What Not to Wear (American TV series)

***What Not to Wear*** is an American makeover reality series based on the British series of the same name. It was narrated by Adam J. Harrington and hosted by Stacy London and Clinton Kelly; London's original co-host was Wayne Scot Lukas, who left after the first season. The series premiered on TLC from January 18, 2003 and ended on October 18, 2013.

## Format

Participants were nominated by friends, co-workers, or even relatives; some, such as mall nominations or reunion specials, were self-nominations. A 360-degree mirror was set up for the latter in various malls across the United States, in which women were allowed to explain why they needed fashion help. Early episodes featured both men and women, but later episodes began to focus exclusively on women when men proved unremarkable in transformations. In some episodes, both the nominee and nominator were selected for a makeover.

A woman who was selected would be followed and secretly videotaped for two weeks. Sometimes the nominee would be asked by a camera crew - secretly the *What Not to Wear* crew filming her pre-makeover look for the show - to participate in "market research". Sometimes the nominators gained access to the nominee's closet to point out specific items of clothing that they considered particularly bad.

Stacy and Clinton would then view and comment on the secretly filmed footage, in sometimes caustic style, on why the nominee's wardrobe was unflattering or outdated, and they would usually meet with the nominators before meeting the nominee. Afterward, the entire group would go to meet the nominee in a surprise visit, during which the nominee would be offered a $5,000 Visa debit card (changed to an unbranded $5,000 gift card in later seasons), for the purpose of buying a new wardrobe if she would turn over her entire existing wardrobe to Stacy and Clinton and shop by "their rules" (shopping guidelines tailored for her age, body shape, and profession). If the nominee accepted the terms of the offer, then Stacy and Clinton would give them the gift card and review the secret footage with them. If she declined, nothing further is filmed and there would be no show. Nominees were sometimes very reluctant to agree, and Stacy and Clinton and the nominators would have to persuade them.

After reviewing the secret footage, the nominee was brought to New York City for a week of evaluation, shopping, and hair and make-up styling. Throughout the week, the nominee frequently declared she was unable to find properly fitting clothes, disliked her body, or didn't care what other people thought.

Stacy and Clinton would spend the first day sorting through the nominee's wardrobe, and she would step inside a 360-degree mirror to explain what she liked about her regular outfits and why she thought they looked good on her. Stacy and Clinton, after critiquing each outfit, would then present a more "appropriate" outfit to the participant to help illustrate the "rules" for the participant to follow when shopping for new clothes. Throughout the sorting process, most of the clothes were symbolically tossed in a large garbage can; however, they were actually donated to charity as long as they were not torn or damaged.

The second day was spent filming the participant shopping on her own in various New York stores. Stacy and Clinton would then review the footage and comment, for the benefit of the viewers, on whether or not the participant was following the "rules".

On the third day, Stacy and Clinton would surprise the participant, comment on whether the previous day's purchases followed the "rules", and help her with the remainder of the shopping. If the participant had not followed the rules, the clothes may have to be returned.

On the fourth day, hair stylist Nick Arojjo, and later hair stylist Ted Gibson, and make-up artist Carmindy transformed the participant's appearance. Stacy and Clinton were not present at this stage.

On the fifth and final day in New York, the participant showed off her new look to Stacy and Clinton - in three of her new outfits. Stacy and Clinton then commented on how her new look flatters her body and generally improves her appearance.

The last segment featured a party in the participant's hometown, where she would show off her new look to her friends and family, who would comment on how impressed they were and how happy she looked. With the credits rolling, the participant was shown in additional wardrobe items and commented on what the experience did for her emotionally and how it improved her confidence.

## Cast

* Stacy London, fashion consultant hostess and narrator
* Wayne Scot Lukas, fashion consultant and host (Season 1 only)
* Clinton Kelly, fashion consultant host and narrator (Season 2 onwards)
* Ted Gibson, hair stylist
* Nick Arrojo, hair stylist
* Carmindy, make-up artist
* Adam J. Harrington, narrator

## Episodes

Main article: *List of What Not to Wear episodes*