I am a total fucking party girl, so Friday nights usually find me on the couch with the Dude. Especially since we got cable for the first time in my adult life.
Last Friday, we were ended up watching a mini-marathon of What Not to Wear. What can I say, it is the black hole of cable television: I could not resist its pull.
Fortified by a bottle of wine, we tried to identify what Stacy and Clinton would change about our wardrobes. Him: no more baggy cardigans and lose the repeatedly patched jeans; Me: quit it with the t-and-jeans uniform already, you’re in your 30s, for godssake, and would it kill you to wear heels once in a while? This then begat questions about what each of us would change about the other. I said please get rid of that hideous green hoodie, and maybe wear more ties; he said I should try to do more with accessories. (Yes, he really said that, because I wear one necklace I bought in Ireland 9 years ago and change my earrings maybe twice a year, even though people keep giving me jewelry as gifts).
So we worked our way through our low-brow Trebbiano D’Abruzzo and a few episodes, eventually coming to at least mildly regret both.I have, in the past, mentioned my push-me-pull-you relationship with some TV shows, like So You Think You Can Dance, but WNTW seems to be on a different plane. The problem with SYTYCD is mostly Nigel Lythgoe, not the concept of the show itself. WNTW, on the other hand, is built around the premise that women (have they ever had men on, other than in the opening credits?) who don’t hew to a particular image are both mockable and in desperate need of help.
Now, there are things I like about the show. Stacey and Clinton unfailingly encourage people to wear clothes that fit their bodies as they are now; they endeavor to convince every woman that she is beautiful, and that her problems lie with her clothes, not her figure; and most of the time, the…victim? guest? star? seems be pleased by the results.
There are also frequent, clever, non-nasty zingers, which go well with cheap Italian wine.
But. (Ohhhh, Simone, do I have a big but.)
They repeatedly talk about “fit,” but even more often hammer home the message that women should dress to match a single silhouette based on a pretty unobtainable body type: the hourglass. “Nip in the waist! Don’t draw attention to your thighs! Make yourself look smaller! Yes, yes, your body is fine! Now let’s just cover up the parts we all agree are horrible.”
The first half of the show is just generally awful: the ambush, the public shaming, the private shaming, the catty remarks about women’s tastes and choices. There is never any mention that what might keep people from dressing “their best” is their economic status; in fact, the entire show (although really, it’s on TLC, what can I expect?) revolves around a world of straight-white-able-upwardly-mobile-gender-conformist-urbanity, where $5000 is an appropriate amount to spend on a few days of shopping.
The latter half is slightly less offensive, although that’s damning with faint praise. (And Carmindy is the lyingest liar in the History of Ever). The show insists that how you look has a one-to-one relationship to how you feel and/or who you are. My old t-shirts mean “I don’t love myself.” My lack of make-up means that I’m emotionally hiding from others. But fortunately, they have a pre-loaded debit card and some tough love. Can true happiness be far behind?
As someone who has dealt with a bit-o-depression, I know that feeling low can mean you quit caring for your physical self, but the answer–to the extent that there is one–is more likely to be found in SSRIs than LVMH.
It’s not that I think Stacy and Clinton don’t know what they’re talking about–certainly, just about everyone looks better in a pair of trousers than ratty old sweatpants–but the foundational idea, “please judge books by their covers while we help you replace your dust jacket,” encourages the sort of ideology and behavior I have to reject on feminist grounds.
And, in the spirit of “the food was awful–and there was so little of it!”, the Dude astutely observed that this show is the equivalent of the mousy girl in a movie being miraculously transformed into a hottie when she loses the ponytail and glasses.
I don’t think it’s the worst show out there in terms of rubbing our noses in body image propaganda(and there’s such a wide variety of shows that fit that description).
But the first half of the “What Not To Wear” just kills it for me. I would be weeping with humiliation if my friends staged an intervention on national television to tell me that I look like shit (Note to friends: DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. I WILL CUT YOU.)
My beloved gay uncle, Tim Gunn, had a one-season show–I think it was on Bravo–where he did makeovers and he was so gentle and positive; he was basically a fashionista Mr. Rogers. It was great.
Ok. I went through a period were a friend and I would watch this show CONSTANTLY. I agree with all your criticisms and eventually we got bored because all the “styles” they selected never seemed to change.
HOWEVER! based on my past extensive WNTW viewing experience they do have men on at least a handful every season (although I haven’t watched in a while so this may no longer be the case). One hilarious episode, the dude in question headed straight to Old Navy to buy like 100 bucks worth of underwear and socks because, “they threw all my clothes away!” It was pretty funny.
I generally think they do a good job (in relation to other similar shows) about body image in that they encourage women to buy clothes for the body they have now, not the body they want to have in a year or the body they used to have. I always thought that was positive. Although you’re right about their advice to dress to hide “flaws.”
I was MOST annoyed with Nick and the same damn soccer mom haircut he’d give every single woman. So sexless, like you’re X age now, look like a suburban mom, even if you aren’t!
In closing, I got my two kitties during this time bro and sis and named them Stacey and Clinton. It was funny cause Stacey was smaller with a black head and Clinton (RIP undiagnosed heart condition, typical in Maine Coons fyi, I’m still getting over it)was big with an orange head.
end novel.
See Becky I didn’t like the Tim Gunn show as much, not because of his persona, which was awesome as per usual but because I felt the clothing he selected was not very realistic outside of a NYC bubble. But this was based on watching it 2 times at most so grain of salt.
@bluebears: Did Stacey have a white streak on her head?
Full disclosure: My college roommate, who is still a close friend, went on WNTW with her husband. They did a couples makeover. It was pretty entertaining, I must say. My friend, who hates heels as much as I do, absolutely rebelled when the producers kept trying to get her to cram her feet into the pointy stilettos that Stacey had picked out. My friend told them “these things will fuck up my back!” and the producer said, “That’s what chiropractors are for.”
“the dude in question headed straight to Old Navy to buy like 100 bucks worth of underwear and socks because, ‘they threw all my clothes away!’”
Totally. Although I really can’t imagine that they take EVERYTHING in one’s wardrobe, I still blench at the waste. And people are all het up about H&M these days…
“the producer said, ‘That’s what chiropractors are for.’”
Can you hear my shrieks of horror from your office?
@Becky: Yes she does
PhD: Yeah actually my friend and I would FANTASIZE about getting 5k to build a wardrobe. But we would always say, but I wouldn’t want to throw everything away either…
I love WNTW, though I have the same problems you do with the show. What bothered me about last week’s episode was that the intro made it seem like they’d be making over a 300 lb woman. Finally! I thought. But the woman they featured used to be 300 lbs. She lost 100-something lbs and “doesn’t know how to dress her new body.” It’s understandable, but I thought I’d be getting something new and different.
@PhDork: Yep, loud and clear. You know how I feel about high heels, so you can imagine how I foamed at the mouth when she repeated that story.
Agreed on WNTW once being a guilty pleasure whilst visiting friends with Tivo and cable, but gradually becoming boring. My biggest issue is that they make the victims spend $5k on a wardrobe of one season’s worth of New York clothes. What does the woman from a different climate (or even similar climates) do the rest of the year? Not to mention the women who have jobs different than the nonspecific media job outfits they always push. Also, who has that much time to put on makeup every morning? Or the money to maintain the soccer mom haircuts? I always felt bad for the woman who were way outside of their economic comfort zones. Yet I still watched….and would probably watch again, if the opportunity arises.
@sarahmc: you should do a post about Say Yes to the Dress. PhD, did you guys happen to catch that one?
I had a coworker who constantly threatened to call WNTW on me to get me to stop wearing huge bulky sweaters that downplayed my huge boobs. Because if you’re a woman in America graced with big breasts, it’s your duty to show them off with V-necks. Because I need more street harassment in my life.
I agree with everyone that there are benefits to saying “This skirt minimizes your hips.” instead of “Get to a gym and get rid of those hips!” but the idea that we all have to look the same to look good bothers me. I can save curve-hugging sexy and hot for special dates with my husband. I’m totally ok with just being girl-next-door modest and cute when I’m at work.
They used to have men in the older seasons, but they stopped. I’m guessing it was a ratings issue.
The thing that bothers me the most is the public shaming in the first half, especially when they ambush people and you can see that they just want to hole up and cry. Also, YES to Nick’s soccer mom hair cuts.
It kind of reminds me of Biggest Loser: The “look at the freaks/public shaming” aspect coupled with redemption/transformation that alleviates any guilt or responsibility on the part of the viewer.
@ Bluebears: Nooo…I have a Maine Coon from the local animal shelter! After reading that, I immediately called my vet to schedule a exam–Sophie(a.k.a Madame Puffypants) cannot die! No more cheese for her!
And yes, I agree with all of the above about WNTW….except I did see one episode where they showed a young woman how to dress for the office, and not as if she was heading to the clubs. I think they did her a world of good.
@ bluebears: And I’m so sorry that your fluffy puff monster passed…
@Ms.Pinot: thanks, it’s silly but it was so awful. He was so young and totally healthy in all other respects. You should def. go to your vet because I believe there is some sort of medicine they can go on if they’re susceptible. I wish I knew (he was only part MC and I got him from a shelter so I wasn’t really informed and my vet never mentioned anything, fuckers)
Sorry to go OT harpies.
Please, yes, do a post on Say Yes to the Dress. I got sucked in on Saturday night until well past my bedtime. I yelled at the tv, alot. Wedding Industrial Complex blah blah blah. I wish I knew why I couldn’t turn the damn thing off. And they sure have some stereotypical Long Island/New Jersey brides to be on there. Yikes.
Thanks, Sarah MC, for saying this:
I love WNTW, though I have the same problems you do with the show.
I really can’t disagree with anything in PhDork’s post – is there ANYONE S & C don’t put in a ‘structured jacket’? – but I find myself watching from time to time, and usually feel guilty about it. It is indeed the Black Hole of Cable Television.
I agree with Becky Sharper, too – getting nominated for WNTW is my worst nightmare.
My dream episode, though, would be getting to watch Nick cut Carmindy’s ratty hair. And then he could take his scissors and give Stacey a style she wouldn’t have to constantly push out of her eyes with her pinky fingers.
I hate the American WNTW show because they make everyone look the same, happy little conformist drones.
Bleah.
The original British show, however, was freaking awesome. Trini and the other woman were less nasty and shaming in the intro (that I remember) and they let people look at least a little like individuals instead of like soldiers in the soccer mom army.
I’d always felt torn about this show for many of the reasons that you articulated, PhDork. The initial public shaming and the hosts’ catty comments always made me cringe. But the thing that finally turned me off for good was an episode I saw where they were talking to the made-over lady’s brother or husband (can’t recall) after the big reveal, and the guy said something akin to: “So-and-so has always been the life of the party because of her personality and great sense of humor, but now she’ll finally get to be the center of attention because of how she looks.” My perception was that this was a heartfelt comment, not one sarcastically meant to decry the idea of being noticed for your looks rather than for less superficial attributes. Ugh.
First, I really do hate the opening ambush on the American show, Nick ruins a lot of hair, many of the clothes choices are uninteresting, and I can’t ever figure out what Carmindy’s done- it goes by too fast with out any instruction.
But… The British WNTW with Trinny & Susanna totally changed my life! I mean it.
I used to dress how I can only describe as near-Islamic. Long baggy dark sack-like dresses at work and XL men’s shirts outside of work. Stuff to hide behind. And I’m attractive, tall, and thin. !? I couldn’t shop for clothes because I couldn’t “see” them when I went shopping. I thought I couldn’t wear anything. I thought all the styles and fits were all for everyone else but me. I see this same myopia in most of the ‘contestants’. I think, underneath it all, I was subtly ashamed of my body for years and years or at least thought I didn’t measure up to the ideal. Anyway, one night, watching T&S on WNTW, out of the blue some clothes fairy seemed to tap me on the shoulder and say, what if for work you wore a regular skirt that had some color in it? I went out and bought one, wore it, and didn’t die. My eyes were opened like some religious conversion! I realized I could wear fitted things that I thought I couldn’t or didn’t belong on me. I started buying completely different clothes and enjoying it and I look fabulous and feel great in them, and it’s just for me. It’s like by wearing interesting, attractive clothes that fit I’ve become un-ashamed of my body. It’s almost hilarious, but I am, unabashedly, forever grateful to the BBC’s WNTW!
I like the British version of this (although your criticisms apply there too). I haven’t seen much of the American one, but I didn’t like it as much – I found the presenters slightly less likeable – but I think that’s probably more because I knew the other one first. It’s definitely not perfect, but the ‘dress for your shape’ message is much better than a lot of stuff out there.
Becky: I can’t believe they said that to her! On a side-note, thanks to your rant against high heels I feel much more confident in my own rejection of them (or use of them only for special occasions). I just can’t enjoy a night out if my feet are killing me the whole time.
Excuse the incoherence of that comment, it’s late here.
I’ll add (echoing Pilker) that I don’t remember this ambush y’all are talking about – I think that must be an American addition to the format? What happens, exactly? (I really can’t remember the American show too well…)
@Endora Yes, the ambush is part of the American show, because apparently we just can’t be happy unless someone’s being humiliated on television (preferably a woman).
I at one time informed my husband and best friend that if they EVER nominated me for shit like that their deaths would be slow and painful.
I actually used to beg a co-worker to nominate me for WNTW so I could get the $5k and much-needed shopping assistance (I HATE clothes shopping). But you are right about the problems with the show – in fact, the last time I watched it my husband turned to me and said, “I’m surprised at you – this show isn’t very feminist, maybe even anti-feminist. Why aren’t you screaming at the TV?”
Good idea re: Say Yes to the Dress. I love and hate that show. Stay tuned.
@La Chica Lucy–Another grad student and I had that same deal for a while, but didn’t get around to it.
@Everyone–I was watching with my mom over the holidays and Nick wasn’t on! Mom said he’s out. Whew!
@ Endora: The ambush takes place after a week or two of secret filming of the nominee/victim. Then there’s usually some sort of meeting (staged by family or co-workers, usually) wherein the subject thinks it’s something legit, but really it’s for the sole purpose of S & C to jump out, introduce themselves, and shame the person in question about what they wearing. They all then (co-workers and family included) retreat to a “private” room to watch the footage that has been filmed over the past two weeks. After that, they usually give the nominee/victim a camera to talk about what they were thinking when all this was going on, and here, most of them cry. Or they let the nominee rant to a camera after all their clothing has been thrown out. Then they cry 99% of the time. It’s generally really icky.
As an aside, I have a friend who says that if there was one person he could push over a cliff, it would be Stacy London. And also, if Stacy was ever to shake hands with Tina Fey, there would be some kind of antimatter explosion, on account of his hatred for Stacy and his adoration of Tina
I read this, thought nothing, ex’ed away, and then came back, because it actually is quite irritating to have the light bulb go on and think, “Oh yeah, it IS bad, isn’t it?” Normally I just brush it off as conformist garbage, but, uh, isn’t that the issue? But it is so subtle, it’s so much easier to find fault in other, louder problems. So while I’ve been grouching about pop culture shows that generally eat away at people’s self image, perhaps it is subtle things like WNTW that, under the guise of helping people but really berating them, I still feel inadequate. WTH?
“The ‘look at the freaks/public shaming’ aspect coupled with redemption/transformation that alleviates any guilt or responsibility on the part of the viewer.”
That’s exactly it, rainy_day. You get to have your bitchy hey-day, tearing down another woman, but then end up rooting for her (pasted on, mostly-likely-unsustainable) “new look.” Everyone wins!
I’ve seen eps of the BBC’s WNTW on international flights, and there does seem to be something different about how T & S approach it–maybe it’s the way they trot out their own flaws as humor? (Not that crowing “I have no tits!” means everything else is A-OK). I remember thinking they were really grabby-handsy with the guests.
SMC, you’re going to have to take Say Yes…I’ve seen approximately 10 minutes of one episode, and it sent my Misanthropometer into the red.
SarahMC: I once went to Kleinfeld’s, where “Say Yes To The Dress” is set, with a close friend who was getting married. I was a bridesmaid, so it was my duty. Not only did I nearly get snow-blindness from all that white satin and sequins, I wanted to run out screaming after about 15 minutes of their hard sell. That place is the Death Star of the Wedding Industrial Complex.
Yes, WNTW is addicting yet after I watch it I wonder why I did. I don’t think I’d mind throwing out most of my clothes if I got $5000 if I felt I got enough out of it. The things they buy can be so expensive that $5000 doesn’t seem like it’d even go that far.
[off topic]
@Ms Pinot – I had a cat that was 1/2 Maine Coon who lived to 24 before we finally had to put him down. Hopefully yours will, too.
@bluebears – so sorry to hear about the loss of yours.
[/off topic]
Love and hate WNTW too. I really used S&C’s advice, but then, I can both afford it, and I’ve got the kind of body they work with in general. They don’t do less common body-types.
Also, the lack of guys on the show! Ugh! I hate that 90% (if even that) of the victims are women.
I like that the shows usually end on a positive note, and that they do give the victim $5k to use. But man… do they REALLY have to shop in New York, where everything is so expensive? I bought myself a new work wardrobe for less than $500 once… $5k seems a bit much for what little they get…
(Most of the discarded clothing goes to charity, actually.)
another vote for a Say Yes the Dress post. I’ve gotten sucked into that one and never cease being floored over people blithely plucking down thousands of dollars for a dress like it’s nothing.
@PhDork: If it makes you feel any better… I’m 90 percent sure that they actually donate the clothes – they aren’t actually thrown away.
I guess I’m glad it goes to charity, although that pretty much underscores their really classist/regionalist message. “Mom Jeans” and kitten sweatshirts are good enough for those tacky, Wal-Mart-shoppin’ poor folks.
I’m 39, wear primarily jeans, t’s, and sneakers and only wear makeup when the right stars align. WNTW can bite my fat ass. It’s not because I don’t love myself, it’s because it’s comfortable, inexpensive, durable, and practical.
I have so much to say about this…for now, I’ll say this.
Who exactly is allowed to wear a miniskirt? Whenever a woman over the age of 18 is dressed provocatively, she is told she is dressed too young for her age. So I guess 14 year olds are the ones who should be wearing miniskirts and tube tops…
I prefer the british version. Trinny and Susan can be rather brash, but they actually call breasts breasts (or “tits”) rather than “the girls”, which makes me vom. They had an excellent episode where they helped a graduating medical student and a woman who was recently discharged from the army find clothes that would fit a professional atmosphere. They also don’t do the whole nip-in-your-waist-to-hide-your-thighs song and dance, they really do seem to recognize/address each woman’s size and shape. In their book, they also criticize people who become too luxury labels obsessed.