Style or lack thereof

[mrs_sweetpeach]

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.

Comments

[thistlethorn.livejournal.com]

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."

[greenlady2.livejournal.com]

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?