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The X Factor 2014: Cheryl And Mel B Prove Less Is More As Both Go Back To Basics

Cheryl opted for sharp tailoring while Mel B clearly got the memo that turtlenecks are back

It was a week of shock exits so no wonder the glamorous ladies of The X Factor decided to keep it simple in the style stakes.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini unleashed her masculine side in a sharp white suit. [<span style=color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;>&nbsp;Jenkins/Syco/Thames/Corbis]</span>
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini unleashed her masculine side in a sharp white suit. [ Jenkins/Syco/Thames/Corbis]

Both Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Mel B eshcewed their usual bling-encrusted evening gowns for more subtle ensembles this week.

Former Girls Aloud starlet Cheryl channelled her androgynous side in a tailored white suit with nothing on underneath, but kept her cleavage to a minimum for a risque look that paid off.

The 31-year-old went for a gothic beauty look to offset the pure white suit, opting for a deep plum lip, matching nails and strong brows.

Cheryl's gothic make-up completed the edgy look. [<span style=color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;>&nbsp;Jenkins/Syco/Thames/Corbis]</span>
Cheryl's gothic make-up completed the edgy look. [ Jenkins/Syco/Thames/Corbis]

Instead of her usual soft waves, Mrs Fernandez-Versini wore her long locks slicked back for a sexy masculine look that Tilda Swinton would be proud of.

Mel B chose to show off her banging bod in an even more understated outfit - a beige turtleneck and floor-length black skirt.

Mel B went for simple yet sexy in a polo neck and skirt combo. [<span style=color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;>&nbsp;Jenkins/Syco/Thames/Corbis]</span>
Mel B went for simple yet sexy in a polo neck and skirt combo. [ Jenkins/Syco/Thames/Corbis]

A turtleneck - or polo neck - is on the top of our moust have AW staples and Mel showed us all hot to glam it up with her slinky skirt.

Silver accessories and a cute, curly bob topped off a simple yet chic look that we will definitely be copying over the coming months.

 

Will you be following Mel's lead and investing in a polo neck? [<span style=color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;>&nbsp;Jenkins/Syco/Thames/Corbis]</span>
Will you be following Mel's lead and investing in a polo neck? [ Jenkins/Syco/Thames/Corbis]



While we come to X Factor for the music, we definitely stay for the style and Cheryl and Mel have not let us down yet.

The former Mrs Cole channelled Old Hollywood glam in an Oscars-worthy Zuhair Murad gown just a few weeks ago.

Cheryl stunned in a Zuhair Murad gown on Saturday night's results show [Thames/Syco/Corbis]
Cheryl stunned in a Zuhair Murad gown on Saturday night's results show [Thames/Syco/Corbis]

The X Factor 2014

judge looked every inch the glamorous bombshell in the figure-hugging designer gown that hugged her petite frame.

Styled with retro-set waves and matte red lips, Cheryl completely defied the fashion critics in her beautiful ensemble.

The X Factor judge teamed her Oscars-worthy gown with retro-set waves and matte lips [Thames/Syco/Corbis]
The X Factor judge teamed her Oscars-worthy gown with retro-set waves and matte lips [Thames/Syco/Corbis]

But for Sunday night’s X Factor results show, the Geordie judge opted for an Ermanno Scervino peplum gown that divided the style critics.

Cheryl wore a peplum Ermanno Scervino gown for Sunday night's results show [Thames/Syco/Corbis]
Cheryl wore a peplum Ermanno Scervino gown for Sunday night's results show [Thames/Syco/Corbis]

Mel B fared slightly better. The 39-year-old former Spice Girl flaunted her insane abs in a cut-out Zac Posen gown. GIRL POWER.

Mel B flashed her abs in a cut-out Zac Posen gown [Thames/Syco/Corbis]
Mel B flashed her abs in a cut-out Zac Posen gown [Thames/Syco/Corbis]

We reckon Cheryl looked absolutely stunning in the ruffled gown - however social networks were awash with comments that she resembled a certain marine creature…

 

We can’t see the resemblance ourselves and we think her stylist is doing a pretty amazing job with her X Factor 2014 style transformation.

WE WANT CHERYL'S HAIR [Thames/Syco/Corbis]
WE WANT CHERYL'S HAIR [Thames/Syco/Corbis]

But the former Girls Aloud star has had her fair share of criticism, with some viewers mocking her previous ‘Kermit’ fashion choice.

But he bounced back from the negativity surrounding her style with a double whammy of winning outfits.

The 31-year-old looked absolutely stunning in a white cut-out Nicolas Jebran couture mini-dress on The X Factor results show (Oct 19).

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini wowed in a Nicolas Jebran dress on The X Factor results show [Syco / Thames / Corbis]
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini wowed in a Nicolas Jebran dress on The X Factor results show [Syco / Thames / Corbis]

The bodycon frock highlighted her petite frame and she styled the thigh-skimming dress with a pair of on-trend metallic heels.

Her make-up was on-point with bronze metallic eyeshadow, lashings of black mascara and a natural pink lip, with a half-up, half-down hairstyle completing her beauty look.

Cheryl's beauty look was on point for The X Factor results show [Syco / Thames / Corbis]
Cheryl's beauty look was on point for The X Factor results show [Syco / Thames / Corbis]

Mel B on the other hand made something of a fashion faux pas with her choice of X Factor outfit.

The former Spice Girl, 39, flashed her nude bra in a white mini-dress that featured a lace overlay on the bottom half.

Mel B made a fashion faux pas as her nude bra was visible through her white dress [Syco / Thames / Corbis]
Mel B made a fashion faux pas as her nude bra was visible through her white dress [Syco / Thames / Corbis]

We’re all for flaunting your best features, but Mel B’s bra-flash looked more like a wardrobe malfunction than a deliberate fashion choice. We weren’t impressed.

Just a few weeks ago, the newly-married Cheryl appeared on-stage at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards at Wembley Arena.



Cheryl wore a Grecian-style frock with Givenchy heels for the Teen Awards [Getty]
Cheryl wore a Grecian-style frock with Givenchy heels for the Teen Awards [Getty]

Appearing alongside DJ Greg James (in a Wonder Woman costume, no less), the glamorous Geordie was pictured in another magical winter white outfit.

Her Grecian-style dress featured a gold choker neckline and a sheer hem, which she styled with matching white ankle-strap Givenchy sandals.

Simon Cowell reckoned Cheryl's Lanvin frock resembled Kermit The Frog [Syco / Thames / Corbis]
Simon Cowell reckoned Cheryl's Lanvin frock resembled Kermit The Frog [Syco / Thames / Corbis]

Before that, #CherylKermit was trending on Twitter after Simon Cowell joked that Cheryl’s Lanvin dress resembled Kermit The Frog.

But Cheryl hit back at critics after the show, branding those that agreed with Simon’s opinion ‘sheep’ with no opinion of their own.

That's certainly one way of looking at it!

[Ed Sheeran, The Vamps, And YouTube Sensation Zoella Win At Radio 1 Teen Awards]

[Cheryl Fernandez-Versini Has A Make-UNDER At Pride Of Britain Awards 2014]