What Not To Wear

One of my guilty pleasures is a television show on TLC entitled What Not to Wear. I'd like to say it is probably one of the dumbest shows on television today, because it is really kind of stupid. But so many others are worse, I don’t think it makes the top ten list. Has anyone watched Jersey Shore?

The premise is simple. Stacy London, a self appointed fashion diva, and Clinton Kelly, who used to work on a cruise ship, take nominations from the huddled masses for a person who needs a makeover. They show up at this poor soul’s job or at some other public place to “surprise” her. Of course, the What Not to Wear crew has been secretly taping the week's target beforehand to save for posterity all of this individual’s fashion misdeeds, and to humiliate her coast to coast on national television as she waddles about in over sized sweats and fairy wings.

The hook: the “frumpette du jour” gets a $5,000.00 shopping spree in New York City. In exchange, she has to relinquish all of her clothing to Stacy and Clinton, but only after she is forced to parade these rags in front of the "three way mirror" for all of America to see. She is then given a set of “rules” to follow in order to correct her fashion faux pas, and sent on her merry way. After a day of shopping on her own, the target is then "surprised" again by Stacey and Clinton, who then shop with her showing her what to wear, and what not to wear. Get it?

It sounds innocuous enough, but the conclusion one rapidly reaches after watching the show for several weeks is many of these redo’s have serious psychological problems. The way some of these folks dress is simply atrocious, and reflects a total lack of self esteem and plenty of self loathing. Several of the subjects are actually in tears as the camera follows them around trying to buy clothes that follow the rules. You wonder what these folks see when they look in the mirror; and you find out before the show is over. Their self perception is either wrong or non-existent.

Other problems may be rooted in money. Several of the participants shopped exclusively at thrift stores refusing to spend any money at all on clothing. These folks actually shake when they begin to make their purchases and have to pay $200.00 for a sweater. Others are just plain lazy. It takes and effort to fix yourself up in the morning, and they just want to be free and comfortable.

The final component of the show is hair and makeup, with show stylists providing the magic. To a person, almost 100% of these folks have not been to a hairdresser in years, and the vast majority has long stringy hair that is clinged to like a baby’s teddy bear. These folks are nuts, and sometimes get nasty…really nasty.

At the end of the show, a new totally put together individual struts her stuff for the hosts and then for her friends and family. For the most part, many of the folks cross the line back to fashion normalcy and exhibit an understanding of the psychological problems that held them back from being presentable in public. Some of them go from ugly duckling to model quality. Others reach the point of acceptable, but for them, that’s enough. Some of the transformations are really amazing.

What’s sad about this show isn’t the participants, but how much it actually reflects what’s in America today. It takes a little bit of effort to look good, or at least not too bad. I call it the slobbing of America. If a woman (or guy for that matter) makes any effort at all to look good, and I mean dressing just beyond jeans and a t-shirt, she is often times met with a “who do you think you are” attitude. Trying to look good makes you either an elitist or a snob.

Let's face it. We all get in our grubbies from time to time. There are many modern activites that absolutely demand grubbies. But to make it a total lifestyle? People who do are doing themselves, and us, a disservice. And the guys shouldn't be left off the hook. How about taking off the baseball cap in a restaurant. When I was growing up, wearing hat inside was considered rude. I think that was good rule.

The participants on the television program reflect America today. Maybe America has a self esteem problem, or maybe America is lazy. But I think it is time for a redo, and to spruce up our attitude as well as our clothes. I wonder if there is a Stacey and Clinton who could push our country through it psychological angst, and teach it what not to wear?