The directive was simple: Pick an outfit for your sweetheart to wear to a hypothetical romantic dinner-on Valentine's Day, or any other occasion, for that matter. We proposed this to three reasonably fashionable folks, all with different ideas about what flatters the female form. Our guys-an intrepid television reporter and the owner of a women's boutique in Minneapolis's Wedge neighborhood-ventured to shops new to them, whereas our lady, a noted restaurateur, had her own suggestion (naturally): Could she visit a socially responsible eco-retailer? No problem! Their picks, not surprisingly, were wildly divergent. The assembled outfits range from tailored-yet-skimpy to a modest bomber-meets-Flashdance look to, finally, a vintage ensemble brilliantly characterized as "Golden Girls fabulous."

Kim Bartmann

Restaurateur, Bryant-Lake Bowl, Café Barbette, and the new
Red Stag Supper Club

Shopping at:
Key North [5], a Northeast eco-boutique; 515 First Ave. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-455-6666.
Melrose Antiques [6], vintage décor, fashion, and accessories; 13 Fifth St.
N.E., Minneapolis; 612-362-8480.
Surdyk's Liquor & Cheese Shop [7]; 303 Hennepin Ave. E., Minneapolis;
612-379-3232.

Shopping for: Her girlfriend of seven years, a modern dancer.

Why Key North? "I believe people should spend money in accordance with their values."

Disposition: Flummoxed. Standing at the center of the jam-packed store, Bartmann darted her eyes about helplessly. "I never do this sort of thing. I mean, who shops for other people?"

What she's after: "Hip-casual! She would totally wear jeans to La Belle Vie, but with something nice on top."

Settled on:
Velour slacks by Pure Color Jeans ($182), mostly because of the
sexy cut of the back pockets; and by Bernadette Conte, a teal nylon jacket ($337) and shimmering, translucent pink shirt with a draw-string collar ($203.70, on clearance). All at Key North. Accessories: a matching Murano glass necklace and bracelet ($85, including earrings) from Melrose Antiques.

Joshua Sundberg

Owner, Cliché, a women's boutique

Shopping at: Nu Look [8], a South Minneapolis consignment store; 4956 Penn Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-925-0806.

Shopping for: Delayna, his wife and the co-owner of Cliché.

Disposition: "I didn't think I'd find so much great stuff!"

What he's after: "We're totally going with Golden Girls fabulous here. They had all this great '80s draping on that show."

Worth considering: A little black dress by Calvin Klein worthy of Marilyn Monroe; flared Joe's Jeans paired with a whimsical plaid tuxedo blouse by Etro.

Settled on: An '80s St. John sweater dress with rhinestone detailing and a cut-out back with two big bows ($149, on clearance), star-shaped rhinestone earrings ($12), and a velour tote embellished with beads and gold organza ($16). Of the dress, Sundberg said: "We have one in the store that's similar. This is coming back‹even the shoulder pads, which is kind of crazy."

Jason DeRusha

Reporter, WCCO-TV

Shopping at: Stephanie's [10], a boutique in Highland Park; 758 Cleveland Ave. S., St. Paul; 651-690-3802.

Shopping for: His wife, Alyssa.

Disposition: "I actually like picking out clothes for my wife."

What he's after: "We're not kids anymore, so you want to find something that's stylish without being slutty. But still, I'm a guy, so I want something to be a little slutty—but not inappropriate slutty... My wife has great legs, so it's fun to show them off."

Went for: A David Meister strapless dress ($488) in a heavy brown fabric with dark pink floral embroidery. "It's, like, sophisticated and
funky. You'd never see anyone else wearing it. Plus, it has pockets!" Runner-up: Simply cut cotton dresses with wildlife scenes by Prairie
New York. "My wife hates birds—I'd be better off with the deer."