For those of you that have been living in a bubble these past few years, What Not to Wear is a show that was popularized in the mid-90s as part of a culture wide personal re-invention craze, and is now among the many makeover themed reality programs.
It gets its contestants through referrals from friends and family of those who have been deemed to be ‘fashion challenged.’ Clinton Kelly and Stacy London appear at the designated contestant’s home or office, and announce that they have been selected for a complete fashion, and beauty makeover.
Once the cameras cover the inappropriate and unattractive clothing of the contestant, he or she is offered a Visa card with $5,000.00 on it in order to buy a whole new wardrobe. However, there is a catch. The contestant must agree to hand his or her entire wardrobe and go on a two day supervised, and controlled shopping spree. The contestant can only buy within a set group of parameters, and if not, they are not allowed to purchase the item. They complete the week with expert hairstyling by Nick Arrojo, and a makeup lesson from Carmindy.
Intermittently throughout the first half of the show, the contestant is asked to enter a nightmare room aptly labeled the ‘360 mirror.’ This is where the audience feels empathetically offended for and with the contestant. There does seem to be a valid point here: you can’t escape your body if you want to accept it, and you can’t dress your body if you don't.
Here’s the amazing thing, each week, you see a person go from being insecure and image-conscious to confident, and excited about life. ‘This was a life-changing experience! Is often the phrase most uttered by contestants during their ‘reveal.’ They learn that even though they were initially mocked, the ultimate goal each week is to make a contestant’s life better by teaching them to be comfortable with themselves. While designer clothes might not be the most ideal tool to do this, it works.
If we really think about appearance, what matters is the way in which we carry ourselves; others judge from there. Pure confidence radiates and affects how others see us, regardless of our physical form. What Not to Wear has a simple, ultimately admirable message: No matter your shape, your size, or whatever physical liabilities or hang-ups you have, you can be beautiful.
‘You can't fit your clothes well, and look your best if you don't know what you're working with,’ Stacy London.
It gets its contestants through referrals from friends and family of those who have been deemed to be ‘fashion challenged.’ Clinton Kelly and Stacy London appear at the designated contestant’s home or office, and announce that they have been selected for a complete fashion, and beauty makeover.
Once the cameras cover the inappropriate and unattractive clothing of the contestant, he or she is offered a Visa card with $5,000.00 on it in order to buy a whole new wardrobe. However, there is a catch. The contestant must agree to hand his or her entire wardrobe and go on a two day supervised, and controlled shopping spree. The contestant can only buy within a set group of parameters, and if not, they are not allowed to purchase the item. They complete the week with expert hairstyling by Nick Arrojo, and a makeup lesson from Carmindy.
Intermittently throughout the first half of the show, the contestant is asked to enter a nightmare room aptly labeled the ‘360 mirror.’ This is where the audience feels empathetically offended for and with the contestant. There does seem to be a valid point here: you can’t escape your body if you want to accept it, and you can’t dress your body if you don't.
Here’s the amazing thing, each week, you see a person go from being insecure and image-conscious to confident, and excited about life. ‘This was a life-changing experience! Is often the phrase most uttered by contestants during their ‘reveal.’ They learn that even though they were initially mocked, the ultimate goal each week is to make a contestant’s life better by teaching them to be comfortable with themselves. While designer clothes might not be the most ideal tool to do this, it works.
If we really think about appearance, what matters is the way in which we carry ourselves; others judge from there. Pure confidence radiates and affects how others see us, regardless of our physical form. What Not to Wear has a simple, ultimately admirable message: No matter your shape, your size, or whatever physical liabilities or hang-ups you have, you can be beautiful.
‘You can't fit your clothes well, and look your best if you don't know what you're working with,’ Stacy London.
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