Last updated at 17:20, Thursday, 12 March 2009

Pack up your troubles, sling your suitcase into the tourer and banish grey weather gloom with fashion fit for a weekend flit.

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Me models Lauren Goodger and Rachel Walsh were to the manor born on our shoot at aristocratic pad Naworth Castle.

But whether you’re bound for a mother and daughter treat weekend away, a girlie pampering stopover, heading out for a day at the races, setting sail on a glamorous cruise or simply dreaming of injecting a little spring into your wardrobe, bring on the new season’s delights to lift the mood.

Try packing a little lux from Carlisle boutique, Chameleon. A chic Aladdin’s cave of beautiful, well-made separates, dresses, handbags and accessories, Chameleon is run by a mother and daughter team firmly in the fashion know.

Top picks for our shoot were a statement By Malene Birger coat with bow detailing. With brights and bows hot for spring and summer, this piece will take you through spring weddings, to chic evening get togethers and beyond. And as Me knows, quality investments repay dividends.

“Everything we have we’d like to think could be styled with jeans or bought for a special occasion,” said Kerry, the mother half of the duo behind Chameleon. “We buy with our customer in mind and we’ve learned what our customers need. Sometimes it’s a piece that will cover the tops of the arms – every woman’s bugbear. Sometimes they want an endurance piece that will look great for years to come and sometimes they want a piece for a special occasion.

Daughter Jessica added: “We work together really well. There’s two different age groups so there’s two sets of eyes on the trends.”

A blouse, another key trend for spring and summer according to Jessica and Kerry, was paired with designer jeans and chunky silver and opal toned jewellery to hit the right kind of glamorous. Well-fitting jeans in a dark wash are flattering and can be either dressed up or down.

A long purple cardigan belted over ana-line shift gave Me model Lauren a day time look with versatility and a modern take on 1960s chic. Belting cardigans is a winner for all shapes and sizes creating girlie curves at the same time as elongating the figure.

According to Jessica, bold fruit and floral prints are also big news this spring and summer. This shift dress picks up on the bold print trend and would be a knock-out worn alone at a summer party or wedding.

Tilly’s in Penrith have a long-standing reputation for dressing mother-of-the-bride, royal garden party goers, prom queens and chic revellers. And this year, according to owner, Vanda, fascinators are out and hats are back in the ring. “Eight years ago we began to stock fascinators and people were horrified by them. Then they saw them in the magazines and they just took off.

“But now it’s back to the hats. I know that for many of the paddocks at Ascot this year they are specifying hats. Things do tend to come around full circle.”

The Me girls minded their manners in thoroughbred outfits with Rachel channelling Chanel monochrome in a black and white dress from Tilly’s topped off with a black blazer and hat with the wow-factor. Lauren picked up the brights trend in a pink and orange frock with hat to match – the strong tones work well with her olive skin tone. And it was back to black for Lauren with a timeless diamante studded evening dress.

For a formal occasion think elegance – remember Jordan was allegedly banned from a Cartier polo match last year for being “too chavvy”. So look to the icon of all-time glamour, Audrey Hepburn, for style that never goes out of fashion and couldn’t fail to be acceptable to the RSVP crew. For those in need of a lesson in looking ladylike, Vanda is on hand at Tilly’s for advice.

Casual needn’t mean slouchy. And it needn’t mean pricey either. Check out the fashion picks from Style @19 at Penrith’s Co-op which include snug fitting jeans, on-trend sailor striped tees and layering basics.

To ensure you roll up the drive to your weekend retreat in style, think 1960s Jackie O with belted macs, cropped jeans, pearls and ladylike gloves – Me’s Rachel wore hers with towering wedges, round shades and a pop of red lipstick.

Lauren nodded more to the 1940s with a cute cardigan layered over a floral blouse. Her look was styled up with a headscarf and skyscraper t-bars to amp up the glamour.

The girls’ hair was given an in-vogue classic chignon look with a modern twist by stylists at Carlisle’s La Moda hair salon. Sammy Riddell set the top section of Lauren’s hair on velcro rollers adding texture to the bottom section waves using straighteners. She then created height on the top, and pinned the hair up teasing strands at the back for a more “undone” feel.

Joanne McKie backcombed Rachel’s hair for texture, created beehive height at the top and twisted the rest into a French roll.

Salon owner, Sue Graham, said the beehive up do is all the rage. “We’ve had a lot of girls coming in asking for styles with height on top. It’s glam, it’s sophisticated and it’s easy to do at home too.” So big up your beehive and bring out the glam

n Tilly’s of Penrith including handbags and shoes can be found at 3, Burrowgate, Penrith. Call 01768 862066 for details.

n For Chameleon’s designer ranges including Sarah Arnett, Miss Budd and CCDK, drop into into 21, Warwick Road. Call 01228 599770 for details or visit www.chameleon-fashions.co.uk.

n Style@19 can be found on Burrowgate, Penrith. Call 01768 862366 for details.

First published at 21:58, Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk