Fashionable or faux pas?

A word on this week’s column: I regularly receive letters from readers asking for style advice. Here are some of those questions. Feel free to send along your own questions if you find yourself in a sartorial quandary you’d like to share.

Dear Christopher,

I hate shaving. It irritates my skin, and takes up too much time. For the past couple of years, I’ve sported a scruffy face. Now I’m thinking of going a step further and growing a beard. Here’s my problem: It seems like the whole beard/mustache thing is kind of over done. Every hipster has a beard or some kind of facial hair. Will people look at my beard and simply think I’m a follower?

PETE, Natick

Dear Pete,

I can sympathize with a dislike of shaving. I think most guys - and a few hirsute ladies out there - would rather volunteer to clean the cat’s litter box every day rather than scrape their face with a razor. But it sounds like you may be planning a beard for all the wrong reasons. I don’t think Brad Pitt, Grizzly Adams, or Joaquin Phoenix worried about what others’ thought of their beards. I suspect they grew their beards to express themselves in some way (Brad: “I still look sexy, even with a goat beard’’; Joaquin: “I’m insane!’’). If a beard will make you self-conscious, I’d say steer clear. People will pick up on your insecurity. If you decide to go ahead with the beard, wear it proudly. Don’t think of yourself as following bearded hipsters; you’re creating a dashing new image. Do you think Burt Reynolds or Tom Selleck ever questioned their facial hair?

Dear Christopher,

I’m hoping you can help me with an embarrassing problem. My neck is probably the least flattering part of my body. It’s too long, it’s leathery, and it seems like the skin is getting looser by the day. I’m not vain enough to get surgery, but I would like to hide it without wearing turtlenecks every day. Help, please.

MADELINE, Brookline

Dear Madeline,

Allow me to introduce you to your new patron saint, Ms. Candice Bergen. Start by renting all seasons of “Murphy Brown,’’ try to ignore the dated political and cultural references, and watch Bergen’s wardrobe closely. If there’s someone who knows how to hide a turkey neck, it’s Bergen. You’ll notice she wore high-collared shirts, jaunty scarves tied at the throat, pashmina shawls, and pretty much anything else she could around her neck. In fact, I could never determine if there was anything she was hiding, because I never got a good look at the area in question. Sometimes, however, these tactics backfire and draw too much attention, so go easy on the embellishments.

Dear Christopher,

I’m starting to think about shopping for spring, because I’d rather think about something besides sweaters and heavy coats. What should I be on the lookout for? Are there any spring trends that will work for a lady nearing 40?

CARLA, Back Bay

Dear Carla,

A lot depends on your personal style - and your budget. But one of the trends I’m partial toward for spring is fresh white. Last September when designers showed their spring collections, there was wild optimism. Part of that came from the fresh white palette. Presumably, this was to help us forget about the economy. They may have jumped the gun, but crisp white is something that is timeless and can stick around in your closet even after the summer. The other notable trend for spring is military influence in women’s wear. I would march cautiously into this trend because I don’t think it will remain on the couture battlefield for long.

Dear Christopher,

My 16-year-old daughter and I are the same size. She has no interest in borrowing my clothes, but she has a couple of cute things I wouldn’t mind borrowing from her. Is it OK for me to borrow her clothes?

JEN, Medford

Dear Jen,

Unless you gave birth to your daughter when you were 3 years old, it probably isn’t wise to be borrowing her clothes. Your daughter’s therapist will thank you one day for showing restraint in this matter.

Christopher Muther can be reached at muther@globe.com.