Keep up with the New Year fads

It is known to be the fashion followers’ worst nightmare, it's worse than looking fat, more humiliating than wearing the same dress as another party guest…it's the dread of looking last year.

It's the end of a year and another set of fashion trends have died out. Fashion trends, sometimes referred to as fads, are notoriously fickle. The fashion industry is always on the hunt for what's new, what's hot. For every new, must-have handbag, there's another that gets tossed aside like, well, last year's trend.

None of us really want to be the New Year's first fashion victims, so here are what regular people think what 2007 will bring you, and what you should probably toss out of your wardrobe this year. And, of course, what you should keep from last year, or what you should go out and get.

Baby doll dresses and tops
Shehani (22) feels that the baby doll dresses will still be 'in' in 2007. These are the dresses that the waist is gathered below the bust line and hangs in a flattering manner over the waist. "These dresses and tops are perfect when you are trying to hide those little bulges," she says adding that if you want to go for a casual look, you can wear these tops in either black or white with a pair of jeans teamed with a funky pair of earrings.

If it's an evening, she opts to wear a printed dress in a fabric like satin with a pair of strappy heels.

Aviator lenses
"We got Angelina Jolie to thank for making these glasses cool again," she says adding that she read somewhere that most often every face shape looks great in these glasses. So don't ditch last years shades, keep them. Or if you are going to buy a new pair, to look trendier try glasses in interesting shades.

Three quarter pants
Yet another fashion trend that seems to refuse to go out of style, "just when you thought it's gone… it's time to dig out those old pants of yours again," says Lasanthi (19) explaining that she just loves the fact that it always comes out as something trendy to wear. "For one it's very comfortable, and you know you can pretty much wear it for anything," she says with a smile explaining that it's all about accessorising it to suit the occasion. Be it a casual lunch or a night out, you can just mix and match and you are ready to go.”

Gypsy skirts
"Never ever throw out your gypsy skirt," says Nihara (23) explaining that just when you thought the trend is over, it just pops right back in. "It's like the skirts are refusing to go out of fashion," she adds with a smile.

These skirts with their long flowing look and light-weight fabrics are considered to be feminine. "To wear my favourite look all you got to do is just wear a patterned gypsy skirt in a crinkly fabric with a sleek solid tank and pair of open-toe sandals and you are good to go." Also seen in many fashion magazines is the look where you wear the gypsy skirt with tall brown boots and a classic white blouse matched with a few strings of beads.

Short dresses with tights…
"I think short dresses with tights will be very much in this year," says Vanessa (21) who explains that these dresses will look great if they are worn in pastel shades as opposed to the basic colours. To really jazz the dress up you could use basically any type of accessory that matches, and with a pair of nice sandals, you’re good to go. Why does she think it's going to be in? "Well for one I saw this at two clothes stores and besides I bought one of these dresses just last week!"

Dresses inspired by previous decades…
"I think dresses inspired by previous decades are definitely going to be sought after in 2007," says Sonali (23) explaining that the whole Stepford Wives look might be around for a while. As for what print to wear…don't limit yourself. She feels that you could pretty much wear any type you like as long as it matches and suits the occasion. Accessories should be kept simple and very tasteful to really bring out the beauty of the dress…and never mix and match…that would spoil the whole outfit.

Flower Prints
"At the moment, in the West, flower prints have come and made a mark, but here in Sri Lanka it's still at the introductory stages, " says Sashika (22) explaining that she feels that in 2007, the flower print might be around.
Be it dresses or tops, the flower print is yet to make a mark here in Sri Lanka, but when it does, it will cause a bit of a stir.

Accessories…
While many people I spoke to believed that accessorising what you wear will still be important in the coming year, what kind should be worn remains undecided. Many believe it depends on what suits you, and what you are wearing…should it be chunky or simple. What ever it is, just accessorise your outfit to match, and you will look great.

Oversized sunglasses
"I am not really sure what's going to be 'in' this year, but I will tell you what you should not wear…oversized sunglasses," says Thishya (22) blaming the introduction of these glasses to Nicole Ritchie. "Why would anyone want to wear them? They are so unattractive."

When it comes to oversize sunglasses they are known to give the face a bug-eyed look and overwhelm small features. So this New Year when choosing glasses, choose frames that balance with the size and structure of your face…"and just stay away from those shades that make you look like some alien".

Non-existent skirts…
"Short skirts are fine with me, but I think the whole micro mini trend has gone a bit far," says Melanie (21) explaining that on the runway, on models, it looks good. But here in Sri Lanka it just looks bad and you will end up having every person just staring at you, especially at day time. So if you do want to wear those tiny skirts just wear it in the night or just toss it out. "Honestly that's just a trend you don't want to follow."

As the New Year dawns you now have a look of what's in and what's not. Just a few things you should remember…this advice is given to you by regular people, at the end of the day what matters is how you feel in something. As long as you are comfortable and confident you can pretty much wear anything and get away with everything.