Regardless of the weather, it’s not too cold to spring for a dress

Easter. It’s a time for egg hunts. Pretty dresses. Wild hats. And, if this lovely weather keeps up, mittens and scarves.

It’s not supposed to be this early, or this cold – but far be it from me to question any religious calendar.

And far be it from me to let the calendar dictate my clothes. I’m ready for dresses. And I’m not about to let the fear of frostbite change my mind.

I know I’m not alone. I certainly wasn’t the only woman loading up her cart with frilly frocks at T.J.’s last week. I couldn’t resist the simple jersey dresses by Max Studio – in black, of course ($39.99), but there were plenty of vibrant cotton florals, hippie-chick sundresses and elegant shifts for those of you who prefer a little color in your life.

At Marshalls, I treated myself to a Necessary Objects wrap dress with flutter cap sleeves in a graphic purple print ($19.99). Wrap dresses are the perfect way to straddle seasons – wear ’em with tights, high boots and a long-sleeve T-shirt now, sandals and bare legs later. I have too many to count after a recent splurge at Reny’s.

But that didn’t stop me from ogling the pretty wrap dresses at The Grasshopper Shop. Spring things are slowly arriving, but the long-sleeve numbers are all on sale, and they’re adorable. Ditto for the selection at Bella Luna, which feels like spring even if the temperature still says winter.

I’m wild about all the dresses at DressBarn, which recently added petites! However, when it’s this cold outside, I’m more drawn in by DressBarn’s belted trench coats.

Gap’s dresses are downright summery – whether it’s strapless toile or a knit dress in royal blue. And Old Navy has cute little shirtdresses – my current obsession.

During a recent trip to Boston, I contemplated a stretchy black shirtdress at Express and a seersucker stripe shirtdress at H&M, but neither was particularly flattering on my ghostly white body.

During my visit, my hostess gave me a dress that she had just bought but didn’t fit – pale blue with a stylized leopard print. Trust me, it’s prettier than it sounds, and it’s a dead ringer for a dress I saw in an Ellen Tracy ad, which cost way more than free, I’m sure.

It’s still too cold to wear it, though. Maybe I’ll stick to those hats – the festive, frothy ones in sorbet colors at Burlington Coat Factory or the elegant, neutral ones at Marshalls.

Better yet, maybe I’ll make like a cross between Punxsutawney Phil and the Easter Bunny. I’ll just crawl into a hole, with a basket full of Cadbury Creme Eggs and Jelly Bellies and not show my face again until the weather finally shows up. After all that candy, I won’t be able to fit into any of those sweet little frocks. But at least I’ll be warm.

Reader question

Dear ShopGirl,

The cross-stitchers of northern Aroostook need your help!

I’ve been stitchin’ for a very long time, and have amassed quite a supply of aida cloth and floss. Last week, however, I was anticipating an eight-hour car trip and had been looking for an excuse (like I needed one, right?) to start a new, very complex project. After packing and making my list of needed supplies, we set out. My husband agreed to stop in Houlton at Wal-Mart in the early morning so I could load up before hitting the highway. I returned to our van within 5 minutes, EMPTY-HANDED! The staff there said they no longer carry floss, aida, patterns etc. for cross-stitch since “they are disassociated with DMC.” Apparently that happened last summer, but it’s been a while since I shopped for materials. That leaves Miller’s in Caribou; they have a very limited selection of supplies.

Please find us some sources closer to home than JoAnn Fabrics in Bangor!!

Thank you,

Patty Carson

Dear Patty,

I’m at a loss, because knitting’s my bag. But I bet my County readers can help. Anyone? Send your answers to kandresen@bangordailynews.net and I’ll post them in next week’s column.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or tips to kandresen@bangordailynews.net or to: Kristen Andresen, ShopGirl, Bangor Daily News, 491 Main St., Bangor, ME 04401.