1996 Color and Materials

Color: Monochromatic color and a graduation on one color is key, especially all shades of green, blue, red, purple(especially electric purple),orange and grey. Suits became a huge sensation with the simple black know be replaced with grey. Plaids, stripes and floral prints were also very popular.“Strong lines with lots and lots of color.” –Gianni Versace
During the Academy Awards in 1996 celebrities showed up in every color of the rainbow, "They want lavender. They want ice blue. They want lemon yellow," says designer Pamela Dennis, who thinks the rage for shiny satin may be fueling the trend.

Materials: Many materials were used during this period; leather and tweed were common along with khaki and linen. The coat became a constant in 1996's fall/winter lines. These coats had an emphasis not only on tailoring but on richness in fabric such as velvet, suede, leather, shearling, and real fur.
When it comes to shoes, boots any length mostly square or round toe, suede is the number one material.

2008 Color:

"2008 is not going to be a year for the style-shy. Colors are rich, florals are big and bold, and silhouettes are stronger than ever. There's also a new idea of sexiness and femininity -- it's not the cartoonish, over-the-top spectacle it was in years past. Designers are redefining what it means to have sex appeal, and it's definitely not just about decolletage."

From fashiontribes.com:

Vibrant Snorkel Blue, a favorite this season among designers, is a dependable navy, but spiced up with more animation and sophistication. The cool blue undertones Pink Mist pair perfectly with any color in the palette for a feminine look, and provide a refreshing complement to Daiquiri Green, a brighter version of the popular earth-tone yellow-greens naturally associated with eco-awareness. Warm, cheerful Freesia is an uplifting and inviting color to which people are instinctively drawn; it is also a hue that that allows for diverse accessorizing opportunities in jewelry and shoes.

Brighter reds such as provocative Rococco Red are also in favor this spring, and the deep pink undertones of flowery Spring Crocus make it among the prettiest, most wearable purples. Against neutrals, luscious Cantaloupe proves warm and nurturing...& a great addition to any wardrobe, especially when paired with delicious chocolate browns. Glitzy Sliver Gray has a sheen reminiscent of the popular metallics that add a touch of excitement to any outfit. With its beautiful undertones, Croissant is a delicious base for spring's more exciting accents. Trans-seasonal Golden Olive is another distinctive & tasteful addition to 2008's newest shades.

2008 Materials

In 2008, sheer fabrics are back you'll find sheer fabrics used in a multitude of ways: tight sheer pieces, layers, and the much sought after delicate, feminine draping. Fur has also has reappeared from scarfs to full-length coats.

References:

-Separates simplify style this season. By: White, Renee Minus, New York Amsterdam News, 00287121, 12/14/96, Vol. 87, Issue 50
-The rainbow connection. By: Pener, Degen, Murphy, Maggie, Entertainment Weekly, 10490434, 04/26/96, Issue 324
-The sheer pleasures of being a lady return USA Today, 07347456, JAN 02, 2008
-http://fashiontribes.typepad.com/main/2007/09/pantone-unveils.html