Hamburg  - On hot days the body needs a way to stay cool and some people try to solve the problem by showing naked skin or they wear combinations that offend the style-conscious among us.

"The worst style sin for me is when men wear shorts combined with socks and sandals," said Gabriele Krischel of a network of etiquette trainers based in Hamburg. "That passes for stylish neither in the office nor in free time. Socks belong in closed shoes only."

And it does matter which socks are worn with closed shoes. Short socks should be worn with shorts, said Krischel, who works as a trainer in Bonn. Socks that cover the calf or knee socks are strictly tabu in combination with shorts.

On the other hand, too much naked skin also is tabu.

"At the swimming pool, when I go sit in the cafe, I should put on a shirt or dress - other people want to eat there," said Kirschel. "As soon as I leave the beach or tanning area, I should put something on."

This applies to women who Kirschel regularly sees sitting at the beach bar wearing a bikini top. Also men who run around town shirtless, even on their bicycles, also should take her advice to heart, she said.

"The body sweats when moving around and on naked skin that's simply unpleasant to look at - and it smells," she said.

She considers the trend of men shaving themselves a positive one.

"Particularly young men these days are shaving their armpits and legs. They look more groomed," she said. And for women - especially those with dark hair - shaved armpits and legs are a must in the summer.

One fashion trend of the 1990s has been buried by time - visible underwear.

"Transparent straps belong under see-through tops. Afterall, underwear is called underwear because it's worn under clothes," said Kirschel. Thus, they should remain invisible. "And for many women, a bare tummy is still the thing. But it doesn't go in an office. And it's usually not an appropriate look for older women." (dpa)