you slept on in a hotel somewhere in Scandinavia. I was about to purchase it for my husband (who’d specifically asked for this) but saw it’s not on your 2023 list! Could you please help guide me?”

“I am a small human. I want to dress in trousers à la Sofia Coppola, but I’m a 24-inch waist and five-four. When I find good men’s items, they are just too big for a tailor to make them look believably fitting. I’ve tried boys’ twill trousers, but often they’re just not made well enough to last. I work in film, and I need to move around a lot. I need them to sit high on the waist, do a pretty little cinch à la Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, and not do the butt-hugging thing. Help!”

“I’m trying to find a thin, nonslip, water-resistant mat for under my front door. I thought Porte + Hall’s was going to be the answer, but many reviews say it looks ‘cheap’ and ‘chintzy.’ Plus the patterns aren’t that great.”

“I am having the hardest time trying to find a good dresser. I had the Ikea Tarva for quite a while, but within a year, drawers broke and the bottoms fell out. After two of its drawers completely broke, I purchased a dresser from Wayfair. It was my second choice because it had hard particleboard bottoms. I put it together and the drawers were misaligned. I contacted the company to get a replacement; it came from Thailand, so I had to wait. After a lot of back-and-forth, I got a refund. If I had a car and money, I’d likely just spend it to get a nice all-wood one. Can you help?”

“I am a floor nurse, and it’s time for new sneakers. The best pair I’ve tried is Hoka Arahi women’s wide size 9 — it offers the best kind of support that my personal body needs. Everyone is different; my joints benefit from a wide base of support, and that’s a big limitation in my quest for ideal nursing shoes. The limitation of these Hokas is that they’re not antimicrobial or fluid-resistant — sometimes I spill someone’s pee on my shoes! I tried the Hoka Transport, but it doesn’t come in wide. I tried the Hoka Bondi for professionals, but it’s too stiff with its leather structure. Can you help?! Thank you so much.”