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What Not to Watch

Makeover shows like “What Not to Wear” teach women to listen to their inner demons

By Lakshmi Chaudhry

Everyone knows fashion is pain, but on television it also involves a generous dose of emotional abuse. Not content with tormenting women with double-zero-sized clothing, arthritis-inducing stilettos, and the self-inflicted wedgie that is the thong, fashion experts have found a way to increase the level of violence: The makeover show. On cable, shows that transform the average ugly duckling into… return to article

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    Page 1 of 1 pages

    Wel, this article’s title is right on the button (too coin a phrase) and I’m sure it will be an easy bit of advice for me to follow.

    Once again, however, I am struck by the claim of “victimization.”

    The opening:

    “Everyone knows fashion is pain, but on television it also involves a generous dose of emotional abuse. Not content with tormenting women with double-zero-sized clothing, arthritis-inducing stilettos, and the self-inflicted wedgie that is the thong, fashion experts have found a way to increase the level of violence: The makeover show.”

    It’s “The Yellow Peril” all over again!  Wake up folks — they don’t have to do this!  Don’t gives us the same old sob story of how they “need the money.” It doesn’t wash for the CEOs who are selling us out and it doesn’t excuse these people.  Prostitutes of any product or service give this same reason.

    Stand up for yourselves! Tell the boss, director, designer or whoever to go to hell.

    Life is short — do something with yours.

    United States Posted by whattheheck on Jul 6, 2006 at 9:16 AM

    Great article.

    I’ve been complaining about the American version of “What Not To Wear” for years.  The main problem that I have with it is the way they act like it is such a shocking and terrible crime for anyone to dress in a way that does not conform to what they consider to be stylish.  Without fail, they take uniqe, often interesting looking people, and ridicule them until they give up their identity and give in to materialism and consumerism.

    United States Posted by josesanders on Jul 14, 2006 at 9:44 AM

    When men dress badly, it’s because they’re clueless, lazy or just plain incompetent.

    Ole frog wears denim and workboots all year , except over 30°, cos he’s always working on and off, or off and on.

    Has a 30yr old suit for funerals and weddins, timeless cut. 

    Veblen and Vance Packard said it all. Planned obsolescence pushes profits through sheepled people.

    Germany Posted by frog on Jul 18, 2006 at 4:52 AM

    I completely disagree with this analysis of the show. The show is not about humiliating women. On the contrary, it’s about showing women howthey can find clothes that fit them well in order to help them look their best. If you think appearances don’t matter then I’m sorry but you’re living in a world of make believe.  Many women don’t know they are dressing inappropriatley! By inappropriate they mean the girl who shows up at a job interview wearing club gear or the tiny woman wearing clothes three times her size. The teasing just adds some humor to the show. At least that how I feel about it. Many past participants I felt were uplifted by the process. Many have nominated themselves. The show offers sound advice to women who are often too busy to learn how to look their best.
    What is so wrong with that? I never found it to be about money either. The show never says you have to spend a lot to look nice but encourages you to invest in some high quality pieces rather than tons of cheap garments that just don’t last. Maybe I’m dense but I really didn’t notice a huge difference between the treatment of the male and female contestants. Where is this coming from? This is a lighthearted show and I feel an analysis such as this is really over the top. A little blown out of proportion.

    Just my two cents.

    Oh and by the way--I wonder if the author *really* watched the show or just fast forwarded through it. The host’s name is Stacy London. Not Jessica.

    United States Posted by llbrown on Oct 24, 2006 at 2:42 PM
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