The show does focus on improving appearance. The world judges based on what we see, whether clothes or spelling & grammar. The hosts reflect back to the MO the impression they are putting out to the world. There isn't always time in life to get to know everyone we meet. Why shouldn't we put our best foot forward and enjoy the self-confidence that results from being dressed appropriately. I'm not perfect myself as I often wearing sweats to the grocery store, but most of the time I put a little (& sometimes a lot) of effort into looking nice. There are many areas we can improve ourselves and this show focuses on just one of them. Accept it for what it is. If you cannot, change the channel or perhaps even better...turn off the TV and do something else for yourself that you enjoy.

Well said, Chigirl.

And you're also missing that through it all Stacy and Clinton are giving basic principles of how to dress and how to be stylish that every one of the makeovers can use after the show.

If they've been nominated they're doing one, or two, or 10 things so wrong that it stands out to other people...too much cleavage, muffin tops, perpetual sweats, wrong shapes, incorrect sizes, you name it.

No, not everyone is going to be as gorgeous and stylish as S and C all the time, but that's their job. I'm sure they don't expect people to become fashion plates 24/7, although it would be nice. But if they can just get the people to do better in several aspects, it's a win-win situation.

And even you have to admit that 99 percent of the MOs get SOMETHING out of the experience in that regard.

Again well said, by both Chigirl220 and PGood97041.

Most all the contestants reveal that their experience has gone beyond just changing clothes or putting on a new doo or make-up. They admit that their experience has been life changing. This is one of the reasons I watch the show. The bonus is getting some clothing, make-up and hair pointers.

quote:

Originally posted by Sayomii:
All they teach is that peoples opinions of you should be based on how you appear.

It's fact that people make opinions based on how you appear--sad maybe, but true. How many MOs actually move ahead in their professional and personal lives after the makeover because they look better/feel better/more grownup/more professional/ more capable?

I'd also bet that people in the candidates' lives have made comments and tried to help them dress better. Sometimes you need "the expert from out-of-town" to make an impact.

I should be rich too, but let me ask you this. If you went to a job interview dressed sloppily, would you expect the interviewer to hire you simply because you can do the job, putting aside the fact that you didn't show the respect to dress appropriately? Nice if true, but unfortunately we have to play the game, and that means dressing appropriately for a given situation and as nicely as our budgets allow for. And yes, we are judged on how we look most of the time. I get your frustration, but you're banging your head against a brick wall if you try to rebel.

I just watched a rerun of Irene the realtor. She's a young woman who dressed, truly, like a hooker. Skin showing everywhere, and way too much of it. If I had walked into a realty office and requested help there is NO WAY I would have hired her! I just wouldn't believe that she could possibly know anything about business and people (much less sales) and dress so very inappropriately for work. In the end, even she was embarrassed about her previous "look". Thank HEAVEN for the work S and C do to bring class and appropriateness into our wardrobes!

I saw Irene yesterday, too. What shocked me was that any realtor would hire her and put up with her completely inappropriate dress. I was in real estate for many years and this never would have been tolerated. It almost made me wonder if her 'style' was manipulated to some degree just for the show. I thought that especially after they interviewed her boss who was very conservative. No way a company would allow such attire by one of their agents.

Case in point - my son told me about a meeting for work he attended where one of the attendees showed up in shorts, tee-shirt, and flip flops. This wasn't a high school or even college kid - it was a 40-ish adult. The head of the company asked the guy what was he thinking, showing up dressed so unprofessionally? The reply - he was going on a site visit after the meeting. (This is an engineering and construction management firm, so the site visit was to a big company.) The president of the company called up the guy's boss and told him he never wanted to see this guy again. The way one dresses affects the way one is perceived.

I'm sorry, but I don't find some of the style suggestions to be the best ones. Being stylist one should be aware of the basics. If you are overweight, you should not wear:
- crop jackets, shorter than your hip line, unless your torso is disproportionally long comparing to your lags length
- very bright and bold colors, except accessories
- shiny fabrics, especially satin
- bold/large prints
- skirt length above your knees
- pointy shoes especially if your foot is wide or large sized

Just my opinion, of course.

Absolutely! Overweight people should dress exclusively in long head-to-toe black or dark brown sack cloth at all times... even in the summer!



OK- just having fun- but I do agree that sometimes S&C do recommend styles that don't always work for larger women.

But in keeping to the original post- I agree that dressing well (no matter WHAT your size) has nothing to do with being a snob- and everything to do with showing respect for yourself and others.

Sense of self respect and positive attitude regarding personal physical appearance is essential for looking and feeling good. I was referring to slight changes that might work far better than ones originally suggested, not to extremes. Jackets can be slightly longer, still tailored and stylish. Color choice can safely include huge palette of calmer, neutral reds, purples or oranges, and satin is not only feminine/glam fabric one can opt for - there are plenty of those with subtle shimmer that will flatter better larger figure. Monochromatic color scheme (keeping same colour or similar shades on upper and lower half of the body) will make full or short figure visually taller and slimmer. You don't have to consider just browns, black, gray or navy - all other colors come in dark(er) shades. Wearing bright color/bold pattern blouse and black pants (f.e.), will 'cut' the figure in the middle section of your body, makes you look shorter and fuller. It will also accentuate the belly area. Slightly longer jackets/tops would be better choice if you're not figure perfect. In other words - instead of pursuing full figured lady into bright, satin, bold print dress above her knees, maybe offering her choice of darker shade of the same color, with delicate printed silk that flows better and shines less than satin, which just covers her knees would be a better option. You can be feminine in pants as well. Opt for soft fabrics with flare.
You can also wear bright, bold colors and prints but keep it away from large peaces. Instead, go bold with accessories - jewelry, hats, caps, scarf, gloves, shoes, bags...Your blouse/cami can be bright, shiny and bold if you're wearing subtle cardigan or jacket over it.
Also, you don't have to pay dearly to get quality clothes. There's wide range of brands between designer Fifth Avenue and Walmart - sense of style has nothing to do with your financial potential. Go for quality shoes and coats, and combine them with great peaces from second hand/charity shops, low end shops and markets. Stay away from stiletto heels if your calves are thick. Thicker the calves - thicker the heels should be.
...It is great to encourage someone with poor self perception to think outside the box and to discover new possibilities in expression their sense of style - they shouldn't be afraid to try and to experiment, and they definitely should carry themselves with dignity and grace no matter of size and shape.

The message C&S is generally good, it's just that their choices tend to be questionable, IMO.

quote:

It is great to encourage someone with poor self perception to think outside the box and to discover new possibilities in expression their sense of style - they shouldn't be afraid to try and to experiment, and they definitely should carry themselves with dignity and grace no matter of size and shape.

That advice is 100% true and I know from experience. My sister and I were sent to a boarding school for 4 years. Everyone there was stick, and I mean STICK thin. We were both thin, but not nearly that skinny. Our confidence dropped drastically and with no parents to turn to, we went on a dangerous diet where we'd eat one salad once a day. Keep in mind that we wore oversized clothes that made us look even bigger. Then, I bought a shirt that fit close to the body and had a thck, high, waistband. And I realized that I had an hourglass figure. From that day on, I have never thought one bad thing about my body. So yes, the right clothes do give you confidence.

Forgive me for making a generational observation, but it seems to me that most of the people with the opinion of the original poster are under 30. My generation taught their kids that they should be appreciated for themselves, not their appearance, but what they failed to impress upon them is that appearance does matter nonetheless, and this isn't approval to walk around everywhere in pajama bottoms and flip flops. It's not snobby to tell others how to beautify their appearance and to respect the other people who look at them too. Walking around like a slob with a defiant attitude is NOT what your parents had in mind when they told you that you should be appreciated for more than just your appearance. JMHO.

Interesting comment Miss_fit. We need to find that balance of remembering to focus beyond how someone looks and dressing respectfully in society. PJ bottoms and flip flops (or slippers) make me crazy. I guess because it is so bad in my eyes. It seems we have forgotten we are part of society and not just out for ourselves.