You've heard it all before: It flatters every figure. Never goes out of style. You can dress it up or down. Yes, we're talking about the shirtdress - and it's back in a big way for Spring. Donna Karan shows us how it's worn in the urban jungle. Salvatore Ferragamo gives us a glimpse of it's modern sex appeal. Behnaz Sarafpour reveals its timeless yet timely attitude. So what are you waiting for? Create your own shirtdress story this Spring. Scroll down for a few affordable shirtdress finds to get you started...



Above: Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear looks from the runways of Behnaz Sarafpour, Donna Karan and Salvatore Ferragamo. Image source: Style.com



Left to right: Old navy safari shirtdress, $34.50; Spiegel's sash-tie shirtdress, Orig. $69 Now $31.99; Newport News cotton voile shirtdress, Orig. $39 Now $29.

Don't know much about geometry, but I do know a little something about what's hot for Spring - and geometric prints are definitely making the grade! Some have a global feel, others look artsy, and still others have a retro vibe a la Tory Burch. Any way you work it, these bold designs will take you to the head of the fashion class. Here, our stylish yet affordable geometric-print finds (no protractor necessary)...

Bahama Flap Bag at Forever 21, $23.80


Tempted Scoopneck Geometric-Print Top at Macys.com, Orig. $36.00 Now $10.80


Isaac Mizrahi for Target Printed Net Party Dress, $44.99


Banana Republic tall 3/4-sleeve geo-print ruffle-front blouse, On sale: $29.99


Geo Shape Necklace at Forever21.com, $6.80


Bisou Bisou Sequin Tank at JCPenney.com, available in six different colors/patterns. Orig. $30.00; Now $17.99

Etro taps into some of Spring's hottest trends with its 2008 ready-to-wear collection. A no holds barred use of color, florals, stripes, ethnic-inspired motifs and retro 70s throwbacks makes us wonder: What trend don't they cover? And yet, somehow Veronica Etro makes it all work by paying close attention to silhouettes (balancing structured pieces with more feminine forms) and a constructive use of color that makes it something truly marvelous to behold.



One of Etro's standout pieces is this floral striped dress, which retails for $1,335. (Are you still with me?) Now, a few years back, it would have been next to impossible to find all that designer razzmatazz at reasonable prices, but today, we budget babes have options: Topshop, for example, lets you channel the Etro vibe with their floral striped dress for only £50.00 (98.27 U.S. dollars).

Chalk one up for the little guy...er, girl.

Left: A look from the Etro Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear collection (Image source: Style.com); floral striped dress available at NeimanMarcus.com, $1,335.00

Right: Topshop Floral Striped Dress, £50.00 (98.27 U.S. dollars)

Sheer fabrics are a hot commodity for Spring. Here are a few of our favorite picks for this revealing trend:


Style&co. Poppy-Print Top at Macy's, $49.00
A sophisticated, slightly sheer top in abstract floral print.


Ruffle Blouse By Tara Subkoff, $59.00
Sheer top with a ruffle front and keyhole neckline. Designed exclusively by Tara Subkoff for bebe.


Twelve by Twelve Embroidered Mesh Turtleneck, $20.00
Stylish sheer mesh turtleneck top with floral embroidered designs on sleeves, shoulders, and front.


MANGO Silk sheer blouse (search for BLOUSON BL- ESPIRAL6 ref. 61213448 at Mangoshop.com), $79

The Budget Babe's resident beauty expert gushes about the latest collection of lip stains by Revlon, and tells you how to get one of the hottest makeup looks for Spring. —BB



by The Budget Beauty Babe
Just this past summer, I spent four weeks traveling in Italy. While there I was absolutely obsessed with blood orange juice (its so good!) and really hard to find here. Ever since, I’ve been crazy about all things related to this dark, slightly raspberry flavored relative of our tasty orange.

Last week my boyfriend surprised me with a fabulous reminder of summer, a blood orange lip stain by Revlon called Just Bitten. A limited edition product, this water-weight juicy stain leaves you with the most gorgeous color, unbelievable staying power, and soft natural looking lips!

This is probably one of the hottest shades for spring time lips. A dark red orange in the tube, it goes on in layers so you can be as subtle or fabulous as you want.

Get the bright and neutral face that’s so hot for spring by pairing this very flattering candy hue with some neutral eyes and cheeks and you're going to look gorgeous. (I personally recommend paring with a cream eye shadow in a nice rich brown, try Therapy Systems cream gel liner in Espresso - beautiful rich and smooth product)

The ingredient list reads like a smoothie shopping list; raspberry extract, blackberry extract, boysenberry extract, cherry extract, strawberry extract, orange extract, and blueberry extract (whew!!!) So not only do you look fierce, but the beauty literally comes from nature.

Bottom line: I love this! Love the way it goes on, applied to clean lips, it sinks in quickly, and if you want some added shine a quick gloss over the top finishes the look for the rest of the day. The little tube will last forever, I seriously only apply in the morning and I’m good for the rest of the day. I highly recommend this product. Also comes in three other fantastic shades, I personally have collected them all…

>> Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain at Drugstore.com, $10.35

>> More great budget beauty product reviews and advice