Issue #834 Mon 29 Dec
Strands hints — December 29, 2025
The sartorial possibilities are endless, provided you have the patience to look for them. Today's grid requires a steady hand and a sharp eye for the connections hidden in the weave.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You stand before the mirror, trying on a different identity for the afternoon.
Personal style and daily grooming
CHOICE OF ATTIRE
Spangram 4 nudges · 12 letters
The connector word
Twelve-letter compound word
12 letters.
Starts with S, ends with F.
SUITYOURSELF
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (4 letters)
- 2 C (9 letters)
- 3 J (6 letters)
- 4 S (5 letters)
- 5 T (8 letters)
- 6 V (4 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BE (4 letters)
- 2 CU (9 letters)
- 3 JA (6 letters)
- 4 SH (5 letters)
- 5 TR (8 letters)
- 6 VE (4 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
Something you'd do to a pair of shoes before a job interview.
4 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BE.
BELT
Theme word 2 of 6 5 nudges · 9 letters
A theme word
These small, metallic toggles secure your sleeves at the wrist.
9 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CU.
CUFFLINKS
Theme word 3 of 6 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
It hangs on the back of your office chair, waiting for the cold to set in.
6 letters.
Starts with J.
Starts with JA.
JACKET
Theme word 4 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
Whatever you set the night before is what gets you up — for better or worse.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SH.
SHIRT
Theme word 5 of 6 5 nudges · 8 letters
A theme word
Where the lawnmower lives, where the mail piles up, where the kids hide.
8 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TR.
TROUSERS
Theme word 6 of 6 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
Look at a rooster. Look closely.
4 letters.
Starts with V.
Starts with VE.
VEST