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With the weather this week, it’s hard to deny that spring is in the air (at least until we get that one last cold snap that's bound rain or snow on our parade). So here's to a sunny Colorado spring full of flirty, feminine dresses. The dress is a staple of any wardrobe this season, and the variety of styles, fabrics, and cuts tells us that feminine is definitely in. So go on, put on that dress and heels and show them you’re the goddess you are.

Nordstrom
Nanette Lepore “La Dolce Vita” red eyelet dress, $360
This little number is a little more than we usually like to pay, but Nanette Lepore’s exquisite cut and styling would make any of us feel like we really are living “la dolce vita.”

Delia’s
Helena Eyelet Dress, $44.50
For those of us on a budget (who will occasionally shop at Delia’s but won’t admit it), here’s a great alternative to the luxuries of Nordstrom shopping —delicate and feminine, but still fun.

Bluefly
Sweetees knit “Jules” dress, $57.00
Don’t believe everything they say about horizontal stripes. This Sweetees dress will not only look fabulous on—notice the sash to accentuate your waist—but will feel like you’re still in your p.j.s. Add some red peep-toe pumps and you’re all set.

Banana Republic
Cap Sleeve Silk Dress, $150
On the more conservative—except for the color—side of things, this yellow dress screams spring. Tone it down a little with a black cardigan and oxford pumps for a great day/night outfit.

-- Keelin Burke

In the 21st century, real fashionistas recycle. In other words, when you’re tearing apart your closet this weekend, casting off last year’s beautiful spring rags to make room for the new ones, be sure and put your best hand-me-downs aside and head on over to this Sunday’s Free Boutique Spring Donation Extravaganza. The boutique, which will actually proffer gently used high-end togs for free when it opens next week in an antique mall in Lakewood (more on that coming up next week in the April 10 Night & Day section of Westword), is collecting “Pastel Paradise” clothing donations with a Miami Vice vibe to stock their seasonal racks at a community celebration that starts with a tea party at 3 p.m. April 6 and revs up with live music later in the evening. Give a little: It all takes place at Brooks Center Arts, 1400 Williams Street; get in free with three or more donation items or pay up a $5 cover (It ain’t easy being free: Free Boutique is happy to accept cash donations, as well, to help cover operation costs). For all the haps and info go to myspace.com/thefreeboutique.

And now is the time to plan ahead and make your reservations for Spa Week, when more than 400 spas across the U.S. offer special introductory $50 spa treatments, with a portion of all proceeds benefiting Cancer and Careers. If you’re shy and haven’t tried spa treatments before or have ever just wondered what the spa experience is all about, now’s your chance to find out: Go here for a listing of participating spas in your area.
- Susan Froyd

On the all-important neighborhood catwalk, that Bugaboo stroller-wear is so 2007. To up your little one’s luxe factor, it’s best to drape him in this season’s hottest look: the Yummsie, crafted by maestro Ray Young Chu of the fashion-forward Denver art collective the Yummies.

Here’s an effortlessly chic example from the collection:

With its bold name-dropping and playful slogan (“Art and Peanut Butter,”) framed by softly constructed Bermuda-blue cotton, this dreamy onesie lets your baby declare, “I’m fashion-forward, and I don’t even know how to use a toilet yet.”

Why name it a Yummsie? Chu offers his inspiration. “Obviously it’s kind a fun play on the name Yummies and it’s a onesie. Onesie plus Yummies is Yummsie.” Clever and creative – this one’s a keeper!

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I’ll admit it. I’m one of those finicky-to-a-fault shoppers who eschews the mall like a sink full of dirty dishes. I hate dressing like everyone else does. No knee-length black jackets for me. No wide belts. And, no matter how much you entice me with your practical-yet-cute appeal, sorry, ballet-flats, no to you as well. I’m a stickler for originality. Problem is, I’m also outrageously cheap. So last month, when I realized that every piece of clothing I owned either had a hole in it or was dangerously close to developing one, I knew it was time for my once-a-year-on-even-years-only shopping day. Either that or wield a needle and thread. And I take to sewing even less than washing dishes.

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Depending on whom you ask, thrift store shopping is either a thrilling exploration to find treasures untold, or it’s a huge, time-sucking pain in the ass to locate one good vintage t-shirt. Thriftonista, a new Denver company, subscribes to both world views. TaRosa Jacobs and Rebekah Adams, two new mothers who met in their home birthing class, started Thriftonista because they love to shop, but realized that not everybody else has the patience for it.

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Grab your hairpins, seamed stockings, peep toe pumps and work the 1940’s revival. And thank Christ, because my legs are officially numb from stuffing myself into narrow pants for four months.

All the major magazines and fashionistas are highlighting the return to subdued sexy. Embrace the knee length, form-fitting pencil skirts and pair them with feminine, skintight tailored tops. Waist high, wide-leg sailor pants (like the ones pictured, that are sadly sold out at J. Crew) are the perfect cold day alternative to the fabulous skirts.

When attempting the infamous high-waist sailor pant, be careful! Get yourself in front of a 360-degree mirror immediately. Although teeny women aren’t the only ones pulling off this look, it can be difficult. It just depends on how you are proportioned. An alternative to the fabulous sailor pant is a slimming, form-fitting A-line or pencil skirt. My suggestion for cramming your self into the form fitting skirts; go get some SPANX! They are available at Target and they squeeze you into a pre-prego, before bulimia, after rehab, Nicole Richie shape. They are also fabulous for ladies who lack ass. They lift and squish. It’s like a month at the gym without the sweat, or the gym.

My picks for this season's must haves are as follows:

- Closed toe round or pointy wicked high stilettos
- Short, box jackets
- Vests -- I know you ladies from the 80s are nervous, but these are not your silk-backed junior high vests. These babies are tight and fierce.
- Sailor Pants
- Tights! Tights! Tights! Also, invest in some high quality seamed stockings
- Crocodile anything
- Sizeable clutches
- Wide-leg, dark jeans
- High, leather boots. Please, stop wearing those fucking UGGS.
- Feathers … I dare you

-- Stephanie March

The eighth Target GO designer, Alice Temperley, has arrived! Grab your nearly maxed out credit cards, throw on your highest stilettos and get your asses to Target. Seriously, GO!

Approximately every six to seven weeks, Target employs the talent of top designers to design affordable and chic clothing for fabulous yet, frugal shoppers. Temperley's top-of-the-line, insanely overpriced clothing first appeared on London runways in 2003, and has made a mark on the hearts, minds pocketbooks of fashionistas ever since. Temperley’s sleek and glamorous fashions can currently be found at Saks Fifth Avenue and her website TemperleyLondon.com. Her high-end accessories and clothing normally range from $700 to over $2,500, but she has gracefully cheapened up her line to assist her monetarily challenged fashionistas to achieve Anna Wintour style without haute couture prices.

Unfortunately, according to Joe, the “soft lines” manager at the Target in Glendale, “this line is going pretty fast” so, move your asses ladies! My suggestion is to go online and shop there. I ventured into a Target and, although I found a fabulous petal, tank dress ($49.99) in my size, most of the other merchandise was all sold out. Of course, if you are an extra small, you are golden, but I hate you.

It’s also important to remember size with these more affordable designers. I found that while the garments are well made, they run a little small. We don’t want your frugal asses hanging out of Temperley’s perfect crepe mini skirt ($24.99) because you are attempting to squeeze into a small size. Don’t try it. “Sharpie” your actual size to a 0 if it bothers you so much.

One word of warning: Do not throw these in the dryer. Only havoc will ensue. And although the freshly dried, way too short, super slutty, crepe mini will increase your chances of turning some heads, I am not sure how “Vogue” it is to be asked “how much” by a drunk businessman in a bar.
-- Stephanie March

I am all for individual expression, but there comes a point in a fashionista’s life when she must put her well-manicured foot down and say no. No more teeny, tight, stone washed shorts, white tights with lace on the bottom. And please, for the love of Christ, put the Lycra down. Yesterday, I decided to venture out and restore my faith in Denver’s fashion sense. It was not an easy quest, my friends. I was beset on all angles by atrocious outfits. Everything was cinched and tucked in all the wrong places. And women weren’t the only violators.

FYI guys: Bluetooths (Blueteeth?) are not an accessory; stop wearing them as though they were.

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Remember sitting at your mother’s vanity when you were little and playing with all of her pretty potions and beautifully arranged cosmetics? Yeah, neither do I. My mom always had a drawer full of half-used eyeshadows, blushes and lipsticks thrown haphazardly together. And I haven’t done much better, as most of my good makeup is tossed inside a big case that spills across the bathroom counter.

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So Cat is just perptually late this week. She needs to go back to Sunday, apparently, and start all over again. Anyway, here are her picks for Cheap and Chic Monday, but on Wednesday.

Top row, left to right:
Kenneth Cole Pumpkin Pie from Piperlime
$45
Very cute with tights and skirts for fall

Born Alessandra from Shoeline
$100
Very conservative and proper, but also very comfortable. And every girl needs that pair of black pumps in her closet.

Second row, left to right:
Buttondown Flats from Anthropologie
$128
Cute with the season's new wide-leg pants.

Reptilia Booties from Anthroplogie
$98

Bottom row, left to right:
Talla Dandie Georgette Bib Blouse from Beklina
$84, was $104
Just a sweet end-of-season splurge.

Valentino Bow-Front d'Orsay from Neiman Marcus
$322, was $495. Sigh.

Cat's friend Stacy is in town, so she only had time to scout two dresses for Cheap and Chic Monday. Still, either would be a good investment. The black is a perfect dinner and cocktails dress (it's also in gold for the brave among us), and the sundress comes from a website that specializes in only small, independent designers from around the world. Cat likes to support that. So enjoy.

1. Babykakes Mini Tube Dress
UnsungDesigners.com
$88

2. Zoa Deep V-Neck Notted Dress
CoutureCandy.com
$89