Sad little fashion nazis

[Troy McClure SF]

Nameless mouthbreather on whatever E/VH1 show about fashion: "OMG God; did you see what she was wearing? What was she thinking?!"

Please allow me to answer.

Not about your worthless, pompous, self-absorbed ass, that's for fucking sure, you pathetic parasite of society. "Oh, oh, a celebrity did something outrageous! They didn't wear a black suit! Let's climb twelve miles up our gold fucking pedestal and make fun of them on television!" That's what they're fucking there for, you sniveling little invertebrates! They're rich and famous because they do shit the rest of us can't do; that's the entire defi-fucking-nition of celebrity. So get the fuck off of my god damn screen, crawl back to your wretched, empty little life in your little hole under your bridge, take your sad, immature little opinions, and shut the FUCK up.

[D_Odds]

If that sort of thing bothers you, you should block E! and VH1 from your TV. The hosts and talking heads on all those shows are nobody-vultures, trying to get their 15 minutes sniping others. They're lamer than the ones they are sniping.

[Liberal]

The pathetically ironic thing about it is that many of the taunters are has-beens — failed and fallen former famous fops. Joan "Couldn't Get A Gig In Cleveland" Rivers comes to mind.

[tdn]

Even sadder is that I know people who go to weddings for the sole purpose of laughing at what other people are wearing.

Very strange hobby.

[gigi]

Your belt doesn't match your shoes, does it?




;)

[Miller]

Your belt doesn't match your shoes, does it?

No, they match: they're both paisley.

[tdn]

Your belt doesn't match your shoes, does it?
Scuffed, torn, and too small? They match.

[Kyla]

I'm not really sure exactly what you're talking about, JJ, but if Go Fug Yourself is wrong, I don't want to be right.

[scout1222]

Normally I think Troy is the bee's knees, but Kyla, I was secretly thinking the same thing.

[Troy McClure SF]

I don't have a big beef with friends making offhand comments or random people on the internet (hell, that's what they're for), but these cretins on TV making a career of it just strikes me as hopelessly skeevy and pathetic.

Even I think WTF sometimes, but as I said elsewhere,
...once I did that, I said, "Well, gotta respect 'em for having the balls to try something new," and moved on with my life. I didn't crawl into a little box and wrack my brain for some oh-so-clever put-down that would be sure to make me mess my pants when some self-masturbatory cable network gave me ten seconds of screen time.

And while I'm here, sorry about the double post, and thanks for cleaning it up, mods.

[look!ninjas]

I'm not really sure exactly what you're talking about, JJ, but if Go Fug Yourself is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Amen! Joan Rivers, however, is a step beyond a step too far. Particularly since she's walking around with a face that wouldn't look out of place in Kabuki.

[Kyla]

I don't have a big beef with friends making offhand comments or random people on the internet (hell, that's what they're for), but these cretins on TV making a career of it just strikes me as hopelessly skeevy and pathetic.


Are you talking about Joan Rivers? Because she's a waste of space. Beyond that, I'm unclear on the concept. Mocking celebrities with too much money and too little dress sense can be funny. I freaking live for the Fug Girls' Letters of Fug from Britney Spears.

[psycat90]

I'm agreeing with Kyla.

Joan Rivers, ick.

Jessica and Heather. LOVE.

Troy, you are just too cute when you're angry. But I hate what you're wearing. ;-)

[Troy McClure SF]

Are you talking about Joan Rivers?

Well, she is queen of the harpies, but I also mean these losers on "VH1's Twenty Worst Fashion Fo Paws" and shit like that. Who crowned these cheesedicks Lords Of All That Is Wearable?

[Kyla]

Come on JJ, if they didn't show that shit, they'd have to show videos or something. Who fucking cares? The Giants have the worst home record in the majors and you're whining about fucking fashion shows on VH1? Where are your priorities?

[The Scrivener]

Is this show any worse than TLC's "What Not to Wear," with its snide put-downs, emotional manipulation, wardrobe tossing, and debatable advice? (Which usually consists of imposing skin-revealing and form-fitting disposable pieces du jour on the subject, regardless of how resistant she is to wearing them.)

[andee]

As long as they don't directly confront the person with the horrible outfit, I don't see the harm in picking apart other people's wardrobe.

[mhendo]

The pathetically ironic thing about it is that many of the taunters are has-beens — failed and fallen former famous fops. Joan "Couldn't Get A Gig In Cleveland" Rivers comes to mind.And most of the rest are "never-have-beens-and-never-will-be"s.

[UrbanChic]

Who the fuck is JJ?

The guys from the mailroom and I go down to The Gallery (this mall attached to the office building in which I work) sit on a bench and comment on nearly everyone who walks by. We do this like twice a month. It's especiallly fun in the summer.

One day, we are SO going to get punched in the mouth.

I've never seen the show in question, but I used to catch reruns of Fashion Police when it was on E!. I can think of worse ways to kill an hour.

[TwistofFate]

I'm not a violent man, but the attitude that Trinny and Susanna on "what not to wear" espouse make me wish for some sort of freak yachting accident.

[scout1222]

JJ is the OP

Is that enough acronyms? :D

[Bosstone]

JJ is the OP

Is that enough acronyms? :D
AFAICS, JJ is the OP talking about the PHBs on E and VH1, two channels on TV, something that should have been figured out ASAP.

QED.

:D

[Troy McClure SF]

I dunno the name of the specific show I was being subjected to, but there are tons of 'em on E and VH1, plus segments on Access Hollywood and all that crap.

"JJ" comes from my user name prior to this one... me an' Kyla go way back. See the sig.

[phouka]

Even worse than What Not to Wear is a show I ran across titled, How Do I Look?. At least in WNtW, the victim can say "no, go to hell", though they rarely do. In the short bit I watched of HDIL, the mother and the best friend of a teenage girl ambushed her. There was no consent given. There was only the mother announcing that she was embarrassed by her daughter's habit of wearing sweats all the time. Then the host sent mom and "friend" upstairs to collect the girl's wardrobe for mockery, cutting up, and throwing out. Apparently, it wasn't enough that the girl had a 4.5 GPA and had never been in trouble. She had to be subjected to a skankified Stepford process so that other people could be happy.

I watched a couple of minutes, realized my blood pressure had gone through the roof and switched channels. Hateful, hateful people.

[EleventyOne]

As long as they don't directly confront the person with the horrible outfit, I don't see the harm in picking apart other people's wardrobe.
That's actually the point of What Not To Wear. Friends and family call WNTW for a "fashion intervention." They take undercover video of the victim and then yank them aside in public to confront them with their "mistakes." "Look at this! WTF were you thinking? You look awful! You have the fashion sense of a mentally disabled baboon! It's amazing anyone loves you when you dress this badly! On the streets of New York they'd spit on you as you walked by!" etc. etc.

Then they make the victim throw away all her favorite old clothes, no exceptions, including the T-shirt which was the last birthday present her father ever gave her right before he died of pancreatic cancer when she was 16. Then they go out shopping and buy a few outfits which either are outright ugly or are totally inappropriate for the victim's everyday use. In either case, they're a total departure from the kinds of clothes the victim is comfortable in. Then they wave goodbye and the victim heads to the Yellow Pages to find a hitman for whoever called the show in the first place.

It's seriously the most uncomfortable makeover show I've ever watched. I've seen it twice, hoping the first episode was a flukily mean one. It's not.

[msmith537]

Yeah I have to agree. This whole entertainment industry thing is some of the craziest shit ever. I can't believe there are people who literally make a living from mocking celebrities every personality or fashion quirk.

And I can't understand why people care so much. So Tom Cruise or Lindsy Lohan are successful actors. I like watching movies too, but I really don't care what the actors do once they are off screen. I can't blame them for being jerks to people. Imagine every time you left your house, some idiot came up to you and was like "wow, I really loved your latest marketing analysis!" or bothered you with "HEY!! You're Dave Richards from accounting!!" while you are eating with your wife. I'd probably tell them to go fuck themselves too!

[Kyla]

JJ (sorry, Troy McClureSF) and I are old pals. I know his real name, but I almost always call him JJ, even in person.

Sorry for the confusion.

I kinda like What Not to Wear. I've only seen it a few times, but I enjoy the trainwreck aspect. I was pissed when they made this girl throw away her Buffy t-shirts, though.

[Mal Adroit]

It's seriously the most uncomfortable makeover show I've ever watched. I've seen it twice, hoping the first episode was a flukily mean one. It's not.

Yeah, I'm with the "What Not to Wear Sucks" brigade on this one. That show rankles me much more than Joan Rivers et al.* making fun of celebrities' outfits, because a celebrity is more of an abstract entity, somehow. The isolation of fame prevents us, or at least lessens the possibility of, actually hurting a celebrity's feelings. Confronting real people, on the other hand, and making them feel retarded for questionable fashion choices is completely obnoxious to me when it isn't flat-out cruel.

*The Fug beetches deserve complete exemption from the conversation, imo. They could be professional comedy writers if they aren't already. :p

[Electrical Storm]

That's actually the point of What Not To Wear. Friends and family call WNTW for a "fashion intervention." They take undercover video of the victim and then yank them aside in public to confront them with their "mistakes." "Look at this! WTF were you thinking? You look awful! You have the fashion sense of a mentally disabled baboon! It's amazing anyone loves you when you dress this badly! On the streets of New York they'd spit on you as you walked by!" etc. etc.

Then they make the victim throw away all her favorite old clothes, no exceptions, including the T-shirt which was the last birthday present her father ever gave her right before he died of pancreatic cancer when she was 16. Then they go out shopping and buy a few outfits which either are outright ugly or are totally inappropriate for the victim's everyday use. In either case, they're a total departure from the kinds of clothes the victim is comfortable in. Then they wave goodbye and the victim heads to the Yellow Pages to find a hitman for whoever called the show in the first place.

It's seriously the most uncomfortable makeover show I've ever watched. I've seen it twice, hoping the first episode was a flukily mean one. It's not.



I was thinking the same thing. I saw a characteristically mean episode of one of these craptacular shows (on TLC, I think) in which the mother of the young woman being "made over" becomes increasingly angry and hostile (and who was egged on by the two bitchy, dumbass "hostesses") and snottily called her Goth-dressing daughter a freak and an embarrassment numerous times. I could swear I even heard her call the young lady a "bad mother" somewhere in there, but I can't be sure.

Geez, nice show, isn't it. :rolleyes:

Yes, the young mother dressed somewhat Goth. She had a young son whom she didn't necessarily dress full-blown Goth, but she did tint his hair. I wouldn't tint my preschooler's hair - but she's an adult and it's her son, so it's her decision.

The mother is yelling hysterically about how awful "her grandson" looks and what a freak and embarrassment her daughter is. After watching the back-and-forth of "Freak! You're an embarrassment!" and "No I'm not!" between mother and daughter, the mouthbreathing hostess who was staring off into space finally wakes up, realizes where she is and says, "Now now, that's not productive."

Uh, didn't you just engineer that whole spectacle for your televised crapfest?

So they make over the young mom and her son. They're now dressed in bland designer separates. Mom's got a new shoulder-length haircut and is now blonde. The haircut is reminiscent of Heather Locklear's cut. Okay - so I think she looks good. She's a very pretty lady. But I don't think that's the point. She's an adult and can dress in whatever way makes her happy, and this whole scenario reeks because the young mother didn't willingly go into it with informed consent. She likes to dress Goth style and dye her hair black - she's an adult and can do what she wants.

Young mom looks severely pissed off but is masking it with a slight smile. You can almost see daggers shooting out of her eyes at her windbag mother. Young mom won't go near her when the idiot hostess tries to gush about how great she looks and what a fab idea this all was. The little boy was, I have to say, adorable. He looked positively precious - but again, he was just as precious before makeover, too. His mom gets to make the decisions until he's old enough to decide for himself. I think grandma forgot that part.

I'd really like to have seen what happened once the ditzbags and the cameras cleared out. :D

What really oogs me out about these shows is the ambush. It would piss the ever-loving hell out of me if anyone tried that ambush garbage on me.

What cinched it for me was the "wrap up" - meaning the hostesses of the show babbled on incoherently for sixty seconds before signing off. One of the hostesses said something like, yeah, grandma had a "right" to get angry, that was a really "radical" makeover, and the world will be a better place since we've assimilated yet another clueless bad dresser...

Okay, so they didn't say ALL that - but they did say the grandmother had "the right" to do this because ....well, because she didn't like the way young mom dressed or the way her grandson was dressed by his mom.

Hey, ditzbags - go do something anatomically impossible to yourselves. :D

I was really saddened by the whole nastiness exhibited by "grandma". She was yelling at her daughter calling her a "freak, an embarrassment" and saying how she didn't want to be seen in public with her. She went on and on, and it was sickening.

I'd have taken that moment to pick up my child and say, "Okay - adios, and go ___ yourself."

[Mama Tiger]

In fairness to What Not To Wear, they only throw out the stuff for TV purposes, but the victim can keep it all afterwards if they so choose; and it's not actually thrown out, either, but is given to charity. And they don't even have to spend the whole 5 grand on clothes the hosts approve; they just have to buy 7 outfits that meet the guidelines laid out for them, and they can spend the rest on anything they want.

I guess the idea is to shock people out of the rut they're stuck in -- and some of these people are stuck in deep, deep, bad fashion ruts, like the worst of the '80s, Big Hair and all -- and get them to look at themselves and how they dress and present themselves in a new light. And with only a few exceptions, most of the folks are quite delighted with the results. I've actually learned a lot about what looks better on different figure types from that show than I expected, plus, of course, the importance of good foundation garments.

But the E! and VH1 shows are just non-celebs mocking those often only marginally only more famous, and personally I love them. They provide that sense of false superiority that comes from neither knowing nor caring why those people wear what they do, except they look ridiculous most of the time. It's mind candy of the cheapest variety, good to nap by and such.

[CanvasShoes]

Come on, you guys have to admit that the strange wraparound swan outfit worn a couple of years ago by some starlet WAS a bit strange. And Demi Moore's biker shorts meets a chiffon curtain thingie that she proudly declared she'd designed herself.

As are various other outfits seen frequently from time to time both on the red carpet and by "real" people.

For folks who've got all the money in the world with which to hire advisors and the very best of fashion, sometimes they deserve to be made fun of when they think they're bullet-proof fashion-wise that is.

But by and large, I agree with the OP. Way too much time and attention is given to whether someone is wearing the "correct" designer or whatever.

[CanvasShoes]

Are you talking about Joan Rivers? Because she's a waste of space. Beyond that, I'm unclear on the concept. Mocking celebrities with too much money and too little dress sense can be funny. I freaking live for the Fug Girls' Letters of Fug from Britney Spears.
Who are the Fug girls? Sounds like I'm missing something fun here!

[Idlewild]

Bjork wore the swan dress. I wouldn't characterize her as a starlet though. She just plain doesn't play the game. I found it highly entertaining and personally loved the outfit too.

My husband and I want the What Not To Wear people to release a clip show of all the people who said "Fuck OFF!" when confronted with the makeover ambush. Because if anyone tried to organize a fashion intervention for me they'd be on the receiving end of a rather substantial amount of on-camera vitriol. We watched one show in which they "made over' a rather lovely young woman who had a very low-key, Pacific North West sort of wardrobe with lots of long dresses and practical shoes, and lovely long hair and glasses, a very natural kind of style for her - she was an academic. They turned her into a tightly groomed corporate pinup. It was ever so sad and I hope she rescued some of the clothes they deemed too dorky because we both thought she was wonderful the way she started out, if perhaps in need of a trim and a few newer versions of her existing wardrobe choices.

[CanvasShoes]

Bjork wore the swan dress. I wouldn't characterize her as a starlet though. She just plain doesn't play the game. I found it highly entertaining and personally loved the outfit too.

My husband and I want the What Not To Wear people to release a clip show of all the people who said "Fuck OFF!" .
Thanks for clearing up my ignorance on that. I'd just guessed that she was a starlet because I really had no idea who she was. Actually I still have no idea who she is. :)

As to the WNtW folks. Their little sign on the 1/2 a second cut to commercial seque which states "No Miniskirts after 35" REALLY torques me off. That and their constant assertion that "pegged pants make you look bad".

The idea there is that they outline a womans body so that it shows that she is wider at the hips and then narrows toward her ankles and that actually letting this show is somehow unnattractive. :confused:

Um, scuse me? We ARE wider at the hips narrowing on down the leg toward the ankle, someone please explain to me why our natural shape is bad, and we must disquise it with flared or straight leg pants so that we then appear to be the same size at our ankles as we are at our hips (which reminds me, aren't MEN shaped more like that? that is, same sized hips at waist hips and straight down legs with no narrowing?)?

Some of the sexiest clothing, IMO were those 50s style dresses which were fitted and narrowed toward the knees, showing off exactly what our hipsand behind look like.

Besides which, before all of these recycled 70s fashion bellbottoms came back into style (but now they're OH so cleverly disguised as "bootcut" or "flared"), all of the old fashionistas were saying about them "what were they thinking"?

[Idlewild]

Bjork (http://www.bjork.com/) is a musician from Iceland. She sang at the opening of the Olympics last year - in a rather amazing blue/green dress creation that would probably also get hammered on What Not to Wear. I admire her personal style, which is quite quirky but usually cute.

No miniskirts after 35? How dreary! I have a prominently hour-glass shaped figure so the chances of me ever looking the same width at hip and ankle would depend on being able to disguise my bottom half as a soviet-era apartment block. Not a good look. Those pencil skirts that narrow at the knee are darling although difficult to walk in. I have one right now with a deep flounce at the knee and I just love it!

[Mama Tiger]

But tapered or pegged pants make your butt look big.

Actually, let me amend that. Tapered pants make your butt look huge.

So unless you're built like a stick with no butt and want to encourage it, they are not flattering to the average woman. They make you look like a whale, even if you're otherwise quite svelt. I was shocked when I switched to wider legged pants how much thinner I look wearing them, without losing a pound.

Maybe you don't mind if your butt looks big, but I do and so do most women I know. Otherwise, why else the classic joke question, "Does this make my butt look big?", to which there is no decent answer for the poor man involved?

The idea is to look your best with the body you have. Mocking stars who dress like utter freaks is fun. They waste time and money to be noticed, and then what are they noticed for? Being idiots. I approve, since usually they are idiots.

[DiosaBellissima]

My husband and I want the What Not To Wear people to release a clip show of all the people who said "Fuck OFF!" when confronted with the makeover ambush.

They did show that last night, actually.

Anyway, I've noticed that most people on What Not To Wear are- initially freaked- but they usually like the look in the end. The fact is that most people hide themselves under clothing and use it as a defense against their insecurities. If you notice, most of the people walk with their heads much higher after the makeover.

Plus, the hosts on WNTW let the...subjects..maintain their individuality. I remember one particular episode with a goth-ish young lady. She came in wearing all black, long black hair, bright red lipstick- the works. The hosts admitted that showing her true self was awesome, but she is an adult and needed to class it up for work and such. They ended up cutting her hair into a blunt bob that was very red- which she loved. They showed her how to properly choose makeup that complimented her but still stood out- she loved it. They took her shopping in vintage stores and department stores. They helped her pick out adorable clothing that fit her personality but was professional (50's style halter dresses and such). Anyway, my point is: they aren't trying to make clones. Personality is taken into account.


The shows on E!, VH1, etc are annoying simply because they aren't critiquing the fashion, they are critiquing the person. Sarah Jessica Parker wears some HIDEOUS dresses, but they praise her all over because she is SJP. But if someone else throws on that EXACT SAME DRESS and looks better, she is a fashion faux mistake.

I used to like The Look for Less on Style, but the new hostess (the chick from America's Next Top Model) is awful. I guess whether or not you like these shows just depends on what you're into (duh). I have no shame for my love of fashion shows :D

[Kyla]

Who are the Fug girls? Sounds like I'm missing something fun here!

The Fug Girls are Heather and Jessica (http://meetthefuggers.blogspot.com/). They're the bitches who write Go Fug Yourself (http://gofugyourself.typepad.com/'). I am a devotee. My favorite favorite favorite bits are Britney Spears' Letters of Fug (http://gofugyourself.typepad.com/go_fug_yourself/britney_spears/index.html).

[DiosaBellissima]

Not even a faux mistake! A REALY mistake.

Sigh. One day I will learn to preview.

[Beware of Doug]

The pathetically ironic thing about it is that many of the taunters are has-beens — failed and fallen former famous fops. Joan "Couldn't Get A Gig In Cleveland" Rivers comes to mind.Not to mention the lovely Melissa "Probably Couldn't Even Get A Steamer There" Rivers, and their pals Tha Fashion Police, who have probably done more to perpetuate both the negative stereotypes of the fashion industry and its continuing hegemony over women's bodies and body images.

You notice how nobody is ever too thin to these folks until she reaches the point of painfully obvious anorexia? That's what I mean.

[CanvasShoes]

But tapered or pegged pants make your butt look big.

Actually, let me amend that. Tapered pants make your butt look huge. So unless you're built like a stick with no butt and want to encourage it, they are not flattering to the average woman. They make you look like a whale, even if you're otherwise quite svelt. I was shocked when I switched to wider legged pants how much thinner I look wearing them, without losing a pound.

Maybe you don't mind if your butt looks big, but I do and so do most women I know. Otherwise, why else the classic joke question, "Does this make my butt look big?", to which there is no decent answer for the poor man involved?

I'm not a stick, but I do have an hourglass figure, and I've never had any complaints from the male half of the populace and haven't ever been ambushed by any makeover shows. Yet.

Even now that I'm ancient and have gotten chunkier with age, my waist is much much smaller than my hips, and my bustline is WAY bigger than my waist.

Not that I don't also wear palazzo pants and the like, but I also like a plain legged jean. I HATE HATE HATE bell bottoms. Yeah, my butt looks like a bubble butt in jeans. Since it's one of the few solid tight things I have left in my old age, I'd like to hold on to showing it off as long as possible.

But I agree with your other assessments of WNtW, I too find a lot of good hints, although, I'd have to get any expensive items like the ones they showcase tailored, pants that fit my hips NEvEr fit my waist, and the same goes for jackets and shirts, if they fit my bustline, they're huge in the waist area. Sigh, I can't wait til I move into my new (larger, room for stuff) apartment, I'm going to start sewing my own clothes.

[DiosaBellissima]

I should just point out that the opposite of "pegged" jeans are not bell bottoms. Almost no one wears "bell bottoms" anymore without getting really strange looks. Flaired jeans are by no means bell bottoms as bell bottoms have huge...bells. The flair is minor and often counters the hips. I know my big hipped self could never wear straight legged jeans, let alone pegged jeans. Aye.

[Mama Tiger]

I wear jeans that are boot cut or very slightly flared, which bear virtually no resemblance to the huge bell bottoms I wore in my youth. The idea is that if your body line goes straight down or out slightly (such as with a slightly flared skirt) from the hips, it actually diminishes the size of the hips.

But the value of good tailoring is indescribable. I've been sewing for many years so do my own alterations, if need be, but mostly I try to buy things that are flattering to begin with. And I do think I look a lot better.

I agree that fashion critique shows are often mindless drivel. But if people wear clothes for the sole purpose of being talked about, they're at least providing work for the otherwise untalented, right? And there's obviously a market for these shows or there wouldn't be so many of them.

[Lisa-go-Blind]

Is this show any worse than TLC's "What Not to Wear," with its snide put-downs, emotional manipulation, wardrobe tossing, and debatable advice? (Which usually consists of imposing skin-revealing and form-fitting disposable pieces du jour on the subject, regardless of how resistant she is to wearing them.)

Have you ever seen the show? First of all, the hosts spend more time "imposing" garments to cover up skin and figure flaws. A much larger number of those being remade are wearing inappropriately skimpy or ill-fitting outfits, not overdressing. Second, "disposable pieces du jour?" The hosts emphasize in every episode the importance of buying good quality, classic pieces that will last for years - they go out of their way to jettison prefaded jeans, Ugg boots, Ambercrombie-style T-shirts, etc. Finally, "regardless of how resistant she is to wearing them": Clinton and Stacy ask the subject to try clothes on. He or she is not obligated to buy them. The hosts are simply trying to help the subject out of the fashion rut by having them try on something they wouldn't normally try on. Sometimes, the subject will continue to say that she doesn't like it. That's OK; they'll find something else that she does like. Usually though, she'll agree that what she's wearing now does look a lot better than her usual attire.

[alice_in_wonderland]

I'm thinking that the people ragging on WNTW haven't actually watched the show - I've never seen anyone put down - just given the opportunity to get some clothing that fits really well, flatters their shape and makes them feel good about themselves.

Oh well, these complaints get a big fat "whatever" from me.

Also, peg-leg jeans look like shit on every person who has ever put them on, period. If you want to wear them, fine. But they look brutal. I know this without even seeing you, because they look brutal on everyone. They look brutal on supermodels, they look brutal on waifs. The look particularly brutal on women with hourglass figures. They make the ass look like a huge, flat, unattractive pancake. They can take an otherwise lovely shape and distort it into a disaster. Peg-leg pants should be gathered up, ripped into shreds and used to make quilts for starving orphans - that's the only way they could be anything other than brutal. BRUTAL.

But, if that's what you like - go to town.

[Idlewild]

I have watched WNTW. Twice. I sat through a second episode to see if it was any better. The second episode was even worse than the first, a completely embarrassing ambush that did appear to mortify the target. It made me very sad and that is why I wrote that I disliked it. I would not write that about a show I had not watched. Perhaps I caught the only two shoes on which they totally ridiculed the victims. Who knows?

[alice_in_wonderland]

I have watched WNTW. Twice. I sat through a second episode to see if it was any better. The second episode was even worse than the first, a completely embarrassing ambush that did appear to mortify the target. It made me very sad and that is why I wrote that I disliked it. I would not write that about a show I had not watched. Perhaps I caught the only two shoes on which they totally ridiculed the victims. Who knows?

I guess maybe I focus on the carrot, instead of the stick. Honestly, I'm pretty pro fashion, shopping, and all that other shallow stuff (I have a quote by Oscar Wilde I could insert here, but I'll control myself) and I can say that if Clinton and Stacey showed up at my office, hauled me out and said your friends think you dress like a tool, we're gonna take you to NY and give you $5,000 to spend on clothes, I would be totally delighted. Thrilled. Two fashion stylists at my beck and call to help me out - amazing. It would be like having Jeo Weider spoting you at the gym.

Secondly, I feel compelled to point out that many of their 'subjects' haven't had the funds to buy new clothes (students, single moms, whatever) and are now at a point in their life where some new clothes, a good hair cut and some makeup could really help them not only feel better about themselves, but also land a job. (There are very few jobs that you can interview for in oversized sweats, hole-filled jeans, or ripped up sweaters.)

Obviously, YMMV.

[CanvasShoes]

II agree that fashion critique shows are often mindless drivel. But if people wear clothes for the sole purpose of being talked about, they're at least providing work for the otherwise untalented, right? And there's obviously a market for these shows or there wouldn't be so many of them.
Heh heh Sometimes that is WhY I watch that sort of show, because they are mindless drivel.

:D

[amarinth]

I guess maybe I focus on the carrot, instead of the stick. Honestly, I'm pretty pro fashion, shopping, and all that other shallow stuff (I have a quote by Oscar Wilde I could insert here, but I'll control myself) and I can say that if Clinton and Stacey showed up at my office, hauled me out and said your friends think you dress like a tool, we're gonna take you to NY and give you $5,000 to spend on clothes, I would be totally delighted. Thrilled. Two fashion stylists at my beck and call to help me out - amazing. It would be like having Jeo Weider spoting you at the gym.Absolutely agree.
I dress horribly - and one of the main reasons is that while I think I know what would look good on me, I simply do not have the funds. I would love it if they showed up and handed me $5000 to buy the clothes (actually, not the clothes so much, but the tailoring) that I wish I could buy. (The other reason is that I don't really care that much. So, I may as well be left to their devices as to my own)

As far as celebrities? Their job is to look good, to dress right, to be beautiful. They pay people very good money to make sure that they aren't wearing horrible clothing. And they have the ready cash to keep up appearances. A lot of thought, time, effort, money, and planning goes into their public appearances - they have no excuse when they look truly awful.

[DiosaBellissima]

Also, peg-leg jeans look like shit on every person who has ever put them on, period. If you want to wear them, fine. But they look brutal. I know this without even seeing you, because they look brutal on everyone. They look brutal on supermodels, they look brutal on waifs. The look particularly brutal on women with hourglass figures. They make the ass look like a huge, flat, unattractive pancake. They can take an otherwise lovely shape and distort it into a disaster. Peg-leg pants should be gathered up, ripped into shreds and used to make quilts for starving orphans - that's the only way they could be anything other than brutal. BRUTAL.

But, if that's what you like - go to town.

Preach. It. Sister.

Peg jeans are the single worst fashion item out there. Don't get me wrong, trendy stuff can be bad; but even the trendy stuff doesn't make people look as bad as peg jeans. Have you ever seen the "mom jeans" faux commercial on SNL? Thems be peg jeans. They aren't cute. They make EVERYONE'S ass and hips look HUGE. And, for some reason, peg jeans go hand in hand with mom camel toe. Ew (maybe just my experience).

[Indygrrl]

I haven't seen a real person peg their jeans since 1990. I thought everyone knew that was bad fashion.

And I know this isn't related to celebrity critiques or fashion commentators, but I am really fucking sick of chicks who are 20lbs. overweight wearing low-rise pants and belly shirts. If you have a spare tire, cover it. It's that simple.

Oh, and pull up your shit so your thong isn't hanging out. It's not sexy, it's trashy as fuck.

[Troy McClure SF]

One of the major reasons I hate this shit, one that is very present in this thread, is that some people don't seem to understand that their opinion is not high fuck holy dogma. "Oh, those pants make her ass look big, therefore she's a stupid ditz for wearing them in public." Hello, McFly! Some people like big asses! What your pompous ass might think is hideous might be a half step away from liquid fuck for someone else. Get over yourselves!

at least providing work for the otherwise untalentedThis never has been, is not, and never will be a good thing.

Somewhat related is this article (http://www.insidebayarea.com/bayarealiving/ci_2785449) about a goth girl and a preppy blonde both trying to get a job at Abercrombie.

[ElvisL1ves]

You do all know that WNTW comes in a British (original) version as well as the US copy, right? Thank Og for digital cable and BBC America.

Susannah and Trinny do seem much more supportive, even though they're firm. They do try to educate their subjects as well as guide them, and only rarely do they get downright rude - maybe because that would expose them to body-weight comments? Trinny looks anorexic and Susannah needs to ask Santa for a Treadmaster.

Stacy and Clinton on the US version are cruisin' for a bruisin' someday. Clinton got cast apparently because some producer said "Hey, this is a fashion show, and look at Queer Eye's ratings! We gotta get us a gay guy too!" Unfortunately he doesn't know anything but how to be catty. And Stacy spends half her screen time brushing her damn hair behind her damn ear and saying "Shut! Up!". She's no prize, either - she needs to get a poofier hair style to help disguise that hawk beak.

[DiosaBellissima]

Troy I love you to death, you know this. And I apologize for not clarifying: people can wear whatever makes them happy. Period. If you are happy, that is all that counts.

But most women will agree that certain things are universally NOT FLATTERING. Most of these things were very trendy at one point or another (read: usually the 80's), but were not flattering then and are still not flattering now.

I think this point is proven by the fact that most (wide brush) on the make over shows are AMAZED by how much better they look with proper fitting pants, tailored shirts, etc.

No one should conform to an image that makes them look uncomfortable- ever, ever, ever. But good clothing really can give you an ego boost. Is that healthy? Eh, who knows.

[Infovore]

I used to love WNTW when Wayne and Stacey were on it--it seemed that they had a completely different philosophy, and tried hard to work with each subject to help them find clothes in the style that they liked that would look good on them. Wayne was snarky but he was kind, and seemed to genuinely delight in dressing people of all body types and sizes.

These days, now that Clinton has replaced Wayne, it's different. Don't get me wrong--I like Clinton--but I think the producers of the show have changed its focus and not for the better. Back when Wayne was on, I thought it might be fun to try out for the show (I'm not a fashion disaster but I live in T-shirts and jeans), but these days--no way. I'm a tomboy and happy to be one. They would try to put me in "sexy" stuff (which I despise), pointy-toed high heels (which I wouldn't be caught dead in, not to mention I'd probably hurt myself trying to walk in them) and other similar stuff in an attempt to make me more "feminine," while I would be much happier if they could help me find slacks, jackets, and other items to make my geek/goth/tomboy look more stylish but still in keeping with my basic personality. I don't get the feeling that they would do that anymore.

Oddly enough, they do seem to do more of that with the men--they cater more to their style and what kinds of clothes would work best with it, and don't try to turn them into cookie-cutter fashion dolls like they do with the women.

It's really quite disappointing, because I used to never miss the show.