Gok Wan’s top tips on looking good

Gok Wan\'s tips on looking good

He\'s the number one style king for millions of women across the UK, with his inspiring approach to feel-good fashion, no matter what your age or body shape. For Gok it\'s always been about boosting confidence and making the most of what you\'ve got.

He shares his tips with All About You on looking good through the credit crunch, reveals his top style icons and one who could do with a serious makeover!

How can women look good when money is tight?

People need to remember that you do not need to spend a fortune to get great clothes. You can get really good looks on the high street - which is obviously a fraction of the price of designer clothes.

But I would say accessorising is a great way to spruce up an old outfit. Adding a new belt or bracelet to an outfit can make it look completely different.

Animal print bangle, Evans, £10 

Any other credit-crunching tips?

You can dress up outfits or dress them down just by making a few changes here and there.

If you customize your clothes with corsages or the like, then you can be sure that no one will have the same outfit as you, as well as dressing it up and giving it a personal touch.

Silk corsage from £45, Palm Boutique 

What about cosmetic surgery?

I do not think you need to go to those extremes to boost your confidence. You can look great without going to those extremes and without spending a fortune. You can achieve great looks as long as you know what to look for and how to put outfits together.

Women need to remember they are beautiful already - you do not need to go to those measures to make yourself feel better or boost your confidence.

And ...

How you look on the outside is just as much about how you feel on the inside. A confident person oozes sexiness.

I think it is important for people to feel good about themselves and how they look. It really does help your confidence. Especially women. Women really care about how they look and they want to feel sexy.

Is it important people feel comfortable in what they wear?

I was bullied when I was a teenager because of the way I looked. I used to hate looking in the mirror. I hated it. I would stand there and pick myself apart. And it is normally physical appearance that kids are picked on about.

Children can get bullied for a number of reasons whether it be race, colour, sexuality, size or just for the fact that they wear glasses. Children can be so cruel.

How did the bullying affect you?

I used to stand in the mirror and look at myself, picking myself apart.
I hated the fact I needed to wear glasses. I now feel I need my glasses and I do not feel confident without them. I feel naked without them.

So it is strange how these things turn around. I used to be 21 stone. But I turned it around. I\'m still not 100 per cent happy with the way I look. But I am much better.

Who is your style icon?

It probably sounds trite but Audrey Hepburn is my style icon. She was beautiful and always looked so good. She is a classic beauty.

Which celebrities deserve the title style queen?

I love Sarah Jessica Parker. She really has it going on and is a great influence in fashion. She creates such amazing outfits and is always on it.

Diane Keaton always looks very sharp and is a great example. And I love the way Salma Hayek dresses. They are all so womanly and have a great look - but are all still individual which I think is important.

Which celebrity is in most need of a makeover?

Oh, Boris Johnson, most definitely. I do not believe in his policies or support them - but bless him he does need a makeover.

I would love to get my hands on him and sort him out. He is such a character but he looks a mess. He needs to sharpen up his suits and needs to do something about that mop of hair. Someone needs to sort him out and I would be happy to do that.

As the celebrity most women want to party with, what\'s your ideal night out?

It would start with a lot of lagers and I would be surrounded by my best girlfriends. I would probably go out wearing far too much bronzer!

We would go to a club and dance to some cheesy music. I would probably end up prancing around the dance floor to some cheesy 70\'s or 80\'s music. That would be fantastic fun.  And I would then end up getting a veggie burger to soak up all the alcohol at the end of the night. Bliss.

Need more style advice?

More from Gok - read his top 10 ultimate fashion tips