Parents' Guide to

Something Borrowed, Something New

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Bridal fashion series is mild but gets a bit emotional.

TV TLC Reality TV 2013
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What's the Story?

SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING NEW is a reality show that follows brides who must choose between wearing a special, formerly worn wedding gown, or a new designer wedding dress of their dreams. Each episode features a bride who has been offered a dress that is a family heirloom or that has emotional significance, but that lacks the style she is looking for. While designer Kelly Nishimoto converts the old or borrowed dress into a more contemporary, fashion-friendly dress that maintains the essence of the original gown, bridal stylist Sam Saboura finds the bride-to-be a new and fashionable wedding ensemble. After trying on both, she must choose which dress is she going to wear on her special day, and decide if she is going to continue a tradition or start a new one.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
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Kids say (1 ):

Something Borrowed, Something New highlights the role that classic Victorian customs, like wearing something old, something borrowed, and even something blue, play in weddings. It also shows how important it is to families -- particularly mothers -- to pass down their customs to future generations.

There is some discussion of designers and dress styles, as well as how it is possible to take elements of a dress to create something new while maintaining the integrity of the original garment. But most of the show's focus is on the important role bridal dresses play in a wedding, and how they can represent strong emotional bonds between family and friends.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about wedding traditions. Where do they come from? Does the media perpetuate some of these traditions? Are there traditions in your family or culture that have been passed down? Would it be difficult to move away from these traditions if you wanted to?

  • Why are wedding-themed reality shows so popular? Do people get useful information from them? Are they produced primarily for entertainment purposes? Or is it to sell things?

  • Why are there no shows about grooms choosing their tuxedos?

TV Details

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