Last week I used this column as an excuse to drag my dear friend’s fear of prints into the public spotlight.  Because that’s what kind of friend I am.  I then invited you, my sweet little fashionistas, to divulge some of your own Fashion Phobias in the Blissfully Domestic Forums.

Christine came through in spades with a style fear that I think we all have on some level:

My fashion phobia is jumping on some flash-in the pan trend that lasts like three weeks and so a month later I look back and wonder , "What was I thinking?"

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Oh, my dear Christine.  I feel you.  I do.  As does every woman in America who’s had to look back on her senior prom pictures and ask herself "were mall bangs and pink over sized bows ever flattering?"  (And the short answer to that is – no.  No they were not.)

Trying to negotiate the changing tides of What’s Hot Now is rough for even the most seasoned style maven.  Add to that a budget that must also cover things like food and gas, and it’s no wonder so many of us are more than a little leary about anything too "trendy".

Fear not, my lovies, for there is a happy balance to be struck between What Was I Thinking!? and No Mom, Really, It’s Time To Update To This Decade.

 3 Ways To Avoid The "Did I Really Wear That?!?!" Trend Nightmare:

(Yes, that is the real and official and very professional title.)

 1.  Take it one trend at a time.

Each new "season" will give you a wide variety of "new" trends to choose from.  While one designer is touting skinny jeans and ballet flats, another will swear to the heavens that day-glo is the new black.  Right now the experts are claiming that blue, gold, copper, florals, and full skirts are all the Next Big Thing(s) for this fall.  You’d have to ditch your entire wardrobe and resign yourself to looking a little fashionably schizophrenic in order to make room for every trend making its way down the runway.

Instead of trying to keep up with every designers trend decree, choose just one or two that you love to work with.  Not only will you find this much easier on the budget, but you’ll be more likely to display a distinctive personal style that reflects who you are – not who this week’s Vogue says you should be.

How do you know which trend to pick from the bunch?

2.  Flattery is everything.

Not all trends are the same.  Some are geared towards giving a lean woman curves, while others are perfect for balancing out a pear shaped figure. (YAY!  Pear shapes unite!)  Sometimes picking the fashion that works for you is as much about lifestyle as it is about body shape – tuxedo jackets might be all the rage with the club hopping set (and they are! Seriously!), but you might be more inclined to dig into the new Eco-Chic that everyone (else) is talking about.

Look for the latest fashion do’s that actually do something for you, whether it’s showing off your figure or incorporating a new color that is perfect for your skin tone.  Even if you grow tired of your new look in a few years, at least you won’t have mountains of polaroid shame to contend with.

3.  Look towards the old when adding the new.

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The easiest way to experiment with a new trend is to find something in your existing wardrobe that lets you try it out.

Are you thinking of diving into the new tweeds?  Pull out the blazer from your old tweet work wear and toss it on over a t-shirt and jeans.  Think the metallic rush might be more your style?  Dust off that bridesmaid jewelry you forgot you had and incorporate it into your casual date night outfit.

Finding ways to repurpose the clothes and accessories you already have will help you stretch your budget and give you time to decide if your new trend is going to be around long enough to make a new purchase investment worthwhile.

What trends are you eager to try?  Which ones are you hoping will die?  Talk trend do’s and don’ts with us in the forums!

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When she’s not pretending to be glamorous, Miss Britt is busy figuring out what to do when her kids out of town at Miss-Britt.com.