The Budget Babe's Guide to 2007 Spring Fashion

Spring 2007 is here and with it comes a fresh crop of fashion must haves. There's so much going on , from wrap dresses to platform sandals to hobo bags. How to afford them all? By following the budget babe's guide to all the trends. Know where to shop and who has the best bargains. Spring fashion this year is not only fun but can be very affordable - even to those on a really tight budget.

The one item every budget babe should have in her closet right now is the A-line skirt. This is the most versatile piece of clothing, going from work to casual to even evening. Buy two or three in different prints and graphics to stretch your warm weather wardrobe. Target has a neat black and white print along with Mexican inspired embroidered A-lines between $12.99 and $19.99 , J.C. Penneys' also gets into the act with similar designs from St. John's Bay for $19.99. Both stores carried the style in cool eyelet for under $20.00. Pair any A-line with knit tees for casual evenings out. Target has Cherokee brand ones for only $7.99 so scoop them up in a couple of brights and at least one in white or black. Vary the look with folkloric embroidered tops. Again Penney's a.n.a. line has these, in a variety of colors from deep indigos to earthy browns. These also come with short puffed sleeves or three quarter sleeves, ranging in prices from $14.99 to $24.99 You can also pair them with last year's long shorts for a weekend casual look.

Short jackets are another big item this spring. They top everything from sundresses to cropped slacks. You can find excellent priced ones by Proenza Schouler at Target. Fashion's latest dynamic duo has designed tissue faille ones that only cost $27.99 (Not bad when you consider one from the pair's store costs $300). Pair them with tissue tee shirts and skinny jeans for a neat Saturday night out look. That great mail order store, Chadwick's also has some good buys. Their linen/rayon shirt jacket is only $39.95 and can be worn seven days a week. For the same price consider their stretch twill blazer which can even be worn into mid fall. It comes in four basic colors and can paired with everything from jeans to a pencil skirt. For a more formal look, Chadwick's has a 100 per cent linen Mandarin collar blazer that sells for $39.99 and comes in seven colors.It has a matching sheath as well as linen pants that you can also buy.

One of the biggest trends this season is the wrap dress. It's a modern, updated version of Diane von Furstenberg's Seventies classic. To be honest, this is the most versatile piece of the season. Just throw it in your suitcase and it's good to go on vacation, office trips or even the weekend wedding away. It can be worn to pool parties as well as to office meetings. Chadwick's has several in different prints and variations. There is one for $21.00 in easy to wear colors such as black, mauve, horizon blue and orange. These are a good price, so buy two to take you through the season. Chadwick's offers another style at $59.00. This one comes with a wooden O ring and features such colors as tomato and espresso print as well solid tomato and solid espresso. The company also has two more wrap dresses in blue or green batik prints and solids for only $49.00

More than any other previous season, shoes are a focal point this Spring. Every shoe store sells variations on peep toe pumps - the hottest must have right now. Payless has the best priced ones ever, costing only $16.99. These are sleek two toned ones of a linen like finish edged with brown leather. Another $16.99 shoe is the peep toe sling back that comes in cool , citrus colors. This one would work well with long office shorts to wrap dresses. Payless also has a open toed low wedge for $9.99 that would finish off slacks or cropped pants. Also try Target for peep toes. The store has leopard print ones from Mossimo for $29.99 Mossimo also has patent leather platform ones for the same price For a more sedate look, buy the Isaac Mizrahi linen open toed pumps for only $16.99. Espadrilles are also very big this season You can spend up to $300 on them if you like or go the budget babe's way and pay only $16.99 for them at Payless. For three dollars more you can buy ones with sequin flowers. There are also nautical striped ones for the same price as well. If you really want budget then opt for the Quincy ballet espadrille for only $9.99. Despite the price it looks rich and elegant and comes in silver and pink colors. Target has also cashed in on this craze. They feature Mossimo platform espadrilles in tomato red that have a Donatella Versace vibe to them. They're only $24.99. Target also has a microfiber wedge for only $22.99 as well as a madras print one.

Ballet flats are still as popular as ever and it pays to buy a few to go with different outfits. Payless has cool ankle wrap ones for only $9.99. They also have lovely patent leather ones in navy or black for only $14.99 which look great with slacks or cropped pants. Head back over to Target for funkier looking ones. There you can pick up water ballet flats - plastic ones that will get your feet through rainy Springs and summer storms. These $12.99 treasures come in kicky colors such as hot pink, neon yellow and chartreuse as well as silver gray. Target also has X-hileration brand madras ballet flats for $14.99 as well as Isaac Mizrahi designer ones in leopard and zebra prints for $29.99. These will not just take you through the spring but through the summer and fall too, so their high price is justified.

Bags are one of Spring 2007's must have items. Payless, Target and J.C. Penney's are a budget babe's best places for style plus bargain. Payless has some neat hobo bags and satchels on sale right now. They start at $14.99 for their purses while Target has some cool ones for a few dollars more. Penneys is the most expensive with great buys between $20 and $30 dollars however they can be used all year round (and in some cases for years.)

This season outfits call for jewelry and you can find. great stuff for low prices. Check outwww.alltherageonline.com . The site offers some really pretty necklaces like the triple stand one that comes in four different colors choices. It's only $18.00 There's also the multicolored crystal beaded one , appropriately named "Candyland" selling at $20.00. You can wear this with several different outfits. The site also has millions of cool low cost earrings . Treat yourself to the "Ocean' drop ones for only $12.00 . These are icy looking turquoise gems cut to resemble diamonds. Another great budget site and store is Laila Rose. (it's now located in malls across the US). For only $10 you can buy beautiful Byzantine inspired earrings with the choice of five different bead colors. A funkier set to go with this season's Eighties vibe are the $10 hoop eaarings set with faux crystals. Laila Rose also sells big acrylic bangles for again only ten bucks. Check out their faux snakeskin bracelet in four colors. It's $12. but looks like it's worth about $200.

This season be a budget babe with style. Shop wisely and you'll get Spring 2007's look without the high prices. You'll look like a high end fashionista even though you paid low end prices.