NAILING a more sophisticated style has been a natural progression for Olivia Attwood.
The former reality star rose to fame in 2017 on Love Island, where she spent most of her time half-naked in a bikini.
But these days, Olivia says that she’s stopped dressing for men and cares more about what other women think of her.
“Around, and before, my Love Island era, I was a Monster girl, working for the energy drinks brand, and working in the grid girl scene, so I used to dress a lot more for boys,” she recalls.
“I was younger and it was all about being as naked as possible, and it was bright colours. But now I dress for girls and seek compliments from girls, not from men.”
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These days, Olivia, 32, believes that, to be successful, you must look the part.
The documentary maker, who fronts her own ITV shows Getting Filthy Rich and The Price Of Perfection, says: “Maturing in style has been an unconscious thing for me. The way you dress tells a story. It may sound cheesy, but I believe in the term ‘dress for the job you want’.
“I used to dress like a reality star because I wanted to be one and I wanted to be on Love Island.
“But now I’m making documentaries, so I want to look cool, respectable, and I never want to look too loud or too busy.
“I am more mindful of where I’m going and what type of impression I would give people, I think.”
I am more mindful of where I’m going and what type of impression I would give people
Olivia, who is also a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women, adds: “I used to let the hair, make-up and clothes do the talking, whereas now I let my mouth do the talking.”
‘Push boundaries’
That’s not to say that Olivia, who lives with her footballer husband Bradley Dack, now spends her life in a twinset and pearls.
On the contrary, the white lace catsuit she wore to this year’s Brit Awards proves she’s still more than happy to flash the flesh — and nipples — when she sees fit.
Unfortunately, the star — who has 2.2million Instagram followers — came under fire for her bold fashion choice, with it branded “tacky trash” and “garbage”.
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Olivia, who is proud to be her own stylist, says of the backlash: “People still get really upset over nipples, and I was naive to that. I thought freeing the nipple wasn’t that much of a big deal.
“I chose this edgy outfit and styled myself, so I can’t blame anyone else.”
The star reveals she had planned to protect her modesty, but decided to show off her expensive new breasts instead.
She says: “I had a second boob job. I’ve got nice perky nipples, why am I going to cover them?”
She admits: “I put nipple stickers on and it really ruined it.
“So I let my nipples go on show instead. I did wear a jacket, but people were really divided over it, which surprised me.
“And it’s not even men that were negative, it’s the women.”
Olivia refuses to be upset by trolls who mocked her style, insisting: “To me it’s not a big deal. I wouldn’t go to the shops like that, but the Brits to me are art, it’s pushing boundaries.”
Part of Olivia’s charm is her reluctance to conform, and last year, ahead of her wedding to Bradley, she held a funeral-themed hen do in Ibiza as she said “RIP to the girlfriend era”.
Fashion is so much fun to me so I hope I never lose that
Guests wore all black, while Olivia also styled herself in a black lace suit, leading to her being hailed an “icon” by fans.
But the star confesses she committed some serious fashion crimes in her youth.
She says: “I did every trend, like the Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie era. I owned 15 Juicy Couture tracksuits. I did the thong out the jeans and I lived in a crop top.”
On the tattoo she had done illegally with fake ID as a teen, Olivia adds: “I even have the ‘tramp stamp’, but it’s so low down you would never see it.
“I printed out a picture of Nicole Richie’s tattoo, which came out the bottom of her bikini, and told the tattoo artist to copy it.”
Olivia’s mum Jen has been a big style influence and has taught her a few vital rules.
She says: “I hate the whole ‘dress your age’ thing. My mum wears ripped jeans and Yeezys and hoodies. I love anyone who pushes those boundaries, like Cher, Kylie Minogue or Kim Kardashian. Society has told us that if you are wearing a skirt, you are trying to be attractive to someone else, whereas maybe you are just wearing a skirt because it’s hot.
“We don’t care about men wearing shorts. We see their wrinkly knees all the time and no one gives a s**t. I will wear a mini skirt till I’m 80.
“My mum used to say, ‘Do boobs or legs’, and I used to say, ‘Ooh, shut up!’. But yeah, you do have to choose. I think that’s how you make it look cool — you have to offset one or the other.”
I will wear a mini skirt till I’m 80
Olivia is an ‘It Girl’ ambassador for online retail marketplace AliExpress and says that, alongside her TV career, she wants to keep making waves in fashion.
She adds: “I’ve been part of the launch for this new shop, where I pick out pieces of clothing and people can buy them from my recommendations.
“Fashion is so much fun to me so I hope I never lose that. It’s something that brings me joy.”
- AliExpress has launched a live shopping experience alongside Olivia Attwood and other influencers.
