What Not to Wear
Posted on August 28, 2005 14 Comments
If you’re reasonably happy with your look, stay far, far away from TLC’s “What Not to Wear.” Inevitably after watching the show, I feel a deep desire to purge my closet, discard everything I haven’t worn in a few months, stock up on expensive new clothes and change my hairstyle. Usually, though, I’m pretty happy with the way I look. But Ned and Stacy have this amazing power (I’m positive it’s hypnosis) to make me feel that my wardrobe should be a greater barometer of my confidence and general fabulousness.
Take the episode I watched Friday night (yes, I was at home drinking a glass of wine, watching TLC and doing a sodoku puzzle…very uncool, I admit). The subject, a girl younger than 30 who worked in a law firm, possessed a closet filled with black and gray tones. She wore turtleneck sweaters and khakis or black pants on most days, and completed the look with flat, black box-toe shoes.
Oh no. With the exception of some colored items, I own that wardrobe. And it’s decidedly against Ned and Stacy’s rules.
As the girl pulled out turtleneck after turtleneck, I cringed. I own no less than seven turtlenecks…it’s cold in Chicago! And my black flats? Box toed. Ned and Stacy specifically warned NEVER to wear these shoes. Great.
After thinking it over, I curled up next to Brian (who was in another room watching football at this point) and whispered to him one of my greatest fantasies. “I want green pointy shoes.”
Then, slumping over… “I’m never allowed to watch ‘What Not to Wear’ again.”
Unfortunately, as I envisioned myself tossing all my turtlenecks into a large dumpster with glee, images of sleek chic jackets and well-fitting trousers danced in my head. Shopping fever gripped me.
I wondered, are Ned and Stacy right – do new clothes really make a new woman? I’ve had conversations with several co-workers about the show, and it always seems to elicit the same reaction: I must ditch my wardrobe and get clothes that suit me better.
Based on the show’s following (327 pages of commentary on www.televisionwithoutpity.com alone), mainstream media are taking a WNTW approach as well (check out USA Today’s article).
I agree that if you’re totally in the wrong, style-wise, like the recent Chicago accountant who wore mini skirts and “personality” tee-shirts to work, you might need a new, more appropriate wardrobe. But what if your wardrobe is appropriate, just not spectacular? I’ve got the basics covered, but my clothes don’t scream “TA-DA!!!!” each time I walk out the door.
Reality television isn’t the only thing that makes me feel insecure about my wardrobe. Practically every time I go out to a bar in the city I think I need new clothes. Each round of interns makes me realize how outdated my clothes are, too. “I can’t believe I’m still wearing cardigans in this day and age,” I think. “I must buy a new jacket instead.”
When I feel this way, my techniques for curbing the shopping impulse vary. Even though I sometimes can’t find anything to wear in my closet, I don’t need to ditch it and start over again, or to hit up a mall every weekend before I go out. Here are a few ways I deal:
· When I think my look is outdated, I can add a new accessory, or just buy one or two new shirts to integrate with the rest of my wardrobe, rather than five new outfits.
· I bring a friend over and make her pick out an outfit for me. Sometimes friends can combine items in ways that are hard for the owner to see. Whenever someone borrows my clothes I’m always amazed at how relevant they can make an item look, even if I’ve already dismissed it to my Goodwill bag.
· I save up gift certificates from the year (through b-days and holidays) so that I can use one right when I feel like I need some new clothes.
Why do we crave makeovers periodically, anyway? I have a few theories; to mark a new phase in our lives (thus, sending a message by letting those around us know that something’s changed internally), to feel younger against the aging process, to give our self esteem a shot in the arm, etc. Makeovers ensure we get noticed, we receive compliments. They make us feel better about ourselves, in short.
We can do more to get that feeling. Hang out with your best friends, work out, spend some time reflecting on everything good in your life. Shopping and makeovers are a quick fix, but the don’t really address what’s going on inside. In fact, a couple months down the road, you’ll probably just crave another makeover!
Paridoxically (or hypocritically), after spending time with my friends, working out and reflecting on good things in my life, I still crave a trip to the mall. My own stupid advice doesn’t work, take note. I hate my closet right now. I look outdated and unexciting. I want to look different, more grown up – lately I’ve been in a funk and am in need of a change. Thankfully I still have a supply of gift cards to J.Crew and Anne Taylor Loft in my wallet, and one to my hair salon as well. I’ve been saving them for just this occasion…
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14 Responses to “What Not to Wear”
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August 28th, 2005 @ 8:09 pm
I like the turtleneck, khaki look.
Still divided about the square toe shoes… but they don’t hurt.
If you are happy with the way you look… keep it up. Chances are people around you are happy or don’t care right now about the way you look. And you should dress for yourself, not for everyone else.
Money And Investing
August 28th, 2005 @ 9:14 pm
I have given up on trying to keep up with the trends, it’s too expensive, and I hate the stuff a year later. I try to stick with the basics, it’s just too much trouble. That show is addictive though, I always watch it to the end to see what they look like once stacy an clinton are done shaming htem.
August 28th, 2005 @ 11:07 pm
Actually you should watch the British version of WNTW. Trinny and Susannah are much better than Ned and Stacey who just seem mean. Trinny and Susannah are mean too, but they do it while pointing out where all their own flaws are.
They also give their contestants a lot less money and send them to more mundane stores like Marks and Spencer where normal people do shop. It’s much less tempting that way.
August 29th, 2005 @ 2:57 am
Count another vote for the BBC version and that Friday night sounds like bliss. Sudoku…all the cool kids are doing it
August 29th, 2005 @ 3:11 pm
I also like the british version much better. Trinny and Susannah have written some books that I’m sure you can get at your local library. It’s filled with practical advice like, “If you have a short neck, wear earings”. Not, “You must wear these outrageously expensive earings or you’ll look like a troll”. They are more like honest girl friends instead of snarkey popular kids from high school.IMHO
August 29th, 2005 @ 5:14 pm
Who cares what other people think about your wardrobe? As long as it’s appropriate for your lifestyle, Ned/Stacey/whoever is no better judge of your personal sense of style than the street hot dog vendor. It’s your life, it’s your closet. Do what you want with it.
August 29th, 2005 @ 11:48 pm
I saw that episode, too – I felt so bad for that girl, because she was so beautiful and afraid to express herself. I have a lot of black, gray, and navy in my closet, so I’m trying to introduce a little more color into my wardrobe. Being a 40 something who looks young for my age, I find Ann Taylor and Banana Republic are great stores to shop – but only on sale!!! I buy classic clothes, not trends – I have 2 sisters who live in NY who are always trying to get me to “liven up my look” – I keep telling them that NY chic is not necessarily CT chic!
August 30th, 2005 @ 1:13 pm
The British version of the show is much better! They aren’t afraid to say things that make Ned and Stacy look like prudes. I think the show is all about finding your style and making it work for you. If that’s your style (simple, classic, and low maintenance), just make sure you pick flattering pieces that you like.
My closet is mostly black and grey, with a couple colors thrown in for good measure, and I have tons of turtlenecks (Wisconsin is very cold!). The only difference is that I wear cute black pumps, but shoes are a weakness for me.
Savvy Saver
August 30th, 2005 @ 6:53 pm
I haven’t watched that show before, but I certainly know the feeling of having an outdated wardrobe.
I like the basics…jeans, t-shirts, casual pants and a few polos and button-ups to throw in the mix.
I’m lucky in that my work attire can be pretty much anything I want it to be. So I gave up buying suits, slacks and dress shirts since it can get so expensive. I just buy comfortable casual clothes that I would wear anywhere, but I buy them on sale from The Gap, Old Navy or even Target so they’re almost never trendy.
Oh well, I have more important things to spend my money on than $150 shoes or $90 pants.
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