What Not to Wear

Whenever I spend time at my friend Stacy's house, we end up watching "What Not to Wear." Naturally, we constantly comment on the show, and are taken aback by a blunt comment from Stacy London (such as "You are the worst dressed person in the world."), or critiquing a dubious haircut given to a contributor. Mostly, we are impressed with the advice given by Stacy and Clinton Kelly, and we usually learn something.

I agree with Robert Lloyd, television critic of the LA Times, who wrote, "'What Not to Wear' works because it helps its subjects gain a new look and a new outlook." Reading this article reminded me why my Wardrobe Wisdom work involves a lot more than just shopping and dressing people. Kelly says it best: "This [What Not to Wear] wasn't just about wearing a pair of dark-washed jeans; it's about having the confidence to achieve your goals. I really believe that if you spend your life in elastic waistbands and hoodies and cross trainers worn as casual footwear you're not telling the world you're important, you're not telling the world you're paying attention; you're saying ignore me."

Many women I have worked with have spent years dressing to be ignored; I try to coax them out of this dressing mentality, encouraging them to pay attention to how they feel and look in certain things. Wardrobe Wisdom also teaches them how clothing can help them feel better when it fits them properly and works for their lifestyle. Focusing on images in magazines and on TV, images of women that are the result of stylists, personal trainers, lighting, makeup artists, etc. is a downer for all women. Instead, like "What Not to Wear" I encourage my clients to think deeply how "by changing your clothes, you can change yourself."