Good news! For once we can discuss military without having to take sides in a heated debate, because this fall military has surged onto the fashion runways as one of the hottest trends. Now find your perfect military coat and spend an evening as the sexiest admiral in the fashion navy!

Like it or not, the ‘80s are back in a big way. Splattered all over the fall runways were neon brights, shoulder pads, skintight mini-dresses, and some glitz- and glamour-oozing styles that, considering these lean times, were quite a surprise to see.

But in dull economic times, there is a shiny nugget of good news: Now is the time to put your money on gold—or silver, platinum, diamonds, even enamel and wood. Jewelry, whether costume or the real McCoy, will weather both the economic storm and the ebb and flow of fickle fashion. Luckily, the Spring 2009 runways put forth a goldmine of investment-worthy statement baubles sure to give new life to last year’s looks.