What Not to Wear

One major issue that this show had for me were negative comments that were often extreme made by Stacey and Clinton. This has nothing to do with the year in which the show came out. It is not "a product of its time". The humour was sarcastic and condescending which is the last thing participants wanted to experience after realizing they were filmed in secret. I wonder how many participants said no to makeover. Some people do deserve it though because you don't need a stylist to realize that wearing stained, ripped, clothing with shoes that are way beyond repair is acceptable, when you are far from being poor. I would be insulted in their presence.

20 years later and still Stacey's and Clinton's advice holds. Many ideas and outfits are great if you like Kate Middleton - Catherine, Princess of Wales classic sort of style. I can't wait to see their new show that is coming out soon - I hope they will finally focus on the person and what they like and that they will find what works not just for their figure but their personality too. I was getting tired of constant super feminine styling ideas and heels. I also hope that they will tone down their criticism.

This is one of the only reality shows I can stomach. Unlike many reality shows that are completely gratuitous and basically smutty, this show has excellent results. I feel the hosts, Clinton Kelly and Stacy London, are fantastic. Though some of the things they say about the contestant's clothes are very critical (and often hilarious), they never denigrate the person's body or personality. They are there to help the person and almost every person who appears on the show is amazed at how good he or she looks at the end of the experience. Some complain that the show forces people into some "cookie cutter" style that reduces creativity and expression. However, that is hardly the case. Clinton and Stacy go out of their way to find clothes that fit the person's individual shape, size, and wardrobe needs. In addition, many of the contestants do need a makeover in a sense they are not dressing in a way that is appropriate for their professional lives. There is nothing wrong with helping someone look better and feel more comfortable in their own skin as well as help their career by giving them a more professional image. Long live What Not to Wear!

I was late to this party, but I'm glad I found it. Now I've been a fan for the past year and half or so. If you're leery of reality TV like me, don't be afraid to watch this show. It's not superficial or mindless. It's very constructive for the most part and you come to trust the expertise of the two hosts. The only down side is the hair stylist, he rarely makes contestants' hair look better, I don't think he "reads" his clients well or helps enhance their features. He's the only weak link of the show, the rest is great! Even if you think you're already a fashionista, I think you'll find it entertaining to see how these people get made over. And if you're a fashion misfit, this show can definitely help you in the educational department. Not perfect, but darn close, so I'm giving it a 9.

I have to agree with other comments that list this show as cruel and ridiculous. I've seen them dress people that live in Miami beach in the same wool clothes that someone in nyc would wear. They are not conscious of climate differences or different styles for different cities. They impose the nyc style on everyone that is forced into the show. I'm sure it's good drama, but how useful is a wool skirt in Miami on a 20 year old club kid? Fashion is not about what you wear to the office every day but utilizing a personal style and self expression. I'd love to remake their wardrobes and mock them. I'm so sick of her pointy toed shoes. It's absolutely ridiculous and suppose someone isn't working in a corporate clone setting, this makes their fashion rules silly and obsolete. I'd like to see an actual fashion designer and someone with a demographic and climatic sense dress these people. Palm Springs, Miami, LA, Charleston, SC would not be wearing nyc fashion. It makes no sense. Clinton isn't as rude as Stacy but these two twits are annoying and ridiculous. It makes me nuts to see the show.

The author of the another comment regarding this show failed to mention that the men and women feel much better about themselves after their makeovers. It is not all personal style. Some people get stuck in a rut or have no fashion sense and really do not know how bad they look. No one wants to look bad no matter what their personal style is. The stylists always try to take the "victims" own sensibilities into account while updating them. Some of the people only dress bad because they do not have the money to spend on clothes, and if that were me, I would welcome $5000 and a chance to shop in NY. I do think they went a little crazy on the pointy toed shoes last season which I hate regardless of trend, but all in all the show is fun, and educational for people who are unaware of what shapes, cuts, and fabrics flatter their figures.