Miss Manners: It’s bad form to warn a stranger about what you consider a fashion faux pas.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was picking up food at a restaurant when a young lady came up to the counter to pick up her order. She was wearing a beautiful white dress. Unfortunately, her bright, colorful, patterned panties were clearly visible through the fabric of her dress.

I didn’t know how or if I should approach her and suggest pairing a slip or nude lingerie with this particular dress. Miss Manners have any suggestions?

GENTLE READER: Since it’s unlikely you had extra skin-colored slips or panties, this young lady’s warning about a supposed fashion faux pas may not have been welcomed. As far as you know, this was a conscious fashion decision on her part.

Miss Manners is always in favor of telling strangers, kindly and confidentially, about wardrobe malfunctions, but in this case nothing could be done immediately. This would only cause embarrassment – not only for the young lady, but also for you, who would be caught looking at her butt.

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(Please send your questions to Miss Manners on her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, [email protected]; or by mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndicate, 1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106.)