As Girls Aloud burst our pop-induced bubble and SPLIT!, we look back at the fashion highs (and lows) of the past ten years in the glittering world of our favourite Girls.
Words by Amber Stainrod
We here at SHULife Fashion are currently in mourning.
After ten years of being our beloved pop princesses, Girls Aloud have officially confirmed that they are to go their separate ways once and for all. The musical magic is over.
Not since the iconic Spice Girls have we loved a girl band as much. From their catchy songs to their dazzling outfits, much-wanted hairstyles to sought-after sisterhood; we’ve longed to be the sixth member for over a decade now.
We actually feel heartbroken.
But to cheer ourselves up, we’ve taken a look back at the style triumphs (and the odd fashion flops) worn by the Girls over the last ten years.
Fresh Faced but Fashion Flops
All the while ago, back in 2002, five fresh faced females graced our TV screens on some talent show called Popstars: The Rivals. They may have proved they had bags of talent, but the Girls were somewhat lacking in the style department.
The hooped earrings, the baggy jeans, and just LOOK at that do-rag on our Chezza’s head.
Luckily for them, the attention was turned away from their badly-fitting tank tops and on to their Christmas Chart success with debut album Sound of the Underground going Platinum.
Too much tan and too much flesh
Two years later and second album What Will the Neighbours Say surfacing, you’d have thought the Girls would have earned enough to have a dress without any holes in.
These horror stretchy white creations are one of their biggest fashion fails to date. The strappy gold sandals are elegant and dainty. And yet, from the ankle upwards the Girls just look cheap.
Every girl knows that all important fashion rule: Legs or Breasts, never both. In these dresses, the Girls give glamour model Jodie Marsh and THOSE belts a run for her money
Too much fake tan, too much make-up and too much hair dye. We much prefer their natural look of previous years.
Rubber Catsuits and rope? Where’s Mr Grey?
2007 and we’re on to album number 4, Tangled Up. In the video for Sexy! No No No… we see the Girls squeeze their enviable bodies into dominatrix leather catsuits.
No we have to say we are torn on this outfit. Fearing anything you have to be glued into, we don’t think the all-in-ones would be for us. But there is no denying the Girls look HOT, even if they are a little stuck in all that thread.
We’re loving the sleek ponies and OTT make-up, reminiscent of a 60s Twiggy with the black and white exaggerated outlines and thick lashes.
We Can’t Speak French but we let the funky music do the talking
One of our favourite ever videos, the Girls go all Marie Antoinette for 2008 release Can’t Speak French.
We love a bit of dress-up and the Girls have got it down to a tee.
Nicola’s pale English Rose skin teamed with that caged skirt makes her our numero un madame in the style stakes.
Who’s Red Carpet style is your favourite?
As a whole, we love the mix of outfits the Girls wore to the 2009 BRIT Awards. The range of nude shades compliment each other and they different styles give a good contrast of styles.
However, on further eagle-eyed inspection, some of the Girls are working it more than the others.
Cheryl’s cute and girly floral shift dress shows off her killer pins and the mesh panels give a sexy twist.
And we LOVE Nicola’s fishtail extravaganza. Back to her red roots, the new short bob she showcased here had us dying with hair envy.
The other three? Although Sarah’s dress had the making of show-stopping gown, it has turned into a total car crash. The thigh split is bordering on ‘pubic’ and her breasts are struggling to stay on. Too much Sarah, too much.
Kimberly would have been better suited in a fitted gown like Nicola, as the mass of material swamps her petite frame.
And Nadine? Well its pretty boring really. The pale pink suits her skin tone but the shiny satin makes her look frumpy around the hip area.
Ten Years On…
They’re Back!
When they announced last year they would be reuniting after a three year hiatus, we couldn’t wait to see their new grown-up style. And they did not let us down.
Leather, feathers, snakeskin, midriffs, glossy hair, we didn’t know where to look first.
Stunning gowns on stunning girls.
Then they went and wowed us again at this years Children In Need. We simply couldn’t pick one fault in their outfits, gelling together like the good old days, each showcasing their individual styles.
Speechless.
And Finally…
Jessica Rabbit has been immortalised not once, but five times. The red sequin numbers were part of the last ever (cry face) Girls Aloud gig. Back to what they do best, the figure-hugging floor length gowns will be known as a Girls Aloud signature for decades to come.
They may have called time on their group work, but here’s wishing we see more of their own individual style coming to light as they take their career paths down the solo road.
