X Factor’s Stacey Solomon: The dresses I wore put 10 years on me

By
Christine Smith
Last updated at 1:00 AM on 14th April 2011

Stacey Solomon, 21, reached  The X Factor final in 2009 and won last year’s I’m A Celebrity. She lives in Dagenham, Essex, with her three-year-old son, Zachary. Stacey says:

Working the red carpet: Stacey Solomon

Clothes definitely give you confidence. If you look good, you feel good and your whole persona can change depending on what kind of outfit you are wearing.

My style has evolved since I appeared on The  X Factor two years ago.

Back then, I wore a lot of tight, full-length dresses because I was singing ballads. I couldn’t exactly go on stage in shorts or mini-skirts.

I loved The X Factor experience and don’t cringe when I look back at old shots of me wearing those dresses — but they did put ten years on me! 

I don’t mind what people think of my style and do take pride in what I wear. I’m young and want to dress my age, so I’m going for a young and funky look.

I love getting dressed up to go to a premiere because I feel so privileged to be given the chance to attend such an event, but at home I tend to slob around in my pyjamas or leggings!

My boyfriend Aaron Barham wouldn’t dream of telling me what to wear.

I guess I do own more clothes than the average person on the street — but that’s because I have a lot of leggings and tights.

Now things are going well in my career, it’s nice to think I will be able to pop into Selfridges and treat myself to a pair of Jimmy Choos every now and again. As for a walk-in wardrobe, I’m working on it…

BLACK SNAKESKIN CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTINS

I do like my shoes, but until recently I’ve never had enough money to treat myself to a designer pair.
However, after I took part in The X Factor, I got to keep a pair of black snakeskin Christian Louboutin shoes I wore on the show.

They are just incredible: they are so high you can only wear them when you don’t have to walk anywhere, as otherwise you’d just fall over all the time. I love them so much.

MULBERRY BAG

I have The X Factor to thank for so many things that have happened in my life. After I took part in the series, Mulberry let me keep a fuchsia bag. I carry it whenever I have to go to a smart occasion.

Cherished gifts: From left, Mulberry bag and Christian Louboutin shoes Stacey was able to keep after The X Factor and a Links of London bracelet from her Dad

LINKS OF LONDON BRACELET

My dad recently bought me a beautiful Links Of London bracelet with a heart on it. It was a gift for no reason other than to make me happy and I was so bowled over by his gesture. I always wear it now and really do adore it. I can’t believe he was so kind. This bracelet is very special to me.

NEVER FULLY DRESSED QUEENIE DRESS

I absolutely love my pink and cream floaty dress from Never Fully Dressed. I bought it eight months ago and wear it to premieres because it makes me feel pretty and confident as I float down the red carpet. It’s lace, with keyholes at the top and floaty material at the bottom. I have lots of dresses, but this is by far, my favourite.

Though I love my new designer clothes, I am very much a High Street person. I love to go shopping in Topshop, Miss Selfridge and River Island.

To be honest, until recently I didn’t buy many clothes because I just didn’t have the money.

But I’ve always spoilt my son and like dressing him in mini Ralph Lauren outfits — mainly because I wasn’t able to afford the adult version for myself so I figured I’d put him in them instead!

I don’t horde clothes, but I don’t throw them away either. I will always give my clothes to charities such as Oxfam and Barnardo’s. I was lucky enough to be given all the outfits I wore on The X Factor and gave them all away to charity.

BLACK AND WHITE MANCINI TOP

I wore this when I took part in last year’s X Factor final. I was based in Essex where the winner, Matt Cardle, lived. I feel so sophisticated wearing it and I do think it really suits me. I normally go for cream or camel tops, but it’s nice to wear different colours every now and again. 

CAMEL ZARA TROUSERS

I always go for high-waisted trousers because they are the most flattering cut on me. I recently bought this camel pair from Zara. They are super wide-legged at the bottom and make my legs look  really long — I feel like a supermodel in them! Nude, creamy colours suit me. But I like bright colours, too.

I work on the theory that if you  are wearing something cheerful then people will think you look like  a nice person.

Holly Willoughby, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue always look gorgeous and they often wear bold colours.

BARBOUR JACKET

I do love my good, old, reliable Barbour jacket. I’ve had it for a year and it’s blue on the outside, pink on the inside. I love that it’s practical — I can happily go out in the rain in it — comfortable and stylish. 

Stacey Solomon is presenting ITV1’s Sing If You Can, which starts on Saturday.