Good things happened in 2004, except for animal prints

2004 — the year of distinctiveness. Unlike other years that just added accessories to… 2004 — the year of distinctiveness. Unlike other years that just added accessories to existing styles, this past year was ruled by diversity. Laced with crazy styles for those of us bold enough to flaunt them, fashion in 2004 was a year to be remembered.

The year began with the popularity of vintage. Antique-styled everything was the common theme as vintage stores became the new hot spots. No longer were shoppers settling for malls and local clothing stores; quaint vintage stores became the place to go for chandelier earrings and worn, faded jeans.

As winter progressed, faux fur jumped on the scene, trimming our boots, lining our coats, and even covering our purses.

And we can’t forget about those wind-resistant, puffy vests that made a huge comeback. Who could resist pulling out that GAP ski vest from the ninth grade? It’s trends like these that make us realize how old we’re getting. Who would have thought that in our 20s a trend would already be in heavy rotation?

And speaking of repeating styles, I was quite pleased to discover that wild-animal prints were put to sleep. Year after year, animal prints were on everyone, giving me the impression that we all lived in a zoo.

But 2004 was different. Sure, I saw a few cows and zebras here and there, but nothing like the beginning of 2000 — those memories still haunt me.

But the spring and summer of 2004 presented us with a novel idea: bright colors can enhance every wardrobe. Filled with pinks, bold blues and sunshine yellows, the summer of ’04 was totally vibrant. Color was absolutely crucial.

Because the summer was rather warm, everyone had a demand for cooler, lightweight fabrics. Linen shirts reigned supreme as the sun beat down on our straw hats.

While lighter fabrics were ideal for staying cool, nothing beat the micro-mini pleated skirts. And while they didn’t complement every physique, most ladies tried to make up for it with layered tanks and brightly colored heels.

And let us not forget about the Summer Olympics, which provided huge influences on fashion. Designers added more zip inserts and key holes to their collections, giving the summer trends more of a sporty feel.

Although many of us didn’t catch on to the sporty look, we all can be grateful for the absence of previous tacky trends — especially those funny-looking Hercules shoes with the strings wrapped around the leg. Ewww!

And what about the annoying, pastel-colored plastic purses? Not only did they always break, but you could see everything inside. Who thought of those purses anyway?

But as fall approached, casual styles began to mix with dressier styles. Satin ribbons were used as belts and often tied onto shirts and sweaters, lace tops were worn under dark-colored blazers, and small clutch bags accessorized ankle-strapped pumps.

And just when you thought designers had created enough accessories, out came the brooches that accompanied everything from blazers to purses. Adding a hint of sparkle to the dullest pieces, brooches became a must-have for 2004.

But now that the year 2005 is here, what will be the next trend that you’ll be saving your money for? Will printed flip-flops last forever, or will they fade away like jellies, the clear summertime shoe? And what about old trends like overalls — will they make a come back for 2005?

Just make sure you put aside your money; with trends always changing, you never know what to expect. So as we head into the new year, look forward to innovative, unique styles. Well, unless those weird animal prints come back.