From Sour Notes to Sweet Fashion Music

08/28/2009

Teresa is a classically trained cellist living in the Bronx, N.Y., who doesn’t seem to care how she dresses. Her friend, Renee, hopes Teresa sees her being picked for the What Not to Wear makeover as a gift and not an insult.

I start laughing at Clinton’s, “Someone’s wardrobe is hitting a really sour fashion note,” as Stacy and Clinton ambush Teresa during her concert. Teresa looks mortified, as I would be, if I had all of Grand Central Station in New York City clapping over being singled out for my bad fashion sense. Did she just say, “I wish I was wearing a bra,” to Stacy and Clinton?

Teresa says she’s always been a lazy dresser, and she’s looking forward to Clinton and Stacy’s help. As they watch the secret footage, Clinton summarizes all that is wrong with America as “the elastic waistband on pants.” Who knew? I would’ve guessed 20 other things, including muffin tops and anyone over the age of 12 wearing a ruffle skirt.

Teresa tears up when Stacy asks her the last time she felt pretty. She’s always thought she was ugly due to her brother’s teasing when they were young. Stacy and Clinton tell her they see a pretty woman dressing horribly, and that by dressing better, she will gain self-confidence.

To be fair, Teresa’s first outfit in the 360-degree mirror isn’t hideous, but I’m astounded she would wear it without a bra to go teach a class. Stacy and Clinton explain that a bra will lift the girls so as to show more of her torso. This will allow her to accentuate her waist, which looks better. I really like the color palette on the first mannequin they show her; the green croc bag is unexpected with the cream and brown.

The second outfit Teresa tries on makes Stacy say, “You look like Archie Bunker in drag.” I’m not exaggerating when I say her last 360-degree outfit made me recoil like I was in a horror movie. Or as Stacy put it, “This dress sucks.” Teresa really likes it, though, so Stacy and Clinton ask her what about it she likes. They then explain why those reasons are wrong for her body type. I’ve really liked the three mannequins they’ve shown her. I think my favorite is the black beaded dress, and I don’t even like wearing black.

Teresa’s rules: A bra. A-line skirts and dresses. Jackets and cardigans to help balance out her proportions.

Too many gems while Clinton and Stacy throw out her clothes, but these three made me chuckle. The first was Stacy’s and Clinton’s incredulous looks regarding the “cat bedding” shirt. The second came at their astonishment at her having just bought this one particular outfit from a “modern store.” And finally the blue Hawaiian shirt, which Clinton says recalls a “lesbian retirement home.”

Fun Clinton Kelly fact: He’s allergic to cats. I find this out as he sneezes his way through the throwing away of Teresa’s wardrobe.

As Stacy is trying to throw out some boots, Teresa objects because there’s nothing wrong with them. “You aren’t going to put me in go-go boots?” she worries. Stacy and Clinton respond, “Yes and a go-go outfit. Then we’re going to put you in a cage and make you dance.” They are truly hilarious.

Teresa is frustrated while shopping by herself because she’s not really finding things she likes that are her size. Stacy and Clinton agree that it is frustrating to try on a lot of outfits without finding stuff in your size, but the good thing is she has them to help guide her.

I like Teresa’s spirit. Although she did not have fun shopping, she’s still really looking forward to shopping with Stacy and Clinton and getting their expertise. She realizes that her distaste for shopping stems from her low self-esteem.

When Clinton and Stacy meet Teresa, they concentrate on getting her several pieces that will be easy for her to wear for several different occasions. They also show her how to accessorize an outfit to make it show off her personality. They don’t let her obsesses about small things like whether shoes are comfortable or not. If a particular shoe is uncomfortable, the solution is to get another pair of shoes.

When Ted meets Teresa, he suggests dying her hair a rich brown shade to cover the gray and emphasize her eyes. He feels she is “too young for gray hair.” Teresa doesn’t initially like her hair, partially because it is too straight. She also feels she has to be somebody else, because she did not expect to look so different.

Carmindy’s makeup application leaves Teresa shocked. Although she does think it’s pretty, she feels it’s more of a sophisticated look and “she’s not sophisticated.”

In Teresa’s reveal to Stacy and Clinton, she looks great and seems very happy. Stacy does not think it’s funny when Teresa jokes that she can wear the second outfit even without a bra.

For her final reveal, she looks very glamorous and is basking in all the well-deserved attention she’s receiving. She admits to feeling a lot more confident and thinks it’s helping her become a better musician.

Total Haul:

$5,000 got Teresa more than 25 outfits. These included 11 tops, five bottoms, four dresses, three bags, five pairs of shoes and 11 different accessories.

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

Is this makeover a win? Tell us what you thought

Comments

[Denise Laird]

What happened to the show What not to Wear?? It was one of my favorites!!! Is it on another chanel? Please bring it back!!! Thank you Denise

[violet flaherty]

I agree. WNTW should never been replaced with those stupid wedding dress shows. I have always looked forward to Friday nights and watching a WNTW marathon. I'm VERY unhappy ! When is it coming back?

[CATHERINE R CONKLIN]

Is anyone going to tell us why What Not to Wear is no longer on?
Say Yes to the Dress is getting old really fast. At least tell us if What Not to Wear is coming back or not. We are loyal viewers and we deserve an answer. Please tell us. Thank you so much.

[Al Melchiano]

Please bring back Nick!!!!!

[Carol T.]

I love the show and the makeovers but there is never a large girl with figure problems. I've been large all my life-always on a diet and my figure shows it. How about some suggestions for people like me?

[Carla]

I was so touched my Theresa's makeover. SHE looks FABULOUS! I also want Theresa to know that I have to have my clothes tailored as well. I am a thin, petite person and everyone thinks I can wear things off the rack, BUT I CAN'T. TLC's What Not To Wear (and that my mom sew's!) has taught me to wear what is right for MY body shape and that it's ok if only 5% of what I try on fits perfectly. I get things altered to fit ME! Way to go Theresa. You look BEAUTIFUL. Now you just have to believe it yourself! All the best.

[L. Livingston]

Is Stacy and Clinton secretly married?

[Lulu Livingston]

Why won't anyone answer the question? Has What Not to Wear been cancelled?

[Teresa]

I did smile when I wasn't in shock. I am grateful for everything Stacy & Clinton taught me, and their genuinely big hearts went a long way to healing my corrupted self image. Unfortunately, I thought the dress with the radioactive pansies was a bit much and not very flattering. The first reveal outfit and soccer-mom hair-do did not capture my personality at all so it was hard to get excited about it - I tried my best. They never mentioned the fact that I have severe back pain and sometimes I really can't wear a bra; when I do, it's for a few hours at the most. I also can't wear most of the shoes from the show because of an arthritic toe. The episode made me realize how much pain my body is actually in and I have since been doing a lot of hot yoga and am getting back into shape. I wonder if I am the only woman in the world who dresses to accommodate her physical pain?

[CW]

Teresa's makeover was never nice but she didn't try to be receptive to all that was done. I thought she would have looked even better if she would smile...just a thought.

[Dennis]

Friday night has been TORTURE without What Not To Wear and thank God it is coming back in two weeks. ''Say Yes to the Dress'' got old after three episodes and is completely and utterly boring.

[tamtam]

I agree with ENOUGH STUPID WEDDING DRESSES!! What Not to Wear with a glass of wine on a Friday night - bliss!

[B.]

It's coming back JAn 2010!

http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/whatnottowear/whatnottowear.html

[Mariko]

Chiming in to say that I miss What Not To Wear too! I can't stand Say Yes to the Dress! Please put it back at its 5 PM slot or at least air it on Friday nights again.

[ellen morrison]

I also need to know what happened to What Not to Wear! It was the highlight of my Friday nights, kind of sad but I hated missing it.

[Tammy]

What not to Wear was my favorite show what happened to it, I looked forward to Friday nights. Please bring it back!!!!!

[Edmond, Okla.]

ENOUGH wedding "say no to the dress".

[valerie]

Where is What Not to Wear?? There's really no other reason to watch TLC reality. And while you're at it, when the show comes back on, be sure to post where we can all buy the samples they show during the "rules." Thanks.

[lepo]

I wanna your help my girlfriend watch your program everyday and she loves What not to wear, the problem is that she dosen't think taht is pretty and i really get angry because she's wonderfull i know that and is enought for me but isn't for she. please i wanna give her this sorprice because She is from Mexico, me too. And she thinks is imposible that your program would arrive to Mexico. Thanks for your time.Grettings from Mexico!!!

[LBParker]

For every episode: Somebody PLEASE tell Stacey it's "holla" not "holler" - if you're going to interject slang AT LEAST "come correct" - !!!!

[Denise]

OMG!!!!!!! Why in the world would you take What not to wear off of the air? You've replaced it with continuous repeats of Say yes to the dress. I do like the show, Say yes to the dress. But, only 1 episode per week @ a time. PLEASE!!!!!! Please return What not to wear to the air. I am turning against this wedding dress thing!
Thank you,
Denise

[nikki]

how do u get signed up for this show i want to try to get my husband signed up. he realy needs it.. he works to hard and to much to have time to look nice.. i think he deserves to have this. i think it might change the way he thinks about his self..

[Kathy Dirks]

more "What Not To Wear" less Wedding shows....Please!!!

[Joan Koskoski]

I don't watch TLC anymore because What Not to Wear is not on Friday nights. I check the TV schedule every week and I am so disappointed when I don't see it.

[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!

[Charlotte]

Well, What IS the reason this show is not airing this season? It was the brightest spot of my week of T.V. I am very hard to dress and picked up many tips.I can alter my top half but get professional help for the rest. Really miss the show.The public deserves some kind of answer;WE build up your ratings. No explanation is extremely dismissive to us all. Bridal gowns--forget it.Most of us can not afford such extravagance anyway.

[Andrew From Ontario]

Bring back my What Not to Wear! My seven year old daughter just got into it and poof Clinton and Stacy are nowhere to be seen....HELP!

[Carolyn]

I miss it in its Friday time slot too! It is one of the only shows on TV that I watch, and is the reason I pay for cable. I'd take re-runs if they don't want to air new episods!

[Grace]

I LIVE IN IRELAND AND GET TO SEE THIS SHOW,I HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH SO CALLED TRANSFORMATIONS, I FEEL THE LADIES LOOK BETTER BEFORE RATHER THAN AFTER AS MOST OF THEM LOOK TEN YEARS OLDER, WITH VERY MATRONLY CLOTHES AND BORING HAIRSTYLES.
WE HAVE SIMILARY SHOWS HERE, BUT AT LEAST YOU;'D WANT TO GO ON FOR A MAKEOVER, UNLIKE TLC'S SHOW...THUMBS DOWN FROM IRELAND FOLKSL,

[SS]

Dos anyone know WHY there is no Friday night showing OR 6 p.m. daily showing of What Not To Wear.

[Pat W.]

I am having "What Not to Wear" withdrawal symptoms. I was just starting to pull together some decent clothes with Stacey and Clinton's help and they have VANISHED from the tube!!! What to do? Every morning I get dressed and look in the mirror and try to figure out what would Stacey and Clinton think...
And what's with the endless shows on neurotic women trying to find the perfect wedding dress. Who cares??? It's only one day in their lives and statisically at least half of their marriages will go down in flames anyways.
Bring back Stacey and Clinton. I need their help to get dressed every day.
Sign me, DESPERATE

[nancy]

Please put What Not to Wear on more often. I get so tired of the endless viewings of kate and jon and all of the bride shows. We only get What Not to Wear it at noon and on Friday evenings in the Orlando area. Please give us more of Stacy and Clinton. Love that show. My friends are also sad that it is not on more often.

[Emily]

I'm assuming TLC puts up these comments because none of them are bad. I think what not to wear is the worst show I have ever seen. Stacy London has no idea what she is talking about. All she does is criticize people while she really has no fashion sense of her own. The thing that bothers me the most is that strange chunk of grey hair. What is that all about? I know everyone is different and if she feels more empowered to not dye her hair than good for her but someone needs to buy her some dye for Christmas. Never has that been in style.

[Illsa]

I just love the show and miss it. TLC please hurry and get Stacy & Clinto back on. The are a very missed part of my weekend.

[Brooke]

Love your show -found your website;its great! It would also be great if you could maybe add some tips on how to put together a basic outfit from head to toe, pictues etc. Thanks keep up the fun!!

[Heidi]

During my stay in the U.S. this summer I watched "what not to wear" for the first time and immediately became a big big fan! What a great show how sad that I don't get it in Europe!!!! As presumably everybody else, I'd love to get on the show and get a new style. Well this is obviously impossible but is it possible to get the DVD's somewhow???

[susan wagner]

I have spoken to you before I really miss the show "what not to wear"!! Clinton,Stacy,Nick,Carmindy are all great!! Funny, Kind and Sincere!!!

[Joanna Stelling]

Why on earth would they take WNTW off the air? Are they insane? I can't watch anything else on that ridiculous channel which seems to be geared toward the lowest common denominator. What were they thinking??? Bring them back! They're smart, funny and sophisticated, unlike anybody else on that station.

[Freddie J. Trebby]

WHY WOULD TLC EVEN CONSIDER REMOVING 'WHAT NOT TO WEAR'FROM THE SCHEDULE? I look forward all week long to watching a whole night of that show on Fri. nights! I am an art student who has to dress shabby all week because of messiness in classes & I love knowing that I 'could' clean up after all this is over.
All 4 of these STARS, meaning STACY, CLINTON, NICK & CARMIDY, are such inspirations & so charming. They have a huge following & if TLC is not interested in furthering the idea that these STARS have consistantly delivered....SOME OTHER NETWORK W I L L!!!!
Think about it.....WE LOVE THIS SHOW!
Mrs. Freddie Trebby

[yaya]

stacey and clinton are the best thank you for all your tips i thank you so much you have given me a gift . that will forever make my little world easier.nick and carmendie thanks for your tips also!!!!

[Jean]

Miss What Not To Wear on Friday nights - it was one of the best parts of my Friday night routine after a long work week. PLease bring it back.

[ruth abraham]

where is what not to wear?????
you are missing the beat with other programs. why not have a program that everyone can relate to.
ruth abraham 10/24/09 @ 10:30 am

[Mariann]

I agree with all the above! Friday night TV stinks! My favorite show & TV night was WNTW w/Stcy & Clinton.
PLEASE bring them back. I'm sick of reruns. Ted was OK, but Nick the best.

[Sandra]

Why DID they take off WNTW at night? I've been watching the reruns at noon on my lunch hour...
I also heard they let Nick go - WHYYYYY ? He was so great! I loved all of his hair makeovers. I want him to do My hair! I haven't seen Ted yet, so I can't really form an opinion, but I know I will miss Nick so much! Come on TLC... get with it. If it ain't broke....

[kay]

I so agree with all the comments - Bring WNTW back on Friday night - The Wedding Show is OK but not back to back - 3 shows.

Kay

[Catherine]

I don't mean to sound negative but
couldn't What Not To Wear be on a little more often. I'm getting tired
of the bridal/wedding shows and childbirth/baby factory couples programs.

[j-tho]

I've asked before but am asking again ~ doesn't anyone from TLC read this stuff? ~ when is WNTW coming back on with new shows. And PLEASE ~ enough of all the wedding stuff!

[Paris Vogelsang]

What happened to What Not To Wear ? I am so sick of seeing wedding dressesI could throw up. I miss Stacey and Clinton and the whole family. Put them back on, or at least tell us why they aren't around anymore. My Fridays are shot down now. HELP !!!!!!!!!

[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

[Celine]

Where is What Not to Wear?!?! I am so bummed that it is not on Friday nights anymore. Will the show be coming back? I agree with Pat, we don't want to watch Say Yes to the Dress all night long. I so looked forward to watching Stacy and Clinton. Now I'm not watching TLC at all. Very disappointing!

[Karen]

Please put What Not To Wear back on the air. That was the one program that I watched and really enjoyed. Stacey, Clinton and Nick are great.

[suzy]

Hey Val: "Get over yourself"? Now there's a tired old phrase. Despite your bossy, snarky comment I still don't like MOA. Here's another old phrase for you...buzz off.

[j-tho]

when is the show coming back on the air??? enough with the Kleinfeld's already!

[Stephanie K]

I just wanted to throw this out there. Girls you absolutely have to watch the episode with Eric the ex-jewelry designer. He went from having long hair and hiding an amazing body under XL hand me downs to one of the hottest guys I've ever seen. lol.

[Brittany]

Are Stacy and Clinton getting married? Are they married?

[Val]

Hey Suzy the women of making over America did the original What Not To Wear in the UK. They show their jiggly bits to let women know it's okay to have them. Get over yourself.

[pat]

Friday nights are boooooring on TLC now. I have stopped watching TLC. Wedding dresses?? that audience is limited...say no the dress and yes to What not to Wear on Friday nights. Watching people buy wedding dresses (same thing over and over) or common folk who need some help on what makes them look better and feel better about hair, make-up, and cothing...let me see...which one offers variety and a chance for the majority of people to learn...it is called the learning channel right?
Apprently only if you want to buy a wedding dress, don't work during the day, and you can watch WNTW at lunch time. Very disappointing.

[shelby]

I wish the new season would start, but I am so excited for Teresa! :)

[Jeannie]

I concur; taking WNTW off and replacing it with the weirdo Brits was a BIG mistake. It's right up there with watching shows about people who don't know when to stop breeding. So I've quit TV till WNTW is back on with new episodes.

[Laurie Lieberman]

Where is What Not to Wear?? And why is it not on at 6pm at night, every night and 8 & 9 pm on Fridays? You take the best shows off and leave junk on. What not to Wear is the only reason I started watching TLC and if it is not on I can stop watching TLC. We need more Stacey and Clinton