Top 10 Worst Fashion Trends of 2008

by Terri Potratz | December 10, 2008 at 03:36 pm

5080 views | 17 Recommendations | 35 comments

The end of 2008 is upon us and it's a great time to look back across the year and examine some of the incredible fashions we adopted - and count the errors of our ways. Trend and style is ever-changing, though many of the items that follow never should have been considered for public approval in the first place.

Here are the Top 10 Fashion Blunders of 2008 for both men and women, in no particular order:

Top 5 Female Fashion Blunders of 2008

1. Animal Print

Unless, of course, you actually want to look like a cougar.

2. Metallic Robot Gloves

Thanks for introducing this monstrosity to us, Beyonce. Maybe now you can knock some sense into yourself with that steel fist?

3. Overtly Conspicuous Accessories

Brightly coloured stockings sometimes work on a runway, but if you plan to be gallivanting about in public you had better be 5.

You're not fooling anyone with clear bra straps. In fact, when the light hits these "invisible" straps just right, you can actually see the reflection from space.

Ornate headwear. Hats are ok, but anything with feathers/flowers/bulbous bits that requires 20 pins to keep in place, you can probably do without.

Shoelace headbands a la American Apparel hipster kids.

4. Nefarious Shoes

Cargo heels that come with a 'handy' built-in pocket on the strap are NOT convenient.

Architectural shoes that may reach heights of 7" are impossible to walk in, and watching models fall all over runways wearing them didn't do much to whet my buying urges.

Anything with large bows.

99.99% of wedges.

And forget about extreme gladiator sandals that rise to the knee - at the very least, consider the potential for disastrous tan lines!

5. Plaid pants

Ahh...popularized in the 1970's, and re-appropriated by grunge kids in the 90's. Leave plaid pants in your youth with that ratty old chain wallet you wore with them.

If you need plaid in your life, I wholeheartedly suggest you invest north of the waistline; a button-down shirt, fitted equestrian blazer, or tunic are all acceptable alternatives.

Top 5 Male Fashion Blunders of 2008

1. Belted Jackets

The only possible point of a belt on a jacket that already has a zipper and/or button is to add definition to your waistline. In my opinion, men need not worry about accentuating their curves. Leave the belt at home.

2. Cheesy Body Adornments

Never forget that most people equate barbed wire tattoos with Pamela Anderson, and there is simply no way you can make it look cooler than her.

Eyebrow rings were in a decade ago; if you still have one, take it out, and if you're thinking about getting one, don't.

It's incredibly obvious, especially to women, when you have fake blonde highlights.

3. Inappropriate Shirts

Wearing a shirt with fake 'sleeve' tattoos is not ok - if you don't have the gall to get a real tattoo, don't play make-believe with an Ed Hardy shirt.

Same goes for shirts covered in flames. You are not that hot.

When you pop your collar, you look like a 15 year old boy. And yes, you actually do look twice as ridiculous if you double-up on polos and pop both collars.

Lately, I've been seeing the hipster boys dressing up in girls' clothing...just because girls adopted the "boyfriend tee" and took style cues from menswear, doesn't mean you can steal back from our wardrobe. Buy a small men's shirt and call it a day.

4. Overtly Conspicuous Accessories

I think we can all agree that Kanye West is one of the most ridiculous humans on the planet, and so are the shutter shades that he cherishes.

By popular request, I've been asked to include shell necklaces and fedoras here - my personal opinion is that some men can pull fedoras off, but don't go there if there's even a hint of uncertainty.

5. Strong cologne

When I can smell you from a block away, it's not sexy.

Runners up in both categories:

1. Crocs

Even worse, crocs 'n sox.

2. Hammer pants

AKA harem, drop-crotch, parachute, dookie, typewriter, Humpty-Dumpty, or carrot pants. There are more synonyms but I think "Humpty-Dumpty" sufficiently conveys the awfulness here.

What did I miss? Leave your comments below!

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frankieteardrop

at 15:45 on December 10th, 2008

Just though of one. what about the nouveaux mohawk? blah!

kk+ (not verified)

at 15:48 on December 10th, 2008

on the mens list im guilty of #4, and arguably #2. ;)

Terri Potratz

at 15:49 on December 10th, 2008

KK, you are in a league all of your own. Pay no mind.

theunderminer

at 15:55 on December 10th, 2008

What about beards?

Terri Potratz

at 16:00 on December 10th, 2008

Beards are amazing.

Jordan Yerman

at 06:22 on December 11th, 2008

Beards are (and always have been) cool.

dunkelberg

at 19:06 on December 13th, 2008

I'll get back to you in about a week.

Amy Judd

at 16:19 on December 10th, 2008

I wear quite a few of the accessories you mentioned and I love them! Coloured tights are the best!

Andrealynn

at 20:31 on December 10th, 2008

lol no clue why he would wear a shoeslace as a head band. who knows

Andrealynn has contributed a photo to this story.

shallomj (not verified)

at 21:21 on December 10th, 2008

I own a pair of drop-crotch pants. They are army green, capri length and asymmetrically cut, with some ties around the waist of the same material that hang down to just above the knee. I have been known to wear them with tan sculpted wedge heels.

I am still firmly convinced that they are awesome. Not all pants in this category are awesome, in fact 99% of them are hideous. But mine are awesome. In fact...I may wear them tomorrow, to the 604 awards, just to spite you.

lol

On all other counts I agree with you. Including the comment about kk.

Terri Potratz

at 21:38 on December 10th, 2008

I think you bring up a really good point...it's vital to note that not all of these are hard or fast rules. (Well, except maybe crocs...)

Most people just don't know how to properly incorporate new trends into their existing wardrobe and style, and that's when disasters happen. But if you're hip and confident enough, you can probably pull off just about anything - or at least not give two shakes what someone like me has to say ;)

shallomj (not verified)

at 09:21 on December 11th, 2008

yes, agreed. Crocs NEVER look good. Nobody is hip enough to make them look cool. The moment a croc touches a foot your hip/cool factor plummets, tragically.

ah, the horror. whoever invented those beasts should be locked away in solitary confinement for the rest of their life. lol

Something eles

at 06:24 on December 11th, 2008

This is an atractive 30 something mom just stopping and running into and out of a Starbucks for some early afternoon coffee. I call this photo " Mom on the go"

Something eles has contributed a photo to this story.

Jordan Yerman

at 06:29 on December 11th, 2008

Some people can pull off plaid trousers (like me, for instance, if properly accessorized with the rest of my found-on-the-street wardrobe items). However, I've never seen anyone successfully pull off shutter shades. Anyone. This is because they look like the low-level prize you win at the ring toss at the county fair.

Paschen

at 06:29 on December 11th, 2008

Crocs and socks are standard in Japan, meaning normal. Beards are rare, I am exotic here.:) Long or longer hair for Man are common. the 1960 are way in here along with traditional Kimonos going hand in hand.

PandoraCaitiff

at 09:15 on December 11th, 2008

Gloriously tacky, the leopard-print top has always looked a bit cheap and tarty.

PandoraCaitiff has contributed a photo to this story.

Kimmolation

at 16:39 on December 11th, 2008

These boots were made popular by Jessica Simpson, I bought them for my daughter and she never wore them. Now what does that tell ya? lol

Kimmolation has contributed a photo to this story.

Nicole Billard

at 11:53 on December 12th, 2008

Fashion should be individual... just remember that if you're uncomfortable it is likely you're making others aware of it and likely making them uncomfortable. Take KK for example... completely comfortable no matter what. That's why it works (mostly).

My fleece lined crocks are for indoor and family use only... we all have 'house' clothes we aren't proud of but are completely addicted to for comfort reasons. I also agree with Amy... colored stockings and those with crazy prints make my day a little brighter (but I'll bet none of you really noticed them, did you!! muaaahahahaha)

I will say that the schools around our office do provide some insight into cultural differences in style and confidence, what is an offense here within the walls of NowPublic seems to be just dandy at BCIT. Wow.

Mirth Parade

at 22:21 on December 12th, 2008

How about summer scarves, the half-moon leather purse, beards, bangs, puffy librarian blouses, long cardigans, slouchy suede ankle boots, skinny jeans (a few years old now, but they've completely saturated the market), the short-sleeved jacket, leggings-as-pants, grey jeans, oversized sweaters... and I'm beginning to wonder if this is the last year of American Apparel's bizarre lock on mainstream hipsterdom.

Emmile (not verified)

at 17:59 on December 13th, 2008

go brush up on fashion! god brightly colored tights and small amounts of aminal print (ex. headbands) were huge this fall. Come on i mean, i have to agree with the crocs and soxs but everyone knows that.

dunkelberg

at 19:19 on December 13th, 2008

Hot

Fedoras (no primary or metallic colors)
khaki shirts with:

two pockets
long sleeves
epaulets (optional for evening wear)
cool pocket on the top part of one of the sleeves

khaki pants with many pockets for day wear
khaki pants with pleats for evening wear
khaki cargo shorts (above the knee, please)
bandannas both in pocket for hygiene and around neck for effect
khaki photographer vests
any shoes without reflective parts

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 19:24 on December 13th, 2008

Khaki is good, unless of cause you happen to be in Iraq, then I would suggest another color like "invisible!"

Yuliya Talmazan

at 11:36 on December 15th, 2008

crocs are atrocious

momsrock (not verified)

at 12:52 on December 15th, 2008

I am a mom of two gorgeous boys and run an oilfield company with my sister. I am six foot tall and slim and I LOVE and wear my crocs with jeans everywhere I go. Who cares if anyone else hates them you dont bust your butt all day for anyone but your family. So if crocs make you happy and comfotable wear them proudly and tell the next sob to bend over and you can break em off in his a**. Love who you are and the purpose you were created for.

dunkelberg

at 12:58 on December 15th, 2008

Hear! Hear!

Taylor Siluwe

at 19:13 on December 15th, 2008

He was at a street festival in Jersey, drunk and making an a$$ of himself. I called him Mr. Ed Hardy shirt.

Taylor Siluwe has contributed a photo to this story.

erica marie.

at 22:46 on December 15th, 2008

Gladiator Sandals from Urban Outfitters.

erica marie. has contributed a photo to this story.

pyxopotamus

at 06:19 on December 16th, 2008

i am guilty of the eyebrow ring, and yes, it is very 10 years ago. it feels weird taking off a piece of my face though. i'll have to rely on my glasses to help hide it until i get the courage to yank it off.