I have an inexplicable love for teen movies, especially when they involve makeovers. Who could resist Rachel Leigh Cook in "She's All That," when she goes from geek to chic by taking off her glasses and putting her hair down? What about Cher's charitable revamping of Brittany Murphy's wardrobe in "Clueless," which changes her from a stoner in Troll T-shirts to a hottie in plaid minis? Even classic films like "Sabrina" show the importance of a good haircut (and a year in Paris) in transforming a girl's love life.
Makeovers have become super-trendy. Everyone and her mom has decided to write a style handbook, from the "What Not to Wear" girls to Nina Garcia from "Project Runway" -- who has decided she is incredibly fashionable. By the way, if you must talk about Nina, you have to say her name incredibly quickly like it is all one word. I don't know why. Or for that matter, how it is possible that she is from the same town in Colombia as Shakira: Barranquilla. But I digress. Even the stylist best known for wearing huge sunglasses and looking like a wrinkly paper bag, Rachel Zoe, has written the book "Style A to Zoe." -- which will clearly sell like hot cakes because her clients (such as Nicole Richie) look so good.
TV shows such as "What Not to Wear" and the new Tim Gunn's "Guide to Style" are doing admirably well, despite the fact that they all seem to be basically the same. Guess what? Wearing voluminous purple pants is not flattering -- and neither is a fishnet turtleneck! Who'd have thought? Throw away those old threads, and we (self-appointed style experts) will tell you what is in fact stylish and a good shape for your body. Same formula, yet I can't stop watching them.
In fact, I'm thinking of starting my own makeover business after college, as I'm clearly not going to find a job with my humanities major. Luckily, I already have a couple of male candidates, who are ready for me to simultaneously revamp their wardrobes and hopefully their lives. I believe I could do a good job of making over people because I am excellent at picking apart outfits and judging people solely based on their apparel choices.
I love watching and/or participating in a good makeover, but they are a little curious. The question remains: Why do new clothes have such an effect on people's personalities?
I am all about the transformative power of a good outfit. I know when I'm looking good -- and although that does not necessarily mean that day or night will go my way -- it's a good start. I've also done absurd things for fashion, like wearing jeans that are way too tight for me after a semester of eating far too much paella. Luckily, I have the kind of close friends who will accompany me into a bar bathroom to help me get the job (of buttoning my jeans, that is) done. I also went through an extended overall period, in the fourth through sixth grades, that I'm still a little ashamed of. Except for the lavender velvet ones. They were way cute.
Since my makeover business is going to be highly lucrative, and therefore exclusively expensive, I thought I'd give a few tips for people who did not make my initial wait list.
Don't:
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