Summertime Style

The arrival of these hot summer days has ushered in the inevitable skimpy clothing and, with it, some really poor style choices. I know it's hot and you want to stay cool, but there's a right way to do it and a very wrong way.

Since I can't seem to keep my opinions to myself, and I want to help ensure you don't become a fashion victim, I thought I'd share some summer style tips with you.

It is NOT ok to allow your panties to show through your clothing

I was at Voulez Vous the other day when I saw one of the tackiest and appalling fashion faux pas EVER. This young woman, who actually looked like she could be classy if it were not for her poor choice that morning, was wearing a short cream-colored dress that was so see-through in the back that you could completely see her lace thong.

Everyone in the entire place was staring at her, and not in a good way. I should've taken a photo but that wouldn't have been very nice.

As I said, I understand clothing getting lighter, but this is NOT appropriate under any circumstances.

Actually, here is an instance when you can reveal your undergarments, if you should feel so inclined:

If you live in, or are vacationing in, a tropical place like South Beach or the South of France, a flowy, slightly see-through dress could look extremely chic. But the dress should be a darker color or some sort of print and the accompanying undergarment should be a little more full-coverage like a bikini brief.

In this way, it looks more peek-a-boo...where people wonder whether or not they are actually seeing your underwear. It will make them want to look a little closer. It's mysterious and alluring. Not like the woman at Voulez Vous who slapped you in the face with her thongs.

P.S. Have I told you yet how much I hate the word panties? But "underwear" is SO unsexy and the word "thong" doesn't always apply.

If you have to wrap a scarf around your lower half when you sit down, your dress is TOO short.

Also at Voulez Vous, that same day, another fashion faux pas reared its ugly head. A young woman wearing a super short, skin-tight blue dress walked in. She carried with her a pink scarf so that when she sat down, she sort of wrapped the scarf around her lower half.

This, my friends, is a screaming loud cue that your dress is TOO short.

If the temperature is so high that you're sweating, you probably shouldn't wear boots

I am the first one to admit that I love how boots look with shorts and flirty dresses. I have worn my Uggs with denim cut-offs and my cowboy boots with short, t-shirt dresses. But there is a certain point at which this becomes completely impractical and looks ridiculous.

I can't tell you what that line of demarcation is exactly. However, it seems as though temps in the lower 70's could still work, but once you get into the 80's, stay away from the boots. Like I said, if it's so hot out that you are sweating, leave the boots in the closet where they belong.

There is a right way to do denim cut-offs and a wrong way

I have a pair of denim cut-offs that are probably pushing the boundary of being too short, but I love them. Here is what I think about them...

With cut-offs or any really short shorts, you NEED to balance them out with something a little more conservative on top. If you want to wear them for a daytime look, you should probably throw on a pair of wedges with them and a nice top. Otherwise, if you pair them with flip-flops or something really causal, that is NOT appropriate city attire. You can do that only in the selo (the village) or for running to your neighborhood store really quick.

Denim cut-offs can even look super chic for a going-out look if you pair them with heels and a blazer on top. However, this look is NOT to be sported at any formal gathering, let's say the Pierre Cardin fashion show at the White Palace. Oh yes, I saw a girl wearing denim cutoffs at this super classy event (I'll share more about it another time). This type of outfit can be worn for dinner with friends, a night on the town, to the clubs, etc., but never for something more formal.

Generally speaking, I am all for fashion creativity and pushing the envelope, but there are some things that are simply wrong and tasteless.

I hope my little tips help you. If I think of any others, or as my inner fashion critic gets inspired, I will be sure to share more with you.

But for now, I urge you to go forth and be fabulous and please share with us any summer style tips you may have. We'd love to hear from you.

P.S. I might put together a list for you men, too! Stay tuned....