Cheryl Cole only started to feel 'womanly' three years ago

The Girls Aloud singer - who regularly tops polls to find the best dressed women in the world - has revealed she felt a lot more comfortable in trainers and casual clothing until a few years ago, when she suddenly realised wearing pretty clothes and high-heeled would make her feel better about herself.

She explained in an interview with Stylist magazine: "About three years ago, I started to realise if you wear a pair of heels you feel more womanly. It was a 'penny drop' moment. I'd argue with the stylist and the girls to wear trainers all the time. I only developed all those 'womanly' things in the past three years. I'd snap my neck for shoes and handbags."

The 26-year-old beauty also likes to wear her hair in "big" styles to keep her looking feminine.

She added: "Well you always feel good once you've sprayed your hair. The higher the hair, the closer to heaven. It's true. If I could have it higher, I would.

"It just makes you feel more womanly. I would rather have big hair and no make-up on than make-up and flat hair. All the way."