There’s something so alluring about makeover shows. The dramatic reveal—seeing someone completely transformed with new clothes, new makeup, and a new hairstyle—draws me in every time.
Lately, though, I’ve been watching these shows with a more critical eye, and wondering if they do more harm than good.
Makeover shows are primarily aimed at a female audience, and most makeover candidates are women. What messages are these shows really sending?
Take the popular TLC makeover show “What Not to Wear,” for example. On this show, makeover candidates are “turned in” by friends, family, or coworkers for their sloppy, dated, or inappropriate wardrobes. If the candidate agrees to participate, she (it’s almost always a she) gets a free trip to New York and $5,000 to spend on a new wardrobe, provided she follows the wardrobe “rules” set by hosts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly.
Watching “What Not to Wear” taught me a lot about how to dress for my body type, which has given me more confidence and helped me stop seeing my curves as a negative thing. I like that Stacy and Clinton advocate embracing the body you have, rather than hiding it or feeling as if you don’t measure up to some arbitrary beauty standard.
On the other hand, there are some things about the show that bother me. The biggest one is that Stacy and Clinton’s comments about the candidate’s “before” wardrobe are often mean-spirited, making them seem like nothing more than bullies pressuring people to conform. Watch the video clip below and see if you agree.
Is the show really about helping the makeover candidate look her best, or about making her fit into our society’s definition of how a woman should look?
I also dislike how “What Not to Wear” and other makeover shows perpetuate the idea that a woman’s appearance is her most important asset. The makeover candidate in the video is an accomplished scientist, yet she’s being berated for not looking feminine, or sexy, enough. Is this really what we want to teach our daughters?
T.V. makeovers also always seem to involve a boatload of cosmetics and hair color, many of which contain potentially toxic chemicals. Most of you know I gave up coloring my hair this year, and I’m paying more attention to the ingredients in my cosmetics after watching the “Story of Cosmetics.” Many cosmetics are also tested on animals, a practice I’m vehemently against.
Cosmetics companies that don’t test on animals
Then there’s the blatant consumerism. Does anyone really need a $5,000 wardrobe? Couldn’t we be doing something more important with our money?
In addition, at least on “What Not to Wear,” it seems no consideration is given to where clothing was made or under what conditions. For example, contestants are often encouraged to shop at H&M, which has made headlines many times for its questionable and unethical business practices. In 2010, the New York Times ran this story about H&M’s wasteful practice of destroying and throwing away unsold clothing rather than donating it to people in need.
Learn more about ethical and sustainable fashion
On the What Not to Wear Facebook page, Clinton Kelly recently revealed only 1/3 of the guests on the show keep up with their new look. To me, that says the majority of guests on the show are perfectly happy with their “before” selves, and wish their friends, coworkers, family, and the rest of us would butt out and find something more important to worry about.
What do you think? Do you love or hate makeover shows? What types of messages do these shows send? Leave a comment with your thoughts.
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Photo by o5ocom on Flickr
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I feel much like you do. I have learned a lot watching Stacy & Clinton, and other than the 360 mirror comments (which are unnecessarily harsh, but I imagine are scripted to increase ratings), I think they are generally kind to participants. Since people have the option to NOT participate (although w/the pressure we see at the “surprise” stalking, I can’t imagine it is easy to opt out), part of me feels that they might believe they can improve their wardrobes. My Project 333 experiment was, in part, about making my exterior match my interior, and I wonder if that may be a motivator for some of the participants, too.
Appearance, as you so rightly say, is not a woman’s most important asset. Yet, it seems like having a polished, put-together appearance goes a long way to ensuring that a woman is taken seriously. Still, that line between looking one’s best and looking the way society dictates is blurry.
Thanks for a thought-provoking post. I really enjoyed it!
Thanks, Beverly. I realize we judge others and are judged on appearance, so a polished appearance does go a long way. Yet, doesn’t it seem that women are also expected to look “hot” or “sexy” at the same time? That’s the part that riles me the most. Why does sex appeal have to play into everything? Great comment, your insight is always appreciated!
Ooh, what a topic!
I love personal style, and it’s easy for me to get sucked into makeover stories.
My biggest beefs with these makeover shows is 1) yes, the likelihood of snark followed closely by 2) the way everyone emerges looking GENERIC, as if they just stepped out of any ol’ mall. Granted, it’s hard to build a unique, individual wardrobe in one week, but I don’t feel like that’s even the goal.
I would be mortified if someone reported me to a national television show for help of ANY kind.
I’d forgotten about the pressure to sex up these ladies, but I HAVE felt like eeeeeeeeveryone gets pushed to wear high heels. So you have short legs, big deal! Lots of men have short legs, and they don’t wear 3″ heels daily to apologize for it.
Following that Facebook link, I notice that Clinton said about 1/3 of their guests maintain PART of their new look, but not all of it. This makes sense to me, especially as the hair and makeup segment usually looks soooo high maintenance— I understand that by straightening curly hair and dyeing it a new color, the “transformation” is more exciting at the end of the show (same for heels and slinky dresses), but hair and makeup can be a lot of work!
Also, I notice Clinton says that for every minute of footage in the show, they spend an hour taping. Maybe the hosts are more helpful and supportive in the footage that gets cut?
Last summer, I was drawn into the show “How Do I Look?” which has a very similar premise. I have a lot of the same problems with it, but it IS fun to see people trying wearing things they thought they shouldn’t/couldn’t. Plus, the show’s had some neat moments, like taking a size 16 guest to a fake cafe where all the other fake patrons were size 16 women— once she saw that THEY looked great in stylish, shapely clothing, she didn’t feel so much like she HAD to wear her husband’s clothes because she was too big to look attractive. Corny, perhaps, but it stayed with me.
Looks like there are plenty of How Do I Look? clips on YouTube, next time you need a junky fashion fix. =)
It seems like it would be easy for these shows to recommend some planet-friendly brands, vintage shops, or non-toxic makeup….
I’ve been switching over to “clean” cosmetics, and would love to hear your experiences/recommendations.
Yes, I almost wrote about the high heels thing, but I thought I was imagining it! I stopped wearing them because I was getting bunions. I’d rather have working feet than long legs, thank you very much. Check this site out for rating the “toxicity” of cosmetics: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
I started by cutting way back on the cosmetics I do use. I gave up nail polish entirely, and hair color. I’ve switched from liquid to mineral foundation. I love the way it looks but it’s kind of a pain to apply. The powder gets everywhere. Once my current blush and mascara runs out I’ll be on the lookout for replacements.
Thanks for the comment!
I watch that show once in a while and fantasize about the new me. I feel like such a frump most days, but that’s only when I compare myself to other “stylish” coworkers. Even if I got gussied up and looked fab, I still spend 95% of my workday sitting by myself in an office staring at a computer. No need to look great for my Mac – and no need to be uncomfortable in tight designer jeans, dry clean-only blouses, high heels, full makeup, etc. All that expense and prep time for what? My Goodwill wardrobe, sensible shoes, bed head and plain face suit me and my lifestyle. I haven’t come very far from my hippie look in the 70s. The hair is greyer and shorter. The patched hiphuggers and bodysuits are gone. I’m fine with that.
I love these shows and have never watched one where the person DIDN’T need help. We can say all we want about not judging, etc., but unfortunately the society we live in is a judging one. Plus its our God given right as women, to look like WOMEN! There is nothing wrong with having a $5000 wardrobe, I would take one in a heartbeat. I find it hard to believe there is a woman out there who feels 100% presentable in lounge wear, no make-up, or hair done….please.
I stopped watching WNTW after an episode where a woman was strongly pressured to show off more of her body than she wanted to. Stacey and Clinton took the attitude that she was just shy/self conscious/prudish and should just get over it. But seeing how uncomfortable she was in pants that clung to her backside, you could just tell that clothing was outside her personal sphere of modesty. That was not how she wanted to present herself to the world. I’m all for encouraging people to try new looks and be adventurous with their style, but everyone has their comfort limits and I don’t believe in trying to bully past them.
I totally agree, there is pressure to show off one’s body. I have always been self-conscious about my chest and don’t like to show cleavage. I dislike how Staci and Clinton always joke about showing off “the girls.”