Common Sense Media Review
Wisecracking fashionistas say everyone can look good.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 25 kid reviews
Kids say the show elicits mixed feelings among viewers, as some praise its positive impact on self-esteem and fashion knowledge, while others criticize it for promoting conformity and harsh criticism of personal style. The common consensus is that while the hosts aim to uplift participants through makeovers, their approach can be perceived as mean-spirited, particularly towards those with alternative fashion choices.
- positive messages
- fashion advice
- conformity concerns
- self-esteem boost
- harsh criticism
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
WHAT NOT TO WEAR has a simple, ultimately admirable message: No matter your shape, your size, or whatever physical liabilities or hang-ups you have, you can be beautiful. For dramatic effect, the show starts with an ambush. Friends and family of someone in need of fashion advice nominate her (or sometimes him) for a makeover. The subject is secretly filmed until -- surprise! -- fashion experts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly show up and announce they're giving her a $5,000 wardrobe and the benefit of their advice. In New York, the subject learns that said advice is wisecracking and mild ridicule, and a set of fashion rules. She's sent shopping and makes mistakes, prompting wisecracks from Stacy and Clinton, who eventually arrive on the scene to help her choose flattering clothes. After expert hairstyling by Nick Arrojo and a grooming and makeup lesson from Carmindy, the subject looks fantastic -- without plastic surgery, weight loss, or anything at all drastic.
Is It Any Good?
The beauty of What Not to Wear is that even though the subject is initially mocked, she learns that she doesn't have to change any part of her core self in order to pep up her image. And when the subject shows off her changed image to Stacy, Clinton, and her friends and family, she's as delighted as everyone else at her transformation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the nature of beauty and whether we all need to look like models. What assets do the people who appear on this show have -- including their talents, personalities, and apparent character? Is that attractive? How do they react to change?
How do you think these people's "new looks" will affect their futures? Does it matter? Should it matter? What kinds of messages do makeover shows send in general? And why do you think most of the subjects are women? Do men have less pressure to change their public image?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 18, 2003
- Cast : Clinton Kelly , Stacy London
- Network : TLC
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate