But for all of the successes (second place probably goes to comfortable ballet flats), there were just as many fashion failures.

You know you've seen them. Perhaps you've worn them, because many can be found on the sidewalks and in the stores of Central Ohio, not just on risk-taking runways. As the December days wind down, it's truly time for "out with the old and in with the new" in closets across the city.

Ladies:

Overalls

They were on shelves for only a short time, and I have to hope it's not because they sold out so quickly. I sincerely hope it's because retailers realized their mistake and got them out of sight as quickly as possible.

The most appalling pair I happened to find were attached to — wait for it — shorts. Yikes. Let's save those for the 3-month-olds.

Leggings

Dress and skirt lovers everywhere loaded up on leggings this fall.

I have nothing against leggings, but I do have something against the people who wear them as if they're pants. If they cling to your every curve — even if they (usually) cover your legs from waist to ankle — they qualify as tights, which I hope you wouldn't wear with barely there, butt-skimming bottoms.

Please keep the same rule in mind with leggings. Don't let this otherwise-acceptable style cross the skanky line.

Odd shapes

Shirt sleeves that make you look like you have webbed arms? Huge, drapey sleeves? Dresses with gathered hemlines? All have been recently spotted on store racks and should be considered a serious threat to 2008 fashion.

The babydoll designs favored this year were flattering for many, but designers seem to have taken the flowy fabric and run with it. Whatever happened to clothes with nice fit and structure?

Gents:

Politicians and school officials trying to enact dress codes would have you think the year's biggest offender in men's fashion was sagging pants.

But that's hardly it. No, carrying a bag that looks a bit too much like a purse is much more likely to scar passersby for life. If men don't have room in their pockets for an iPod, cell phone, keys and wallet (which, although they're bigger than girls' pockets, is understandable), designers should focus their attention on solving this problem, instead of resurrecting a fanny-pack-type bag.

Although this poses a mild threat to the future, men's fashion faux pas were notably limited, since "classic" could probably be used to describe half of the stuff out there (Jeans? T-shirt? Check.).

Ladies & Gents:

Skinny jeans

One trend has never failed both genders as miserably. By gripping the widest part of the body, skinny jeans are just plain unflattering on everyone but 11-year-old girls. It should be a universal New Year's resolution to donate every pair you own (and hope they don't show up all over again on thrift-shoppers). Instead, stock up on wide-leg pants that minimize waists and maximize legs.