And then there was Sarah ...

12/18/2010

[From the TLC Editors: Clinton shares his thoughts on the contributors for this season and gives us a behind-the-scenes look into Sarah's fashion fiasco. Check out Sarah on this Tuesday's episode, airing at 9/10 CT -- that's right: Starting Tuesday, Dec. 21, WNTW is making the move to Tuesdays, which means that we're gonna have to rename that day of week to Terrific Tuesday!]

TLC: Is there one contributor this season whose story or transformation really stood out to you?

Clinton: We had a lot of really amazing shows this season and so it’s difficult to pick just one. Jordan and I really hit it off. She was a model in the ’80s whose style devolved into boyish skate punk. It was great to help her rediscover her beauty. And there was Denise, the kooky flight attendant. What a character. I have a feeling people will be talking about her for years to come.

And then there was Sarah, the legal student who dressed like a stripper. That was a very difficult episode for me because she kind of rubbed me the wrong way off the bat. I got so mad at her at one point that I had to walk off set before I said something I would regret.

But all 13 women were interesting in their own ways and I’m glad I got a chance to work with them. There were a lot of ups and downs, but in the end I think it’s one of the best seasons of “What Not to Wear” yet.

Fuzzy Vest: You're on Notice

11/11/2010

[From the TLC Editors: We asked Clinton Kelly about the one trend he wish would die already. What's trend would you like to see taken off the streets? Drop us a note below.]

Clinton: The fuzzy vest -- only because I've seen it done poorly so many times. I saw a woman recently whose hair was the same color as her vest, and she just looked like Sasquatch.

(Take a note from the woman in this picture: If you're going to go with a furry vest, do not match your hair color to it. Also, the Mona Lisa smile indicates that she knows the trend is flagging, she's just taking her vest out for one more walk. Image Credit: Francois Durand/Stringer Getty Images)

Clinton Dishes on Mindy Cohn and Cougars

11/03/2010

[From the TLC Editors: Clinton shares his thoughts on Mindy Cohn's transformation, fashion trends and cougars. Check out Mindy's transformation here and find out where you can buy her reveal outfits.]

TLC: Did Mindy Cohn have an Ah-ha fashion moment? On a related note, what advice do you have for women in their 40s who are trying to revamp their look (especially when Cougar-wear is front and center in the media)?

Clinton: Actually, I don’t think Mindy did have much of an “Ah-ha!” moment. She really listened to what we had to say, but in the end, I think Mindy really likes wearing bigger, baggier clothes. I would doubt very highly that our makeover stuck with her. Don’t get me wrong, she’s fabulous and was great to work with, but she’s been wearing the same style of clothes for a long time, and she likes them.

As for other women her age who are trying to revamp their look, I think it’s really important to participate in some trends after the age of 40. Trends keep you modern, trends keep you relevant, and the last thing you want to do is look as though you’ve opted out of fashion all together.

The most important thing that a woman can do after the age of 40 is to portray a look of sophistication rather than sexiness. Of course you can still be sexy, but it should be sexy sophistication. Don’t worry about competing with the cougars. Let the cougars dress the way they want. Maybe they’ll end up hooking up with 18-year-old boys. Good for them. But 18-year-old boys always leave you.

Shopping List: Pretty as a Blue Jay

04/14/2010

Miriam regarded clothes as a pure necessity to be used when navigating outside of her home, or the occasional nudist colony. She was on the right track in terms of celebrating her curves, but her slap-dash style had relegated her to the realm of “hot mess,” a look that this artist and entrepreneur wasn’t necessarily trying to project.

Stacy and Clinton weren’t worried about Miriam shedding her inhibitions, but they did want her to reconsider a wardrobe that was built on the foundation of a knee-jerk reaction to a constrictive relationship with a former flame. Be gone bustier! Be gone ill-fitting shirts and skirts. Hello to a sophisticated style that now highlights Miriam’s infectious laugh and sweet nature.

The Take-aways:

Wear your weirdness, in other ways -- A purple velvet jacket with a bold blue pattern is youthful and a notch up from Miriam’s breast-baring tops.

Classic + the unexpected -- A traditional tweed suit paired with big, bold accessories (which works well on tall frames) gives Miriam a sophisticated edge, while still wielding a unique style. 

Go big on prints -- Stacy and Clinton chose an animal print dress with ruching in the waist area to draw the eye in. It’s a dress that requires a big personality (and height), which Miriam has plenty of.

Seek out the bra-whisperer -- Your mom’s been nagging you, and Oprah told you, too: Get thee to a bra fitting. It’s an instant slimmer.

Notable quote: "In the process I opened myself up and let my vulnerable self show. I was able allow great things to come in because of that. I can leave all the negative stuff behind … I just expected it to be all about clothes. In the end it was all about moving forward -- that’s what I’m doing."

The Goods:

Shopping List

Mannequins

Reveal Outfits

Home Outfits

Hair and Makeup

If you’re in the neighborhood, drop by and see us on Facebook and Twitter.

Shopping List: Letting Go with Leia

04/06/2010

Thirty-four-year-old Leia didn’t own any jeans. Really. Not even a speck. What she did own was big, black cloud of oversized clothes. But why?

The answer is three-fold: 1. Leia lost weight and she had been waiting to buy the right-size clothing until she had lost even more weight. (Who among us can relate?) 2. The other reason for her “Beetlejuice” wardrobe was that Leia felt her witchy stitches set her apart. Or, in her words, made her look “dark and romantic.” 3. She also has a painful past in which she was the caretaker of someone close to her who died. And her inability to let go of the experience was shaping her outlook and the way she expressed herself.

The problem is that this marketing specialist isn’t a tragic “Wuthering Heights” character. She’s a vivacious woman in a high-profile world. So how did Stacy and Clinton succeed in getting her out of her comfort zone of potato sacks and into sophisticated, well-fitting duds? Let’s review a few slimming strategies:

The Take-aways

All About the Bust: Or rather, the area just below it. It’s this magical line of demarcation (and not your natural waistline) that’s the smallest part of your torso. A jacket that cinches at the bust line, or a shirt or dress that flows out from this point, is ideal for creating curves in the right places. 

Addicted to black? We know, we know. It’s slimming, it’s versatile. You don’t have to think about it. The problem is, it can get monotonous. If you're going to wear black, look for details that create some visual interest. Check out the nifty belt on Leia's black dress (pictured). You can also try a black-and-white pattern instead of reaching for the same old black shirt/sweater/turtleneck.

Flattering Jeans 101: Dark wash? Check. Straight leg? Check. Widest area of lower torso accommodated? Check. Straight leg starts at the widest point of the leg?  Perfect.

Notable quote:  In the words of the estimable Ms. London: “The most important thing about a great black dress is that it fits you like a great black suit.” That means that a little black dress should fit like a dream and everything should be well situated -- no puckering, pulling or puddling.

The Goods

Shopping List

Mannequins

Reveal Outfits

Home Outfits

Hair and Makeup

If you’re in the neighborhood, drop by and see us on Facebook and Twitter.