Every year we see some fashion trends being forgotten and some sticking by. Below are some of the hottest trends of 2008, some good, some bad. Let's see which styles would stay hot in new year.
1. Maxi Dress 
Maxi Dress were seen all around during the spring and summer 2008. They were a huge hit with celebrities, and I think the trend was started by Angelina Jolie in her pregnant days. Angelina Jolie and Nicole Richie (on right) were seen wearing long maxi dresses with a deep neckline that accentuated their motherly curves.
The Bollywood caught the look a bit late with Bollywood Celebs sporting maxi dress in the autumn 2008.
Though it's a smart choice in maternity fashion, the maxi dress is not very flattering on everyone, especially on petite ladies. It looks like this trend will not be carried in 2009. Dresses for 2009 would be a lot shorter and more form-fitting this year.
Sex and the City Cast in Maxi Dress
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(l) Deepika Padhukone and (r) Mugdha Godse
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2. Gladiator Shoes 
2008 started with the return of gladiator shoes in all avatars from flat sandals, pointed pumps, heeled shoes to wedges. The Gladiator look in shoe fashion were a rage since Sarah Jessica Parker was seen wearing the look in her movie Sex and the City several times (picture below). It was hard to visit a shoe store during that time without seeing a pair of gladiators staring you in the face.
The gladiator shoe trend was quickly taken over on fashion podiums and star studded red carpet events all over the world with celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Mary-Kate Olsen, Rihanna, Isha Koppikar wearing them.
I am not a big fan of this style, but many designers are featuring this style once again in their new collections for 2009. If you want to wear this style pick a simple and neutral pair and ensure you keep your overall look also simple.
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3. Ruffles - Dresses, Tops and Shirts 
The feminine and sexy ruffled blouses and dresses were in the forefront throughout 2008 and were ubiquitous in high street stores in various avatars from shirts, blouses, dresses to accessories like shoes and bags. Ruffles were also featured on our
Fashion’s hot trends (Autumn 2008- Winter 2009). They were a huge hit on the runway from Oscar De la Renta, John Galliano , Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin to Lanvin all generously displayed this trend. Lanvin came up with this trend most beautifully (Sonam Kapoor, on right, in Lanvin Ruffled Dress).
Not only are they adorable, but are very flattering as well. Paired with pencil skirts or sleek pants, frilly, ruffled tops are popular for work attire, evening wear and even weekend wear.
This trend would certainly be seen in 2009. In the Spring 2009 trends ruffles were everywhere - ruffles at the hem, ruffled skirts, ruffled blouses, ruffled dresses, even ruffles that were vertical. In fact I think they would be one of the hottest trends for even 2009.
How to wear the trend? Into the spring, look for more ruffled tops of the sleeveless variety. Pick pastel and bright colored ruffled blouses in 2009. Pair them with grey, camel and other neutrals. Pair a ruffled blouse with a high waisted pencil skirt for a chic look. Carla wears the trend very smartly - sexy cobalt blue ruffled blouse teamed with a black pencil skirt (below).
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4. Bangs
Bangs and fringes were a huge hit in 2008. They were worn by everyone from red carpet to street. Celebrities from Reese Witherspoon, Katie Holmes, Charlize Theron,
Ashlee Simpson, Liv Tyler, Kim Kardashian were wearing bangs in 2008.
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They look stylish and instantly changes your look without severely cutting your hair or damaging them using perming, straightening or colouring. It is a simple solution to change your stagnant style. No wonder this hairstyle will continue to be popular in the new year and would certainly make a fashion statement.
How to wear the trend? I like the subtle sideswept bangs, but you can choose from various style to suit your face. If you have a long face then you can do the heavy, blunt cut bangs. If you have a heart shaped face, like Reese Witherspoon, then lighter sideswept bangs will suit you better. Wispy, sideswept bags are less harsh than bold, blunt bangs.
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5. High Waisted Pants and Skirts 
High waisted mania took over the fashion world in Spring 2008, it carried on till mid-year, wasn't seen much for a few months and then made a comeback in autumn. They were seen all over on the runway from DKNY, Calvin Klein to Chanel.
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High waisted pants were popular with celebrities like Scarlett Johansson, Ciara and Mischa Barton. This trend gained popularity since they had the effect of flatter tummy and longer legs. However they also widen the butt, so should be worn with caution. The A-line silhoutte and skinny jeans fit were more popular than the wide-bottom and bell-bottoms style.
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Along with pants, the high-waisted skirts were also quite popular.
I personally love the look of a high-waisted skirt with a top tucked in - it’s so retro, but done right it’s also very chic and totally flattering. Though high-waisted pants were also popular with celebrities and designers, but my preference is for the skirt. A black pencil high waisted skirt with a bit more volume that hits right above the knee would look great.
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The comeback of this trend again in the later part of the wear signifies that this trend would be seen in 2009 too.
How to wear the trend? My advice, girls with wide butt or heavy top area should avoid this look as it will only emphasize your problem area. The high-waisted pants would suit the petite lean girls the best, as they make your legs look a mile long. Team the high waisted skirt with a flirty ruffled top or a tucked in blouse (see Victoria and Karisma below).
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(l) Mischa Barton and (r) Gwen Stefani
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6. Baggy Boyfriend Jeans
The Boyfriend Jeans was a hit and miss trend of 2008. Although this trend was first seen in August in 2008, it didn't stick too long. This trend was set by Katie Holmes who was seen wearing them on multiple occasions and was later spotted on Victoria Beckham, Reese Witherspoon, Lindsay Lohan and Heidi Klum.
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To clear it from outset, I don't think much of the style. True some of the celebrities wearing this trend looked a little fashionable, but then these women will look good even if they turn up in a rucksack. There is no second doubt, though, that this look will be popular in 2009 as already they are being spotted on several celebrities and will soon become popular with high-end designers too.
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The 2009's 'Boyfriend Jeans' will have a distressed look and should be a little tapered than what was originally seen on Katie. How to wear the boyfriend jeans?
How to wear the trend? This style is suitable for lean girls, team it with a well-fitted tee or a vest and a smart casual belt.
I will certainly give this trend a miss.
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