Please, not this summer! The season’s 10 don’t-go-there antistyle statements

Summer is vacation season, but there are fashion places you don’t wanna go. And nobody wants to go there with you. Not sure what we’re talking about? Think of some of the sights you see every summer - sometimes throughout the year, though more prevalent in warm weather - and how seeing them is like shaking hot sauce in your eyes.

Unfortunately, and tragically, not everyone has someone in his or her life who will pull that person aside and help to prevent a style transgression of epic proportion. Though summer technically isn’t here yet, we thought we’d take advantage of rising temperatures to issue our list of summer Don’t You Dares. So, on behalf of the majority of the public upon whom hot-weather fashion disasters are annually visited, here are 10 taboos:

Muffin tops. Woe to the one who first gave one of our favorite baked goods a bad name. It’s inviting for a muffin to bloat over the top of its cup during baking. But midriff running over and running amok is just sad. Sometimes you find yourself in a place where your stomach and love handles are out of control. We understand. Just cover it up with an amply long top and pants with a waistband that fits just a little looser. Belly shirts and midriff-baring tops are not your friends.

Ribbed sleeveless tees (commonly referred to as “wife-beaters”) worn without a shirt. It’s okay for a 6-year-old jumping through a backyard lawn sprinkler, but not okay for a grown man - or woman - moving about in public. It belongs under something.

Busted feet. This is for those who wear sandals and especially flip-flops. You don’t have to look like a magazine ad for a spa pedicure. Soap and lotion used on the regular are cheap and go a long way in preventing dry, callousy feet that look like you were kicking flour. Keep toenails trimmed - use an instrument rather than picking and biting, guys - and ladies who prefer polish should keep it fresh and unchipped or remove it.

Banged-up nails. Clipping and filing take only a few minutes. If you like your fingernails polished, keep them that way, chipless and smooth. If you tend to have maintenance issues, go natural. An exfoliating hand wash and hand cream will help hands look as healthy and well maintained as fingertips.

No cracks in this strap; new from Salvatore Ferragamo

Beat-up bags. You know when there are big cracks in the leather straps of your purse, when the straw has begun coming loose from that favorite summer bag, when the fabric is stained on that roomy cloth tote. If you can’t get it repaired, get rid of it.

Run-over heels. There’s nothing wrong with liking a pair of shoes and wanting to wear them as long as possible. But you can’t go around with heels that sit on an angle because they’re run-over and worn down. It’s also bad for your bones and posture. It doesn’t cost much to get heels replaced. If you’re real hard on heels, consider adding nylon or metal taps to preserve the life of the shoe’s heels. They’re relatively inexpensive. If the heels on your pumps show curling leather or fabric, or they’re worn down to the nail, they need to be repaired or retired.

Purposely visible underwear. This look goes from merely childish to majorly offensive when accompanied by plumber’s butt, which occurs when one squats or bends forward and the top part of where the derriere separates is visible. (That’s the most delicate way we can describe the look.) If any passerby can describe your underwear or can see that you’re wearing a thong, you’re out of line.

Camel toe. This garment-fit crisis says “too much information” like nothing else. Ladies, it just means that your shorts should be longer and looser and you need to wear panties. ‘Nuff said about that.

Socks would look stupid with this men's sandal (new leather criss-cross style by Kenneth Cole)

Socks with sandals. You have to choose. Socks defeat the purpose of sandals, which are designed to allow the feet to breathe in warm weather. If you’re afraid of germs or think you have ugly feet, then sandals aren’t for you. This doesn’t apply to women wearing hosiery with strappy heels. That doesn’t look silly. White athletic socks with sandal-style footwear does.

Strapless at church. Don’t even think about it. People attend church to worship, not to be confronted by décolletage, no matter how stunning it is. Save strapless tops and dresses for the nightclub or hot dates, along with one-shoulder pieces and anything that shows cleavage. If you aren’t sure whether something crosses the line, don’t wear it. Go with clothing that’s unquestionably tasteful and appropriate.