I was just certain that there would be a plethora of fashion bargains -- and by "fashion," I mean "T-Shirt," which is admittedly stretching the definition of fashion pretty far -- to be had today on the 16th Street Mall now that the Democratic National Convention has officially ended.

Just like everything gets marked 50 percent off the day after Christmas, the Obama T-Shirt hawkers and button sellers would surely have a ton of stuff to unload before trekking back to what ever blue state they came from. I had visions of $5 shirts and free buttons. Boy, was I wrong.

There seems to be some sort of magnetic attraction between my soul and old clothes. From funky pieces that have clearly been pre-loved, but still have life in them, to immaculate relics that somehow remained unworn for decades, their faded and yellowed tags still attached, I am draw to seek out vintage clothing the way iron shavings slide unerringly towards lodestone. I am powerless to resist.

Over the years, as I have lovingly worn and collected vintage clothing, I’ve encountered other collectors who share my passion and who have inspired me with the ways that they choose to wear or modify their pre-owned pieces. I have also met people who expressed an interest in vintage and thrift shopping but insist that they simply don’t know how or where to wear vintage clothes. This column will be dedicated to the entire spectrum—the collectors, the curious and everyone in between. It will feature vintage wearers that I encounter at vintage shops, thrift stores, estate sales, and just about anywhere else, who are willing to talk to me about why and how they wear vintage. In the process, perhaps it will serve as inspiration for the many fashion lovers out there who covet vintage looks but aren’t quite sure how to pull them off.

Brittany Gould

Age: 24
Hometown: Potomac, MD
Occupation(s): Art Student/ Musician (she surprised me with the bird print you see pictured)
Glasses: by Paul Smith, from My Optics on Larimer and 19th
Shoes/Dress: Buffalo Exchange, “Shoes belonged to my friend, Kat, before me.”
Backpack: Thrift
Necklace: Grandma hand-me-down
Glasses Chain: thrift

Last week, we here at Westword took a cue from MTV and threw a big bash celebrating Denver’s local music scene, complete with a music awards ceremony honoring the best of Denver’s best. To be honest, I don’t really remember a whole helluva lot about it because when the people of Westword have a party, we do it up right.

Lucky for me, two freelance photographers (Amanda Earls and Nate Marcy) were there snapping pictures, and were kind enough to do their part in jogging my hazy memory. Judging from their photos, I had a great time with some very attractive, very talented and very ... interestingly dressed people.

Click here for a slide show of the fashions on display at last week’s awards party, all thanks to Amanda and Nate.

Teen fashion correspondant Sarah Bolliger brings us the teen view of the latest summer fashion trends.

In your teenage years it becomes critical to keep up with the latest trends, yet still have a quirk that makes you unique and sets you apart from all the rest. There is a wide variety of styles to chose from and no matter what your personal style is, there is a store catering to it. The brands and styles you wear can often lead to being "labeled" as ‘Prep,’ ‘Goth,’ ‘Skater,’ ‘Nerd,’ ‘Stoner,' etcetera.

My mission is to explore these "labels" from real teens, and ask them questions regarding their styles. The questions I asked are: “What defines your style?” “Where do you shop for your clothing?” and “What inspires you to dress the way you do?” I want to expose teen styles from real teens with real stories, because that is the best way to expose the truth of what we wear and why we wear it!

From left to right: Andrew, Cody, and Zach

Andrew, Cody, and Zach from Evergreen don’t really know what they would call their style. They all agreed when Andrew said, “Whatever I can find in my room that is clean is fine with me!” Zach is in a local teen rock band, and says, “When I perform, I want to be able to move and rock out, but, I still want to look good!” When I asked where they liked to shop to buy their clothing, they all agreed that Wal-Mart was the place to shop! These boys like to be comfortable, but still have a good style!

We still have three months until Labor Day so bring on the white. Page paired a pleated trench from Guess with Juicy Couture bangles for the perfect summer night outfit.

Kendra represents the epitomy of Colfax style with a little bit of girlish lace and Vans skate shoes.

A long sheer tank over a bright color looks awesome with a chunky necklace, one of summer's hottest staples.

- Rossy Kay

Eugene and his cop sunglasses bless Colfax all the way from San Francisco.

Not only is she skinny, tan, beautiful and can wear anything, she is totally cool which pisses me off because I can't hate her.

I think Bobby needs a stronger prescription on those glasses so he can check the mirror before he leaves the house.

Style maven and Colfax Avenue regular Rossy Kay gives us her take on the fashion scene along America's longest commercial street. Are the looks hits or misses? You be the judge.

Slide Show!

Having already filed their taxes, or not, these Denverites were looking relaxed and warm and happy to be wearing their spring clothes for a change.
By Molly Kreck

Slide Show

Yesterday, the National Western Stock Show took to the streets of downtown Denver with its annual parade. There were loads of longhorns, heaps of horses, copious cowboys, rafts of ranchers, and a jillion journalists to document their every move. But more noteworthy than the parade were the parade-goers themselves, the workaday Coloradoans who watched the pageant roll on by. You see, Mayor Hickenlooper deemed yesterday “Dress Western Day.”

So even though the weather was cold enough that the horse shit was steaming before it hit the ground, parade goers arrived in style. Because, unlike Madonna and Jessica Simpson would have you believe, they know that Western wear isn’t meant for warm-weather lounging. It’s meant for frigid mornings herding cattle onto the plains, or, in this case, 17th Street. In other words, out with the daisy dukes and in with the Carhartts. Out with the sexy rhinestoned cowboy hats (except on the rodeo queens, bless your hearts), and in with the wide-brimmed Stetsons. And while we’re at it, out with the stiletto cowboy boots, because, well, they’re ugly.

That said, cowboy attire doesn’t have to eschew fashion for function, and on that count, Denver’s parade goers all but failed. So in hopes of an even better “Dress Western Day” next year, here is a slide show list of Western wear Dos and Don’ts based on the parade.
-- Naomi Zeveloff

We all have our ski and snowboarding, puffy, heavy, non-figure flattering coats. How to be a sexy, warm snow bunny is not my area of expertise. I hang out in the resort bars and get cocked, so I couldn't care less about warmth. I am not an expert in the “smartest” coat of the season, my concern lies in pure aesthetic value.

There is a plethora of bright, vivid winter coats with which to pump up the drab season. My first suggestion is to check out your local vintage and second hand stores. There are amazing finds if you just take the time to look, but don’t get sucked in by style only, make sure it fits. Walk around, bend over, take it around the block. To be honest, most of the highly fashionable ones aren’t that warm so, a snug yet comfy fit is key to avoid completely freezing to death.