The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

The Best and Worst Fashion Trends of 2008

Best and worst fashion trends of 2008

It was the best of times, it was the...well, you know the rest. Here's a look back at some of the best and worst fashion trends of 2008. What would you add to (or subtract from) the list?

Worst
  • Ridiculously high heels: Shoe heels soared to unreasonable heights in 2008 (I blame SATC, the movie). They look fabulous in theory but are impossible to wear.
  • Voluminous tops: Tops that make you look pregnant just aren't flattering. Sorry.
  • Leggings: On the wrong figure, leggings can look just awful, and 2008 saw plenty of unfortunate souls squeezed into these non-pants. Same goes for liquid leggings (even though I kinda liked them...)
  • Wild wellies: Wacky colored rainboots were all over the place in 2008. Are they meant to be footwear or just a sick joke?
  • Tacky knock-offs and hyper-monogrammed handbags: Enough with the faux Lous Vuitton handbags already. And while you're at it, lose the real deal Coach and/or Dooney & Bourke purses covered in "Cs" and "DBs." Yeesh!


Best
  • Ruffles: Feminine, flirty and downright fashion-forward, ruffles made a big splash in 2008.
  • Sequins: Far from igniting a disco-inferno, sequin's shined on runways and racks with wondrous results this year.
  • Patent: It's leather, it's shiny. It's perfect for accessories that make a statement.
  • Belts: Be they skinny or wide, belts helped accentuate curves and create waistlines on ladies everywhere in 2008.
  • Skinny jeans: Tucked into boots or worn with ladylike pumps, skinny jeans reigned supreme this year as the bottom of choice.


Have a fun and safe New Year's everyone!!

Comments
We're on the same page with the "worsts," ESPECIALLY those skyscraper stilettos. Eesh.

To your "bests" I'd also add booties, lace, and plaid ... all of which I personally adore, trend or no trend.
#1 Sal (Homepage) on 2008-12-31 13:20 (Reply)
I agree with you 100% about the sky high heels, this year's are almost unwearable. I have to admit, though, I love the wellies!
your blog is lovely!
please drop me a comment if you'd like to trade links
xx
emma
#2 Emma (Homepage) on 2008-12-31 20:31 (Reply)
THose ridiculous scarves worn on everyone from men to women and during the hottest months including July.

It's much like socks with sandals.

Either it's cold enough for a scarf or it's hot enough for jeans and a t-shirt.

NOT BOTH.
#3 Riana on 2008-12-31 20:33 (Reply)
Leggings wasn't so appealing until late this year, I don't know why, but now I'm dying to try one paired up with a good dress, flat forms, or wedgies. Accessorise it a bit and Whoala! :-D
#4 Lyndsay (Homepage) on 2009-01-01 05:00 (Reply)
I also agree with plaid being a fantastic trend from the past year- I thought the lame leggings were fun too, pretty crazy but fun and worth it for going out!

I like sky high heels! Go big or go home!

I also liked the neon colors trend from 2008- that was fun and could be added to anyones wardrobe, whether done with a tiny bracelet or neon tee!
#5 Peaches on 2009-01-01 16:08 (Reply)
I love ridiculously high heels, but I'm only 5'3" and need all the height help I can get!

I totally agree with the knock-offs and the hyper-monogrammed handbags. There are tons of cute non-label bags at F21, Target, Banana Republic and such that are much better!
#6 taylor (Homepage) on 2009-01-01 23:56 (Reply)
Love the knock-off handbags, even though they should kinda chill out with the LV bags!

The best trend to me was the "nose-bleed" stilettos - love it!! I truly ate that trend up.

I have gotten so use to walking in 5 inch heels I'm ready to go to 6 inch heels! I'm sooo glad that shoe manufacturers are going up to 4.5 to 5 inch heels. If all there were in the shoe world was boring, office safe 3 inch heels for people who have foot problems, where would the fashion world be!!

Tired of patent leather, this has been going on for at least 6 seasons now. Ready for this trend to go away.
#7 budget chic on 2009-01-02 10:08 (Reply)
re super high heels, the point is, the 'sensible shoes are not for people with foot problems, they are going to KEEP people from GETTING foot problems. this is not a joke. what you wear now will affect you 20 yrs from now. it's ok to wear the really high heels for an evening out, but let's get real - they are NOT for everyday wear.
:-)
#8 maggie z on 2009-01-02 11:38 (Reply)
Agreed. If I see one more idiot at the zoo or in the park trying to chase their kid in 5 inch heels I'll throw up!!! I love them too, but there is a time and a place!!!
#8.1 Megan on 2009-01-02 18:41 (Reply)
Had to pop back in for this one. I love heels as much as the next girl but I think 6 inch heels are pushing it. I really mean no offense when I say this but there's a fine line between a nice high heel and the hooker spikes. It's not how high you are, it's how good you look.
#9 Riana on 2009-01-04 15:33 (Reply)
I so agree with you on patent being one of the best's. Just purchased a beautiful pair of patent pumps & can't wait to wear them :-)
#10 Down Comforter (Homepage) on 2009-01-04 15:39 (Reply)
I agree with all your picks, especially the worsts!! I'm ok with knock-offs b/c hey, not everyone can afford the real deal, but I hate it when people try to pass them off as real when they so aren't. Just admit it!
#11 MizzJ (Homepage) on 2009-01-05 16:07 (Reply)
Where is the ruffle plaid top Rhianna has on in this blug from?
#12 Koko on 2009-01-05 22:34 (Reply)
Rihanna is wearing a ruffle front plaid shirt by Ivy (sold out at ShopIntuition.com). For a similar look, try this American Living shirt instead, just $34.99 at JCPenney.com:

http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=50434&CatID=51155&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=1490ff5&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=EXTERNAL|51155&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=37&CmCatId=external|51155
#12.1 The Budget Babe on 2009-01-07 13:43 (Reply)
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