You're so Transparent in Lucite.

Fashion's always looking to the past to inspire the present. Sometimes this can cause confusion, so let's be clear (heh) about one trend making a cameo this season: Lucite. It sparkles and shines. It dresses up, it dresses down. (Sometimes it's just plain fun.) No paints. No enamels. No primers. Just crystal clear designs for earrings, bracelets, necklaces and, natch, shoes.

Invented in the '30s, Lucite clearly (meh) was a hit in the Gilded Age's love of man-made materials such as Bakelite. It enjoyed an uptick in the '50s with the see-through handbag fad. (Witness our shopping spree on Amazon ... )

Back in those primmer days it was considered cheeky to look into a lady's handbag. Then came the translucent shoes (not to mention the disappearing hemlines). Everything became just a titch more exposed. We wonder how these Jeffrey Campbell Mystic slippers would have gone over 60, 70 years ago. We love their outrageous chandelier decadence and weapons-grade beveled edges. (Pretty, but one swift kick could be lethal.) Lucite won't be a huge trend this season, but we can count on Jeffrey Campbell to do it hugely, bringing back princess dreams and naughty seams. A clear (ugh!) winner.