What not to wear

Fashionistas have been busy shopping, fitting, pinning, styling and conceptualizing a sizzling show for the fourth annual Fashion Week Ventura, which brings together assorted style conscious folk to fuse self-expression and selflessness for the benefit of AIDS Project Ventura County, a program of Ventura County Rainbow Alliance.

The event was started by hairdresser/musician Erika Harding four years ago to raise money for the cause that is dear to her own heart — her brother John Miller was diagnosed with AIDS in 1985 and “fought a tough battle” for seven years before he passed. “I’d always wanted to do something in his name. Awareness has waned in the last few years, but the need has only risen,” she said.

One aspect of Fashion Week Ventura’s ethos is honoring those who are making a positive impact on the community. This year they include Ventura Mayor Bill Fulton, representatives of Working Artist Ventura (WAV) project, Bears of Ventura and Many Meals of Santa Paula.

“Angels & Saints/The Seven Deadly Sins” is the theme of the event, which will begin with a kickoff party on Thursday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m., at Candlelight Kitchen and Bar (211 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura) and culminate with a gala evening of local fashion and entertainment at the Lodge in Ventura, where models thematically dressed by local designers and stylists will walk the runway. Guests who arrive early can participate in drinks, food, raffles and photos. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets and more information are available by visiting www.fashionweekventura.com.

 –Michel Cicero

Ed Kasper

Fashion Week poster boy, model, musician

www.myspace.com/whiskeyglasseye

Women
1. High-waisted “mom” jeans — you don’t have to show all your privates, but too high is ewwwwwww.

2. White shirts with contrasting bras. You’re not Madonna, don’t try.

3. Mixing too many animal prints. Please, nothing that looks like a leopard, tiger and zebra had a baby.

Men
1. Rhinestone shirts. Not really a blingin’ idea for guys.

2. Shiny white tennis shoes (Nike, Reebok) with really blue denim jeans and the tongue of the shoe sticking out over the jeans. It’s that creepy sports coach look.

3. Tucked-in shirts with no belt! I still see that on a regular basis — weird. Tucking in your shirt is weird in itself, but no belt? Come on!

Lindsay Miller

Designer

Sassy Sally’s indie boutique
www.sassysallys.com

Women
1.Super-short shorts with Ugg boots, plus maybe even with a sweater or scarf (and not when they just got done surfing).

2. Low-rise, too-tight jeans that create a huge muffin-top effect, then paired with a shirt that rides up and totally exposes it!

3. Anything ’90s.

Men
1. Pants worn at or below butt level so their undies are completely hanging out to make them walk weird or even be falling down, which makes them constantly fuss with them.

2. Super-over-sized shirts.

3. Bald on top and tiny ponytail on bottom.

Anna Johnson

Retail manager

Luxe Emporium

Women
1. Thou shalt not covet someone else’s body type. It is imperative to dress for YOUR shape. Learn to cash in on your natural assets. 

2. Thou shalt not give up on your appearance. Even when feeling awful, slap on a little lipstick at least.  It’s like putting on war paint before heading into battle — probably won’t do much but at least you feel a little more prepared.

3. Thou shalt not buy just because of a brand name. Just because something has someone’s name on it doesn’t guarantee quality of product or good fashion.  Stick to your guns and stay with your own style. We live in an age where anything goes.  Just make sure the cut flatters you.

Men
1. Thou shalt not expose thyself in public. No one wants to see your underwear.  And when the butt is hanging out it looks silly, like you can’t afford good fashion.  And that is simply not true. 

2. Thou shalt not wear Hawaiian shirts, unless you work at Trader Joe’s. Enough said.

3. Thou shalt not look slouchy. Ventura has an epidemic taking place where women are dressed to the nines and their dates look like they just finished a trip to Baja with their bros.  Please!  It takes less than a commercial break for you guys to get ready!

Erika Harding

Hairdresser, musician, Fashion Week Ventura originator

www.architexturesalon.com, www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sideshow-Preachers

Women
1. Anything ’80s. The fashion of that decade was the worst of the century and should stay there. Leg warmers are for dancing; leave them in the studio where they belong.

2. Thong undergarments or string bikinis worn with barely-there-waist jeans. Really, honey, no one wants to see them. Put ’em away where they belong.

3. Empire line. This waistline should never be seen outside a Jane Austen period drama. Hides the waist and makes even a slim woman look as though she’s expecting. Put a busty, apple-shaped woman in an empire line dress, and she will resemble a heavily pregnant sow.

Men
1. Combovers. Just go for “The Final ‘Do,” dude. We can all tell you’re going bald; you’re not hiding anything.

2. Dark socks with shorts or white socks with dress clothes. Come on, use your common sense. If’ you’re wearing dark slacks, wear dark socks. Yes, they do show. And no, brown doesn’t go with everything; you should have black, brown and blue.

3. Way too baggy pants. Crack kills and no one wants to see your Calvins. This is even worse when you’re wearing a belt! What the heck are you even wearing one for if you still have to hold up your pants? This is why Mother Nature gave you a waist, darling.

And one more for both genders: Socks with sandals. Really? If it’s cold, put on some shoes. It’s just not right.

Robyn Hove

Stylist, fashion recycler

Voodoo Couture

www.voodoocouturevintage.com

Women
1. Sandals with socks.

2. Sweatpants with graphics across the butt!

3. “Mom jeans”! You know, tapered leg, high, waist with pleats.

Men
1. Sandals with socks.

2. Anything see-through or netting fabric for men. Ewwww!

3. Acid wash.