Total style at half the price

Apr 16 2005 By The Evening Chronicle

This week we took three readers to Dalton Park in County Durham to kit them out in designer gear at discount prices.

And as our three girls found out, this spring's hot look is seriously understated. Fashion if going floaty, casual, but very feminine, and styling is taking over from structured, tailored looks.

The youngest of our three ladies, Rebecca Carter, 22, is from Jesmond, and has worked as a marketing assistant since leaving Newcastle University last year with a degree in marketing and management. It was no surprise to us that she went straight for Oasis. This is where those who are serious about something fabulous, funky and very now, head.

The most talked-about ranges, New Vintage and Love Rosa - previously only available from Oasis stores in London, are now available at Oasis in Dalton Park - literally weeks after appearing on high streets. And what's more - your gorgeous "must-have" pieces are available at up to 50% off the normal high- street price.

Rebecca went for some real stand-out-from-the-crowd looks. Her first choice was a dress and scarf in stunning green for an all-round occasion look, but the party girl soon came out and she opted for some serious "all night" wear in the form of a gorgeous blue skirt and top.

Oasis at Dalton Park
DRESS AND SCARF: High street £150; Dalton Park £40, saving £110
BLUE SKIRT: High street £90; Dalton Park £30, saving £60
BLUE TOP: High street £100; Dalton Park £25, saving £75
Total saving at Dalton Park: £245

For those who like a bit of structure in their wardrobe, it's important to build in some good-looking classics that mix well with your one-season wonders. Our second lady, Heather Carne, 44, from Great Lumley, is a retail manager and mother to seven-year-old Jamieson.

"With school runs and working full-time I wanted something sophisticated but comfortable and easy to put together."

She chose a fabulous softly tailored white suit and top from Joseph. Perfect for a special day or eveningwear - and even for that important meeting. But classic girls like to let their hair down too - so Heather's second outfit was a fun and sexy rah-rah top and skirt from Joseph.

Joseph at Dalton Park
WHITE JACKET: High street £295; Dalton Park £88.50, saving £206.50
WHITE TROUSERS: High street £155; Dalton Park £46.50, Saving £108.50
TOP: High Street £135; Dalton Park £40.50, saving £94.50
RAH-RAH TOP: High street £169; Dalton Park £50.70, saving £118.30
RAH-RAH SKIRT: High street £169; Dalton Park £50.70, saving £118.30
Total saving at Dalton Park £646.10

Our third lady, Debbie Nichol - a proud grandmother of two - also works as a manager in the fashion business.

Debbie wanted something feminine and classic for a wedding - so she had no hesitation in choosing a floaty and very feminine black and beige long-line dress worn with soft tailored ivory jacket - both from Roman Originals. Her second choice from Roman Originals was equally classic - but with a sexy styling twist - a gorgeous black dress with lace-up detail, perfect for parties or a romantic evening for two.

Roman Originals at Dalton Park
BLACK AND BEIGE DRESS: High street £79.99; Dalton Park £45, saving £34.99
IVORY JACKET: High street £79.99; Dalton Park £45, saving £34.99
BLACK LACE DETAIL DRESS: High street £175; Dalton Park £34.99, saving £140.01
Total saving at Dalton Park £209.99

Apart from the great looks our readers chose, they also checked out the Marks & Spencer Outlet and Next Clearance stores at Dalton Park.

At M&S the ladies found great savings on quality goods, from suits and smart jackets to easy jeans and tops. And they were all impressed with the beautiful low-price lingerie available.

At Playtex there were plenty of gorgeous lacy looks from Gossard and Wonderbra - and some silky creations at Camille. It's also easy to shop for accessories to go with your special outfit.

Bags from Oakdale, jewellery from Chapelle and stylish shoes from Charles Clinkard and Lilley & Skinner are all also available at Dalton Park.

Dalton Park is just 25 minutes from Newcastle. (Follow the A19 southbound and take the B1285, signposted for Murton)