What Not to Wear: A Relic Whose Time Has Passed? - YouLookFab Forum

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What Not to Wear: A Relic Whose Time Has Passed?

MsMary

Veteran

Yesterday I had a great time taking my grownup son to the NAS to get him set up to start a new job in a couple of weeks. We worked with a really great stylist and bought him two great sport coats as well as a bunch of shirts and pants and three pair of shoes. (Here's my fave outfit in "finds.") (Edited to add the sale prices in the men's department were really amazing and everything we needed was in stock -- we didn't have to order a thing!)

We were laughing about how it was like a whole "What Not to Wear" experience, minus the bad "before" part. Which got me thinking about how I loved that show back in the day, which made me pop on over to Hulu and watch a couple of episodes from Season 2.

Oh my gosh! It doesn't really hold up! They are all about "rules," and shaming people for showing too much skin, and talking about clothing being "dated," and basically all the things that Angie says (and I agree) have fallen by the wayside. Plus the whole idea of the unsolicited "makeover" just seems disrespectful.

What do you all think? Am I overthinking this or have we moved on from this kind of thing?

Boss by Hugo Boss Hartlay Trim Fit Glen Plaid Wool Sport Coat

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Cole Haan Harrison Grand 2.0 Cap Toe Derby

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Robert Barakett Georgia Crewneck T-Shirt

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Boss by Hugo Boss Genesis Flat Front Wool Dress Pants

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54 replies

Latest reply was from Eliza

JAileen

Veteran

I was afraid you were going to say these men’s things were out. When our son was a senior in college we gave him a new suit for Christmas. I don’t think he ever wore it. He went on to grad school in Memphis for a couple years, then to the Republic of Georgia. Now he is a coder for the most hated bank in America, and works at home in PJs.

I liked the makeovers, but I remember them forcing people to throw away their clothes and I wouldn’t have wanted that. After all, we all have different lives and therefore different needs. And for them to think they know my needs better than me, well that’s just ludicrous.

nuancedream

Veteran

Oh, I used to watch the US version WNTW every Friday. I also read the books by Trinny and Susannah. Yes, WNTW does seem very anachronistic and even a little mean-spirited. I never understood that "cruel to be kind" mindset. I agree we have moved on from this concept. The idea of a look being "dated" is truly dated. The beauty of DYOT is that it allows someone to define style for oneself as well as to celebrate creativity and authenticity, which are timeless and never dated.

DonnaF

Veteran

Your choices look fab! What kind of work will your son be doing?

I'll have to revisit What Not to Wear; didn't know it was on Hulu. We watch Queer Eye which is more of a life reboot that brings tears to my eyes. Nonetheless, these shows seem to have a *look* they're going for. I also wonder, esp. on Queer Eye how they can buy shoes for a person without having them try them on. But that's *reality* TV for you. I've learned that men's suit/sport jacket sleeves and I guess the entire jacket are supposed to fit more closely than would ever make me comfortable. I would always feel as though I would Hulk out of them.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I loved that show, but it was definitely a product of its time. I follow Stacy on IG and she fully admits that she wouldn’t do a show like that now — her style is loose and fun and fabulous and she fully endorses the idea of throwing out the rules and wearing what you love.

MsMary

Veteran

DonnaF, my son is a psychotherapist and he will actually be working with clients in person at a live-in rehab facility, so he will need to look nice and also approachable/competent/trustworthy. I think we really hit the sweet spot and I'm sure he will feel like a million bucks waltzing in there in his new threads. And I am proud that I stayed out of it except to lobby HARD for those gorgeous cognac shoes in addition to his usual black loafers. (He admitted I was right because... I was objectively right! LOL)

Yes, men's clothes are quite fitted these days! The jackets he chose fit him like they were made for him right off the rack, which was a minor miracle for sure.

Joyce

(website)

MsMary, I understand where you are coming from but wonder if you might have applied too many conditions based on what we have available today? I agree, the unsolicited aspect of the make-over doesn't sit very well but the contestants did get to have input during the shopping experience which was meant to help them see the possibilities of change. This concept was also what drove Queer Eye to success. When Stacey and Clinton were doing their show, we didn't have blogs like this one to follow for fashion advice. In most cases weren't the people in new positions which warranted change but had steadfastly held on to their past look for various reasons? Sometimes we need a nudge, in this forum we have each other. In the past it may have been easier to do nothing because the only alternative was to ask for help and that isn't easy for many.

MsMary

Veteran

Right, that was the idea, but I just can't get past the public unsolicited shaming of people for their fashion choices. It seemed justifiable at the time (hey, I loved the show!) but these days it really falls flat, at least for me!

But then, I admit to being very sensitive to that kind of thing -- one of my personal life guidelines is "people are not improvement projects!"

Anonymous

I did watch it, but they were definitely mean to the participants. That seems to be the reality show format though- or I assume it still is. Maybe it changed in the 10 years since I got rid of the tv?

I wonder how many people got ambushed and told them to b off?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Mary, LOVE your son's new stash! Handsome devil in all of it, I'm sure. Giving your gorgeous hubs competition

As far as the WNTW show goes, it used to leave me with a bad taste in my mouth. I always felt so awfully sorry for the person being made-over. So I watched a few episodes and left it at that.

I also interviewed Stacey London years ago - in person in Seattle - and talked a bit about the rigidity and subjectivity of all those WNTW rules. She was very into it then - because she had to be for the show - but I was more dubious. Stacy was fun to hang out with, although we disagreed on the components of style. I'm happy to hear that she fully endorses DYOT and wearing what makes you happy now!

April

Veteran

I loved that show too, but it definitely left me with the idea that traditional figure flattery was the end-all be-all of a wardrobe.

If you wanted to learn about traditional figure flattery, it was a great primer, but I now realize there are other fashion goals worth pursuing.

RobinF

Veteran

I loved watching the makeovers but the show itself wasn't always enjoyable - they were just too mean and rigid for my taste, at least the American version. I did think the UK version was nicer, I mean they were laughing but more laughing with the person than at them, you know? And I didn't always agree with the new choices either. Love Queer Eye, much more heart.

NancyW

Veteran

My husband owns 1.2 million of those Robert Barakett t-shirts. They are so soft and the colors are wonderful - some of the richest colors I have ever seen in cotton knits with new colors being introduced regularly. Good that you saved your powder for those handsome shoes - they are classic and beautiful. What a gift for you both to have this memory.

Jules

Veteran

I learned a lot from the show but it certainly had flaws. I do think most of the participants needed help to move their wardrobes forward to align better with their current lives - increased confidence, new goals, whatever. It generally went a bit deeper than just their clothes being dated - they were in poor condition, ill fitting, inappropriate for their jobs, etc. Queer Eye with the advantage of 5 experts in different areas does handle the life change/psychology aspect in a more current, comprehensive and kind way - but I’d argue they don’t always dress women very well, tbh (Tan sometimes insists that something fits and is flattering when the subject clearly feels otherwise and may have a point).
I love your mantra about not trying to improve people

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a great shopping experience with your son, and of course you were right about the cognac shoes!

I didn't watch WNTW so don't have an opinion on that, but I am glad we are moving away from those strict types of rules.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I didn’t watch it either but did like Trinny and Susannah although felt they pushed people too much into something they didn’t want sometimes.
There can be a lot of meanness shown in fashion. We are so blessed on this site with Angie’s kindness, and very gentle suggestions if something doesn’t fit us very well!

MsMaven

Veteran

I watched WNTW for years and bought the books. I liked it better than makeover shows where they grabbed a woman in her at home casual stuff, and she ended up in a cocktail dress or evening gown. Got to dress for the life we live.

Life has changed a lot since that show began, especially my life. I liked the fact that they emphasized the importance of dressing the body you have today. And were those ambushes real? I believed it then, not so sure now.

And then I found YLF. Much better than makeover shows. I'm sure if I looked at the old shows again I'd be uncomfortable. I'm sure you are right, Mary, the shows probably don't wear well.

Great new duds for your son, and I'm happy he'll get a chance to wear them. I admit, I wouldn't mind seeing men in good suits or jackets once again. Once in a while anyway.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Yes, I think we've moved on, and it's nice to hear Stacey has, too.

I thought the show bordered on mean at times, making fun of the discards in someone's closet. But then, I am one who can get emotional at the sight of a forlorn glove or other clothing item on the sidewalk. LOL!

But what a fun experience, to be able to shop with your son for his new job!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I remember reading a blog post or something by one of the participants on the show, after her experience. She wrote that even though some of the on-camera criticisms seemed harsh, that in person Clinton and Stacy were very sweet and supportive. I always found that reassuring. I think there were some people who declined to be made over after their "ambush," understandably so.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations to your son on his new job! I am sure he was delighted to have you help fit him out. Regarding those shows, I thought at the time that the rules were too strict and the styling too predictable. (I was particularly appalled by Stacey's insistence on high heels.) But I do think the participants were often delighted with the results - and attention.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I just Googled the British WNTW show to remind myself if I had seen it. Trinny and Susannah did visit NZ on at least one occasion later. I may have seen one episode-and it was really great how the celebrity subject, name of Ingrid Tarrant says one site, changed back to what she wanted to wear, in the taxi! I remember watching that and internally cheering for her!
I love those shoes you got for your son

slim cat

Veteran

I used to watch WNTW and liked some stories ( hated the others ).
It'd definitely aged and I wouldn't watch it now. There is always that desire of the producers to make the show more "dramatic", "edgy", popular with wide audience. The results could be cringe worthy.

Congrats on successful shopping experience! Beautiful clothes for the young man with a future!

rachylou

Veteran

I remember liking the original British version better than the American version. I appreciated Trinny and Susannah’s address of different body types. I suppose this could be said of both shows, but after watching awhile, it felt to me like the American show especially denied people their personal styles. I knew someone whose sister was on and she was rather upset by what she was turned into. I’d have to rewatch to see if maybe the show grew stale or it was that way from the get-go.

One wonders if it was these sorts of shows that made people really crave DYOT...

Joy

Veteran

I watched but cringed. The American version was especially hard to watch and more judgementsl. I often wondered if the ambushee went back to their original style and suspect many did. They all seemed shocked that someone disliked their style enough to nominate them for an ambush.
The viewer got to breathe a sigh of relief, “at least I don’t dress like that.”
Congratulations on your son’s new job. He will make a difference in several lives.

Staysfit

Veteran

Reading and nodding along with JAileen. We also purchased a new suit for my son...”for job interviews, etc.”. He graduated in May, a game engineer/programmer, interviewed for jobs in a ratty Old Navy tee he has worn since high school, was hired, and working remotely, continues to wear the same old tees and jeans as always!

I never cared for that particular makeover show. I found their treatment of people offensive.

Minaminu

Veteran

I watched a few episodes of Trinny and Susannah, most of the times I thought they were a bit too pushy and they did 't really take under consideration the personality of the person. In the UK, there used to be another presenter called Gok Wan and his style was more approachable and tought some nice tricks on how to wear for different bodyshapes. Interstingly, Trinny has now her own youtube channel and Gok Wan does cooking shows.

kkards

Veteran

I agree the show has not aged particularly well, but than, most TV does not....however, i do think that much of what they did was positive and helpful...buy for the body you have now, tailor to make off the rack clothing work for you, get a professional bra fitting, dress for the job you want

Bijou

Veteran

I remember the UK version and enjoyed the show ‘back in the day’. However, all those rules... made for a functional wardrobe that showed no personality, so was never going to work for me.

Ms Mary, those shoes are fabulous. I imagine that whenever your son wears them, he will think of you and think ‘Mom was right’ and will wear them often because they go with everything.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

Loved both the British and American versions of the show - I definitely enjoyed seeing the participants dressed up and turned out at the end, and presumably more confident. But I always worried that they wouldn’t be able to maintain it because it did feel more like “dress up” than finding authentic style and confidence- I guess that’s the format of the show.
Side note- remember when Stacey and Clinton wanted to put everyone in walking shorts? Enough with the walking shorts already!
I really enjoy the new Queer Eye, which is very sweet all around. It’s a show we can watch as a family. Tan, the fashion consultant, does get rid of clothes that are ill-fitting and stained but he looks at the closets and notices what kinds of colors and patterns the subjects like - he imparts some fashion principles but he comes across as being on the side of the wearer.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

In defense of the show, I do think that besides the trappings of reality TV (come on, this is the genre responsible for the Real Housewives franchise, The Bachelor, and the current US president), there was some good stuff in those episodes. I learned a bit about the power of fit, tailoring, and proportion, and even though I don't think I ever would have been mistaken for a "before" candidate, it made me evaluate my wardrobe at the time and step up my game a bit.

It was definitely formulaic, and of course the ambush and wardrobe ditching was played up for drama, but I don't remember it being mean-spirited as a whole. IIRC, the hosts made it clear they were making fun of the *clothes* not the person, and always seemed to emphasize that the participant deserved better than what they were giving themselves. At least that's what I remember.

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