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Goodbye Noughties! Looking Back on 2009's Fashion Trends

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Balmain's sharp shoulder pads made The Jacket a must have piece for 2009

As yet another year has drawn to a close, and a new a decade sure to be filled with dynamic fashion about to start, MWW reflects on the fashion trends and faux pars of 2009!

1) Animal Instinct

Animal Prints have adorned clotheshorses this year once again, with faux leopard appearing on everything from bags and scarfs to dresses and swimsuits! It seems the feline prints are here to stay… Just remember not to go overboard when choosing your animalistic themed outfit!

Animal Attraction: Michael Kors tote

Tigerlily summer 09/10 swimsuit Isabelle Marant A/W '09/10

2) Zip me up

The Hardware trend hit the winter catwalks hard this year, featuring chunky zippers as quirky centre pieces on bags, shoes and clothing... even jewellery!

Not Just for Functionality: Marc Jacobs earrings Kirrily Johnson zipper pants Jimmy Choo zipper heel

3) Behold the Shoulder Pad

Bringing back the 80s famed shoulder pad, French designer Balmain’s iconic 2009 sculpted jackets have been replicated in stores worldwide. Many Australian designers took up the key 80s look for RAFW, with offerings from the likes of Dion Lee, Beat Poet, and Karla Spetic.

Balmain S/S 09/10 Zara shoulder padded jacket Myf Shepard in Dion Lee

4) Colour me happy

Bright bold accents, from neon t-shirts to costume jewellery all the rage coming into the summer months! Costume jewellery with chunky rings and bangles everywhere from Burberry, Elsa Perretti for Tiffany & Co, to Australian resin extraordinaire Dinosaur Designs.

Dree Hemmingway makes a statement in fuschia Selection from Dinosaur Designs

5) The Vintage Look

From fifties to eighties fame, quirky vintage eyewear was revisited. With odes to 1950s beach babes rolling into Tom Ford’s eyeware collections this summer, and rock and roll mega stars al la Bob Dylan’s Rayban Wayfarers, vintage sunnies have definitely become a trademark this year!

Bob Dylan's sets the iconic Rayban style Fifties beach babe: winged is back!

6) Walk tall.. if you can!

Sky Scraping heels in odd shapes and precarious stilletos reached new heights this year; with Herve Leger models falling on the catwalk, and Alexander McQueen’s latest moulded futuristic platforms. However the slightly more wearable designs of Australia’s own Peep Toe heels, became a cult must have for fashionistas this year!

A model takes a tumble at Herve Leger Alexander McQueen's new take on the platform heel

7) Cut it out

Laser cut out designs, praised this year at RAFW with up and comer Dion Lee, gave a digital futuristic turn to tailored trends of 2009. Lee’s Spring Summer 09/10 collection caused fashion headlines with his unique laser designs, similar cut outs were seen from other Australian designers such as fleur wood.

Marni circle cut out skirt Laser cut design from Dion Lee at RAFW 09

8) Watch this Space

Australian fashion talent continued to flourish in 2009, with new faces destined for stardom and established designers continuing to grow on the international stage. Acclaimed offerings from Dion Lee, Bec & Bridge, Gail Sorronda, Shakuhachi, Hussy, Maurie & Eve, Sass & Bide, Zimmerman, and Toni Maticevski just to name a few! Prestigious fashion institute The Whitehouse also unleased a wave of new talent at its 2009 graduate show with up and coming designers set to hit the runways in years to come!