I got a Love Islander makeover from eBay’s style director, I’m a lumpy size 12 but all fears about my flab were banished

FELICITY CROSS is invited into the Love Island wardrobe department to dress like the villa stars.

They are tanned and toned and have already made the Love Island villa their catwalk, sporting eye-popping outfits.

In their vinyl cut-out dresses and sparkly crop tops, the All Stars girls on parade in Cape Town, South Africa could not be further from, well, normal women like me.

I’m days off turning 40 and more likely to wear jeans than anything skimpy.

But there’s one thing different about this year’s Islanders — they’re all a little bit older than is usual on the show.

India Reynolds is 34, Ekin-Su Culculoglu is 30 and Elma Pazar is 31.

The lads clocked up even more years — Marcel Somerville is 39 and Scott Thomas 36.

So I set Love Island wardrobe mistress Amy Bannerman a challenge: Could someone like me really dress up like these (slightly older) Islanders?

Amy is the style director behind the dating show’s partnership with eBay, which is now in its sixth series.

She curates designer looks for the Islanders by picking out pre-loved pieces from the online marketplace.

So her challenge with me was two-fold.

Could she not only dress me, but also prove such head-turning outfits can really be found online?

She says: “That’s the beauty of eBay. The more high-end pre-loved pieces aren’t necessarily expensive.

“For example, the red Jean Paul Gaultier Junior co-ord that Tasha (Ghouri) wore was £40. That’s cheaper than buying something on the high street.”

I remain a little sceptical. After all, I am no Tasha, with her tiny, dancer’s body.

But with about 30 pieces at her disposal, Amy is convinced this year’s big trend of tailoring is the way to go.

She suggests a boxy black suit – Acne Studios blazer and Alexander McQueen trousers with a pop of colour from a vintage Prada bralet.

“Errr, the midriff’s not great,” I venture, already regretting the mac and cheese I wolfed down for lunch.

But Amy replies: “Tailoring is a massive thing this season and something we’ve done a lot of for this year’s Islanders — blazer dresses, or tailored shorts with big blazers over the top.

“It works, because Cape Town can get chilly at night, and is even better if you’re tummy-conscious because you have the blazer to cover up.”

‘With high-waist, the zip accentuates the bloat’

With a very deep breath in, I pull on the three-piece and am stunned — I probably ought to be pouting rather than grinning, but I feel totally tropical.

Amy was right, concerns about my flabby abs are banished.

I was also chuffed to see gorgeous India wearing the same kind of masculine, oversized blazer in the villa on Tuesday night next to the firepit.

At £295 for the whole outfit, it was also budget-friendly.

Latest research for eBay found that the average person is sitting on up to £400 worth of unworn clothing, so there are plenty of items coming on sale all the time.

Amy tells me: “I found a velvet Christopher Kane dress I have had on my mental shopping list for ages — it was £90 but retails in store now for £995. It’s absolutely worth scouring eBay or setting up searches for items you want.”

Next, she helps with something straight out of Ekin-Su Culculoglu’s wardrobe — a short, diamante-clad corset dress from David Koma.

Amy says: “Ekin loves anything tight and sparkly, and when she came in for fitting she remembered pieces from her first season.

She was saying, ‘Tasha wore that!’ — and found her own finale dress, too.”

I’m no bombshell but, buoyed by the success of the first outfit, I gamely squeeze into the mini-dress and convince myself I’m working the look.

Taut bodies and designer gear help but what Islanders have is confidence

Amy reckons the beauty of high-end gear is that the fit and fabric are more flattering than cheaper items.

She adds of the Islanders’ fashion preferences: “They’re quite specific. A lot of them don’t like sequins.

“None of them seem to like florals which I find interesting — a lot say things like, ‘Oh that’s really Nana-ish’.

“Last All Stars, Hannah was very extra and loved her own style.”

It turns out Amy’s final selection was my Everest, as a lumpy, bumpy size 12.

The vintage, bodycon leopard-print dress by Dolce & Gabbana – £125 – was stunning and, of all the items, was something I was praying I would look good in.

It was great but I’d need some industrial Spanx or plenty more body confidence to strut into the villa in this clingy frock. So, how do the Islanders cope with tummy bloat?

Amy says: “Tailoring is useful. With trousers, I really like when they sit lower on your waist. With high-waist, the zip accentuates the bloat. Things that sit lower help to flatten everything but the main thing is stay comfy, and layering is handy.”

That doesn’t help me now, though, and the leopard-print number feels like a leap too far.

Which ended up my biggest lesson — taut bodies and designer gear help but what Islanders have is confidence, and I’m not sure even eBay stocks that.