2008 was an interesting year for fashion. Gone (thankfully) were the maternity tops of 2007, replaced by blasts from the past inspirations from the 20s through the days of our best pals on Beverly Hills 90210. We saw everything from the mom-jean to the 90s flannel button down. Some of it was fab, and some of it… not so much. So, let’s take a look at this year’s fashion highs and fashion oh-hell-no’s.

Because without the crap we can’t appreciate the couture.

Here are my top 5 fashion must-haves from 2008:

The High Waist

Sure we spent years trying to get people to stop wearing them only to bring them right back in, but let’s face it: we should be thankful that we don’t have to look at butt cracks and muffin tops a day longer. These pants look good on just about everyone… as long as they aren’t acid washed…or paired with a denim jacket.

The Vintage Scarf

There is something about Hollywood starting trends of cold-weather wear in warm weather regions that seems to catch on like hot fire. First we saw Uggs popularity soar back in 2003 with stars in shorts and boots trudging around LA. This year it was the scarf that made its way to the West Coast. Everywhere you turned, there was Jessica Alba in another fabulously printed scarf. These colorful scarves spruced up wardrobes, covered hickies (for those of you who still get them), and made any drab outfit instantly chic.

The Plaid or Gingham T

I was admittedly resistant to this trend at first. After all, my brothers wore these with hiking boots and Cavariccis to high school back in 1996. I didn’t like them then and I didn’t think I would like them now. Until designers – from the Couture to Forever 21 – made them tailored and colorful and so. freakin. cute, especially when tucked into a pair of those mom jeans I’ve come to love so much.

The Belt

Whereas 2007 was all about hiding that belly under too-big tops, 2008 brought us the cinched waist. Thank you, fashion peeps of the world! Now everything – jackets, dresses, tops – come paired with a belt for an instantly chic and flattering look. The best part: you can take all those maternity shirts from last year and glam ‘em up instantly with this year’s hottest accessory. And if by chance you get knocked up? Just remove that belt and, Viola!

Bright Colors

The little black dress was obsolete this year with the addition of bright colors and jewel tones. Seriously, everywhere you walked looked like a gay pride parade! You name your favorite Crayola crayon color and I will find you a shirt, dress and pair of skinny jeans in that hue.

The Oh-Hell-No Looks of 2008:

One-Piece Jumpers

I don’t care if Rhianna rocked them; they look good on no one. Unless, of course, you are a fan of the camel toe.

Leather Leggings

Leggings as pants can be tricky when not worn in a flattering way. Add the fact that they are leather and you have yourself a recipe for disaster. Leather leggings make women look like they are walking on lumpy sausages. Does that sound even remotely sexy to you? I didn’t think so. These bad boys are never flattering. Not ever. Not even for a second.

With classes starting, like, now (eek!), here are 5 foolproof items that will carry you throughout the year. Versatile, comfortable and reasonably priced, it’s a wonder you don’t already own them!

1. Short-Sleeve Cardigan

The collegiate look is in this year. It’s just a fact. And for those of you who aren’t exactly fond of the whole prep-school-blazer look, here is a much more subtle option. The short-sleeve cardi is super functional, being worn with a tank top or tee during the warm months, or a long-sleeve tee once it gets cold in your neck of the woods. Pick up one in a neutral color and see it become a wardrobe staple.

2. V-Neck Tees

Admit it – when you think of a v-neck tee, most of you recall images of either a) a hairy-chested mafiaoso or b) Lindsay Lohan wearing too-big shirts while frolicking around LA. So, needless to say, the v-neck has gotten an undeserving bad rap. But it is so much more than a uniform for the Godfather and drug addicts! V-neck is probably the MOST flattering cut of all. It skims over thin girls beautifully and if you’re bigger, it draws attention upwards, away from your tummy. Lots of stores, even Target, have caught on, so you really have no excuse not to pick one up.

3. Plaid

If just the word plaid brings to mind images of Paul Bunyan, it’s about time to get over it! Take one look at the fall runways and you will see plaid everywhere. And this trend couldn’t be easier to pull off. Add a bag or a pair of plaid flats to a neutral outfit for a bit of spice, or if you’re feeling adventurous, rock a plaid shirtdress. Even more functional, how about a bomber jacket, in the traditional lumberjack red check? The options for this one are endless.

4. Wide Leg Jeans

Although skinnys are certainly not gone (and I am so happy about that!), wide leg styles are making a HUGE comeback! Light washes give off a 70′s flair and are super cute paired with a tie blouse, while dark washes, a black top and a pashmina scarf simply scream chic. Check out your favorite jean store, such as American Eagle or Abercrombie for your own pair. The chain stores have already picked up on this one and so should you!

5. Fringe

Keeping with the 70′s theme, leather fringe has been all over the runways. The most popular ways to wear this are going to be with over-the-shoulder satchels and suede boots. If you’re a bit more out there, how about a fringed vest? Your local thrift store is sure to have a few options in stock. Top this one off with a headband across the forehead, like Nicole Richie or one of the Olsens, and you’ll rule the school.

I digress.

Anyway, the democrats got all pissy and whiney about the ad and made some comments that didn’t do anything to help the situation, but I’m sure they’re still whining about it, not being productive, you know, the usual. I didn’t really see the problem with the ad, mainly because I was psyched about Paris Hilton being president.

I’m not really wild about either candidate, so I’m going to have to say we all write-in Paris Hilton for president for 2008. Mostly, because who couldn’t do a better job than what’s his name? Also, because she would hopefully implement some great policies that would bring this country out of it’s depressing state.

She’s a perfect representative for America. She has tons of super sweet connections with people, even if the majority of her network is people she’s given blow jobs to. She’s concerned with appearances and does not approve of anything “not hot,” like terrorism, hate crimes, animal cruelty and flannel. She doesn’t seem to care about either the Democrat or Republican party, but she does party, thus making her the perfect middle ground this country needs.

I’d start tuning into C-SPAN if she passed a law that mandated everyone in the House of Representatives to bring a tiny pursedog or other cute animal to every meeting. I’d watch her speeches, even if most of them were interrupted by her answering text messaged on her bedazzled BlackBerry. I’d even watch her speeches if they were filmed in Night Vision!

Maybe John “I Just Wet My Depends” McCain has a solid point. Maybe all this country needs is a little hotness. So, who’s with me?

“Hilton ’08: Yes, We CAN, bitch! Loves it!”

Or how magazines will spend an entire season convincing you to get rid of your wide-legs because “Skinny is here to stay!” and then four months later, all you see in the same magazine are super-duper-I could fit 5 kegs in here-wide legs that are a “Must Have” for the upcoming season… “Wide legs are here to stay!” Riiiight.

And I even love what is perhaps, the most ridiculous concept about fashion: nothing is really ever all that original. Sure Marc Jacobs (whom I adore and would date if he wasn’t on another team) makes Flannel look effortlessly chic- but at the same time, my brothers wore plaid flannels in high school along with Doc Martens and their Walkman clipped inside their Z. Cavaricci’s (ah the 90′s….).

I’m usually all for fashion comebacks. Since I’m a vintage junkie, I will jump at the chance to wear something that was once the IT style. Partly because I’m a sappy nostalgic- I love the idea of wearing bell bottoms and imagining what my life would have been like had I grown up in the 70′s. I like to give fashion the benefit of the doubt. I enjoy playing dressup. I do believe that a flannel top could be cute. And aside from the recent seasons of awful Maternity wear, I usually look forward to the “New” (recycled) trends coming out each season- wondering what era will be in this year.

That is until I saw these. And I wasn’t sure if I wanted to cry. Or vomit. Or both.

Not only are they high-tops. But they look like my two year old nephew finger painted all over them in the most heinous combination of colors (having a flashback to my 10th grade cheerleading uniform: brown and yellow. Poop and pee. Okay- that might have been worse). What’s next? Scrunchie socks and puff painted sweatshirts? Slap bracelets and stirrup pants with body suits tucked in?

What makes me even more nervous is that my eye will get used to these horrible-terrible-awful shoes that I will (gasp!) eventually want to wear them! And this got me thinking back to all of the trends I felt the same way about… and ultimately ended up wearing:

Uggs

Moccasins

Chinese Slippers

Designer Fanny Packs

Leggings

Butterfly clips

Bra straps as headbands

Maternity style dresses

Super low rise jeans with the band at the top cut off so they frayed

Platform gym shoes

Animal print pants (I distinctly remember feeling SO cool meeting Christina Aguilera in tiger printed pants. Oh. Lord.)

Skinny Jeans

High-Waisted pants with a shirt tucked in (I mean did we not spend the last 10 years trying to get rid of the “Mom-Butt?”)

So lets hear it ladies, I know we are all guilty of this. What trends did you swear you would NEVER be caught dead in… only to be wearing them 2 months later? Would you rock the Reebok’s?

I’ll keep you posted if I end up wearing these bad boys. But I’m thinking if I do, I’ll just buy them in White and actually have my nephew paint them himself.

Then at least they will be unique.