It's hard to miss the thing that makes this season's trench coats, jeans, shirts, T-shirts and even the occasional dress look new. It's vinyl, and you can spot the shine a mile away.

Designers and manufacturers have taken up vinyl with a vengeance. The newest versions of vinyl gleam with a glow more potent than patent leather's, while stretch fibers make them just about as malleable as any other clothing material.

Those who are daring and have gorgeous bodies can try stretch-vinyl leggings or jeans. They fit like skin and look as if something molten and black had just been poured over the wearer's lower extremities.