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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Neck and neck: Dannii Minogue (left) stunning in a white Carla Zampatti toga-style gown, while Cheryl Cole glittered in a gold strapless column dress with long trainShe's been trailing behind Dannii Minogue in the style stakes on this year's X Factor.
But last night Cheryl Cole managed to equal her fellow judge in a stunning gold dress.
While Dannii, 39, opted for a striking white toga-style asymmetrical Carla Zampatti gown and nude Sergio Rossi heels, Cheryl, 27, looked amazing in strapless column gown with long train.
Clearly nervous about her long train, the Girls Aloud singer reached out to grab Louis Walsh to steady herself as she maneuvered her way down the stairs.
Cheryl's long dress gave the 5ft 3 singer the illusion of being taller and its low-cut neckline gave male fans a glimpse of her cleavage.
In fact, some viewers commented on Twitter that the bustier part of the dress appeared slightly too small for her breasts.
Hold on: Clearly worried about tripping on her train, Cheryl reaches out to Louis Walsh as she makes her way down stairs with Dannii and Simon CowellBar last Saturday's show, Cheryl has been outdone in the fashion stakes most weeks by Dannii - who launched her own fashion range Project D earlier this year.
Last Sunday, Cheryl opted for a gold asymmetrical Bodyamr mini, but was outclassed by Dannii in a sexy black three-quarter-length corseted Dolce & Gabbana dress.
However, the previous night, Dannii scored a rare fashion miss in her Philip Armstrong dress, which was overpowered by a huge gold bow.
Changing hemlines: Dannii looked sexy on last Sunday's show in a corseted Dolce & Gabbana dress, while Cheryl divided fans with her unusual gold Bodyamr miniCheryl only managed to win by default in her lingerie-style Emilio Pucci dress, which she teamed with Christian Louboutin stilettos and a black feather fascinator.
Throughout this year's live shows, Cheryl has stuck to mostly short hemlines and black throughout the competition so far, in contrast to Dannii's more classic style.
The Australian judge has favoured dresses by Victoria Beckham and her own Project D line, which has proved a winning formula.
Chic: An Antonio Berardi cocktail dress (left) was her second choice for week 2, followed by another Victoria Beckham creation in blue (centre) and a Dolce and Gabbana prom dress (right) in week 3Despite an overall lead, Dannii insists her wardrobe is much less prepared this series than in previous years.
She said recently: 'Last year at this time I had pretty much organised every outfit, but this time I am only just starting to get stuff together and we are only a couple of weeks away.
'I am completely unorganised so I will be excited if I get out with a frock on the right way and I haven't got my shoes on my head.'
Leader: Dannii has impressed so far with a white lace J'Aton Couture number (left) and black prom-style dress by Project D (centre) in week 1, followed by a Victoria Beckham gown in week 2Miss Minogue's natural style has seemingly worked in her favour in most instances, while Cheryl's team of stylists struggle to catch up.
Cheryl is styled by Frank Strachan, known as the 'Ferrari of stylists', with her budget for hair and make-up said to be an astonishing £80,000 and clothes £70,000.
Dannii meanwhile was said to spend around £2,000 per live show for her wardrobe and relies on Australian designers such as her good friends J'Aton Couture and her own line Project D to lend her clothes.
source: dailymail [endtext]