I’m not sure what it is with the local automotive shops, but it seems that every time I’m in the waiting room of one the tv is showing Ambush Makeover. I have no problem with one friend giving a make over to another as a surprise and appreciated gift. But the whole idea that the fashion divas will walk up to a person on the street, criticize them, and then remake them is offensive to me. I feel the same way about popular magazines Best Dressed and Worst Dressed lists. I can’t always tell which pictures represent “Best” and which “Worst” without looking at the captions.
I am not a fashionable person. My primary consideration when choosing clothes for the day is “what will I be doing?” Most days I’m at home with the kids and my clothing is chosen for comfort. I do not change clothes if I have to make a quick trip to the store. This would probably put me into a category labelled “frumpy.” Many of my clothes have stains on them which I can’t get out. I continue to wear them because I have no desire to replace all my clothes regularly. Besides I’ll probably be adding to the stains during the course of my average cooking, house cleaning, child rearing day. But I can dress up. I can be classy. I know I can because I’ve gotten compliments. Just because I don’t look classy today doesn’t mean I can’t look classy. Besides, I don’t care much to chase after every fashion trend. And I don’t think that everyone should have to do so or fear the judgement of fashion divas.
Do I want a makeover? No way. And I resent the idea that somehow being fashionable makes a person better.
Sigh your right on this.
I worked both as a costumer and in the industry (liz Clairborne) for 12 years and I am still amazed and appaled at how much importance some people give this.
There is something wonderful about being well dressed, and I wish I looked at least pullled together all the time but really I have a life. And I dont even have kids.
Though if I did go out in what I wander around the house in they might put me away, one day it may be a floor length tafata skirt and a ramones tshirt, the next uggs, underpants and a velvet bath robe, later sweats and an old but comphy chashmire sweater. ok and bunny ears or a tiara, or both.
but the idea that someone who knows me would sic a tv show on me for my weird/frumpiness would make me howel.
No It would make me punch them in the head, and runn after the camara crew in high heels, camo pants, a leather vest, and a flame thrower now I would like to see a diva comment on that.
Ash
I resent the idea that somehow being fashionable makes a person better.
Well, the problem is, if the fashionistas didn’t manage to keep enough people drinking that particular Kool-Aid, they’d be out of a job. And they know it.
“but the idea that someone who knows me would sic a tv show on me for my weird/frumpiness would make me howel.”
I hear you on that one. There was this one segment where a wife set up her husband to be ambushed. I could tell he was not pleased. He played along because he was cornered and on tape. He even let them shave his beard and seemed impressed with the end result. But that does not change the fact that his wife told him on national television that he was hairy and she hated the way he chose to dress. How could that possibly not be hurtful?
eep sounds horrid
its one thing if its the “send in a letter and if we choose you your madeover” vs the “your messed up and we know best”
My Sweetie has hair that is gray hair that is very allmost brush cut short up front and down to his waist in back “but its not a mullet” Now its not my cuppa when he just lets it get wild but the idea that I would embarass him in public much less on tv is so far out there.
On the other hand you can allways not sign the relase.
Ash
Amen, sista’
So…out walking the dogs in the early morning, wearing long johns, boots and the wife’s bathrobe (full length (she’s 5’10”, terry cotton-weighs 20lbs) would be bad? I mean, it’s 5:30am, 4 degrees outside and the dogs are whining. Oooh, forgot the hat hair (night cap came off while sleeping and I look like a junior Einstein). Heh, I live in the country and, if I’m not at work, there’s work to do around the house.
Wife’s the same way. She looks nice when she gets ‘dolled up’ for a job interview but she’s a geek girl and much prefers to spend time actually doing real stuff as opposed to messing with herself. One of the reasons I married her.
Trying to be in the current fashion all the time is like Sisyphus rolling that rock up the hill over and over. By the time you’ve got all the “must-haves” and accomplished the look of the season, it’s all changed anyway. Exhausting, expensive, and futile. Even supermodels run to the market in sweats with no makeup on!
I worked both as a costumer and in the industry (liz Clairborne) for 12 years
Oooooooooooh. So you do know about picking clothes that flatter the person and how to draft a pattern! (Why does flatter mean to compliment? I just struck me what that says about the English language.)
I adore Liz Clairborne. All of my clothing from that label has lasted at least 10 years without showing any wear and they look good on me. My navy blue suede/flocked/? shirt is beginning to lose some of its flock though and I’m not sure if I can replace the shirt.
While I think that some fashionistas are out there to keep everyone addicted to fashion for their financial gain, I also think that some fashionistas honestly believe that having the right handbag is of critical importance.
How good of a mother can you be with $500. jeans and a $100. shirt on?
You would NOT want baby vomit on a $100. shirt, you would not want to crawl around in a sand box with $500. jeans on…
Can you imagine what you could do FOR your kids/family if you had that $600. instead of spending it on one outfit? Where’s the priority?
I also think it’s crazy for people to buy expensive jeans that already look like you’ve had them for years… what’s up with that?
I sometimes watch What Not to Wear, and I can see how dressing differently can make a person look better… however, I bet you could find those clothes they buy for a better price… or take the principles of dressing better and make it work for you without needing $5,000. for a new wardrobe.
I’m happy with my casual Mommy look. 🙂
I have to look fairly well “put-together” at work, since my AD became a Director and thus we’re slightly more “high-profile” than we used to be. Sloppiness here is.. well, it’s not career suicide, but it certainly doesn’t give the best impression.
However, I try to focus on classic pieces that have a little wiggle room for variations in weight, and that will look good in and out of trends. I do this out of sheer practicality, as well as personal style choice. I have a small child and a home, etc… why on earth would I waste my money on something I won’t want to wear next year? blech.
As for the television shows, most of the “reality tv” shows seem to be about thinly veiled cruelty. The British version of “What Not To Wear” seems to be less so; rather than “you’re stupid for wearing that disgusting shirt” they’re more “hey, you’ve got great legs, did you know that? Let’s play them as a feature!” They also seem to do a better job of putting together fashionable outfits that actually fit the lifestyle of the person they’re “making over.”
I’ve seen some of these shows where the person is extremely active, teaching aerobics or working with kids all day, and they offer them four-inch heels… riiiiight, I have a large picture of that.
I guess what I’m saying is… uhm.. I agree. yeah! heh