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What Not to Wear

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Where to watch: TLC, Download)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 11.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Wisecracking fashionistas are OK for big kids.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 11–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The positive "anyone can be beautiful" message suffers from the show's sarcastic humor and the negativity implied in the title.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Occasional mild innuendo; references to breasts (as "the girls") in a fashion context.
  • Language:

    Infrequent mild cursing ("damn," etc.).
  • Consumerism:

    Specific stores and product names are often mentioned and shown.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About What Not to Wear

Parents need to know that this show's core positive message (anyone can look great) can help mitigate the pressure to look like an airbrushed supermodel that young girls face daily. But during most of each episode, the subject experiences sarcasm and mild ridicule. The TLC version is based on a BBC show of the same name; in the original, two women with soft, caring voices speak frankly to the makeover subjects with dry humor. In the American version, the fashion experts sound less sympathetic and sometimes a bit mean.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk 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? Why might people want to stay the way they are, even if it doesn't work for them? 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?
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See all 13 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    Best show ever

    This show has the incredebly fashionable Stacy, Clinton, Nick, and Carmindy show unfashionable people how easy it is to look fashionable. They secretly video tape the people for 2-3 weeks and suprise them and take them to New York to throw away their horrid wardrobe and give them $5,000 to get a new wardrobe! Nick will cut their hair and tell them how to take care of it. Then Carmendy will show them how to put on make-up the right way. I recomened tis show for anyone into fashion!!!!!

  2. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    Best show ever

    This show has the incredebly fashionable Stacy, Clinton, Nick, and Carmindy show unfashionable people how easy it is to look fashionable. They secretly video tape the people for 2-3 weeks and suprise them and take them to New York to throw away their horrid wardrobe and give them $5,000 to get a new wardrobe! Nick will cut their hair and tell them how to take care of it. Then Carmendy will show them how to put on make-up the right way. I recomened tis show for anyone into fashion!!!!!

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    A Great Show

    What Not To Wear is full of great fashion advice and healthy self-esteem boosts. The women (and, occasionally, men) featured are all in need of drastic fashion help. Most have one of two problems: dressing like they're thirteen in clothes two sizes too small, or dressing like they're fifty in clothes two sizes too big. Each time, Stacy and Clinton, with help from hirstylist Nick and makeup artist Carmindy, revitalize the participant without sacrificing their personality and style. Except for a few sexy outfits and some contestant's lifestyles there is no objectionable material. The show really won't appeal to kids under ten.

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Oh my goodness, I love this show! It always provides me with laughs and fashion advice- and the trouble of an eye sore. This show has few languistic obscenities, but it otherwise is appropriate for all ages.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 0.0

    Bad social message

    I find this show to be very mean-spirited. I don't find any entertainment value in a show that makes such harsh value judgements. I feel so sorry for each person who is ambushed and told they have ugly clothes. How personal! Then they are "taught" how to buy ultra-expensive clothes in New York. How many of these victims are ever going to shop like this again? How reaistic is this? Do we really want to teach our daughters to buy $200 trendy jeans that were made in some third-world sweatshop? Does anyone really think these people will continue to wear these unfamiliar clothes? I'd have to wonder about my friends if they did something this cruel to me. Teach your kids about budgeting and the role of clothes instead. Don't let them fall for this awful hype. Nobody needs this.

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