How do you explain the retrograde conservative looks at this week's Mercedes-Benz (formerly New York Fashion Week). I had to pull out this one with the model in the spandex bathing suit by Duckie Brown for spring 2010, just to get a pulse, because it was really the only provocative, piece I could find in any of the collections. The Recession has scared the designers into safe mode.

Regardless, here are some highlights:

Rag&Bone: Trend report: the recent military uniform trend from Europe has arrived for spring 2010. Calvary jackets, old general jackets, paired with washed out jeans. Structured top, mixed with casual bottom. This is a solid trend.

Phillip Lim: showed some very 80's inspired clothes for spring 2010. This continues a trend that has really caught on recently. The 80's style Bowie hairdo's are au courant. The pompadour, as it was formerly called in the 50's, redone as it was in the 80's, now redone and refashioned for 2009. Also check out the patterns, almost abstract expressionist, colors, bold, that was also very big in the 80's(see photo in slide show by Diane Bondarett). Monochromatic colors. Shirts, buttoned all the way up, to the neck. This is very 80's (think Simple Minds). And one of the bigger trends yet to emerge this year, the open toed sandal. This is a definitive men's style from the 80's. Trend alert: Open toed sandal's preferably black leather wore with slacks and a blazer, very retro.

Duckie Brown: showed spandex like swim shorts, (see the photo in the caption above) very old Hollywood, and very sophisticated swim wear, as worn in the 40's, and 50's. Other pieces included a Turkish fez like hat worn with monochromatic shorts and jacket. ( strange but at least its something new) Trend report: Monochromatic colors are big for spring 2010.

Ralph Lauren: showed purple and pink, very big color combination for spring 2010. How about a hot pink silk shantung, for lounging around the pool. Also, interesting in the Ralph Lauren line, is the mixing of patterns and colors. Green slim fit slacks, worn with a herringbone jacket, and blue striped tie. See pic in slideshow by Ralph Lauren.Trend report: A checkered red, white, blue flannel or wool trouser paired with a slim line navy tux. What do you call that, urban Boho preppy chic?

Simon Spurr: channeled David Bowie via his Thin White Duke phase circa 1976 and other Euro stars of the 60's and 70's. See Station to Station Bowies ultimate Euro Disco trak. See Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music, in Love is The Drug circa 1975. Totally hot, chic, classy, Bryan Ferry sporting the hottest Euro aesthetic you have ever seen. Note the uber chic military, uniform , Bryan is wearing, this is very in right now. Also, I want to throw this in to show today's audience what the real thing looks like. This is where today's designers like Simon Spurr are getting their inspiration from. Check out the double-breasted blue suit in navy, open collar, in the photo gallery. Trend report: Ties are on their way out, casual open collar 70's Euro chic is in.

If you are going to be casual do it Euro style. A very casual Euro chic !