THE YEAR started out with a fizzle, as the economy spiraled into an abyss of trillion dollar debts at the tail end of 2008, dragged down by AIG and Wall Street going in the red. In a redux of ?The Great Depression,? credit institutions, banks, several countries and billionaires lost their shirts.

Clearly, it wasn?t a year to launch anything big, over-the-top or superfluous ? as fashion, by its very nature, can sometimes be. The year 2009 may be remembered as the time when even rap stars cast aside their bling and went green. Every brand from low to high end had to justify its price points to customers, who had suddenly become tightfisted with both their cash and their plastic.

As fashion?s luxe brands and boutiques started slowly sweating blood to keep afloat, fashion?s mass retailers (Target, Kohl?s, Old Navy, Walgreens etc.), secondhand, consignment, thrift shops and online bargain retailers rose to the occasion and started taking over market share. Because, let?s face it, even in tough times, everyone needs a little retail therapy. Although living beyond one?s means may have been instrumental in the resulting economic crunch, getting consumers to start spending again has been deemed a key solution to ending the current crisis.

?Value for money? was the loudest retail buzzword in the year just passed. Here?s what we found were worth a splurge or a gasp in 2009.

1) Going black. Black was back with a vengeance ? dragged from banishment at the back of the closet to the noble forefront. The color was universally appealing and sought after. Were people in mourning, or just saving on dry cleaning bills?

2) The ?80s just refused to die ? or just had to be resuscitated. So back on the scene was an oldie and, for most women, a goodie: shoulder pads! Resurrected as a more sculptural accent, it has quickly infiltrated most brands. Wear one for a guaranteed jaw-dropping appeal.

Looking uncannily familiar on the runways too were neon colors, graffiti prints and parachute pants, a.k.a. hammer time trousers or harem pants (best paired with tiny tops and cropped jackets). Acid wash jeans also made a comeback. OMG! Enough said.

3) Half boots ? all weather footwear to give those floaty pretty dresses some edge ? should be worn only by those gifted with shapely calves, please.

4) Studded shoes ? angry and cool, this is a shoe with Gangsta attitude.

5) Tory Burch, that stylish line of sportswear and accessories is here at last!

6) Birkins abound! With Hermes store opening soon, ladies who (can still afford to) lunch now have a new destination shop for bags.

7) Boyfriend jacket, t-shirts and jeans ? a his-and-hers wardrobe is certainly a romantic and budget conscious way to dress, especially if your boyfriend has a wardrobe worth stealing from. (Think cool aviator shades, long lean fitted jackets with great tailoring and super soft jeans). Coco Chanel was all about wearing men?s clothes for comfort back in the day, but she was a whiz with scissors and a needle so if you are not ? best to buy these trendy wear ready-made.

8) Zippers everywhere ? a trend that pushed fashion hardware to front and center.

9) Online shopping ? the only way to bargain shop in secret and at all hours.

10) ?Project Runway? second season has become a staple diet for most Filipino viewers. Three cheers for Filipino talents who made the show a must for its judging logic, design innovations and real life drama!

11) Charity fashion shows. From Red Cross to ?Ondoy? relief, there was always a designer with a heart and a producer with funds and friends who are willing to do their share for a cause. Bravo!

12) Leopard prints made its usual winter comeback and looks as snarlingly yummy as ever.

13) The Philippine map, thanks to Rhett Eala for Collezione 2 and Bench, has become so ubiquitous it?s almost like they are giving it away for free. Wait a minute, they are giving it away for free?meant to last till May!

14) The ?IT? Bag is dead! Long live ?the bag you?ll love forever? philosophy.

15) Bleached Catastrophe. Fab new boutique from Cecile Van Straten

16) Local children?s stores have started stocking styles too cute for words ? Tarte Tatin, Kids of Bayo, Spin and Gingersnaps outfits for kids aged 10 and below

17) Runnr. The Philippines? first running specialty store makes real runners salivate and non-runners want to become one

18) Nike scores big with its endorser Pacman, as the Gensan champion boxer continues to wow the world again and again with a fistful of wins. ?