Editors handpick every product that we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page.
The Best and Worst Fashion Trends of 2008
A look back at the good, the bad and the ugly this year in fashion.
Fabio Pettniari
From must-have styles to must-hate trends. Here is the year in fashion.
Fabio Pettniari
1 of 24
The Year in Fashion
JANUARY - Best Khaki: Prep school khaki graduated from casual to runway. Here, Donna Karan Collection embraced an eco-friendly palette of sand, stone, and wood.
2 of 24
JANUARY - Worst Bright Tights: There was a time when we were convinced that candy-colored hosiery looked good on grownups. That time has passed.
Dan Lecca
3 of 24
The Year in Fashion
FEBRUARY - Best Resortwear: Marc by Marc Jacobs's colorful collection of graphic-print tunics and tops was enough to stave off S.A.D. until spring.
4 of 24
FEBRUARY - Worst Leggings: Worn as tights: fine. Worn as pants, '80s-style: like, gag us with a spoon.
5 of 24
The Year in Fashion
MARCH - Best Lotsa layered bangles and bracelets: Burberry, Oscar de la Renta, Lacroix, Pucci. If you could still raise your arm, you weren't wearing enough!
Dan Lecca
6 of 24
The Year in Fashion
MARCH - Worst Pockets on shoes: People, have we learned nothing from cargo pants?!
Dan Lecca
7 of 24
The Year in Fashion
APRIL - Best Sheer: Fashion's elegant minimalism - soft-edge architectural shapes in textured silks and barely there colors. Very zen.
8 of 24
APRIL - Worst Architectural Heels: So cute, but so deadly. A woman should only have to learn how to walk in heels once in her life.
Dan Lecca
9 of 24
The Year in Fashion
MAY - Best The Maxi Dress: The full length '70s style sundress was the new staple for the girls on the go this spring. It was the perfect outfit for any occasion and we saw it paired with everything from sexy sandals to causal flipflops.
Dan Lecca
10 of 24
The Year in Fashion
MAY - Worst The arts & crafts couture trend: Skirts and dresses covered in feathers and mirrors: pretty, Sitting down in one: not pretty.
Dan Lecca
11 of 24
The Year in Fashion
JUNE - Best Ruffles: An emblem of both girl power and retro glam-rock, ruffles ruled! Whether froufrou for evening or formidable for work, ruffles look modern in black or barely-there shades.
Dan Lecca
12 of 24
The Year in Fashion
JUNE - Worst Knee-High Gladiator Sandals: Cute on the runway? Yes. But, this trend is just too much for the sidewalk. Opt for the ankle length unless you're on your way to the Colosseum to slay a few tigers.
Dan Lecca
13 of 24
The Year in Fashion
JULY - Best Blooms Day: Designers were on fertile ground and in a garden state of mind with these lush colorful looks of vibrant flowers and retro shapes.
Dan Lecca
14 of 24
The Year in Fashion
JULY - Worst Dark Fashion: Black bob, black lipstick? Why not just get a T-shirt that says, "I hate my parents."
Dan Lecca
15 of 24
The Year in Fashion
AUGUST - Best Fall's IT coats arrived in stores in August: Smart girls swung by the mall on their way home from the beach - there's nothing like cashmere and Coppertone working together.
James Devaney
16 of 24
The Year in Fashion
AUGUST - Worst High Tops: We can all understand the need for some extra ankle support at the gym. But when it comes to street wear, this retro revival should have been left in the '80s.
Dan Lecca
17 of 24
The Year in Fashion
SEPTEMBER - Best Menswear: We loved seeing pants strut their stuff on the runway. This year's styles have assumed mythic proportions, with big buttons, giant cuffs, and full-blown pleats.
18 of 24
SEPTEMBER - Worst Extreme Details: Sculptural styles are a definite do but, worrying about de-puffing your sleeves, collar, waist or anything else during your morning commute - no thank you.
19 of 24
OCTOBER - Best Ultra Violet: Forget power red. The hues making all the news were every shade of purple.
20 of 24
OCTOBER - Worst It's Halloween - and we all love to dress up. But the ultimate fashion don't this month is any Halloween costume that begins with the word "naughty" as in: naughty nurse, naughty bunny, naughty nun, naughty secretary.
21 of 24
NOVEMBER - Best Lace: Frilly yet fearless. From boudoir to boardroom to dance floor, lace was the connecting thread.
22 of 24
NOVEMBER - Worst Yes, Nov. 1st may have been the Mexican holiday The Day of the Dead but skull fashion is so out.
Dan Lecca
23 of 24
The Year in Fashion
DECEMBER - Best Flash Your Brights: Baby it's cold outside but that's no reason to dress drab. Get precious with gem-toned trend.
Dan Lecca
24 of 24
The Year in Fashion
DECEMBER - Worst Huge Hats: We love the hat trend but sometimes there is a such a thing as too much of a good trend. This December, keep hats fab, functional and frill-free.
