The clear highlight of Quincy Fashion Half Hour was the Betsey Johnson fashion show, held at the Marina Bay Beach Club. The models strutted a beachside runway wearing playful styles currently available at Johnson’s Newbury Street store, including summery dresses, swimsuits and handbags.

Stylists from Salon Marc Harris primped the models for the event, turning out spunky up-dos and making frizzy pigtails a worthy fashion trend. The show started off with the stylists presenting a birthday cake and singing “Happy Birthday” to Harris, who attended the event and blew out his candles on the runway.

While Johnson and her trademark cartwheel were absent from the event, the show stayed true to the designer’s high energy. Models danced along the runway to upbeat music from The Ting Tings, Alien Ant Farm, Lady GaGa and Kevin Rudolf.

The Connecticut-born designer recently unveiled her Fall 2009 collection in New York, entitled “Betsey’s Crocker’s Recipes for Dressings.” All of the outfits in the collection are named after comfort food recipes, including Sex Pot Pie and Triple Cheeseburger Deluxe.

Sunday’s show, however, was more about celebrating what’s left of summer. The sand-strewn runway and whimsical party dresses made us wish there’s a whole lot left.

1. A man has to discover his own taste and then base his sartorial decisions on that-you shouldn’t buy something because you saw it on TV. You need to feel at ease in your clothes or you risk being a bit ridiculous.

2. I like a guy in a suit that’s cut a little smaller-slightly shorter, with smaller lapels. Inside, the jacket should have beautiful finishing that only the guy wearing it notices.

3. Italian men are very vain, even if they won’t admit it. They care about their style.

4. Not everyone looks good in a tuxedo. It’s important to look at proportions and find one that fits you well.

5. Shoes define the kind of man you are. They should never be too trendy or showy but lean toward the classic. There are a lot of ugly shoes out there, and they can ruin even the most sophisticated attire.

6. A little bit of chivalry always makes a woman happy. You shouldn’t exaggerate, but I do like it when a man holds the door open for me. I think, Okay, this guy has manners and knows how to comport himself.

7. When it comes to wearing color, you need to be a bit careful-a bit more traditional. A man should look sophisticated and refined, and color can sometimes get in the way. You have to be moderate.

8. Men can carry bags as long as they are masculine, like a tote or an attaché case. Look for a sturdy canvas or handsome leather one, maybe with a raw finish. A bag should be functional and practical.

9. Clothes don’t necessarily render a man sexy-his attitude and his nature do. For me, someone who is not classically handsome but has a lot of charm is more attractive than a really good-looking guy with no personality.

10. My husband’s style is classic, but he’ll occasionally wear a Marni sweater or sneakers with a suit or try a jacket that’s slightly shorter, and it works for him. My son is more daring. The most important thing is to be yourself.

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2. The key to being a good host is having an honest interest in the people you invited. You can make an effort without turning the event into a performance and your guests into the audience.

3. The right suit should be comfortable but tailored. It shouldn’t restrict your movements, but it should enhance your figure and give you the silhouette you wish for when you’re undressed.

4. There’s no such thing as a bad style phase, because when you adopt a certain look, you truly believe it’s stylish. In hindsight, the eighties had some awkward moments, but then again, there were some real statements made.

5. Once we were staying at the Ritz in London, and we wanted to have lunch there. We were wearing jeans and no ties. We were refused entrance. So we left the restaurant angry and changed hotels.

6. Men aren’t necessarily dressing up more, but they’re definitely more aware of their grooming. And the first thing that comes to mind in terms of a no-no is a shaped hairline. Or highlights.

7. We don’t recommend that you wear diamonds, but on some men they look good. Sometimes when you have two on it can work. It’s a tricky thing.

8. Some people dress just like their boss. If the boss is a no-tie, blazer, jeans-wearing kind of guy, you’ll see all the people below him dressing just like him. In our case, that’s difficult. We’re kind of schizophrenic. One of us will come in one day in a three-piece suit and then the next day in a baseball cap.

9. We carry our wallets, MP3 players, telephones, and organizers with us every day. We have coats with very large pockets. When we travel, we bring as little luggage as possible.

10. Women are much easier to recognize as style icons—everybody can name a few. For us, male style icons are closer to home: a very well-groomed grandfather or uncle, for instance. The beauty of male fashion is that it is very much quality-based and all about the details: a perfect pair of cuff links or tie bar, a carefully chosen scarf and gloves, a good umbrella.