I am so late to this fascinating thread.
Firstly Jenni, I think some people's minds do work in a more chronological fashion than others. There are some fashions I can pinpoint to particular years because of associations with other events. For example, in my second pregnancy, in 2005, there was a trend for long ribbed singlet tops with long pleated, tiered skirts. Being pregnant, I sat that one out. Mind you, I also think people just say those dates sometimes, without really being that sure of their accuracy!
To Bijou's main point, I don't feel that there has to be a particular something in my style that has to be current. In general, colour, style, appropriateness is more important, and my considerations of (relative) frugality) is more important.
but...