From Romper Room to Va-Va-Voom

08/21/2009

In this episode we meet Disa, a 46-year-old mother of four and pediatric care coordinator. Disa’s style issue? She literally dresses like a child, because she doesn’t want to grow up. Her kids and her mother complain that she dresses too young and have called Stacy and Clinton for help.

Her name may mean goddess, but as Stacy points out, “You ain’t dressing like one.”  During the ambush, Stacy and Clinton point out a 9-year-old who is wearing the same exact outfit as Disa. While the 9-year-old is adorable, the 46-year-old isn’t, according to them. I don’t get the impression that Disa is enthusiastic about participating. (Side note: I’d be pissed if I had to stop my amusement park fun to go watch secret footage.)

Disa works with kids and has a lot of kids, so in her mind, she’s just a “big kid at heart.” That does NOT explain or excuse the birthday-cake hat (?!) she wears all day on her birthday, even if it’s a workday. Disa tells Stacy and Clinton people shouldn’t judge her by her clothes. They counter that adults can be pretty judgmental. You tell her, guys.

Both of her daughters tell her it’s hard for them to take her seriously, because she dresses younger than them. Disa seems very reluctant to “grow up,” even as she acknowledges that her family wants her too.Hello, you are 46!

LOL at the look on Stacy’s and Clinton’s faces when they see Disa for the first time in New York City. Clinton greets her with, “You look insane.” Stacy says, “We don’t allow clowns here,” as she takes the birthday-cake hat off Disa’s head.

Her first 360-degree look is her work outfit. This outfit would work IF she were a member of the Wiggles or Romper Room, but since she isn’t, it just looks a hot mess. Stacy and Clinton ask Disa why she has such a hard time relating to adults. She responds that it means you’re getting old and you’re going to die. Does she not realize young people die all the time?

She’s got on a corduroy jumper from the ‘80s! She reminds me of Corduroy the Bear.

Sweet Shoe Goddess in the Heavens, she is wearing TWO different shoes with her third outfit! And they are BOTH ugly! Does she have such a hard time making decisions that she can’t even decide which shoes to wear? Is she 3 years old?! At this point, I’m hyperventilating.

I’m beginning to worry about Disa. She’s now stated at least four times that she is doing the makeover for her kids. Not to get Dr. Phil-ish, but anyone who tries to change for someone else will not succeed. You have to want to do it for yourself.

Disa’s Rules: Choose dresses and blouses with a cummerbund-like waist or band to create a waist. Her clothing should be made of microfiber, which is easy to wear and wash. V-necks will elongate her neck and make her appear taller and leaner. She should look for jeans with a bit of stretch and stay away from those that narrow at the knee or ankle, because everything above it will look wider in proportion.

After Stacy and Clinton throw out everything in her wardrobe, Disa confesses to never having shopped just for herself. “At this point in my life, it seems like a waste of time to try to add things to yourself to make you pretty and beautiful.” Aww, it’s never too late.

The first outfit Disa tries on while shopping is a jumper. I have to agree with Clinton; she IS like a child you tell 100 times not to jump on the bed. They just threw out all of her jumpers, why is she trying on a new one? Every outfit she tries on makes my eyes bleed.

Clinton has me rolling on the floor when he states, “Nobody wants droopy boobies,” in reference to a strapless teal dress Disa tries on.

On the second day of shopping, Clinton and Stacy call a do-over. They tell Disa to find clothing that actually follows the rules they gave her. I can’t believe it is taking her so long to find appropriate things to try on. I have to give Clinton and Stacy props. They were able to look at the dress she pulled from the rack and know it would be shapeless on her. She can’t feel pretty in pants, and it’s her mother’s fault? Clinton and Stacy do the wise thing and walk away from that comment. By the end of the day, Disa is starting to get the hang of it and feel pretty in the clothes she‘s trying on.

Ted asks Disa what she wants her hair to say about her. She responds “fun.” He tells Disa he’s going to give her fun but sexy hair. Disa is uncomfortable with the sexy idea. Although he will take her apprehension into consideration, Ted wants to push her to the next step. He colors and cuts her hair shorter in the back to show off her neck tattoo. He gives her a hairstyle that is versatile and which Disa likes a lot.

After Carmindy is finished applying Disa’s makeup, she begins to cry because she feels embarrassed that Carmindy called her pretty. Disa is thrilled with her makeup and amazed at how natural it looks.

I really like her second reveal outfit to Stacy and Clinton. The dark teal V-neck blouse and gray wide-legged trousers look very sophisticated.

She looks nice in her final reveal outfit to her friends and family. Her navy draped dress really shows off her figure. Her family is thrilled by her new look.

Total Haul:

$5,000 got Disa more than 25 outfits. These included 16 tops, six bottoms, nine dresses and two jackets.

Get Disa’s shopping list and the details from her makeover in the Episode Guide.

Is this makeover a win? Tell us what you thought

Comments

[Penny]

I have watched several episodes and this one just proves how much I dislike you, Stacey and Clinton! What gives you the right to make someone feel so worthless?!!? This woman was happy and perky before she came to your show, as the show progressed, you could see her insecurity grow! What kills me is that they told her she dressed like she wasn't proud of who she was. There are ways to tell people that they should change their style, but you don't have to be as rude and mean as they are!! And for her to say that she looked like an idiot is so sad! She looked like a person that was happy in her job and cared enought to put children at ease by dressing close to their level. It is a sure bet that I will NEVER watch this show again. She was pretty before, but those New York SNOBS need to learn manners. This poor woman seems like she was extremely happy with her old clothes, but it seems to me that she is now trying to be what everyone wants her to be, so of course, she will say what they want her to say to make them stop being so negative and degrading to her! Her children should have kept their mouths shut! She seems to be a warm and caring mother that loves her kids and would do anything to make them happy. Including changing her wardrobe and pretending to like it!!! This show is what makes the teenagers (and women in general) commit suicide or develope eating disorders because they are not what people think they should be. People has got to learn to diregard others opinions and dress the way it makes them feel good! I HATE PEOPLE LIKE YOU!!!!!

[Ledys Checo]

I loved Disa's haircut. But most importantly I loved that tattoo she had on her neck. Does anyone know what it is or maybe even have a picture of it?

[Annette]

Iam so disturbed by Jesse from Texas,let go of the idea that her old hair was better than her new hair! She looked like trailor trash before and so beautiful after, and to see the sad look on her face was very disappointing!

[indira]

aww jakes mom is so pretty(disa) they did such a great job,you can always keep it fun but keep it formal and dressy at the same time

[Ruth Bailey]

I LOVE Ted and that he listens to the woman whose hair is cutting THRILLS me! He doesn't unilaterally cut short every head of hair in front of him. Yaah! He listened to her!

[leli]

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[Taylor]

This was defently one of your best makeovers! when I watched this episode my mouth was dropped almost the whole entire time i love this show! I was really surpised to see this 46 byear old mother would dress like she was younger than her own childern. It was a little upsetting. But i think you guys are geniuses Satcy and Clinton. I have learned so much

[MW]

In the darkness with no WNTW on tv... I found a funny blog. It is random pictures of people taken in public. Hysterical!! Check is out: http://gogetamirror.blogspot.com

p.s. This isn't some random posting or someone trying to sell anything... Just a real blog and this junk is funny!

[leli]

Love Fashion?? But cant afford it??? NOW u can buy fashion clothes n' shoes for LESS than $45!!! Visit us online @ http://www.cielfashion.com

[Paula]

I loved Disa's hair after the makeover. Where can I find a picture of it or a description of how Ted cut it to pass on to my sytlist? Better still, a video of how he cut it!

[Danise]

Amazing makeover! I think she looked great when you were done! but I do wonder about how practical some of those shoes are if you are really on your feet all day long!

[Nina]

WOW!!!!!!!! Stacey and clinton you really made Disa feel less like a child and more like a woman that knows what shes doing. Shes a woman on the outside and in the inside. I loved the makeup , not the hair. The hair should not be based on a weird tatoo ! I did not like that hairsylist . WHERES NICK????????? WE WANT NICK. WE WANT NICK!!!!!!Listen to your viewers they want NICK!!

[Nina]

WOW!!!!!!! STACEY and CLINTON you really made DISA feel more like a woman on the outside and the inside she is not a child any more . She looks like a woman that knows what shes doing. By the way love the hair and makeup Disa!!!!!!!!!!

[Nina]

I`m Nina and I am only 10 years old , I watch your show like 5 times every day and record your whole series!!!! Now I have a problem my sister who is 7 does not know fashion her hair looks like a rats nest , everyone in her class wheres clothes from Gymboree , she has lots of clothes from there but she refuses to where them . HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also I think you should have a What Not to wear KIDS! By the way soon I will be Nominating my Aunt Janice ( last name clifton ) She wear to much black and her clothes are like to loungey. Thanks STACEY & CLINTON. I`ll always watch your show no matter What!!!!

[Marnie]

Great to have Teddie on the show! He is much warmer and personal than Nick. Teddie is interested in creating a look for the individual. Congrats, Teddie! LOVE your style.

[Steph]

I loved Disa's hair! I have been looking for a pic of it to take to my hairdresser ever since!!

[devoted an]

I miss Nick though I think that Teddie did a good job on Desa. The others that he has done have no shape and no style. The show is about style and change Ted is too timid.

[Maydee]

Disa warms one's heart with her openness and sincerity. Many viewers cried with me, along with Disa, when she could not see herself as beautiful, and she is - inside as well as out. Yes, a Goddess. Some thought Stacy and Clinton were too harsh on her, but the end result speaks for itself. This episode provoked some deep thinking on all our parts.

[GM]

I love this show but in examining the shopping list I find it quite shocking that the tailoring bill was almost $500! I wish Clinton and Stacy would quit saying these alterations are "just $5-simple." Alterations are expensive! That is 10% of her budget. Although I appreciate that they do show some of the more reasonable priced shops (like H&M, Old Navy), I wish they would do a special that is more in line with the economy and what the real people can afford. I for one can't afford the $200+ shoes, pants, jackets, etc. I've always wanted to do my own show-What Not To Wear On the Cheap!

[Kari]

I really enjoyed this week's WNTW episode. I think the entire team, S&C, Carmandy and Ted did very well in making over Disa. I seriously enjoyed Trinny and Susannah. Having read some of their books I find the delivery of advice straight from the heart and not "just a job."

[Kandi]

I thought that it was a great makeover, but I missed the spunk that Nick Arrojo gave his clients with color. Her hair could have been more fun. I have been watching WNTW since before Clinton was on the show, but without Nick it just feels like the show is missing something.

[augiesmom]

I love her hair. I was happy she has bangs. On so many shows in previous seasons, the style was parted on the side. Cutting so the tattoo shows was also something different, which makes the episode interesting. I also loved seeing the variety this hairdo gives here: sides swept forward or behind ears. I'd loved to see more of this on future shows: options of how to wear the cuts, like up for night etc.

[shleprocker]

I love this show. this episode touched my heart. this woman has a deep rooted issue that the show brought to the surface and i could see she felt very raw and exposed. i believe this makeover will change her life forever. she looks beautiful. nice job stacey and clinton. bravo.

[Wanda]

This new season has had some interesting,yet disturbing people as makeover clients. What is with all these grown women wanting to dress like pre-adolescent girls? Disa's makeover was beautiful,though. I think Ted is wonderful! Every cut has fit the client's personality perfectly. Nick was pretty good,but did too much of the same bob over and over.

[suk]

What happen to Nick in the new shows,I loved him

[Chris Ward]

I enjoyed this episode with Disa. Sometimes the toughest nuts to crack are the ones who experience the deepest change. Disa looked quite a bit younger than 46, so not sure what she was so concerned about. Anyway, the result was terrific and she looked really cute.

I also get a huge kick out of Clinton - he invariably says something that makes me laugh out loud. I also love Stacy and enjoy seeing her on Oprah, in her own show, and in other venues, but I always feel as if her "other half" is missing when Clinton is not there. These two are both gems, and I like them much better than their Brit counterparts. Keep up the good work!

[KATIE]

I just watched Making over America for the fist time. And I must say AMAZING! I am so touched and can relate to the story of being a single mom and feeling like I'm over compensating for being a single mom and giving my daughter everything, and nothing for myself, which was okay for me. But watching the show REALLY put in perceptive that I am who I am, and that I need to embrace MYSELF. This is A GREAT SHOW! HANDS DOWN! Thanks so much for putting REAL WOMEN IN REAL SITUATIONS! I LOVE IT!

[janie]

bring back nick arrojo! he was warm, real, a great stylist with a great personality. the new guy feels a little insincere and whatever . . . not nearly as good!

(btw stacy and clinton are GREAT and are at their best when they riff off each other!!)

[Jessica]

This was one of the most enjoyable WNTW makeovers I've seen in a long time. Disa was so adorable and upbeat, and even though she struggled at times, she had a positive attitude overall. Her new look was stunning! (And I have to add, she does not look 46! Not that looking 46 is a bad thing, but I would have guessed her age to be late 30's at most.)

[Annette]

I loved her hair. The color was awesome and the make-up was beautiful. The clothes were the best of course. What a change! Wish it had been me!