As all good singing competitions should be, the best voice won X factor this year. Alexandra Burke now steps up to take the crown from last years winner, Leona Lewis.

We take a look at some of her best outfits this season………………..

She looked effortlessly stylish in this, one shouldered and sequinned, on trend but not too ‘fashion‘. Good tone for her skin, young but still elegant, great.

PVC leggings from the Cheryl Cole school of  X factor fashion, but wow, she looked great. Again good colour, and still age appropriate without looking trashy. Alexandra manages to look sexy but not cheap, even though everything is tight.

Here’s not forgetting just what a brilliant stylist and personal shopper can achieve.

Faye Sawyer, we salute you, there have been some tricky moments (mainly with Laura White), but a personal IMDB reference is pretty impressive!

For those of you that like an all over tan, but aren’t quite nudist beach ready, you could try a tan through swimsuit this summer.

Solar tan - Green Snake Scoopneck

These costumes are made up of thousands of tiny mesh pores, that make the fabric both lightweight and breathable.In addition, the high percentage of spandex and close weave, allows the sunlight through, but also provides a low level sunscreen (between SPF 6 to 10). Because light can penetrate the costume, most people imagine that the suits will be transparent after swimming, however, they are such a fine composition that the appearance is opaque on the skin.

Available for both men and women, the only downside is the choice of styles. Most of them are in loud bright prints without any of the features most of us require, such as underwiring or slimming block colours. There are several companies to choose from, some now expanding their ranges to include tan through clothing and beach accessories such as umbrellas too.

Prices start from about £20 and can be found at Figleaves, by a company called Solar tan. Alternatively, if you prefer to shop from the UK, I’ve found a company called Safer-Suntan, but have to stress, I cannot be held responsible for the photographs they’ve used!

Chameleon Fridays

Miraclesuit - Oceanus

Want to look ‘10 pounds lighter in ten seconds‘?, hmmmm I’m sure a few million people that would sign up right up. It gets even better, this promise is for the beach, the one thing that strikes fear into hearts across the country as soon as the calendar hits May.

And so to The Miracle Suit, set to quel our insecurities and calm our beach frazzled nerves. It tightens, tones and reshapes your body, so that you look like someone has taken an airbrush to your outline. In lay mans terms, it’s support underwear (think old fashioned corsetry), disguised to look like swimwear. So far so good, even the cost hasn’t dampened sales at £100+ per costume. Figleaves has already sold out of about two thirds of its current stock, and, by most accounts the swim suit does look great on. So whats the catch?

What the miraclesuit website doesn’t tell you, is that it costs between £20 to £25 per wear. I’ve read review after review from unhappy customers saying that the actual costume is amazing, does exactly what it says on the tin. However, the construction is such poor quality that after 4 to 5 wears it just falls apart, the elastic failing being the main culprit.

So, if you have a spare £100 and absolutely want to look your best for a few beach strolls (no activities like scuba diving or lots of swimming) this is the costume for you. However if you’re going away for more than 5 days (from the reviews, 5 days is pushing it), you’ll need another costume. Maybe you could purchase two?!

Personally, unless it’s really, really important, I’d spend my cash elsewhere. Marks and Spencers have a great range of bodyshaper swimsuits that last a lot longer than 5 wears. Some just have ’secret support’ for uplifting breasts but most have ‘tummy support’ too i.e. stronger elastic to hold you in. These costumes start at £25 and go up to £35. Also, I can personally testify to these swimsuits, I’ve always used this range and have never had a problem. My actual swimsuit (as in, it goes to the chlorine swimming pool weekly) is still brilliant two years on, for my holiday I’ll be buying a slightly sexier style but still from this range. Add to this, the fact that they have a post surgery version (for women that have had mastectomies) and I know which company I want to give my money to. To be fair to Figleaves, who I also think are a great company, one of the review links is on their website. Can they really be blamed if reviews from customers (saying how disappointing the miracle suit is), are posted on their website, and yet they’ve still sold over 70% of the available stock?

Chameleon Fridays

This is very difficult to shorten as truly everyones shape and colouring are different, advice is best tailored to the individual. That said, here are some fast figure fixes for beach body confidence this summer;

Small bottom half (straight and flat hips/tums/bums) – assuming you want to create curves for these areas, the aim is create width. String bikinis actually work for you as they generally can rest just above your hip bone and not dig into the flesh. You can also carry lots of pattern, try floral patterns (key this season) to make the whole area less boyish. Ruffles are great, adding extra width to the body and shiny fabrics always increase size. Try halter neck top halves as they will create a curve lower down and try to keep straps and patterns in proportion, not so large they make you look smaller.

Most shops are suitable for you, but like advice for a smaller bust try Miss Selfridge and Top Shop as they normally carry more embellishment and fashion suits. This season most of the trends are available to you, try a mono-kini (following top half advice) or the metallic trend, gold being most fashion forward. Florals also work as they are feminine and nautical is great if you use horizontal stripes. Those who wish to keep their bottom half looking small, follow advice for large bottom half.

Chameleon Fridays

This is very difficult to shorten as truly everyones shape and colouring are different, advice is best tailored to the individual. That said, here are some fast figure fixes for beach body confidence this summer;

Large bottom half (hips/tums/bums) – assuming you want to distract from these areas, the idea is make the feature higher up. String bikinis are not your friend, avoid at all costs, very hard to tie without having bulges over the strings. You want to aim for thick banding if a bikini, and wider straps up top for both a bikini and one piece suit, to keep everything in proportion. If you are a classic pear, do not choose halter neck straps as they literally draw a pear outline on you (picture it)! Instead opt for wider straps to balance out the larger hips and create an hourglass.

Try a lighter colour on top making sure to adhere to the appropriate support if large busted. Keep lower half, dark and matt. You can shop almost anywhere, but if plus size see links for section below. Some of the best selections come from lingerie sections of department stores, you can also try M&S. This season, you can try nautical stripes on the top half, or go for patterns such as floral, but keep them in proportion (again only on top half), with for example, floral (key this season), using larger flowers. Those who wish to emphasise their curvy frame, see advice for small bottom half.

Chameleon Fridays

This is very difficult to shorten as truly everyones shape and colouring are different, advice is best tailored to the individual. That said, here are some fast figure fixes for beach body confidence this summer;

Petite – assuming you want to look taller, you need to lengthen the body as much as possible. Lighter and brighter colours are good on the top, drawing the eye upwards. Also vertical stripes work well. You want to avoid horizontal stripes anywhere other than the bust section, as it will widen the body when you are attempting to elongate. One piece swim suits are best as they are one long line, keep patterns in proportion (again only on top half), with for example, floral (key this season), using smaller flowers. Larger ones will swamp you.

Like the tall ladies, make sure the swimsuit actually fits, sometimes the suits can be too baggy on a smaller lady and I’ve been known to have swimsuits taken to the tailor for my more petite clients. I have struggled to find a great range of petite swimwear and so my best options are to go for adjustable straps (much cheaper than tailoring) and if still too long, try a childrens range. It sounds extreme but with rising obesity amongst children these collections are starting to make larger sizes. Try reputable departments stores such as John Lewis, M&S and Selfridges. The tie dye trend of this season works well for you, providing the darkest colour is at the bottom and the colours are blended and not too horizontally blocked. The 50’s trend works well too. Those who wish to emphasise their petite frame, see advice for tall.

Chameleon Fridays

This is very difficult to shorten as truly everyones shape and colouring are different, advice is best tailored to the individual. That said, here are some fast figure fixes for beach body confidence this summer;

Tall – assuming you want to look more curvy, you need to break up the body as much as you can, so a bikini is a good option for you (stomach permitting). Make sure that if you have a swimsuit it is actually long enough, sounds crazy, but lots of suits are not comfortable on a tall frame when you sit down. Some ranges do actually make ‘tall’ swimsuits, so look out for these, Long Tall Sally has a limited selection but M&S have a larger choice.

A different colour on the top and bottom half works well, as do patterns and ruffles. Taller ladies can also carry lots of embellishment like sequins, however make sure you have a break in the middle if wearing a one piece as block sections will just make you look straight. Paneling on a one piece suit, where the outside sections are darker and middle colour is lighter/brighter can make the longest body curve inward and is also great for women who are less confident about their midsection. The nautical trend of this season, working horizontal stripes is great for you, as they widen the body creating curves. Those who wish to look willowy, see advice for petite.

Chameleon Fridays

This is very difficult to shorten as truly everyones shape and colouring are different, advice is best tailored to the individual. That said, here are some fast figure fixes for beach body confidence this summer;

Large bust – assuming you want to tone them down slightly, always, always get yourself some support. Investing in a top half (if it is a bikini) that actually fits is well worth the investment, ditto for a swimsuit. Many companies now sell bottom halves in dress sizes and top halves in bra sizes, so that you can get the perfect fit. Rarely are women an exact dress size top and bottom and the swimwear companies are gradually starting to wise up to this, selling bikinis as separates. Bravissimo and Figleaves do a great range as do, storm in a D cup, triumph are oldies, but goodies and Kelly Brooks range for New look as also worth trying.

Keep the top half in dark colours, limit pattern/embellishment/ruffles and try to make the material matt. A V-shape or rounded neckline is essential as the higher it is to your chin, the more matronly and sausage shaped you breasts will look. Cleavage is not bad, but a little goes a long way. The 50’s style of swimsuit, a key trend this season is perfect for you. Those looking for bust enhancement, see small bust and ensure you have adequate support.

Chameleon Fridays

This is very difficult to shorten as truly everyones shape and colouring are different, advice is best tailored to the individual. That said, here are some fast figure fixes for beach body confidence this summer;

Small bust – assuming you want to make them look bigger, make sure you invest in a swimsuit or bikini that kits. Underwiring, if used correctly can be flattering. Lots of bikinis and swimsuits have padded options and many now have the enhancement capabilities of a wonderbra. If this is your thing, great, although personally I think enhancing what you’ve got rather than pretending you are 2 cup sizes bigger is best. If you choose not to pad, here you can really have some fun. All of the sequins, ruffles and horizontal/nautical stripes are for you. Most of the key fashions for the season are targeted at the small of bust as they need to fit smaller busted catwalk models. You can wear strapless and not look like you have a sausage on your front, you can wear slash front (provided your stomach can take it), you can wear ruching and bows at the bustline, you can also wear a high neckline.

To be fair, you can shop anywhere, but Miss Selfridge do a good range and top shop are always a great bet, dainty lady are specialists only available online. To really make your breasts a feature, you can wear a plainer and darker bottom half, be that bikini or lower part of the swimsuit. The floral trend for this season is great for you, feminine and lots of pattern to enhance the bust. To be fair most of the trends will work. You can also try a mono-kini (following top half advice) or the metallic trend, gold being most fashion forward. Those not looking for enhancement, see large bust.

Chameleon Fridays

A Classic 1950s bikini

This summer there are three key trends if you want to stay looking fashion forward on the beach. Approach with caution though, these looks are not for everyone………..

Fabulous 50’s – Here swim wear sees a return to glamour, with high waists and and structured support.

Great for the fuller figure as, this style is more covered and helps to hoist up your bust. Many of the costumes (be that a one piece or two) have authentic 50’s styling, often slimming and enhancing the waist to create the popular hourglass shape of that era.

A Strapless Bikini

Strapless/bandeau – Although this does have crossovers with 50’s styling, the key distinction is the use of brighter colours and embellishments. Strapless works well with slimmer ladies as it cuts the body off at key points, creating curves. The bust sections are often ruffled resulting in the illusion of larger breasts. Great for less tan lines, just beware of slippage, topless should be a concious decision!

Mono-kini/cutaway – Huge on the catwalks, this suit attempts to

Slash-fronted mono-kini

combine a bikini and swim suit with style. Can look amazing when on, but really this is a look difficult to make practical. Only for the small AND perky of bust (I’ve seen models fail to make them work), they often don’t have any support or enhancement opportunities. Many have a slash front, so multiply the topless risk of the bandeau by a factor of four, then make sure you have a toned stomach as there can be muffin top aplenty. Think the kind of swimsuit you had as a child, with scissors taken to it. Don’t even get me started on the tan lines……………….

Chameleon Fridays