Future Shock.

The future is here. Is this how it was supposed to look?

When the space program was launched in the late 1950s, it kicked off a spate of science-fiction-style predictions about futuristic clothes for the next millennium. Writers, film directors, and costume designers for TV and film envisioned a 21st-century fashion scene full of close-fitting, synthetic jumpsuits, accessorized with, perhaps, turbo-boosted flying backpacks and walkie-talkie watches.

Obviously-and fortunately-most of those predictions fell far from reality. But there's still a certain amount of future-speak to our clothes as we approach the year 2000. Materials such as aluminum are being worked into clothes (to help hold that desirable wrinkled look), and the metallic sheen is front and center in dressy pieces such as the skirt pictured on page 30. While we are not yet wearing individual flying machines, our ever-increasing dependence on technological must-haves such as electronic organizers and cell phones has turned computerized gadgets into fashion accessories. Clothing is being designed with the pockets and compartments needed for our hi-tech toys.

Above all, future fashions will continue to emphasize comfort and high functionality, trend analysts say. Coats that fold, zip, or morph into a backpack, laundry bag, or airplane pillow are already available. "The future is not going to be about costumes," says Nova USA designer Tony Mellilo. Nor, he says, will we return to a more formal look.

But who knows? As TV shows from The Jetsons to Star Trek have shown, futuristic fashion predictions have missed the mark before. What's cool now and what's cool in the future could be quite different. Still, anything's better than those jumpsuits!

LOST IN POLYESTER: In the 1960s, TV's Lost in Space had a vision of future fashion. Reality check Fashion of this world still rules. Sweater, Cynthia Steffe; skirt, Anthoropology; gloves available at Urban Outfitters 

BLASTOFF On him: Jacket, New York Industrie; shirt, XL; jeans, Bulldog. On her: Jacket, Diesel, available at Urban Outfitters; sweater, Fake London; skirt, Cynthia Steffe.

OUT OF THIS WORLD On him: Khaki shirt, Triple Five Soul; T-shirt and pants Diesel Style Lab; shoes, Clarks, available at urban Outfitters. On her: Red shirt, Mimsie Carlysle; thermal shirt, Delia's; pants, Levis Sta-Prest; shoes, BCBG.