Historical fashion photos can create a mixed reaction depending on the individual. For those who are in the photos, they may feel a slight tinge of embarrassment if they were subjected to a trend that later became a major fashion faux-pas.

However, for those who weren’t even born when the offending photos were taken, images of shoulder pads, flared dungarees with flowery shirts or any number of other fashion frights can cause many people to burst into fits of laughter. Of course, that is the nature of fashion. What is acceptable one day can quickly become yesterday’s news, leaving wardrobes of unworn clothes the length and breadth of the country.

It can be very interesting to look back at how certain items of clothing have changed over the years. This is especially true in terms of how they were worn, who wore them and the wider cultural implications of anyone inadvertently ‘getting it wrong’.

Shorts provide a good example of how fashion attitudes can change significantly over a relatively short period of time. Historically speaking, in the late 19th and early 20th century, shorts were almost exclusively worn by young boys until they were deemed old enough to wear trousers. And because of this, many men would refuse to wear shorts, even when it was more practical to do so, in case they were perceived to be immature for their age.

With soldiers being sent to tropical regions during the Second World War, shorts became a more popular item of clothing for reasons of necessity. Although it did take a number of decades for them to be fully accepted within wider society, shorts are now worn by people from all backgrounds and every conceivable demographic within the western world.

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One statement fashion item that seems to be sneaking back onto the shelves is shoulder pads. Shoulder pads are a type of fabric covered padding used in women’s clothing to give the illusion of having broader and less sloping shoulders. They were a big fashion hit in the 1940’s and again in the 1980’s, and their back again with a vengeance. Big shoulders edged onto the runways of Miss Sixty, Diane von Furstenberg, Herve Leger, BCBG, Jason Wu, Nicole Miller and Alexander Wang at this year’s Paris Fashion week, and it looks like they are here to stay.

Another fashion déjà vu we’ve seen emerging over the last few seasons is the return of big bold prints and floral patterns. These were very popular back in the 70’s and they are fast becoming even popular now for dresses, tee’s and vests.

Cat suits and power suits are another aspect of 1920’s fashion which has been welcomed back with open arms, though we are glad to say mostly without the shoulder pads. Cat suits now seem to be available for every occasion whether it be work related or hitting the town in party mode. They have taken the high street by storm with nearly every shop stocking some version of the cat or power suit.

Although we glad to welcome back the florals, cat suits and shoulder pads, we should remain grateful that no design has yet taken it upon themselves to attempt to bring back the flares and oversized collars, but are at present leaving them in the past where they belong and should stay.

Whether it’s Versace, Chanel, Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, Calvin Klein, Prada or Fendi, how the heck is the average woman going to be able to stay in style like the stars.

Let’s face it.  Although we dream about owning that beautiful Vuitton handbag or that Prada dress.  For most of us that’s about as far as it goes.  Most of these items start in the mid hundreds of dollars and easily climb to a value of over $5000, for just one piece.

For the stars there is no worry about saving to buy those designer items.  For them price is no object as they freely dole it out for what ever their heart desires.

But it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out most of us will never own these items.  So what do we do?  Well that’s easy.

You and I buy items that look a lot like the designer items.  Many call these knock offs and that they are but please realize there are licensed copies and then there are copies that infringe on copyrights.

We do not condone any company that infringes on copyrights.  We do however encourage you to shop for items that made similar to the items we see the stars wearing.  It’s the only way we an look like a million bucks on our shoe string budgets.

As you flip through this months Vogue or Instyle you are going to see some wonderful fashions that you are just going to have to have for the fall.  Don’t worry within the next few weeks similar styles will be arriving at a boutique or Walmart near year.  You can look as good as the stars for a fraction of the cost.

After all are your friends of co-workers going to notice your purse isn’t quite the same shape or fabric.  Are they going to notice that the dress has a slightly different cut neck or length.  I think not.  You’ll be close enough for most to think you’ve suddenly got designer taste.

So what are you waiting for?  It’s going to be a hot fashion season and you are going to be a fashion goddess this season with some savvy shopping.