As the weather continues to get hotter so does the fashion.

The season of the sultry sundress sizzles. Ladies, (for now) be the heat with slinky Dianne Von Furstenbergs, strapless show-offs in slinky fabric, funky strapped halter dresses, frolicky/frilly gingham sundresses, and the like. You should know by now what is up.

Guys, check (or find) your cool threads, breathable yet sleek-and-suave cotton (and/or cotton blend) collared shirts; trending away from tired, sad, boring-old-jeans (just like the females) and maybe even experimenting with some classical or trendy titillating accessories. Why not try cufflinks or an ascot one night? And, for goodness sake, don't skimp on the shoes. For some reason, ours is a borough of shoe gazers-not that they're looking down, they're just inspecting.

Important Note: Do remember, ladies, that when exiting a taxi, stepping down from a "Belltown tractor" (a.k.a. an SUV), disembarking from a limousine, or even getting off a motorcycle, whilst wearing the season's short skirts and dresses (with high, hot heels), you must do it right (or take the risk of giving the ever-dreaded "crotch shot").

Here are the instructions, if your mama didn't tell you, for the average taxi. Carefully practice variations on this, based on the vehicle you are departing. (See photo instructions for further explanation.)

Step out with the leg opposite the door you are exiting. (If you are getting out on the passenger side, step out first with your left leg crossing over the right.) Consciousness of the opposite leg and touching of the knees keep the legs together.

Step firmly down with your left feet and bring down the right foot. Keeping legs crossed, turn on your butt with your knees together. Move out sideways and plant both feet, keeping legs together, and stand up with legs still crossed. Stand up slowly, legs together. Adjust garment and proceed on your way.

Remember: Good girls can keep a quarter squeezed between their knees, indefinitely. Happy Trails!

To beat the heat, here are a few of the fashion comments and questions received from our readers. If you have fashion questions or comments, direct them this way (megan@belltownmessenger.com) and we'll see if we can advise, properly.

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 "Why is everyone is Belltown so dressed up? I work in Lower Queen Anne and walk back through Belltown heading home, and I always feel underdressed. What is it about Belltown?"

-Miss "N," Capitol Hill  

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"We need more shoe shops in Belltown! I want to be able to shop for shoes on my days off right here in the neighborhood, and not have to always go uptown to Westlake and all that, especially in summer when everything is so packed!"

-M.D., Belltown

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"I was caught looking at a thong the other day; and it wasn't just any thong either. It was being worn by a girl, and the girl wearing it was the one who caught me looking, so that just compounded the whole problem right there. Her thong was purple with pink trim, by the way, and it had a little bow at the top.

I know, I know. Probably a whole body of literature has been written on the etiquette of how a man should conduct himself among women wearing these thongs. My problem is I don't want to read it.

I want a summary; and I want a summary that doesn't use the word "etiquette," because that's one of those words that reminds me life is a game with rules I'm still working my way through. I'm more of a spin-the-pointer type of player anyway.

But if you think about it, the clothes girls are wearing are a lot like the packaging on Hostess Twinkies or those bite-size donuts-leaving a little window to get a peek at the goods and whet the appetite. The jeans and tiny shirts and thongs are showing off the treats. So my question is, who is the end consumer? Unless girls like looking at themselves in mirrors, isn't that end consumer me? And if I am the end consumer, why should it matter if I browse? As far as I can tell, the thong was made for me-for men, that is. For us.

I'm not implying all women should wear this packaging. Some are well past their sell-by dates and shouldn't bother. Others are more like those chewy, whole-grain, high-fiber, vegan health snacks, and look better in overalls and tie-died shirts. But don't you think women should think a bit more about their packaging? If they don't want to look like something that goes on the snack shelf, and if they want to look more like an entrée under the lights, then they really should think a bit more about hiding the ingredients and price stickers."

-Dave, Belltown

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Thank you for all the fun fashion missives; keep them coming. Keep it fancy. Don't be afraid to be fussy. Dress to impress or you most likely won't.