Fashion with the X Factor

What does it take to make sure every X Factor contestant looks their best when they hit the stage at the live shows? Katie Wright gets the lowdown from style director Gemma Sheppard

It’s first thing on a Monday morning and Gemma Sheppard is exhausted. Having just overseen the first pair of live shows, The X Factor’s style director hasn’t got any lazy days in her diary for the foreseeable future.

Styling is a collaborative effort, which starts with creative meetings, after which the stylist and team have 48 hours to “pull” four looks per artist, then she’ll Whatsapp photos to the judges to make sure they’re happy.

But can we mere mortals hope to look popstar-fabulous when we don’t have an enormous archive, designers on speed-dial and three seamstresses at our disposal?

Absolutely, says Gemma, you just need to know where – and what – to shop.

TAKE AN LBD TO THE NEXT LEVEL

“The beauty of the little black dress is that it’s really simple and minimal, so I always say a really great up-to-date statement necklace can totally transform a look. In River Island, they often do these pieces that also hang on the shoulders, more like a harness, that makes the dress look totally different. I would very lightly sew it on, then you can remove it.”

Gold tone chain jewel body harness, £35, River Island

AX Paris thin strap skater dress, £35,

www.very.co.uk

STEP UP YOUR SHOE GAME

“One of my favourite brands that we’re using a lot on the show is Little Mistress. The dancers last weekend had these great black boots that have powermesh in them, so you can wear them with tights. They’re edgy but really comfortable. They’re my weekend’s top pick.”

Paper Dolls black mesh insert heel boot, £65, www.little-mistress.com

DON’T BE AFRAID TO SPARKLE

“Louisa [Johnson]’s sparkly dress [on

the first live show] was actually a two-piece from Topshop that we made into a dress. It’s all about silhouette. If you can make the lines look really strong, a high street piece can really rock it and people can often think it’s much more expensive than it is.”

Camilla mini dress by TNFC, £55, Topshop

Missguided split back sequin top, £20, and mini skirt, £25, www.missguided.co.uk

TAILOR YOUR TUX

“I’m a massive tuxedo fan because it has so many guises: if you’re young, you can do it with a cool bra top; if you’re older, you can do a sharp wrap shirt. With a killer heel, that’s really sexy and glamorous.” W bronze tux jacket, £67.50, Wallis M&S Collection open front slouch jacket, £44, Marks and Spencer

FIND THE PERFECT FABRIC

“I actually would go as far as to say I hate satin. I don’t think it works on anybody because it creates reflective bulges. When you are a plus-size, it’s about understanding what a fabric does. Silk, especially if it’s a bias cut, is much more forgiving.”

Coldwater silk dress, £189, Jigsaw

BUY BRITISH

“I like to salute the British high street as much as possible. That’s the beauty of social media: the bow tie I used on Anton was from a British brand that messaged me on Twitter, called Pepahs.”

Pepahs tweed bow tie, £24.99, www.

etsy.com

WEATHER YOUR LEATHER

“Rokit and Beyond Retro are great for leathers. I think when you wear a leather, it looks better four years old than when it’s new. It looks more worn in; it gets better with age.”

Vintage black fringed leather jacket, £56, Beyond Retro