New and Improved....and Homogeneous?

I've never been a fan of make-over shows. In fact, the very idea of "making over" someone bothers me.

There are different types of these shows, like How Do I Look where "friends" send a loved one up the river and the poor victim is forced to watch her favorite outfits be tossed away. I tried to watch...but it was far too painful as the hostess with the mostest attitude belittles the unfashionable guest and makes fun of her clothing choices to the glee of fashion "experts" and friends.

Tasteless...really and truly tasteless.

There is another popular format where the victim is given rules and educated on how to dress for her body type. The guest is told what looks best for her and her lifestyle, then sent out to shop. What Not to Wear is just such a show.

While the last of these two format types is the least objectionable...they both enjoy the snarky and bitchy comments associated with those who "do" fashion, and the basic premise is this idea that we want people to blend in with the rest of society.

Is this a good thing?

Yes, certain occasions require specific clothing choices: suits for interviews, wet suits for diving, and hard-hats for construction areas...but isn't there room for being unique? Whatever happened to that little independence streak we had in high school? Where is that little rebel?

Perhaps that little rebel has been beaten into submission by all of the cutting remarks, and now just wants to blend in and avoid any negative attention. Pity.

I understand that dressing like a college frat boy or a wannabe porn-star might be detrimental to teaching First Grade. If either of these people request assistance in dressing in a way that is more appropriate for their prospective field of work, then that's cool. But it's not cool to approach them and suggest it.

Very not cool.

Our society has a pretty specific dress-code...but can we lay off those who want to stand out a little? I like the unique people...the artsy and independent thinkers who have found their own groove and don't fear being different. I adore and admire them.

As a former Vogue reader, I have always marveled at the idea of fashion...I love clothes and the million different ways to express who I am by how I dress. It's a game of fun and color...nothing serious.

Lighten up people. We're adults, but we're not dead.

If I have chosen to blend in, then be sure it's a conscious decision on my part to do so...a means to an end...but I will never, ever choose my clothing, hair style or anything else in order to please you.

You're just not that important.