PARIS Fashion Week 2009 was all abuzz with military style. Think military-style coats, army jackets and marching band uniform tops.

The trend is reminiscent of the styles of rock icons like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Coldplay, who have all worn variations of the jacket uniform in their musical careers. Throw in a bit of Michael Jackson, too, and your uniform will look anything but homogenous.

A big salute then goes to Soulja girl style, which combines structure and softness, a rock-hard, super-sexy style with attitude bursting at the seams. Army jackets?as Paris, the epicenter of the fashion world, has shown us?are fabulous when paired with flimsy dresses and skinny jeans, while golden buttons add a touch of bold sophistication.

The Spring 2009 collection of Christophe Decarnin?s Balmain also sent mannequins with rock-chick appeal down the runway. Big, blinged-out uniform jackets were paired with stonewashed jeans, wrap dresses and sky-high stud sandals.

The distinct look of this year?s uniform jackets (here?s an early trend alert, everyone) is the super skinny sleeve rising up to a bump-peaked shoulder. It?s a wonderful, ingenious detour from the shoulder-padded nightmare that was the ?80s.

Another must-have for the soulja girl: Killer ankle boots. They?re already projected to be this year?s object of desire; even better, they make for a timeless style that can last you for seasons to come.

On these pages, you can see just how versatile this season?s jackets are. Pair them with leather minis, skinnies or tights.

Email the author at jfashion@inquirer.com.ph.