Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Happiness is... Stacy and Clinton


The title says it all. I love TLC's "What not to Wear" and the new season is so far shaping up to be very entertaining, with a few tweaks in format, all for the better. Last week's mother of five had a wardrobe overhaul to welcome her navy husband back to dry land and looked fantastic at the end, trading her long, ratty hair for a sleek shiny bob and her old child-like casuals for a sharp new tailored look.

Some might say that shows like WNTW are anti-feminist, stressing as they do the importance of outward appearance for women over what's on the inside. But what I love about the show is that it aims to make each one of its subjects feel fantastic about themselves, regardless of weight or age. Stacy and Clinton find the positive points of everyone and make them understand that anyone can look great - you don't have to be a size 0, 20 years old and 5'10".
In today's looks-obsessed society, where women are routinely judged for their age, wrinkles, number of children, waist size, chest size and about a hundred other things, it's refreshing to find a show that doesn't care about physical attributes. S & C always end up boosting the self esteem of the participant and send them home looking 100% better.

Take Clinton's Smart Shopping Quiz here, or check out fashion tips and see makeovers on the main site. I don't know about you, but I always want to cuddle Clinton (or possibly take him home for some soup) and steal Stacy's hair (and most of her clothes) for myself.

Along a similar line, I always end up slightly irked by "10 Years Younger", another TLC regular, now vamped up for primetime evening viewing with three subjects per programme. Although it usually includes a mix of men and women (and thank God for that, or I'd be here all night venting), it's completely the opposite to WNTW in terms of attitude.
The whole concept behind the show is that it's better to look younger rather than just looking fabulous however old you are. It sends subjects off for radical dental restructuring, Botox, Restylane injections and chemical peels, stopping just short of lipo and breast implants. Eek. Not to mention each show's clients are generally subjected to a Dr. Phil-like emotional grilling about their tragic lives before they're allowed the makeover. Horrid.

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