Fighting fashion crime
Are mean makeovers a necessary evil?
By Erin Loomis , Karolann Bergman 11/26/2008
Television is flooded with shows about makeovers of everything from people’s body parts to their homes and pets, but clothes seem to be the most popular target.
Wardrobe makeover shows are definitely not a brand new evil, but it appears that their casting directors have changed. Long gone are the days of a nurturing, motherly makeover do-gooder; instead we find ourselves peering into the faces of angry, nasty, beautiful, bitter fashion experts. Often paired with a slightly softer counterpart, these hosts tear down the fashion offender, making gagging noises and utilizing every pun in the book to describe the sheer horror of the poor sap’s wardrobe. “Throw it all away,” they cry. “You are too damn fat too pull that off, even if it was still 1992.”
“Ouch!” we think — and yet it’s hard to actually feel bad, because these horribly dressed humans at some point signed a release to allow the program to air, and in doing so must have had some idea about the disastrous, humiliating journey on which they were about to embark.
Admittedly, we take a bit of secret joy when these fashion failures fight back, get bitchy, or downright deny the ideas of the stylist. The phrase “I just don’t like that kind of thing” becomes the proverbial glove-slap challenge.
At the same time, it can be really annoying if they resist too much. Yes, we understand that the host is bitchy; yes, we know they have insulted your collection of tie-dyed muumuus, and that said muumuus have oodles of sentimental value; but you signed up for this show (or your best friend, girlfriend or fiancé did, and you signed that waiver instead of punching them square in the nose in defense of your personal fashion choices).
These contestants know what they are getting into. They handle the quips of the nasty host and in return receive lots of free, fashionable and usually very basic garments as consolation prizes. All in all it’s a pretty good deal, seeing as they usually only give up their favorite sandal/sock combo and most of their pride in front of a huge audience.
… Wait a second. Are those slacks really worth it?
Whatever the case, our real question is: “Why do the hosts have to be so freakin’ mean?”
Is it just human nature? Nice people aren’t so bad, but maybe it just isn’t as interesting to watch someone walk on eggshells as it is to see them deliver walloping insults. In all honesty, most people would rather watch a televised car wreck than a pleasant playground scene, right?
And would anyone watch American Idol if there were no Simon to make the contestants cry? Probably not.
We know we’d be the first to channel flip if a fashion host said, “That wouldn’t be my first choice, dearie. Perhaps if you put a nice blazer over it, it would look perkier.”
Yes, we hate to admit it, but we think those casting directors may be getting it right this time around.
As always, feel free to email us at writeloomis@gmail.com.
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