https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 11 May 2026 14:09:06 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-897493 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:32:08 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 897493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think the shred the clothes in the tube show is "How do I look?" with Jeanne Mai.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-897391 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:15:13 +0000 catgirl 897391@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sara, I have never watched Project Runway, and apparently I am off the mark by judging him on this video.&nbsp; it was the 5 pounds thing that really got me.&nbsp; Don't worry, I don't think this video will change your mind about him.&nbsp; I've been doing more reading on him since getting so much feedback here on YLF. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-897388 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:13:21 +0000 Sara L. 897388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can't watch the video (at work) but I just wanted to say that I love Tim Gunn on Project Runway.&nbsp; On that show, he's not snarky at all and is a mentoring persona to the contestants.&nbsp; I'm afraid to watch the video now and see another side to his personality. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-897377 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:04:11 +0000 catgirl 897377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks ladies - what fascinating comments.&nbsp; I guess this shows we all have different ideas of what ruffles our feathers.&nbsp; I can see even from the few clips I've watched that Tim is not mean the way a couple of the shows I've seen (what's the one where they shred your clothes in a tube?).&nbsp;&nbsp; And his advice is all sound.&nbsp; But clearly I&nbsp;do better when&nbsp;led by example and encouraged with kindness.&nbsp; Thank you, Angie! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-897131 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:09:58 +0000 Anonymous 897131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm somewhat neutral about Tim Gunn. I know who he is, but haven't watched him enough to form an opinion about his personality. Regarding this particular clip, I believe it has some merit but could have been done in a nicer way. I prefer Angie's kindness. Still, maybe some women respond better when a style guru like Tim Gunn tells it like he sees it, without pulling any punches. I personally prefer a much gentler approach; something like, "These capris look okay, but they'd look a lot better if..." I also think stylists should explain why certain prints can overwhelm certain people. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-897044 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 05:26:21 +0000 annaj 897044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Caro, you have said it beautifully!<br /><br />I love Tim Gunn! I do take his advice with a pinch of salt though. Sure, I can find me a "tracksuit alternative" but it isn't going to be a jersey dress with low heels - it'll be Lululemon (had to get that in there for Marley - I love Lululemon workout gear!) cargo style pants (not the tights, which I agree, can be purchased for $6 a pair in Kmart) with a simple, but colourful tee.&nbsp;<br /><br />I think that particular video is quite limiting though - "knowing" Tim, there was so much more behind his responses, but he was trying to get so much into so &nbsp;little time. I agree with what he said, but I wish, for everyone else, that he was able to explain it further!&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-897032 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 04:58:38 +0000 Caro in Oz 897032@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LOL IK<br /><br />I really resent anyone who tries to foist their&nbsp;prescriptive "rules" on me. The sooner it stops the better imo. <br /><br />When you look around the internet all sorts of people have all sorts of rules for dressing if you are taller, shorter, larger, smaller. <br /><br />If this stuff worked <br />1. They would all agree - they don't.<br />2. Everyone would be dressing perfectly everyday - we don't.<br /><br />Imo it is a process that involves ones mind as much as ones body.<br />The best teachers give&nbsp;advice &amp; share their experiences. Angie for example is&nbsp;a&nbsp;knowledgable teacher who gives&nbsp;a gentle push now &amp; then but allows us to work it out for ourselves.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896947 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 02:39:58 +0000 lynne 896947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like Tim Gunn and miss the show he used to have. I think he could be speaking to an audience not as involved as many of us are in style and fashion; &nbsp;women who <b>want&nbsp;</b>rules to follow as a place to begin.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896914 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 02:13:50 +0000 Jaime 896914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I find Tim Gunn really interesting. Almost everything I have read about him refers to him as the icon for manners, politeness and propriety, and yet he says very snarky things! I am not offended by him, but fascinated by how he gets away with it.<br /><br />His advice in this video is clearly intended for non-fashion oriented women and general guidelines like these are not a bad way to start for someone that is really not interested in going very far with fashion.<br /><br />There is no comparison to Angie's ability, in the face of all the different personalities that appear on this site, to make us all feel special and empowered and good about ourselves. I think it is a gift even greater than her (incredible) style sense. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896893 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 01:41:13 +0000 deb 896893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ IK, you said what I was thinking! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896837 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:44:12 +0000 Aziraphale 896837@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Una, I thought about this some more.<br /><br />I think our feminist sensibilities sometimes conflict with our biological programming.&nbsp; Here's the thing: we want autonomy, choices and control over our lives.&nbsp; Everybody wants those things, and as women, given the fact that historically those things have been unavailable to many of us, we are perhaps a little extra sensitive when we are feeling judged for our choices, or if we feel our autonomy is diminished by being told what wear to by someone else -- especially when that someone else happens to be a man.&nbsp; I get that.<br /><br />On the other hand, we ALL -- men and women alike -- enjoy feeling attractive.&nbsp; That's the biological programming bit.&nbsp; And because women are almost certainly judged more for physical beauty than men are (again, probably a function of biology, but something that culture can modify and perhaps overcome), it's natural that we get our backs up more when being told what we should look like.&nbsp; <br /><br />I think the trick is to remember that attractiveness is so, so subjective.&nbsp; Some women are heavier than others.&nbsp; Cropped pants and floral muumuus accentuate plumpness.&nbsp; But, y'know, contrary to what media images suggest, there are a lot of people who find full-figured women attractive.<br /><br />Of course, although you clearly have mixed feelings about your personal shape, I should point out that nobody would identify your figure as a full one.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896817 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:24:23 +0000 ironkurtin 896817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If women stopped listening to gay men about how they should dress, there would be no fashion industry.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896803 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:15:00 +0000 CocoLion 896803@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have mixed feelings about Tim Gunn. &nbsp;I love him, then I hate him. &nbsp;It goes back and forth. &nbsp;I'm sitting in a cafe and could not hear, only see his advice. &nbsp;And really, I agree with his pointers. &nbsp;I think the capri issue could be extended to include ankle pants (no pun intended).<br /><br />His interview on Oprah on 6 fashion don's&nbsp;after 40 got to me (the hate feeling). &nbsp;The interview is not posted anymore, but here is something that covers it. &nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.fabulousafter40.com/tim-gunns-6-fashion-donts/">http://www.fabulousafter40.com.....ion-donts/</a><br /><br />Then again I browsed his book and I loved him.<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bing.com/shopping/tim-gunn-a-guide-to-quality-taste-style/p/71F431161E5F49AD796D?q=tim+gunn+book&amp;lpf=0&amp;lpq=tim%2bgunn%2bbook&amp;FORM=EGCA&amp;lppc=16">http://www.bing.com/shopping/t.....D?q=tim+gu</a> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896793 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:07:33 +0000 Aziraphale 896793@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ No more comments from this particular peanut gallery, but just have to chime in again to say that this thread is hilarious.&nbsp; Rachylou and Gaylene, your comments were off-the-charts funny (and true).<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896786 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:04:17 +0000 rachylou 896786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am also glad, Suz, that I did not die from lettuce poisoning! <br /><br />This dwells on my mind a bit, because things can turn serious and bad. Like when you're 5'9" and a sturdy field hockey type and your mom and dad want you to be 95 lbs. One 3-minute video talking about a proverbial *5 lbs* is entertainment. 40 years of grandma, ma, dad, and step dad trying to limit your diet to lettuce <i>plus </i>that 3-minute video... is not that healthy. You have to choose who you'll follow, but you can be overwhelmed.<br /><br />My mum got this guru. Ok ok. I know. But still, I realised that we were really hurting him with our unconscious snittiness. Entertaining constructiveness is what we'd normally call it if people objected... maybe it was because he was the new age guru, but for whatever reason, it did get through that he was experiencing it as cruel, non-stop torture. Not even directed at him.<br /><br />Anyways, I love Angie because she has a generous heart. I do prefer, personally, to be built up into shape than to be cut down to size. That said, Tim is a cutie and Ali is a genius in the kitchen.<br /><br />p.s. Gaylene! Let's have tomato soup! :D<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896782 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:01:48 +0000 Marley 896782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What are Angie's rules for Lululemon pants?&nbsp; I must have missed that post - and I need to know - cuz they are pretty common around where I live, but I continue to refuse to spend that kind of money on exercise clothing.&nbsp; (Sorry Una, don't mean to go off on a tangent on your thread!) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896766 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 23:53:39 +0000 Angie 896766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ WOW! Where do I start with this thread. <br /><br />Great one, Una! I also don't know Tim Gunn well but Nicole nailed it. He has a TV persona that is compelling to most woman. Much more compelling than someone who is "kind and gracious" like me - and I do thank you for your sweet words. I totally get why your nerve was struck too though. This is fashion - an EXTREMELY subjective topic - and being told that something is an outright blunder gets my knickers in a knot too. Especially if your approach is modern, creative and accepting, which I believe mine is. Tim's general advice is great. We have spoken about all of his talking points at great length on this forum!!! The advice gives the majority of people a starting point. We know how to bend the "rules" - makes things more fun - but lots of people prefer an "eat this, not that" recipe. I prefer to offer solutions for challenges as far as possible. But my approach is not for everyone either. <br /><br />Rachy, Vildy, Gaylene, Rae and Beth Ann, you crack me up. <br /><br />Cathy! I so agree with you! We dish out advise on what men should wear all the time. I take no issue with Tim Gunn offering style advice as a bloke. <br /><br />Una, I'm glad I don't get under your skin :)<br /><br />Gaylene, Suz, MPJ, Rachy, and Dianthus, thanks for being so nice. <br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896716 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 23:04:52 +0000 Nicole D 896716@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I actually find Tim Gunn's style advice to be spot on usually, pretty classic stuff. &nbsp;I think his campy, biting patter is just his schtick, his media persona. &nbsp;If he was a sweet, kindly man who extolled the virtues of yoga pants, he wouldn't be on TV. &nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896700 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:54:13 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 896700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I know exactly what Vildy means.&nbsp; When I weighed 35 lbs less than I do now, I could wear the paper bag waist suede pants and look good because they draped nicely and if anything, they emphasized my thinness.&nbsp; I could never wear that style now so it has a lot to do with your size.<br /><br />I think a key difference between the way Angie delivers the message and the video is that Angie is dealing with people that she knows and the video was an open message to everyone and no one.&nbsp; It wasn't personal as it was not directed to a person.<br /><br />I agree with the points he made too.&nbsp; Large bold patterns can make one look larger and cropped pants can make one look shorter.&nbsp; There is a large section on most fashion sites including YLF on dressing your body type.&nbsp; The suggestions are all about making the most of the positive and diminishing the negative.<br /><br />ETA:&nbsp; Thank you for posting this thread Una.&nbsp; I have read the entire thing and found it very interesting and informative.<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896694 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:49:46 +0000 Gaylene 896694@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm, just trying to get a handle on this thread:<br /><br />We are women who know what we like and don't like, so we resent elderly WASPish males, skinny WASPish females, and husbands/SO telling us how we ought to dress. Angie is the exception; her rules ought to be followed (see PPL, nude hose, and Lululemon pants).<br /><br />We think our husbands ought to take our advice when it comes to clothes because most of them are clueless about fashion.<br /><br />We accept criticism as long as it isn't delivered as criticism.<br /><br />We want others to admire our outfits and to think we look good in our clothes but we also want the right to define what "looking good" looks like.<br /><br />Have I left anything out? ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896690 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:44:14 +0000 Carla 896690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like &nbsp;Tim Gunn, and his comments are usually very respectful and polite. &nbsp;I think if the producers of the show had billed it as 'How to Look Taller and Slimmer' the tone would have been about positive sartorial decisions. &nbsp;Since the title was about 'mistakes' the tone was doomed to be&nbsp;negative.<br /><br />I sometimes wonder about the ofttimes scathing way some stylists address their TV clientele, and wonder if it isn't a kind of adverse Pavlovian conditioning? &nbsp;If I had some sharpe critical expression sounding in my brain every time I picked up some item of clothing that did me no favours, I'd be pretty quick to put it back! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896675 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:28:47 +0000 Vildy 896675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When I was a size 3, I used to have clothes ranging up to size 16. <br />I often wore oversized things.&nbsp; I think I did look thin in them, though, <br />because they fell in folds. They weren't hanging there like a box.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896669 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:22:03 +0000 rae 896669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I'm very late to the party, but I do get where you are coming from, Una. My hackles have gone up plenty with DH since I embraced baggier pants and he decided to say I look like a midwest housewife who's given up on life. I have a feeling men wouldn't dictate so much if they were expected to wear skintight pants, 4" heels, thong underwear, and underwire bras all in the name of appearing taller and thinner and perkier... or whatever the male equivalent would be (taller, more broad-shouldered, more bootylicious, more... endowed??).&nbsp;<br /><br />However, I do also see where Tim is coming from. He started off saying that most women he knows want to look taller and thinner. I feel that, if I had a friend who kept saying she needed to look taller/thinner... and then kept showing up for lunch in cropped pants and baggy sweatshirts... I might raise an eyebrow or cock my spectacles at her, too.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896562 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:07:51 +0000 rachylou 896562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think it's the snittiness quotient. Angie has none. Tim and Ali are really nice people, but they have that <em>soupçon</em>. It's amusing until it becomes too much.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments/page/2#post-896542 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:57:52 +0000 catgirl 896542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Beth Ann, too funny! &nbsp;Sleeping with your pastor, indeed. &nbsp; Cute. &nbsp;Your comment really resonated (aside from that part). &nbsp;<br /><br />Here's the rub. &nbsp;On one hand, I don't want to look matronly or frumpy. &nbsp;On the other hand, I don't want to be told not to look matronly or frumpy. &nbsp;<br /><br />See how difficult I can be? &nbsp;Angie gives much of the same advice and&nbsp;it doesn't bother me at all - just as when my mother gives me advice, it will get under my skin even though I'd be fine if it was my sister telling me the same thing. &nbsp;<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments#post-896526 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:50:54 +0000 cciele 896526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I dunno, I know a lot of women telling men what not to wear.... https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments#post-896523 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:49:32 +0000 Suz 896523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachylou, you are beyond compare. So, so funny!!! (And by the way, I'm glad you didn't die of lettuce exposure.)<br /><br />I've never seen Tim Gunn before. (I've heard of him but never seen him). My thoughts, FWIW -- he seemed okay. I didn't like the set up, and didn't much like the woman interviewing him. But what was he supposed to do?<br /><br />As others have said,&nbsp;the advice itself was hardly novel, and Angie would agree about the capris. But of course, as Gaylene remarks, she'd be able to expand and show why and how to improve. And she wouldn't be so all-fired categorical about it.&nbsp;<br /><br />I do hear you about a man telling a woman WNTW. Something in me is tempted to say, where do <b>you</b> get off? But mainly it was because of what Beth Ann says -- the patronizing tone. I don't think that was Tim as much as the interviewer.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments#post-896510 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:40:07 +0000 JuneBug 896510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Una, I don't hate Tim Gunn because sometimes what he says makes sense, but in general he speaks from an era where fashion and style had rules that women had to comply with verbatim. These days women know their shape and work with that. Each of these 'faux pas' in the video work very well on some women and don't look as flattering on other shapes. So I'd take him with a pinch of salt for not emphasising that&nbsp;women should be&nbsp;dressing to suit their bodies, rather than generalizing that all of his is rubbish and nobody should be seen in it!&nbsp;&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments#post-896508 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:39:14 +0000 Isabel 896508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachy, you cracked me up. Your post reminded me of a cook book I bought once, " A man, a beer, and a microwave." &nbsp;I thought, "what a great country!"&nbsp;<br />hahaaaa. Everything we cooked in our Portuguese home was sooooo&nbsp;<i>complicated </i>and involved a stove<i>.&nbsp;</i>Hahaa.<br /><br />But I think that you hit a nerve with your last post : when is it nitpicking and when is it paying attention to detail ? &nbsp;I think that Tim was trying to pay attention to detail.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tim-gunns-advice-and-comments#post-896485 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:29:05 +0000 rachylou 896485@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You know, Una,&nbsp; joking aside, that nitpicking can be very hard to take. It might be easier if you are totally immersed in the culture and all the mothers act the same way, so you and all your friends brush it off as "that's how mother's are." But it might not be. Children do get broken by the harshness of it. When I became diabetic, was dying of starvation, I'll never forget my WASPy banker boss telling me to EAT LETTUCE! I mean he hired me and I went to work for him in no small part because of the heavy dose of sloaney-ness that we'd both been infused with. It smoothed the way in many respects, but you know, it was also like the man was trying to kill me! Sometimes you come out fighting...<br /><br /><br />