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From “What Not to Wear” to “Wear Whatever the F You Want”: How Makeover Shows Are Evolving With the Times
Table of Contents
- From “What Not to Wear” to “Wear Whatever the F You Want”: How Makeover Shows Are Evolving With the Times
- From Judgment to joy: How Makeover Shows Are Evolving,According to Style Expert Vivienne Sterling
Remember the days of harsh fashion critiques and closet purges? The makeover show landscape is shifting, and it’s not just about looking good anymore. It’s about feeling good, too.
The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again?) of Judgmental Makeover TV
Shows like TLC’s “what Not to Wear,” starring Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, once reigned supreme. but what made these shows so popular, and why are they now considered relics of a bygone era?
The Allure of Taboo: Saying What Others Wouldn’t
According to culture writer Amil Niazi, the appeal of “What Not to Wear” lay in its hosts’ willingness to break social taboos. “We really get something out of other people saying the thing that is taboo,” Niazi explains. Stacy and Clinton dared to utter the “mean thing,” acting as avatars for our own suppressed judgments. They told a woman she was “too old to wear a short skirt and bobby socks,” a thought many might have had but would never voice.
Did you know? “What Not to Wear” premiered in 2003 and ran for ten seasons, becoming a cultural phenomenon and launching Stacy London and Clinton Kelly into household names.
Fashion Anxiety and the Early 2000s
Joan Summers, another culture writer, argues that the show reflected a growing anxiety in American media surrounding women’s appearances.As women gained more agency,conservative beliefs bubbled up,dictating how they should dress and behave. “No, you’re 40. You can’t do this.Time to put on the pencil skirt and the blazer from JCPenney,” Summers encapsulates the restrictive mindset of the time.
The early 2000s were a harsh time for women in the public eye. tabloids and blogs like Perez Hilton relentlessly scrutinized celebrities like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Lindsay Lohan, fueling a culture of body shaming and judgment.
“wear Whatever the F You Want”: A New Era of Style Transformation
Now, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly are back with a new show, “Wear Whatever the F You Want,” premiering on Amazon Prime.but this isn’t your mother’s makeover show. The duo is ditching the harsh critiques and embracing a more inclusive, empowering approach. [[1]]
Repenting for the Past: A Gentler, Kinder Approach
According to Niazi, “Wear Whatever the F You Want” is a “reboot that really pushes aside the meanness, pushes aside the judginess and says, ‘We want to repent for what we did to women, specifically, for all those years.'” The show now emphasizes personal style as an expression of individuality, encouraging participants to embrace their unique tastes. [[3]]
The shift reflects a broader cultural movement towards body positivity, self-acceptance, and challenging traditional beauty standards.think of brands like Aerie, which have gained popularity by showcasing unretouched images and promoting inclusivity. Or the rise of influencers who champion body diversity and challenge the “perfect” image often portrayed on social media.
The Challenge of Change: Can Stacy and Clinton Truly Let Go?
Despite their best intentions, Niazi suggests that Stacy and Clinton may still struggle to suppress their judgmental instincts. “I still hear in their voices how hard it is for them to do that because it doesn’t come naturally to stacy and Clinton,” she observes. This raises an engaging question: can individuals truly shed ingrained biases, even when consciously striving to do so?
Expert Tip: Authenticity is key. Viewers can spot insincerity a mile away. For “Wear Whatever the F You Want” to succeed, Stacy and Clinton need to genuinely embrace their new beliefs, not just pay lip service to it.
The Future of Makeover Shows: What’s Next?
So, what does the future hold for makeover shows? Will the kinder, gentler approach of “Wear Whatever the F You Want” resonate with audiences? Or will viewers crave the snark and drama of the past? Here are a few possible trends to watch for:
Increased Focus on Mental Health and Self-Esteem
The next generation of makeover shows may prioritize mental health and self-esteem over purely aesthetic transformations. rather of simply changing someone’s clothes, shows could focus on helping individuals develop a positive body image, build confidence, and overcome insecurities. This could involve incorporating therapy sessions, mindfulness exercises, or workshops on self-compassion.
Consider the success of shows like “Queer Eye,” which, while offering style advice, also delves into the emotional lives of its subjects, fostering genuine connections and promoting self-acceptance.
Hyper-Personalization and AI-Powered Style Advice
Imagine a makeover show that uses AI to analyze a participant’s personality, lifestyle, and body type to create a truly personalized style plan.AI could also provide real-time feedback on clothing choices, suggest outfits based on weather conditions, and even curate a virtual wardrobe. This level of hyper-personalization could revolutionize the makeover experience, making it more efficient, effective, and tailored to individual needs.
Companies like Stitch Fix are already using algorithms to provide personalized styling recommendations.It’s only a matter of time before this technology makes its way to television.
Future makeover shows could extend beyond individual transformations to focus on community-based projects with a social impact. Such as, a show could help a group of unemployed individuals develop professional wardrobes and interview skills, or transform a community center into a stylish and functional space. This approach would not only provide entertainment but also contribute to positive social change.
Think of shows like “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” which, while focused on home renovations, also highlighted the importance of community and giving back.
The Rise of the “Un-Makeover” Show
Perhaps the ultimate evolution of the makeover show is the “un-makeover” show, which celebrates individuality and encourages people to embrace their natural selves. Instead of trying to conform to societal beauty standards, participants would learn to love their unique features, develop their personal style,
From Judgment to joy: How Makeover Shows Are Evolving,According to Style Expert Vivienne Sterling
Makeover shows have undergone a dramatic transformation. From the harsh critiques of “What Not to Wear” to the body-positive message of “Wear Whatever the F You Want,” the industry is clearly shifting.We sat down with Vivienne Sterling,a renowned style consultant and image expert,to delve into this evolution and what it means for viewers and the future of fashion television.
Time.News: vivienne, thanks for joining us. Shows like “What Not to Wear” were a cultural phenomenon, but now seem dated. What fueled their initial popularity, and why the shift away from that format?
Vivienne Sterling: It’s a pleasure to be here. “What Not to Wear” capitalized on a societal captivation with judgment. As the article highlights, the hosts voiced unspoken criticisms, acting as a release valve for our own insecurities. Ther was a perverse enjoyment in seeing someone told they were “too old” for a certain style. Though, that approach hinged on a very narrow definition of “good” style, which is increasingly rejected today.
Time.News: The article mentions a growing “fashion anxiety” in the early 2000s. Can you expand on that?
Vivienne Sterling: Absolutely. Together to women gaining agency, there was a growing pressure to conform. The media relentlessly scrutinized female celebrities, creating a culture of body shaming and impossibly high standards. Shows like “What Not to Wear” reflected and reinforced this anxiety, inadvertently contributing to the problem. So it makes perfect sense that new makeover shows are emerging as a kind of apologetic effort.
Time.News: Stacy London and Clinton Kelly are back with “Wear Whatever the F you Want,” seemingly a complete 180 from their previous show. Do you think they can pull it off? The article suggests it might not be easy for them.
Vivienne Sterling: That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Authenticity is key. Viewers are savvy. If Stacy and Clinton aren’t genuinely embracing a more inclusive approach, it will fall flat. It requires a deep unlearning of ingrained biases. It is indeed critically important for them to be open to new styles, not just what they perceive as fashionable.
Time.News: What do you see as the key characteristics of this new era of makeover shows?
Vivienne Sterling: Two primary trends are the focus on mental health/self-esteem and increased personal curation, or what you can call AI-powered style advice. “Queer eye” is a perfect example of a show that prioritizes emotional well-being alongside style transformations.Future shows will likely delve even deeper into the psychological aspects of self-image, potentially incorporating therapy or mindfulness practices.
Time.News: The article also mentions AI-powered style advice. How might that play out in a makeover show format?
Vivienne sterling: The possibilities are exciting. Imagine a show that uses AI to analyze a participant’s personality, lifestyle, and body type to create a truly bespoke style plan. AI coudl provide real-time feedback on clothing choices, suggest outfits based on weather conditions, and even curate a virtual wardrobe. This level of hyper-personalization would not only be efficient but also empowering, providing individuals with the tools to make informed style decisions.
Time.News: Any final thoughts on the future of “makeover” television?
Vivienne Sterling: I think we’ll see a move beyond individual transformations towards more community-focused initiatives. A show might help unemployed individuals develop professional wardrobes and interview skills, or transform a community center into a stylish and functional space.expect the rise of the “un-makeover” show – a festivity of one’s natural style. The focus will shift from conforming to embracing individuality and personal style. The most prosperous style transformations start within, so I’m optimistic about the future!
