What Not to Wear TV Show

What Not to Wear is a fashion makeover show that originally aired in Britain, and now is also a U.S.-based series as well. In the U.S. version, the hosts of the show are Stacey London and Clinton Kelly. After choosing their subject from write-ins by fans, the show follows the “victim” for two weeks, often filming them in fashion disaster outfits with the help of their friends and family. After the hosts announce to the show’s subject that they are going to do a makeover, and get their approval of the process, they go through the subject’s closet. Unacceptable styles are thrown out, and then they all go on a five thousand dollar shopping spree in New York for a new wardrobe. Stacey and Clinton retain a large voice in the new clothes, while the subject picks out and models clothes based on the pairs’ advice. The subject also receives a hair style makeover, as well as a professional make-up job and tips (if female). In the end, the subject comes out in their new look before their gathered friends and family to bask in their applause.

The show does cater to a particular look, and Stacey and Clinton have a recognizable preference for a particular fashion sense. The show fails for those that may truly prefer a quirkier, more individual sense of style, and instead provides a mainstreaming influence for those few victims who were hoping to opt out of the herd in their view. Much of the time, however, the subjects on What Not to Wear do appear grateful after the fact, if embarrassed at first, because they may have felt oblivious to how to dress fashionably.