mrs_sweetpeach | Style or lack thereof

I'm sitting here watching How Do I Look? which I never even heard of until this evening. The episode I'm watching is "The A, B, Cs of Fashion" (Teacher Chrystie needs to do away with the frumpy, hand-me-down fashion). What concerns me from the opening segment is that for the most part I really like her style and I very much approve of her attitude concerning recycling and saving money. I really liked when she said she'd "rather donate her money to a cause or to someone else than spend her money on fashionable clothes."

So far, I totally love this girl and I don't want to see her become a fashionista.

ETA:

I'm back now that I've seen the big reveal. I'm not used to her hair, and I think I might get used to it, but I sure don't like it at the moment. My strongest reaction was to her dress though -- OMG I hate it. It would be okay for a date (I suppose) but if she's looking for things to wear in the classroom, I think it is completely inappropriate. I'm also curious about what will happen once she returns from teaching in Kenya. One of the models earlier in this episode said that the poverty she witnessed while she was in Africa turned her away from fashion, making it seem completely worthless. So I wonder if Chrystie will revert to her initial indifference to fashion. Not that I expect I will ever know.

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Oh, I agree--I hate these shows that are all about getting women who don't conform to toe the fashion line. This girl sounded awesome! So sad that they tried to screw up her head.

If it helps, my niece was on a makeover show once--they made her gorgeous naturally red hair dark brunette and I don't even remember the clothes, they were so forgettable. She went back to her normal hair and stylish look right away. She's already perfect, to my mind! They caught her coming out of school (becoming a dental hygienist) in scrubs, no makeup--and she looked so much better there than after their "reveal."

I think the concept of these shows is okay, because some people really don't have any idea of how to dress attractively. However, the execution of them leaves a lot to be desired. I think that audiences quite often aren't looking for a serious show about style. What they want is to see people being humiliated.

I've watched What Not to Wear. The title of the show sets the negative theme. It's not called What Would Look Good On You, for example. The hosts do say that the 'clients' are attractive--and would look better in the clothes THEY choose--but this is done in an atmosphere of humiliating and insulting the clients.

Quite a few of the clients really could use some help, but the help is offered so aggressively. How is this supposed to make them feel empowered and better about themselves?

I'm one of those people who have no idea how to dress, so I certainly agree with your first statement. I'm extremely fortunate in that I get to wear jeans & t-shirts to work. If I have to dress up and one of my three dresses won't work, I have

jebra go shopping with me and rely on his opinion.

I also think you're right about the humiliation although today's show (I'm watching again tonight; tonight's episode is about a young woman who wants to be social worker but who began the show dressing more like a street walker) seems to be not quite humiliation but drama. And the woman, Cathy, certainly had confidence in herself even when she was dressed well, inappropriately.

Were you referring to the US version of What Not to Wear or the UK one with Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine? I cannot stand the US version but I really enjoyed the one with Trinny and Susannah. For one thing, I didn't think they were as catty and for another I thought the clothes they recommended were more classic and would remain in style longer. I also thought they did a great job of teaching their clients what to look for in clothing in terms of fit (cut of the garment). How Do I Look? seems to prefer what I'd consider trendy or disposable clothing, not wardrobe basics that will last for many years.

I agree about the aggressive tone of WNoW. It's pretty bad on HDIL too. Here the transformations are striking but I really doubt the women are learning the skills they need to actually transform their wardrobes on a permanent basis.

The episode I'm watching as I type this is "Passing the Fashion Bar" and once again I find her quite refreshing because at the start of the episode she has absolutely no concern for how she looks. Whereas I do think she looked pretty bad at the beginning but I am so impressed with her personality and her focus on what I agree are the important things, being smart, being honest, providing food & shelter for her five children (and spouse) and getting through law school. Personally, if I needed a lawyer I'd hire her in a New York minute.

Oh man, they just had her talk with six potential clients and then had the same clients talk with another lawyer and asked them who they would hire. Every single one picked the other lawyer. Ouch. I still say I'd hire her.

I'm back to be bitchy. One thing that's bugging me are the very high heels the host of the show and at least two of her advisers are wearing. I also object to the thick makeup the host is wearing.

"Were you referring to the US version of What Not to Wear..."

Yes. I've never seen the UK version, though I've heard about it.

"I thought the clothes they recommended were more classic and would remain in style longer...."

That would be a useful skill to pass on to their clients. On the American version, the clothes chosen seem to me to be mostly repetitious and boring. Mostly, not always, and sometimes their choices are appropriate. I'm not saying they have no value, but I don't know why it all has to be done in such a humiliating fashion, unless, as I pointed out, that's the point. :-)

About the high heels: Yes! That's something that bugs me about WNtoW, too. They keep pushing high heels on women who don't want to wear them. I mostly can't stand high heels. The realization that they actually force your feet into the configuration achieved by Chinese foot binding confirmed me in this POV. Small heels or kitten heels are okay, in my opinion.

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