Trendy Times

Were you paying attention this year? To the election? To the Olympics? To the recession?

If you were, you might have some insight into trends for 2009. That’s when these big stories will play out in everyday life.

Some predictions for what’s to come in the new year:

1960s style: With each comparison of the soon-to-be first family Obamas to the Kennedys of the 1960s come the old photos of John, Jackie, Caroline and John Jr. – and didn’t they look good?

Their style was fresh, crisp and modern with a healthy dose of American practicality. You certainly see updated versions of those traits in the wardrobes of Barack and Michelle Obama, and the fashion industry is eager for them to become style leaders.

The influence of the early ’60s will also be seen in stores next year when apparel collections inspired by “Mad Men” are available at all levels from designer to mass.

There’s a relatively small audience for the AMC show – which counts about 2 million viewers compared to the “American Idol” finale audience in June of more than 37 million.

But the important thing is who is watching: Designers Michael Kors and Peter Som, as well as Talbots’ Michael Smaldone, are among the tastemakers who cite “Mad Men” as a reminder of how chic the early ’60s were.

Blue as the new green: The color green has come to symbolize all things eco-friendly. It’s also become more popular in fashion, beauty, interiors and graphic design, even if it’s not the easiest shade to work with.

But as buzz starts to whir about water causes – note the new NASA report on 2 trillion tons of land ice melting, concern over contaminated fish and remnants of pharmaceuticals pumping through household faucets – blue, literally and figuratively, gets its turn in the limelight.

“The fact that there are 1.1 billion people without access to clean drinking water – one-sixth of the world population – feels tangible to people, and they can see results of what a relatively small amount of money can do,” says Scott Harrison, founder of Charity: Water, a nonprofit group dedicated to promoting safe drinking water in developing nations. “Awareness is going up.”

Meanwhile, an oceanlike shade called palace blue is color researcher Pantone’s top spring fashion hue.

Spiritually, blue represents peace, stability and serenity. More practically, it’s a flattering color for almost any skin tone, says stylist Joe Lupo, co-author of “Life in Color: The Visual Therapy Guide to the Perfect Palette – for Fashion, Beauty and You.”

“There’s the ‘blue trick:’ Wear a blue shirt with a blue jacket. It always seems to bring out the best in people,” he says. “Few people don’t like blue.”

Women as gamers: Women finally have the games they want to play at their fingertips. And who needs a minutes-long escape more than a busy mother, asks Denise Kaigler, vice president of corporate affairs at Nintendo of America.

Women might have been a little late joining the gaming world, but now that there is content that requires less pre-play knowledge and more social interaction, numbers are growing, Kaigler says: “Women love the option and are excited by and drawn to games they can play with their kids, boyfriends, girlfriends, grandmothers.”

Nintendo defines its Wii Fit and Wii Music, “Animal Crossing” and “Personal Trainer: Cooking” games, among others, as gender-neutral.

According to the Electronic Software Association, 40 percent of overall game players are women, with the number of women players topping boys.

Of the available online games, 70 percent are being downloaded by women, says Kris Soumas, head of Lifetime Game Studios, a division of Lifetime TV that plans to launch a U.S. version of the Korean dress-up game Roiworld in January.

The Web sites for Hearst’s Good Housekeeping and Redbook magazines recently beefed up game sections to allow players to interact – and challenge – each other.

“The industry is waking up and realizing the power of women as an audience of gamers,” Soumas says, reporting that the section on games is No. 1 on Lifetime’s Web site.

“When we do focus groups, women say they need ‘me’ time. They get that online playing games, and they feel rewarded.”

Country gals: The public is developing an appetite for celebrities with relatable roots – and they’re finding them in young country stars.

Some of the biggest hits on the radio and red carpet this year belonged to Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, and even Jessica Simpson has been redeemed with her newfound country twang.

“Thanks to ‘American Idol’ and ‘Nashville Star,’ Nashville has been rediscovered as a community and a talent area,” says trend analyst Julian. “Young performers have brought a new spin to country. There’s a generational shift that’s fresher, younger and more dynamic.”

Plus, he adds, there’s a respect that goes with knowing that these young women – as well as Faith Hill and Shania Twain before them – are multitalented and that their songs and personas emphasize an honesty you often don’t get with reality TV stars.

Swimming: The World Swimming Championships will be broadcast worldwide for the first time on TV in 2009 and that’s a direct result of the public wanting to see the Michael Phelps story continue, says John Leonard, executive director of the American Swimming Coaches Association.

Phelps’ eight gold medals from the Beijing Olympics is also fueling kids’ interest in swimming as a competitive sport.

Since the summer, growth in local swim clubs nationally has grown 1.5 percent, which is significant considering some clubs already were full, Leonard says.

The key now is maintaining the high profile, he says: “We’re getting on TV as much as TV is interested in having us.”

The good news, says Leonard, is that there are other compelling stories to be told, including those of backstroke record-holder Aaron Peirsol and Natalie Coughlin, who collected six medals at the Olympics.

Slippers: First there were flip-flops, then Uggs, then Crocs. Each of these shoe styles has adjusted the collective public eye toward accepting comfortable footwear.

Now come slippers as shoes. Shoemall.com reports eight of the 10 top selling products this holiday shopping season are slippers.

“Everyone wants to be comfortable and cozy,” observes buyer Michelle Scobie. “And with the economy, everyone wants to grasp the warmth of slippers. They’re like a security blanket.”

It helps that the design of slippers also has evolved to mostly include rubber outsoles, more substantial fabrics such as boiled wool, and fashion touches like fringe or wedge heels.

They’re not all so “fuddy duddy,” Scobie says: “You can do slippers that are more whimsical and crazy and fun. It seems more acceptable to wear those out – and if you do take them out, they become a conversation piece.”