What Not to Wear

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Friday night. Most people are out partying, hanging out, having a great time with friends. I'm home, wrapped in a huge blanket and covered in kleenex, holding my mint tea: Sick. Not sick- cool like my friend Mike Raiger says...but I want to crawl into bed-sick. I hate being sick. I think maybe it's because I'm in nursing, and nurses do NOT make good patients. And I never get sick...but when I do, it's usually because I am too busy and stressed out. Getting sick in September can't be a good sign for the upcoming semester. Friday night I found myself all alone. Nicki and Kristen were away the weekend, and Erin was out at a concert. What was a sick girl to do? Well, I tried to do some homework, but I kept falling asleep...so I went downstairs and turned on the t.v. TLC to be exact. What Not to Wear. For those of you who don't know, this is a show were two fashion experts (Stacey and Clinton) walk up to some unsuspecting person they've secretly been stalking and tell them that they look horrendous. They proceed to make fun of all their clothes, throw it out, but then offer a 5000$ VISA to purchase new 'acceptable' clothing in return for the humiliation. I always feel bad for the people when they make fun of their wardrobe. I can't even think of what Stacey and Clinton would say about my hat collection. I think I would puke if they tried to make me throw them out. Or maybe I'd just take the VISA and run.
I started wondering what made these people fashion experts, did they go to fashion expert school, or are they just that cool that they can tell people what to wear, or in this case, what not to wear? It's true, the people on the show aren't the greatest dressers, but who cares? If they want to wear purple plaid with polka-dots, all the power to them. However, I think that what most people need isn't 5000$ (although I probably wouldn't complain) but a self-esteem boost. I bet I could make those people feel great about themselves after just a trip to Value Village and First Choice with some smiles and truthful complements about the beauty within. Let's face it, fashion comes and goes. Fads are just that, fads. Temporary. Heck, a few years ago boys thought it was hot to wear their pants down to their knees (some are still unfortunately caught in this fashion trend). Fashion changes so quickly it is hard to keep up, let alone become an expert and tell people what not to wear. It's true that I am often in need of a makeover. And while I would love the VISA worth 5000$, the makeover I am mostly in need of is a makeover within. Clothes and a new haircut would only cause a temporary change, fleeting happiness. I want more...

posted by Rachel Pede @ 3:20 PM   3 comments