Jimmy Del Ponte On The Silly Side (The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.) On Sunday we went to a comic book convention at The Westin Waterfront Hotel. The two day event was packed to the rafters. Some fans went all out and dressed like their favorite characters. I saw two different Wonder Women, a few Batmen, several X-Men and some pretty cool looking female heroines. They were decked out to the max from head to toe.

The beautiful spring weather also brought out a lot of people who opened their summer clothes drawer for the first time. It was great to see skin again as shorts and the tank tops were out in force.

The flip flops were flipping and flopping, among other things.

We have been teased with spurts of gorgeous spring weather but I think despite a few more chilly mornings, we are home free. Popping allergy pills and using eye drops and Kleenex also reassures me that spring has indeed arrived.

I noticed lots of fashion statements being made as I drove and walked through our All American City. When the wool caps came off, the new trend of earrings became visible. I'm talking about the large hoops about the size of quarters that stretch the heck out of the earlobe – a small bird could actually perch inside these things.

The lip rings also catch my eye, as do the nose, lip and eyebrow pierces. I hope they don't catch a sweater or shirt because that could really be painful. It is painful to me just to look at them and imagine how much it must have hurt. I actually pierced my own ears when I was younger and believe me, it was no picnic.

Spring and summer also means we get to see all the great tattoos that we have been keeping covered up all winter. Let the ink be seen!

Let's talk about short shorts that show a little too mush flesh on both men and women. This is a very slippery slope. It can be one little inch or pound that changes yes!! to yikes!!

I know this first hand and that's why all my shorts are super baggy.

I look at some pictures of the old days and can't believe how skimpy our summer wardrobes were. And fear not, a trip down Davis Square is like watching Project Runway.

If you can get a bench or a table over near J.P. Licks, sit down and prepare to be amazed. Did you ever see that guy who wears the kilt? He wore it all winter so I am dying to see what his summer kilt looks like.

And let's not forget the ladies who wear shorts with spiked heels. I give them a 10. But again, this is a tricky road to travel down. Some toss fashion sense to the wind and wear heels and shorts no matter what their size or shape.

I say right on!

We should all wear what we want. My dad used to wear Bermuda shorts, dark socks and black dress shoes, and he was a cool dude.

Through pictures, I can unfortunately trace my history of wearing tank tops and muscle shirts. When I first started wearing them, I had skinny little chicken arms. Then after going crazy in the gym , I actually filled them out pretty decently. Then as I aged, the muscles decreased, and the mid section filled out. Now I just don't give a crap.

We all have those few favorite articles of clothing that we feel good wearing. I love that Led Zeppelin shirt that is broken in just right, those pants that get a little closer to falling apart with every wash, and that jacket that went out of style years ago.

I was watching Shallow Hal the other day and Jason Alexander's character had a Members Only jacket on. Gwyneth Paltrow asked if he was the last member.

I have a pair of Calvin Klein dungarees in my closet that are over 25 years old. They only fit when I weigh 20 pounds less than I do now. I have fit into them, and out grown those pants at least 10 times over the years. I have a pair of hideously colored Reeboks that are about 26 years old. I wear them when I am in a particularly goofy mood.

I have a 20 year old fringed black leather motor cycle jacket, with snake skin on the back. If I lose 5 more pounds I can were that bad boy, much to the dismay of my family and close friends.

I still have a "jac-shirt" from Mickey Finns (a men's store that used to be in Davis Square). I have a pair of purple suede Fiorucci Beatle boots that I bought at Building 19 30 years ago for $20. I will squeeze into them if we ever put my punk rock band back together. My black spandex pants may be lost however.

I love seeing how we Villens express ourselves through what they wear. We love our leather jackets and various caps and hats. I give us a lot of credit for having the confidence in ourselves to feel comfortable with how we look.

I was one of the first kids to wear bell bottoms at Somerville High School. I also wore a necklace with with a peace sign on it. I will still occasionally wear a Zeppelin , Ozzy , Kiss, or Rolling Stones T-shirt. If I want to embarrass my kids, Ill pop an earring in.

By the way have you seen that dude who wears the black leather Zorro hat with the big feather on it ?

To the short short spiked heel lady, big earring boy, tattoo girl, tank top man, nose pierce guy, rock T- shirt people, Zorro and Mr. Kilt, I say, Somerville Rocks and so do you.