Jan 23 2009
What Not to Wear Dulls With “Age-Appropriate” Wear
I am a big fan of TLCs What Not to Wear. But I do have a few disagreements with them occasionally. One of the things I don’t like about the show is how often Stacy and Clinton drill in “Age-Appropriate” to any woman over 25, and more harshly as the ages go up (though somehow Stacy London herself seems immune to a lot of these rules). 
Now, I agree that your style does need to change somewhat as you mature, and wearing junior clothes that aren’t made for a woman’s body isn’t a good idea. But I dislike the fact that once you hit 30 you must graduate to plain clothes and over the knee skirts and reserve embellishment for your shoes–and get a reserved bob haircut.
Tonight’s What Not to Wear guest Jennifer was the executive director of a music school. She was often called upon to do fund-raising and attend benefits and galas, and was wearing jeans and little spaghetti strap tops. This was definitely not appropriate businesswear for a professional. I’m not even sure how she got the position dressing like that, but it seems these days it is easier for those in charge to turn their employees into What Not to Wear than it is to tell them to dress appropriately for their job. Just get Stacy and Clinton to do it!
But I digress. Jennifer’s wardrobe wasn’t doing anything for her, and I agree she needed an upgrade. Some of the clothing they chose for her was nice, with some added ruffles or cutout detailing. But really, they kept telling her that she was blending her bohemian side with her business side when she was standing there in a high-necked matte gold top and black skirt. I wasn’t exactly feeling the bohemian part. Age-appropriate is fine to an extent, but if a woman bends the rules because she can carry it off, why not let her? Why do we have to become plain as we get older?
The worst of all was the haircut. Maybe it’s what Nick Arrojo is told to do, maybe it’s what the guest wants, but I am so sick of seeing the bob haircut on every woman that comes in. If she has curly hair, their answer is to cut it off and straighten it. Jennifer had a sort of collar-length wavy hair that was soft around her angular face. Then Nick comes and gives her a bob and straightens it, making her look more angular and her neck too long. She had a youthful quality about her beforehand, and then the hair and modest makeup just aged her into a “proper” yuppie librarian type. This is nothing against Jennifer, who seems to be a lovely person, devoted to her husband and her work. I feel she deserved better, quite frankly.
I beg the What Not to Wear people to stop cutting bobs on everyone. There’s this strange idea that somehow it’s a one-size-fits-all solution to hair problems and it’s just not true. Yes, bobs look great on some women. But there is nothing wrong with a woman having longer hair. Men like it, women like it; it’s soft and feminine. The same goes for curly hair. In the after shots over the credits, Jennifer had let her hair curl a bit and it was much more flattering on her. I hope she grows it out, and maybe tries a different color. I thought it was odd that she said she didn’t want to be a blonde, and yet she was still blonde afterwards.
One more note for all who watch the show. An important facet of carrying off any kind of wardrobe is confidence. I’ve seen many episodes where they put beautiful clothes on a beautiful girl and she still looked frumpy. This is because many of the What Not to Wear guests slump their shoulders, stand with their stomachs out, or walk like ducks. Sure, modern women may laugh about practicing walking witha book on your head, but it’s still a great way to achieve balance and learn to walk in a more elegant way. So head up ladies, one foot in front of the other, and try wearing heels. You’ll upgrade your wardrobe without paying a cent.
**Photo of Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, c2007 Brian Doben, TLC
(Wait, is that a sparkly skirt above the knee and a top with embellishment? Is that age appropriate? Of course it is, because she looks fabulous!)
Thank you! I was watching another episode of What Not To Wear wondering why Nick gives every women a bob!?!? And how come no one says anything?!? It’s been driving me crazy for years!! I turned to the internet to make some sort of complaint & found your site. I’m so happy I’m not the only one that feels this way. And! They’re not even hip stylish bobs! Like a Rihanna or Victoria Beckhem bob, they’re frumpy bobs. Why does he insist on cutting eveyones hair off!! If anything longer hair is more youthful and sexy- I’d like to see Stacy in a frumpy bob.