What Not to Wear
I watched the episode “Carrie� from “What Not to Wear�, produced by Abigail Harvey and directed by Kasheed Daniel. “What Not to Wear� is a reality show airing on The Learning Channel, TLC, which airs on Friday nights at 9/8c. The show is based off of the British version of the show. Hosted by fashion gurus, Clinton Kelly and Stacy London, “What Not to Wear� has the main premise of restyling a person’s fashion over two days.
Normally the show has participants nominated by their family and friends as well as self-nominations for a special occasion such as class reunions. The nominated participants will have two weeks of “secret footage� shown to them when they are surprised by the “What Not to Wear� crew. After viewing the footage, the nominee is offered to travel to New York City and shop in the city using a Visa card with $5000. The catch is that the person’s wardrobe is sent as well to New York City, and will be critiqued and most articles of clothing thrown away. If the nominee agrees to the terms, which everyone does, they spend time in New York City shopping, and getting a new hair style and makeup tips.
The shots of the show range from establishing to close ups. Establishing shots are mainly used to show the audience the show the participant enters, along with shots show the city of New York. Another shot normally used in “What Not to Wear� is the wide shot that shows the entire body of someone. This shot allows the view to see the person’s clothing. After hair and makeup are completed, a close up shot is used.
The show is appeals mainly to women from teenagers to the elderly. The commercials during the show are for other retail stores such as Macy’s, H&M, and Bloomingdales. The commercials also are for the other reality shows on TLC. “ London Ink,� “Meerkat Manor,� and “Little People Big World� are the shows publicized in the commercials.
Mulvey’s theory of the gaze is most prevalent in “What Not to Wear.� The show is empowering the norm of having to look beautiful for others. Participants are critiqued over and over on how they look, and are told how to look better. Even the 360 degree mirror participants must enter reinforces the scopophilic ideals of “taking other people as objects.�
Although “What Not to Wear" does enforce the heteronormativity in society, the show also helps women improve confidence and self-esteem.
Comments
"What Not to Wear" can really help women improve their self confidence. But some may feel the opposite. I think they should just say it in a way that would even encourage women to improve their selves.
A lot of good communication skills is what it takes to make it more encouraging for women to improve their selves. Its the way it is being said that would make it successful.
Posted by: Communication Skills | November 29, 2007 2:22 PM