I know many have already published exhaustive end-of-decade lists, but I have something to add. Trust me, you’ll relate. I’ve put together a salute to the fashionable moments and, in some instances, people we had a hard time forgetting over the last 10 years. There were trends to adopt, those to ignore and those that just wouldn’t go away. Let the list begin.
1.
Lady Gaga is at the end of the decade, a Madonna if you will for the new millennium. Her poppy disco dance hits are further popularized by her outlandish costumes and fashion sense. Love her or hate her, she had people talking about fashion, many of whom never did before. Rating: Best/ Worst2. Designer denim comeback. Denim has always been with us, but in these last few years, the consumer has won hands-down in the number of styles, fits and price points these fashion stalwarts offer. There was something for everyone from True Religion to Jaclyn Smith for Kmart. Clothing made of this workhorse fabric is here to stay for a long, long while. Rating: Best
3. Spanx gets you under control. The days of the girdle were long past when an entrepreneur named Sara Blakely realized women needed a little help when wearing knits to combat the dreaded “muffin top” or “back fat” and a cottage (cheese) industry was born. Used by stars and real people alike to help camouflage life’s imperfections, Spanx made the world safer for clingy fabrics! Rating: Best
4. Designer lines at discount prices. Isaac Mizrahi, Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Sui, Sonia Rykiel, Vera Wang and other noteworthy fashion designers produced moderately priced collections for the likes of H&M, Kohl’s and Target. The average consumer suddenly had the opportunity to be a budget fashionista. Rating: Best
5. Botox cosmetics approved by FDA. This is a double-edged sword. No doubt this poison does help keep the brow unfurrowed, but at the same time, I have seen far too many women on the red carpet who look waxy instead of pretty. Rating: Best/Worst
6. Juicy Couture sweat suits. Thumbs way down to the idea that workout gear is OK to wear everywhere. Besides, I do think it is in terribly bad taste to walk around with the word Juicy prominently featured across your bum. These should have stayed in the gym or at home for loungewear. Rating: Worst
7. Uggs. The name alone says it all. Although I realize they keep your tootsies warm, that’s the point. They are winter boots, people! They are not to be worn with dresses. I love it when the “stars” in L.A. wear them year-round in their terribly cold climate. Rating: Worst
8. “Project Runway.” The little show that gave us all a reason to care about fashion. Part reality show, part contest, all fabulous, it gave us something to watch besides “Rock of Love” or any of the other sleaze fests on cable. Plus who could lose with a host like Heidi Klum and her co-host the awesome Tim Gunn? Rating: Best
9. Designer handbag craze. Everyone and their mother suddenly started talking about, lusting after and jonesing for designer bags of all kinds. From giant clutches to boho hobo to motorcylcle-inspired purses, it was all about what you were carrying, rather than who you were wearing. Enough is enough, ladies. Rating: Worst
10.
Michelle Obama sparks a return to the feeling of Camelot, a first lady who favors designers like Isabel Toledo, Narciso Rodriguez and Jason Wu. Whether you voted for her husband, you can’t deny her dazzling impact on women across the country, as she made it OK to belt everything and to mix high-end with low-end duds. Rating: BestAlthough these standout moments seem arbitrary, they did make fashion more of a reality in people’s lives, and that’s always a good thing. Let me know what your favorite and least favorite moments were by sending me an e-mail (bjorn@milwaukeemagazine.com) or commenting!
