Sports Calendar

DO get the fail-safe summer look A big white T-shirt, bare legs and flat gladiator-style sandals (ankle height, though, not to the knee) or chunky, strappy sandals with a heel could well be your staple summer outfit. Seriously.

DON’T tip over into slutty territory Shorts should be sexy, not vulgar. Cool everything else down to compensate. Wear fitted hot pants with a big T-shirt or loose checked shirt, Converse trainers and no make-up.

DON’T team heels with hot pants A very bad combination, unless you are deliberately camping it up. It’s too Victoria Beckham, and you want to be Kate Moss. Heels with shorts, definitely.

DON’T attempt a playsuit Unless you are under 26, or could be, forget it. Cat Deeley’s legs look terrific in a playsuit, yet, somehow, the look doesn’t work. It’s a bit like wearing those bikinis with the frilly bottoms when you’re over 40.

DON’T wear with nude tights Ever. A sin on a par with wearing tights under jeans.

DON’T wear the following styles... or at least approach with caution

- Nondescript cotton khaki ones with button detail or multipocketed cargo-style shorts. Way too geography field-trip.

- Stripes and sailor detail. Unless you have Kelly Brook-style 1950s curves, they will make you look like Shirley Temple.

- Puffed shorts. Puffies either work or they don’t — but slim hips are a must.

- High-waisted, midthigh versions. If you’re going for a high waist, keep them short short.

- Wide-leg, knee-length styles. They look like they are going to be the answer to all your working-wardrobe problems, but are actually strangely ageing.

- Floaty, flutey shorts. The less structured the cut, the better your legs need to be.

- Amy Winehouse-style, straight-leg denim shorts, rolled up a couple of inches above the knee. A killer on all but the longest and fittest legs. Ditto her bum-grazing cut-offs.

Read The Sunday Times Style e-paper - exactly as it appears in print

Times recommends

• What took place in 2010...
• Can you really cure a hangover?
• Video: How to do glamorous smoky eyes