When encouraging people to revisit the boxy blazers and exaggerated shoulders of a bygone era remembered for its excess, at a time when Americans are learning to downsize, a sense of humor is essential.

And so, Macy's Glamorama fashion and music fundraiser at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday opened with a surprise appearance by Miss Piggy.

She wore Marc Jacobs couture and complained that she couldn't breathe.

RB singer/songwriter (and new face of Macy's Alfani Red brand) Ne-Yo quickly brought the show up to date with a sultry performance of his hit "Miss Independent."

Then it was on to designer fall fashions which are overwhelmingly dark, and seemingly dated even before they hit the clearance racks. Oversized jackets, acid wash jeans, voluminous, tapered pants and patterned tights. Suits are important; motorcycle jackets, skinny jeans and big boots are essential. It's "Working Girl" Rocks the Casbah.

Between designer collections from Marc Jacobs, Sonia Rykiel, Jean Paul Gaultier and a few others, pop-singer-on-the-rise Kristinia DeBarge performed her current hit "Goodbye" and the New Standards classed up Britney Spears' "Toxic." And in a literal interpretation of "It's Raining Men," the male models showered on stage in their skivvies. Gratuitous, but a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Still, despite the furs, sequins and big shoulders, the show felt understated. Appropriate, perhaps, and a bit underwhelming. Rather than spring for lavish sets, Macy's used

the star from its logo as a backdrop throughout much of the show. But then, at least the show goes on, and continues to raise money for the Children's Cancer Research Fund.

Allison Kaplan can be reached at 651-228-5116.