The X Factor judge Kelly Rowland: I'm still young, so I can show a bit of midriff, can't I?

By Sarah Ewing

Last updated at 10:51 PM on 22nd June 2011

Singer and actress Kelly Rowland, 30, sold more than 50 million records with super girl group Destiny's Child. The new X Factor judge is single and lives in Miami. She says:

Sense of style: Kelly Rowland

I am so excited that I have joined The X Factor UK and am able to spend time in one of my favourite places in the world. I can’t wait to meet the next superstar!

I don’t shop as much as I used to, but if I’m passing a designer store and see something I like, then I’ll buy it, because I know I’ll always find a time to wear it.

When I was in Birmingham at the start of June for The X Factor auditions, I wore black 6in Louboutins, a cropped yellow lace top, Lorraine Schwartz diamonds and a black studded skirt by Twenty8Twelve. I’m still young, so I can show a bit of midriff, can’t I?

I have a real sense of style and I love fashion. I aim for a casual couture look — I want to feel comfortable, but to look ‘put together’. It’s all about mixing brands.

I’m not a label junkie, but I do love Ralph Lauren, DSquared and River Island.

A lot of my wardrobe is black and I need to get out of that habit, so I’ve been experimenting with more colour and checking out vintage shops.

In Miami, where I live, it’s almost mandatory to wear bright colours. Luckily, most of them suit me.

KELLY'S WARDROBE FAVOURITES

FENDI BAG

My favourite bag is four years old, and black and brown, so it goes with everything. It’s big enough to take all my everyday essentials — I can even put my laptop in it when I’m working on the run. This is the bag that travels all over the world with me.

ROBERTO CAVALLI GOLD BRACELET

This was a present from Mr Roberto Cavalli. When he gave it to me, I said: ‘Are you serious?’

It’s chunky and crazy because it looks like faux crocodile skin. It’s iridescent so the colours are constantly changing. I wear it with anything, but in particular I love it with jeans and a little tank top. It’s incredibly versatile.

I always plan my jewellery and shoes first, and then work an outfit round them. Accessories should not be an after-thought — they really pull together an outfit and can mean the difference between a plain outfit and a classy one with punch.

From left: Fendi bag, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and D&G thigh-high boots

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI FLAT SHOES

I love everything this shoe designer does, from flats to heels and boots — even his vertiginous heels are comfortable, which is good for long nights at red carpet events.

His flat shoes are like a piece of art, which just goes to prove they don’t have to be boring and plain. I’ll sometimes fall into bed wearing them.

I’m a bit obsessive about my shoes — I have a closet full of them, but everything in my wardrobe is organised. My Destiny’s Child bandmates Beyonce and Michelle were not neat when we were touring, so I was always tidying up their clothes and shoes.

THIGH-HIGH DOLCE & GABBANA BOOTS

These fabulous boots are almost ten years old, but I really hang on to my old favourites. I wear them with an amazing pair of ripped-up Dolce & Gabbana jeans. They were one of my first designer pieces — I bought them as a treat when Destiny’s Child was riding high in the charts.

CJ BY COOKIE JEANS

This range of jeans is by Cookie Johnson, the wife of basketball player Magic Johnson. They’re amazing — they seem to slide on to your body. I wear them so much they can almost walk by themselves. My housekeeper has to force them off me to wash them.

Judge's choice: Dsquared leather jacket, left, and Roberto Cavalli gold cuff

DSQUARED LEATHER JACKET

I love the weathered look of this jacket - I’m drawn to clothes that look worn, which is bang on trend. It looks great thrown over a pair of jeans for a casual look or worn with a dress for a rock chick vibe.

I don’t have a set look for red carpet events. Short, sexy dresses are all the rage and I’ve got good legs, so I don’t mind showing them off.

But when I was at the MOBO awards with record producer David Guetta I wanted to wear leather pants, so I did — it was more practical, too, given the cold temperature up in Glasgow! I think it’s important to mix it up a bit and not always do the same as everyone else.

When I’m having a wardrobe crisis, my failsafe look is a crisp, white shirt and amazing jeans. Every woman has to have a staple pair she loves and looks fantastic in.

I might vary it with a tank top, and then work it with a big belt, such as a Fosuism leather corset belt, and heels.

I wear boyfriend jeans and cute sandals to the studio, but when I relax at home, I like nothing better than comfy pyjama bottoms and a T-shirt — then I can eat as much as I want without feeling the pinch in my clothes!

The new series of The X Factor begins on August 20 on ITV1

KELLY'S WARDROBE CHECKLIST

T-SHIRTS: 50-plus. I buy my favourites in every colour. I shop for them at River Island on my regular visits to London.
TROUSERS: 30 pairs, including several pairs of jeans and my beloved Ji trois leather trousers.
DRESSES: 30, including Roland Mouret’s signature Galaxy dress — it looks fabulous on everyone! I have a new black DSquared dress with a silk sash and angel wings. I’ve also got several Tracy Reece frocks — they’re feminine, but chic. For warmer weather, I’ve got
several Ruki Garuba sun dresses.
JACKETS: 25. My favourite is a Ralph Lauren one with cinchedin waist — his clothes really flatter the feminine shape.
SHOES: About 150 pairs, which include some great Walter Steiger leopard prints, strappy sandals, a pair of thigh-high Gucci boots and lots by Giuseppe Zannotti.

Car Cleeb

Thursday, June 23, 2011