Last updated at 18:20, Saturday, 04 July 2009

Heads turned and eyes popped – it was an afternoon of giggles and glam when Me brought the beach to English Street in Carlisle.

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The girls cut quite a dash together, brightening the high street and unsurprisingly drawing a crowd of gents keen to doff their caps, pay compliments and ogle the fun.

Me model Louise drew a trio of veteran admirers who gladly welcomed her on their bench to shoot the breeze. “You’ve quite made my year,” joked one.

Our shoot was swamped by fellers offering to don “mankinis” Borat-style in a bid to join our bevy of daring Cumbrian lasses. But just as many ladies stopped by to wish the models well with a thumbs up and a “if you’ve got it girls”.

We’re not suggesting you embrace the urban bikini or, like Me models Debbie and Joanna, you grab your morning coffee in Scotch Street market clad only in your itsy bitsies. But grab some seasonal confidence like our girls and sizzle in a swimsuit to flatter your shape.

The late French designer Louis Reard created the first bikini in 1946. He once said: “A bikini is not a bikini unless it can be pulled through a wedding ring.”

We’d never advise the dental floss styles favoured by the Euro set. But for lean, boyish figures, you can’t go wrong with a classic triangle bikini with string ties.

Ruffles around the bust help to add inches to a small chest and create curves.

The bright patterned bikinis worn by Me model Alex are fabulous for showing off a streamlined shape – head to Debenhams in Carlisle for a great selection.

Short-style bikini bottoms flatter trim posteriors. Although pear-shaped ladies might gravitate towards the short-style to cover their bums, the short actually draws attention to the area instead. Try a high-leg brief style to elongate the legs and hips and consider a bandeau-style top to draw attention to your decollete.

Curvy girls need a little extra support. Pick an underwired top to create a perky shape and go for high-leg or string sided briefs to slim the hips.

Halterneck shapes love broad shoulders and balconette bra-style tops make the most of shapely curves.

Me loves the new ranges by Freya and Fantasie. Known for their flattering, feminine underwear styles for larger busts, the brands have really hit the button with this year’s stylish swimwear collections. Fantasie sizes range from 30B to 40HH while Freya ranges from 30D to 44HH.

For apple shapes keen to control their tummies, try a bandeau swimsuit or a tankini to show off shapely shoulders.

To amp up your style factor at the beach bar, don’t be afraid to add an armful of bangles or a chunky necklace. And to cover up whilst shimmying back to the hotel, a kaftan is an investment you’ll slip into your suitcase year after year.

Whatever your destination, when the heat is on a kaftan can also be glammed up with heels and gold or ethnic accessories for an alfresco evening with friends.

Our Me models may be bonny, but it was their confidence that gathered admiring crowds – make sure you create your own stir this summer and flaunt your style.

Hair was created by Carlisle College hairdressing student Kat Cammiss and tutor, Jonathan Cuthell. Makeup was by beauty students at Carlisle College, Siobham Moffat and Laura Sutherland.
For Freya stockists visit www.freyalingerie.com. For Fantasie stockists visit www.fantasie.com.

Debbie wears: Freya Angel Island floral print bikini, top £32 and bottoms £14; black shorts £10 and black bikini top £10 from Debenhams; watch by Christopher Ward, £210.
Chelsea wears: Black Cairo kaftan by Fantasie, £26; white South Beach dress by Freya, £25, Darling Harbour polka dot bikini by Freya (top £34, bottoms £22); Debenhams beach bag, £12.
Alex wears: Blue and multi-coloured Butterfly by Matthew Williams at Debenhams bikini, bottoms £14 and top £16; mauve jewelled Butterfly by Matthew Williams at Debenhams bikini, bottoms £16 and top £20.
Joanna wears: Pink bikini from Debenhams, top £6 and bottoms £6; purple J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams swimsuit, £22.
Louise wears: Freya Supernova swimsuit with gold belt, £46; white and coral striped bikini from Debenhams, bottoms £6 and top £8.
Angela wears: Freya Shi Shi Beach black swimsuit with waist tie, £48; straw hat by Debenhams, £8; pink bikini by Debenhams, top £6 and bottoms £6.

First published at 15:37, Monday, 29 June 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk