Opinions on “What Not to Wear”

Sarah

Now that we have Cable TV I’ve finally seen this show. After having watched it several times I’ve come to some conclusions. First of all, they make the people get rid over every piece of clothing they own, and I’ve yet to see an episode where that was necessary or even advisable. Every closet on this show has at least one good, useable piece in it that could be worn well, even if the person who owns it doesn’t wear it well already. Usually there are several great pieces. Teaching the people on the show how to wear what they have well and replacing what cannot be worn well would be much more helpful that teaching them to spend thousands of dollars on a new wardrobe. So it bugs me that Stacy and Clinton get rid of tons of pieces that really could be worn in a fashionable way. Secondly, they make fun of those same pieces that could look great. I know they do this because it’s entertaining for the fans of the show; everybody loves sarcasm on TV these days. But still, I think they throw out and make fun of a lot of great pieces with loads of personality and potential. The third thing that bothers me is their obsession with the modern classic persona (and pointy toed shoes). A lot of my own clothes are modern classic, but I also have an artsy side, and I would find my wardrobe boring without it. Others can pull off a simple classic wardrobe well without looking boring. To force everyone into this modern classic mold and gets rid of their personality, and personality is an important part of style. That said, I really don’t hate the show. I enjoy it and learn things sometimes. I’ve actually seen a few episodes where they let people keep a tiny bit of their personality in subtle ways. I guess there is only so much you can do in an hour long TV show. The one thing I really love is the make up and hair. I want a five minute face like that! And I would love for the guy on the show to show me how to style my fine frizzy hair.

17 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Ana

Taffy

Active Member

Sara-- you CAN get Nick to style your hair....for a couple hundred $ I looked it up one time. I have used his curl cream before though and I really liked it. It worked very well to define my curls without weighing them down.
I think Carmindy actually has a book called 5 minute face you could look into...

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I used to like the show a lot before but my enthusiasm has kind of plummeted.

I agree with them on throwing out the entire wardrobe most of the time. I haven't watched lately so I'm not sure what pieces you might be talking about, but most of the time, everything is either worn out or doesn't fit or is downright terrible. A few things have been stained, torn, or otherwise unwearable. I don't think I have ever seen something where I said "hey, I really like that!" or "that could work."

I think the format of the show would be very different if they let them keep some of their clothes. This is all about starting over and making a fresh start, and that can't happen if they're holding on to the old stuff. In real life, that would of course be more logical, but as a show I think it works. Besides, they don't just throw everything out. It's all donated. I think the idea of recycling a person's wardrobe is intriguing, but seems like a totally different show.

I don't find their comments particularly biting. They always make sure to emphasize the fact that the person is a treasure, and it's their clothes that are doing them injustice. The show would be really boring if they were "nice" all the time (and I put nice in quotes because I think they are nice). I'm sure they don't treat their "real" clients this way, but this is a very different situation. A little more drama and entertainment is necessary.

The reason why I don't like it as much anymore is because I have been watching it for years, and in all the years I have been watching, NOTHING ever changes. Everyone ends up with the same WNTW uniform. Fitted jacket, trouser jeans, seaming under the bust, ridiculously uncomfortable shoes, walk shorts, A-line or pencil skirt, etc. I also read once that they think skinnies are always unflattering and widelegs are universally flattering, which I would definitely protest. I think wide leg jeans are much harder to wear than skinnies.

I don't feel like the personality of the contestants really comes through. I remember a mother-daughter episode in which the daughter, who was only 17 or 18, had a very edgy punk rock sort of style. Lots of animal print, skulls, flames, etc. This did not translate AT ALL into her final outfit. She was placed into the default WNTW uniform, with no regard for her personality or her age. She really didn't look happy with the result, and I don't blame her. She's 18. They kept saying her clothes made her seem "unapproachable." What nonsense. She's not at the front desk of the Waldorf Astoria. I dressed that way when I was a teenager and I don't regret it one bit.

I think the uniform works well for those contestants that really don't want to think too much about what to wear, and just want to do the minimum to look fresh and polished. But for those who come into the show with a strong sense of personality and aesthetic, and who enjoy buying clothes but just need a little help finding out what is flattering, they really squeeze any personality they once had.

I like Nick, and sometimes I like Carmindy. When I first started watching, I really liked her, but lately the makeup she does seems very heavy. I have skimmed through her book though and it's really good.

Overall, the show can be helpful but only to a point. It's definitely limited. Once you have seen about 5 episodes, you have probably taken away everything you'll ever get out of it.

17 years ago

shell

Active Member

i used to watch the show when i had cable. i sort of echo maya's sentiments in that i haven't ever seen them throw out anything that i thought actually looked good. i have a feeling that what they call "their entire wardrobe" isn't actually their whole wardrobe. practically speaking, you can't throw away a hundred pieces and replace them with only twenty.

as for the "uniform", i agree that is annoying that that's all the ever put people in. i was watching it once with an old bf, and i said "i bet i know what they're gonna put her in - dark wash denim, blouse, fitted blazer, and pointy-toed shoes." well, guess who was right?

however, the uniform does work. i equate it somewhat to angie's "flop-proof" wardrobes. they are essentially the same elements. it's a good base for people who don't know where to start with fashion. you can always edit the look later by adding your own flair.

17 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

I dunno, Shell. I think you probably could get rid of a hundred pieces and replace them with twenty. If I'm totally honest about my wardrobe, I'd say only about 20 (ok, maybe 30) get frequent rotation. And that's because those are the things that fit right and look good. I feel good in them and thus I wear them the most often. Maybe once I get through getting rid of stuff that doesn't work, I'll be able to work up to 100 pieces that all get frequently used, but I remain a little doubtful.

I do think the show is formulaic, but I still enjoy it. I like seeing the transformation people have, which is usually not just about the clothes. But I do wish they would help people incorporate more of their own personal style. Same reason I enjoy Tim Gunn's show.

I rarely learn anything from either. I did take away from WNTW the idea of a pattern that reads as a neutral so being able to pair it with other patterns and have been having fun with that. Not sure if Stacy and Clinton would approve. But it's the kind of mindless fun that is perfect for having on in the background while I dust or give myself a pedicure.

17 years ago

Ellen

Active Member

While I agree that they generally put people into one formula, I'm not sure that it's a bad thing, for the purposes of the show (with the exception of only wide-leg denim). They are working with people who don't have the first clue about putting together a stylish outfit. Giving those people a good, basic wardrobe base that they can easily put together is important. If people can learn to recognize good basics, they can then go out and add their own flair, accessories, different cuts, etc... but working from that base will get them farther than they were before. Obviously this won't work on some people, but usually on the show people don't already have a "style" and that's the problem.

In the case of the 18 year old with skulls, my one thought would be that if she's trying to get a job or head in a professional direction, she needs to learn to dress like that. I didn't see that episode so I don't know what she's doing with her life, but if that's what they were trying to help with, it probably makes sense.

After all that, I still find the show boring, though. Too many repeats. Maybe it helps people, but it's getting tiring to watch...

17 years ago

Taffy

Active Member

I think the thing that I like most about the show is that it's motivating. I tend to suffer from perfection paralysis alternating with analasis paralysis. I'll get so frustrated looking for something that makes the sun stop and everyone applaud, that I then get stuck. I like to catch an episode of WNTW then, because it brings me back to normalcy. It helps to make good fashion look doable again.

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Like a lot of these makeover shows (house design, lifestyle and otherwise), it's a formula, and Stacy and Clinton are as much entertainers as anything. My one issue is that unless the makeover-ee has a similar body shape and lifestyle as mine (one in a million chance), the show's suggestions are not that applicable. Besides, the people who get made over start out by looking so awful that any one of us could probably help them out! I get much, much more specific and useful info from the women of YLF. You know?

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I haven't watched it in awhile, but I often joke with my hubby that I should go buy a bunch of thrift store rags, wear them around for a week, pretending that's how I normally dress, and then get on the show for a $5000 shopping spree in NYC.

Seriously - I really do suspect there are some of the people on this show who do this. Because I cannot imagine ANYONE dressing like some of these people dress!

I watched the show religiously for years, and maybe it has changed in recent years. But in earlier shows, I can't remember a single episode where there was a single item that was worth keeping instead of tossing. The items I've seen tossed weren't even good enough for homeless people.

But maybe the show has changed!!

I did see Clinton give a lecture a few years ago - he is the nicest guy, very much IRL like he is on the show. At that time, he was asked "why don't you ever show people over the age of 40?" And he said that it wasn't their show's demographics. What shows I've caught more recently, I did notice they are doing more with people over age 40, so that is good and yes they may have changed.

As for personality - I always thought S&C did a really excellent job of incorporating the personal style touches into their wardrobe makeovers. Artsy types still get artsy clothing - but with a major upgrade. Etc. But, I have also seen shows where the person suddenly decides - mid-shopping-experience - that they want to change their usual style to something totally different. I.e., an artsy type suddenly realizes (usually dramatically in a tear-filled video blog segment) that they are gravitating more towards conservative clothes and it's time to let their old personas go, and move on to a new one.

And many many women who hate high heels and swear they'll never ever wear them.... end up going on shoe streaks and snapping up pointy toed heels they never thought they'd ever wear!

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I think for the maybe ten steps they take in those shoes on the set of the show, they will find them comfortable. To me that's a bit deceptive. Anyone who needs confirmation that those shoes are horrendous need only to see the condition of Stacy's feet. She has bunions and injects pillows into the balls of her feet for $500 a pop. And then she turns around and says her shoes are comfortable and that being stylish is easy as pie. A bit hypocritical if you ask me.

Ellen, I don't generally think of an 18 year old as a professional anything, other than a professional student. I learned to dress better when the time came for it, but I still don't dress like that all the time. If she were to get a job where she needs to look more presentable, then it's one matter, but outside of work, I found nothing unacceptable about the way she dressed. I really draw the line at forcing teenagers to dress a certain way (unless it's just completely indecent), and if there really was a need for her to tone things down a bit, I think they could have done it in a more appropriate way. Your teen years are the time to experiment and get it all out of your system before you really do enter the adult world (and in no other way other than legally is an 18 year old high school student an adult). I thought she was going overboard for sure, but there are some things that are appropriate for teenagers that might not be appropriate for adults that they could have incorporated. When I was a teen, I shopped at places like Delia's, the juniors dept. at Macys and Nordstrom, Alloy (I don't think they're a store anymore), and yes, Hot Topic. I wore slim-fitting hoodies, Cons, Polos, jeans with subtle glitter running through them, fitted tees, rubber bracelets. Would I wear any of that now? Absolutely not. Do I cringe about wearing it then? Absolutely not. Since she probably hasn't even reached her full adult size yet, it seems really wasteful to put her in all of these expensive clothes that she'll have to trash in 4 years. S&C always talk about how women shouldn't shop in the juniors department, and now apparently not even juniors should shop in the juniors department.

I was really put off by that episode. She looked really sad in the end, and the whole experience probably only confirmed all her fears about dressing like an "adult."

I think the formula works for the kind of clients who "just don't care." The kind that come on the show and think flipflops and a tshirt is okay because they're not doing anything special. For those people, the basics are really all they need. But for someone who has a strong aesthetic and a strong sense of identity, I find they usually get squashed. Sometimes Stacey and Clinton try to incorporate bits of artsyness or boho into their new wardrobes, but it's so subtle it's hardly there. I recall an episode where S&C picked up a black pointelle top and a denim skirt at Esprit and called it "funky." Uh, not so much. I mean, it was a cute outfit, but it certainly did not scream funky to me. So it's true they do sometimes try, but I still find that in the end, most of them end up in the same uniform.

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I suspect there are items that the participants get to keep--it's just now part of the show. The purpose of the program is to show how a person can go from looking terrible to looking great. I caught a rerun yesterday that was incredible. But she had this naturally kinky curly hair and Nick straightened it with a flat iron or something. I thought it was silly to do that because she needed to learn how to wear her natural hair. No one wants to HAVE to straighten it--or can do it as well as he can.

I think Carmendie makes all the women look like clowns. Way too much makeup. Maybe the technique is worthwhile, but the actual application of makeup looks trashy at best.

As far as the show being formulaic--I guess we all have some kind of formula to dressing. I think the show does a good job at giving the right formula for each body type. I've never seen a participant leave the show looking worse than when they started. And they all seem so thoroughly and genuinely pleased with the results. (With the exception of one yoga freak lady who was a miserable twit through the entire process.)

Personally, I'd love the experience.

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I'm sort of neutral on the show--if it's on and I happen to catch it while flipping through the channels, then I'll probably watch.

Have you guys looked at Clinton's new book yet? I just saw it at Barnes and Nobles yesterday. It's not just about dressing, but other ways to be "fabulous." It's very to the point and in your face, but there were some bits that were funny, and he was right about a lot of things.

As far as Carmindy's makeup stuff--I think she does put a lot of makeup on the women. I'm not sure if it's because you have to put a lot of makeup on someone for it show up on camera, or if it's just that she's around makeup so much that just a little bit seems like nothing at all. For example, I don't wear much makeup, but I do wear some, like mascara, tinted sunscreen, blush, and lipstick. I even put a light brown eyeshadow in the crease for contouring (or else my eyes disappear), which I know a lot of women don't do for day, and sometimes I wear eyeliner. But when I go to department store cosmetic counters, almost all the salespeople assume I'm not wearing any makeup. I use a very light hand, and maybe that's it, but maybe it's just that they are around it so much and so used to putting it on people that just a little bit seems like nothing. I'm not sure if I'm making sense.

17 years ago

Category