Fashion with Trend
This article was originally published in January 2023 and has been updated. Growing up in the 2000s, I received my fashion education almost exclusively from TLC’s hit show What Not to Wear . Running from 2003 to 2013, the makeover series was hugely influential thanks to its always-chic, brutally blunt hosts: stylists Stacy London and Clinton Kelly. Each episode spotlighted one contestant — usually a woman — who had been submitted by people in her life to undergo a wardrobe revamp. After being ambushed (usually in front of a large crowd) and agreeing to participate, she would then have to relinquish the contents of her closet and her fashion opinions to be beautified by the all-knowing hosts. Yes, to be nominated for What Not to Wear was to learn that nearly everyone you love thinks your appearance needs “fixing.” Guided by a set of strict instructions, each episode ended with contestants looking nothing like they did in the beginning. Yes life is hard now but in the early 20...