While I do believe fashion is a window to one’s soul and trends are around for good reason (they do reflect our social, economic, and political times, of course), I do not believe one should always follow all the trends. Some are too terrible to even imagine.

Alas, some people have indeed imagined the following trends. These are the ones you absolutely must avoid in order to maintain one’s status on best-dressed lists and ensure invitations keep flowing into your mailbox.

Yes, Dear Reader, this is the list you have been anxiously awaiting.
Lucinda’s List: Trends to Avoid in 2009

1. Grunge Grime – Did the fashion world not say goodbye to Grunge when Marc Jacobs pushed it onto the runway? Plaid is only acceptable in England and New York’s Upper East Side.
2. Nesting Festing – Sure, people are saving money and staying in to entertain, but it is no reason to hibernate. Go out to the latest resto or bar.
3. Sheer  Scare – See-through fabrics flowed down the Spring/Summer runways, but only the thinnest of the thin should test out this look; it is ripe for fashion disaster.
4. Doom Gloom – Everyone is talking about the R-word and wearing dour greys and conservative ensembles. In a time of economic hardship, we should be spending money on shiny, glamorous accessories, not boring basics.
5. Bedazzle Razzle – Expect collars, belts, bracelets, sleeves, necklaces, pockets, hems, and even laptops and cellphones to be encrusted with jewels. While this can be sophisticated, it can quickly turn to deflated. Be very careful with the sparkle.
6. Midriff Madness – Britney is coming back and so is her midriff, after only a few mere seasons of tasteful cover-up. Please, keep it covered up.
7. Fairy Tales – Tinkerbell seems to be the rage, but that is for your pre-teen niece, not the sophisticated gal. Do not be tempted by flowing dresses with glitter or butterfly prints.
8. Denim Dilemmas – From Katie’s pegged pants to rips on runways, denim in 2009 is doomed to disaster.
9. Dressing Down – While I am looking forward to lounging luxuriously in 2009, I am not looking forward to the trickle-down effect and what it will do for streetwear. Are kids these days destined to wear velour tracksuits and ugly footwear forever?
10. Ruffle Kerfuffle – One ruffle can be elegant. Two may be alluring. Any more and you begin to look like a pastry. A few too many tiered skirts have shown up on the red carpet already, and admittedly, the tiers are tired.