iVillage.co.uk caught up with the nation's favourite stylist for a chat about specs, celebrities, and what really floats the 'fairy Gok mother's' boat

Is it still possible to be stylish on a budget and do you have any secret credit crunch fashion tips?

Gok Wan: Disposable dressing is a thing of the past. For a long time people were buying an outfit for the weekend and then throwing it away afterwards. I think buying quality is key if you want value for money. Invest in classics and know how to check a garment for quality. If you buy a cheap garment with bad stitching you know that it's going to fall apart after washing so it's a bad investment.

When you're buying an item of clothing, think of how it fits into your wardrobe. If it goes with three different items in your wardrobe, and is in keeping with the season's look it's probably going to a winner. Another tip is to think about how that item translates from day to night.

Accessories are always going to be cheaper than buying garments too, so instead of buying a waistcoat or a gilet to go with a dress, think about investing in some strong accessories.

Glasses are very much part of your signature style. What are your tips for choosing specs?

Gok Wan: Just like different cuts of clothing suit different body shapes and different shapes of specs suit different face shapes. If you've got a big old personality and you want to show that off, then go for something a bit more contemporary. If you're not into that sort of thing then go for something a bit more classic like the rectangular black frames that I wear. A lot of places like Specsavers do two for one offers too, so you can choose a more outrageous pair for the evenings and a more conventional day look.

Which celebrities do you think have the best style?

Gok Wan: Diane Keaton and Dame Judi Dench both dress amazingly for their age. Equally, I think Barbra Streisand is a great dresser because she always slightly wacky and out there. On the flip side of that, I'm a new Cheryl Cole fan, she's developed and evolved her style and gets commercial designer fashion absolutely right. She's impossibly pretty too. Sarah Jessica Parker of course and I like Kim Cattrall's personal style. Patricia Field is one of my biggest icons of all time and Dita von Teese.

Which celebrity, dead or alive, would you most like to dress?

Gok Wan: Bob Marley. I know it sounds bizarre, but I always loved his music when I was growing up, I think it's a shame he died so early he was incredibly beautiful and I could have done a lot with him.

Where do you find inspiration?

Gok Wan: I've been dressing people for years and years now and sometimes I do get stylists block. I once had about a month of not having any inspiration, so I went on holiday. When I came back I kept picking things up that were really oriental looking, I guess because I was inspired and influenced by my holiday in Asia.

Inspiration can really come from anywhere. When I'm dressing someone, it's a bit like painting a picture. I have to get an image of the whole person from what kind of food she eats, where she spends time, whether she has sex, whether she has a boyfriend or a girlfriend. You have to create the character inside your head and then it allows you to justify what you're doing with them. It's not just about how slim their hips are or how tall they are, it's about all these other things as well.

What items should we be throwing out of our wardrobe this season and can we still get away with footless tights?

Gok Wan: You know, I'm all about empowerment. If you like something, then you should absolutely just wear it. I could stand here and dictate what you should be wearing for fashion, but fashion is subjective. Just stay committed to what you think is nice. If you like footless tights, and can totally rock the look then go for it!

Any tips on clothes buying for larger ladies?

Gok Wan: Shopping is always going to be harder if you're not the archetypal size 10-12 so your choices need to be informed. I hate to sound like an advert, but it's all in my first book, How to Look Good Naked: Shop for Your Shape and Look Amazing! which is about body shape and cuts of clothing. There isn't really any one big tip because every single person is different.

What would you most like to be remembered for?

Gok Wan: That's a cheerful one! I hope people smile and laugh and remember my humour which is a big thing for me. And just remember me for who I am as a person. I think I am beyond a stylist and beyond a TV presenter and hopefully I show that on camera. And I guess I'll be remembered for the word 'bangers' too!