You probably don’t remember who said it, but whoever said that fashion comes full circle every 30 years or so was not too far off. Last season on the runway was reminiscent of the 1970s in both flowing fabric and easy style. We saw much more of the long skirt and much less of the micro mini. Materials like silk and chiffon, which tend to flow and gather, were popular for Spring 2008, and still have some staying power in 2009. However, fabrics like cotton and denim which tend to hold shape and lend themselves to casual styles are making a comeback this year.

If you got rid of a lot of your cotton and denim last season, not to worry; materials such as these remain inexpensive as always to replace! Some things from last season are still popular and can be recycled for this season. Accessories like metallic bags and clutches, as well as sequins and other ‘bling’ items are still quite popular and can still be worn with confidence. Left over from last season and still cute as ever are headbands. Get rid of that pencil skirt from last season, though!

Pairing a sheer shirt over a camisole with denim jeans is still a great casual look that you can pull off yet again, and “dressy sneakers” are another left over hit from 2008 that you can manage to make stretch into this season. It’s always a plus when style and comfort can be combined. Still popular for the young trendsetter are low cut, patterned sneakers with ties that sport the best of brand names.

Brown was the new black a couple years back, and while brown has some staying power, metallic silvers and golds are sticking around from the 2008 season as well as muted grays. New this year is bold nautical type colors such as cobalt blues, yellows, and Kelly greens.

Shoes are always on the forefront of the fashion questions people ask. Animal prints, which were in vogue last year for clothing, are all the rage for shoes in 2009. The pointy-toe pumps which came back last season are now popular in all styles of shoes and boots. Late 2009 promises to provide lots of classic leather looks as far as boots are concerned and the bigger, chunkier heels we saw last year are being exchanged for sleek, classier looks in leather.

Of course, if we are going to talk shoes we must talk shades. Still popular are the Jackie-O style round and dark sunglasses that cover most of your face. Celebrities, of course, brought this trend to the forefront of fashion and it does not look like it is going anywhere anytime soon. Also popular are bright primary colors which, surprisingly, are available even in the larger round and square shapes and not just in sporty styles this year.

Designer denim continues to be the hottest thing around. We all know that True Religion, Citizens of Humanity, Buffalo, Seven for all Mankind and Lucky have become standard, almost run-of-the mill designer jeans. Even though they range in cost from $125.00 to $300.00 a pair, they are still the ‘norm’. As for jean style and cut, the zipper-ankle and straight-leg varieties that were popular last year are tossed aside for boyfriend jeans and more casual, comfortable cuts. Expect to see them everywhere this season. For those of you that love the model-skinny jeans, never fear. They are still hot this season, even in the dark wash that was brought back before 2009.

For the last few years, track suits have been popular for everyone from the average teen to the top supermodel to the homemaker shopping at the mall. Juicy Couture is likely still the most popular suit, but this look has expanded in popularity from Juicy to more reasonably priced retailers like Express, to top-of-the line designers like Cynthia Rowley. This season, the look extends to men as well. While warm-ups were always popular for men going to the gym, 2009 shows tracksuits worn by men in a casual yet designer fashion similar to the way women wear them. Gucci is a top designer dressing men in tracksuits this season.

This season proves to be an interesting one for fashion trends and styles. Comfort and style mix nicely, so look forward to looking great and feeling great. Nothing too over-the-top this season to offend, but an eclectic mix of old and new that should satisfy pretty much anyone paying attention and keeping track of the current trends. So, get ready to shop and enjoy some of the comfortable and cool styles 2009 will be all about.

GMHC Rocks the Runway at Fashion Forward! On November 16, close to 600 supporters of GMHC attended the third annual Fashion Forward presented by Bank of America. The runway show produced by Saks Fifth Avenue featured the designs of Burberry, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, Vince and more. The event included live and silent auctions which included designer shopping sprees and vacation packages. Tim Gunn returned as the host for a third year. Steve Sadove, Chairman of Saks Fifth Avenue and Jeff Barker, New York City President of Bank of America were also in attendance. Celebrity guests included Wendy Williams, J. Alexander, John Bartlett, Jack Mackenroth, Kevin Christiana, Erin Lucas, Phillip Bloch, Sean Palmer, Jenna Stern, Nicholas Rodriguez, Suede, Ronnie Kroell, Michael Bastian, Marc Bouwer and many others.

Here is a look at the GMHC Fashion Forward 2009 event produced by Saks Fifth Avenue and hosted by Tim Gunn. Designers included Burberry, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, Vince and more. For more information about Gay Men’s Health Crisis please visit www.gmhc.org

It will surprise no one that Lori, 13, generally wakes up at 6:00 am to plan her outfit for the day. Or that she often checks in with her two closest friends. But according to * Tracy Fontaine, a New York City elementary school teacher, in about a year or so, she may well stop doing that.

“In middle school kids want to be like each other,” explained. “They want to fit in with the crowd, not stand out. Quite often, by the time they hit high school, they’re more willing to branch out and be more independent in the way they think–and the way they dress. They usually have a larger peer group and more defined interests.”

For moms whose kids will only wear Abercrombie polos or a certain style of Levis jeans, that may be hard to believe. And while that behavior may not disappear entirely (Hey, so you’ve never coveted/worn/saved up for a certain designer label?) teens sometimes feel like they have more options as they get older.

One reason may be that as kids get more confident, they don’t feel the need to stick so closely to what they think others want them to wear—they’re more likely to opt for what they want to wear.

“There are so many influences today it’s hard to know where or how kids get their ideas,” admitted one Westchester mom. Trends move so quickly—from TV shows, celebrities, movies, raps stars–it’s hard for adults to follow.

It’s equally hard for the teens themselves sometimes. “My friends and I like to read the fashion magazines to see what’s out there, but we also like to look on certain websites that carry clothes but also show pictures of celebrities and stuff,” admits Diana, 14. “Each season there are usually these really influential shows and you kind of get your cues from there.” But she also admits that it’s hard to keep up—financially as well as fashion wise. “You can’t buy everything,” she laments. “But for some people it’s really important and they’ll, like, judge you if you wear the wrong thing.”

James, 15, who mostly wears polos and khakis or jeans, says he likes Abercrombie shirts not just because it’s fashionable, but because he likes the range of colors and the fit. He swears that if blindfolded, he could tell the difference between his favorite shirt and a different brand. (We have yet to put it to the test.)

Some brands seem to have enormous staying power (Uggs anyone?), but the ante is also continually upped, as teenage girls aspire to a new Marc Jacobs bags or the newest style of Juicy this or Junk Food that. Since characters in TV shows such as “Gossip Girl” are excessively fashion-conscious, that often translates to real life. (Never mind that the show is a fantasy, as emphasized by a number of moms.) It doesn’t seem to matter–they’re the arbiters of cool, and cool often means status labels and high prices.

In an era when entire magazines are given over to shopping or what celebrities are wearing, it’s hard not to be assaulted by it at every turn, and for teens, already insecure, to feel like they have to follow along in order to fit in.

Many kids—especially girls– find trying to keep up to be hugely stressful (as do their parents, thank you very much.).

“I sometimes wish I wore a uniform!” admitted one girl sheepishly. But kids want to be in the know, to be perceived as hip and aware, to be in the vanguard, or at least the group trailing closely behind–of what defines the look of the moment. Of such stuff is teenage life often made, as they struggle to figure out who they are and how they want to be perceived.

Yet pity the poor parents, for whom trends often have unintended consequences:

“I don’t mind the layered look my daughter goes in for,” one suburban Connecticut mom explains. “But the problem is that it means so much more laundry!”

*Names have been changed

Marc Jacobs handbags are known for being very versatile, and chic. Added to the Marc Jacobs International line in 2000, Jacobs handbags have since become one of the most coveted products available. Marc Jacobs handbags are commonly made from soft calfskin and feature signature details, such as polished gold metal hardware and buckles, and they instantly glam up any outfit. Jacobs handbags are produced with the finest materials in order to present a high quality handbag.

Marc Jacobs handbags are also known for their fashion forward edginess and defining grunge look which is startling but also pleasing to many women. Jacobs’ edgy creations have appealed to the hip, youthful and trendsetting crowd since the 1990s, which has made him a legend among fashion forward celebrities. Super models Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell were willing to walk his first runway show free of charge. Even as Jacobs’ handbag line swelled in popularity, Marc by Marc Jacobs handbags maintained Jacobs’ singular style and continued to display a sophistication that never swayed with changing trends.

Marc Jacobs handbags come in a range of materials from classic leather to modern linen. The more notable Marc by Marc Jacobs handbags are the leather patchwork or quilted designs that are usually outfitted with gold fittings and accessories. Some of Jacobs handbag designs utilize all kinds of leather such as ostrich and others for the more particular consumers. Jacobs usually have designs for each season, and they appeal to all kinds of women. Jacobs handbag designs are also very casual and are made in refreshing colors.

Jacobs defines himself for his excellence in design and his eye for fashion forward style. With bold colors and striking styles, Marc Jacobs handbags are made for women who pride themselves on distinction. Jacobs continue to create and gain supporters and fans for his highly sought after Marc by Marc Jacobs brand, which includes his prestigious handbag collection. Jacobs was the youngest artist to be awarded The Council of Fashion Designer’s of America’s (CFDA), Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent, a Nobel Prize of the fashion industry. Marc Jacobs has made an excellent name for him and continues down the path of success in the fashion industry.

Marc Jacobs’ original handbags are shipped directly from Italy and come with an elegant dust bag. Marc by Marc Jacobs handbags can be found at major high end department stores such Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom’s.