True confession: A few minutes into last night’s premiere on Bravo of Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style — at the precise moment the handsome, silver-haired host told jeans-and-t-shirt gal Rebecca Pennino that her makeover journey was likely to be "painful emotionally" — I was ready to dismiss the show as ridiculous hooey. And for the most part, it is. I mean, that panty-store proprietor’s proclamation that "a solid foundation in lingerie absolutely gives a woman the most confidence she’ll ever have"? Come on! More than a good education? Or a rewarding, high-paying job? Or true love?
But then again, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t experience a moment of fashion introspection when Gunn and co-host Veronica Webb (pictured with Gunn) started the segment about how "silhouette, proportion, and fit" should be a person’s primary considerations in choosing his or her clothes. Especially when my own criteria basically boil down to "color, price, and ability to hide troublesome spare tire." Cut to scary daydream where I’m trying on all my favorite garments as Gunn and Webb tut-tut and gasp about how my cherished plaid pants make my legs look stubby.
Seriously, though, Guide to Style works as more than anamusing quip-fest precisely because the co-hosts really know their wayaround a rack of clothing. The trench coat, white wrap shirt, and Catherine Malandrinopatterned dress that ended up in Rebecca’s closet were as stylish asthey were practical. I just wish that horrendous software program Timwas using hadn’t added forty pounds to Rebecca’s frame. And that theshow’s producers had left Jai Rodriguez 2.0 in the sample bin. Anyonewho thinks wearing a plastic bag and listening to the music in yourhead is the world’s best one-hour self-esteem booster has clearly neverseen a little show called Oprah (or eaten a pint of Häagen-Dazs Dulce de Leche).
Even worse, time spent with hokey new-age cheerleaders cuts intoGunn time, and it’s ultimately his dry wit, big heart, and plus-sizedvocabulary that might just draw me back for a second or third helpingof Guide to Style. Gunn’s visceral response to leggings wasfunnier than most scripted sitcom punch lines; ditto for his "I’mfeeling woeful" comment after seeing which of her clothes Rebecca hadidentified as "keepers." Webb, to my surprise, tossed in severalwinning bon mots of her own, particularly the observation thatRebecca’s fashion rut was "so deep there’s, like, magma down there."Sure, I’m a little worried that if Tim always makes his makeoversubjects buy the same "10 essential items" — trench coat, little blackdress, sweatsuit alternative, etc — that Guide to Style couldget stuck in its own deep rut. But at least until the new fall seasonkicks into gear at the end of the month, I’m planning on carrying onand tuning in. How ’bout you, P-Dubs?
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Darn it, Michael, I wasn’t planning to watch this (even after the awesome profile of Gunn in this week’s EW) but your snap judgment just might reel me in… And I’ve never seen a single ep of Project Runway!
Did anyone else find this to be a second-rate What Not To Wear???
Am I the only one who thought her clothes could have been A LOT worse?? god forbid anyone wears t-shirts and jeans! The people on what not to wear are far worse off in my opinion. And I was so ready to love this show….
Am I the only one who thought her clothes could have been A LOT worse?? god forbid anyone wears t-shirts and jeans! The people on what not to wear are far worse off in my opinion. And I was so ready to love this show….
I thought the show was great. Tim Gunn is so fun to watch…whether he’s cringing about leggings or tearing up over a cute moment between a husband and his wife. It was fun and entertaining
I’m going to agree with the Gunn on undergarments. The good feelings associated with a rewarding, high-paying job or true love can both be compromised by a bra that’s cutting into your back all day.
I had to add to this…This was such a copy of What not to wear…the contract, the “culling” through the closet. I have to say I was really disappointed. I love Tim Gunn, but I think what we all really loved about him on PR is that he had somewhat unique knowledge/advice in the construction of clothing that we hadn’t heard on t.v. before. Unfortunately, this show is not unique…we’ve seen a million “How to throw out everything in your closet and get new clothes that look right on your figure with the help of experts.”
2 things will definitely keep me from coming back…d-bag Jared, ugh! and that whole we got the hubby a new ring to give her (from our sponsor), gross, and humiliating for the hubby. I had to FF through it to see that beautiful green dress.
I adore Tim Gunn and Veronica Webb is indeed a charming, compassionate and funny partner for him, but yes, I did find that it was very much like What Not To Wear. VERY Much! But without the fun that Tracy and Clinton bring. The Gunn show is SO serious. Tim advising of the emotional upset this would be for the girl seemed like the next step would have been counseling instead of the ridiculaously peppy Jai-Clone. If the Gunn show had come first it would make more sense. Mostly, I think it was a bit…um…demeaning for Timm Gunn. He’s not a stylist – He’s a major educator and business person in the world of fashion and this show has a wee whiff of smarm…but in an uber-classy way. At the least they should ditch the horrendous computer model. I sut didn’t feel very good after watching this show — it just wasn’t right. P.S. LOVED the Tim Gunn label logo.
As a HUGE PR and TG fan, I tuned in. The show was OK, but at some points I got sleepy. Yes, this subject wasn’t the train wreck that WNTW usually scrapes up, but I don’t think that is Tim’s point necessarily (did you see the sneak preview a few nights ago? THAT was a train wreck Slutty-Looking Mom). His MO is to show a person, train wreck or just overly casual (like last night’s girl) how to make yourself look better by understanding how fit and garment construction can really make or break you. The comment made about learning more by what doesn’t look good hit the nail on the head. I’ll watch because I love TG but the format could use tweaking. LOL on the leggings shriek!
I caught the “preview” episode on Wednesday night, and was very unimpressed. Although I didn’t remark on it previously, yeah, I thought the life stylist was a total fast-forwarding moment. Puh-lease.
http://ktbuffy.blogspot.com/2007/09/tv-review.html
I didn’t watch but absolutely will.
I have to add a comment about this t-shirt and jeans woman needing a make-over.
In my opinion, and many men’s, any woman who can look sexy in the breezy, casual style of great fitting jeans coupled with a fabulous t-shirt is so Hot!
It’s such a great look. Am I saying for everyday? Of course not. But it is my go to. Jeans accentuate a great butt, and a great fitting t-shirt helps everything else.
Haven’t we all seen Angelina, Jennifer and Jessica look super hot in this?
http://www.glamourgal.net
I actually watched the show that aired Wednesday after Top Chef, now that girl was a train wreck. I didn’t watch the show Slezak is talking about because I had heard reviews that it wasn’t so great, it is on my DVR until ER starts back, so if I find myself home on a lazy Sunday I will tune in. I did like Tim & Veronica, they seem to work well together, and yes it’s a rip off of What not to Wear – but hey everythings a rip off these days – I like Tim and think the show is cool, I just think the computer program is too much and the psycoanalysis is a bit too over the top
but I’m a dork – I’ll watch again.
I really loved Veronica Webb coining the phrase “good bra face”. Oh how true. Also works on others, as when your co-worker shows up (finally!) with a bra that fits and you want to cheer, but realize that may be inappropriate.
Mr. Slezak, never again disparage the importance of underwear.
Not as good as What Not to Wear but the awesomeness that is Tim Gunn made up for it. The leggings comment was priceless and correct.
Ho-hum, not even Tim Gunn can save this. Part of his charm on PR is that he has so many foils to bounce against. Putting him center-stage is just too much of a good (and very wordy) thing.
And am I the only one who’s veryyy tired of all these make-over shows determined to change all women into the same model of bland, boring good taste? That white-shirt-black-trousers shtick looks fine on your server tonight, but high, fun fashion it ain’t.
I’d rather live in Kimora Lee’s house over on Style…..
I agree with Chris and Louise…this is basically a weaker “What Not to Wear”.
The only redeeming quality is Tim Gunn himself, obviously, and I agree with Slezak that the “life stylist” (huh!?) was a joke. I was a little apprehensive about Veronica Webb (I had a feeling they just stuck Tim with a sexy co-host, just cuz), but I enjoyed her.
More of those two, less of everyone else, unless it’s that creepy undergarment saleswoman who was hitting on Rebecca…I can’t decide whether I really like her or I’m terrified of her…probably both!
Janine – LOL! You are so right, sister.
I watched it this morning (on PTO today catching up on a lot of shows)and I really enjoyed it! Where can I get that Catherine Malandrino dress?? It was spectacular.
i watched the preview after top chef and wasn’t too impressed..which is ashame bc i really like tim gunn. I turned it off mid-show..eeks! The Fashionista Diaries – now that’s a show thats deliciously vile and my guilty pleasure. is there a review for that?
I’m just glad Slezak is back from vacation and I can look forward to his winning bon mots every day!
Meh… I wasn’t that impressed. Veronica Webb is useless.
hey not to be off topic, but does anyone know if tim having his own new show mean that project runway is not coming back?
Here’s how I would recast and rewrite it, because it was an unfocused and poorer version of WNTW. I know, because I walked around in a garbage bag today and the music in my head was a funeral dirge.
And to do that to Tim Gunn? For shame!
We need a show (Veronica can stay) where men and women can access these very highly trained eyes, and can get advice and even refitting for clothes they already own.
I’d also like to see the two of them take on current fashion trends and smack them down a bit, or focus on WHO should what WHAT, and who shouldn’t.
If you follow fashion, you’ll almost always be a victim. But if you find your own style, you’ve got it made no matter what the nuts in NY are trying to sell you.
Tim Gunn is like an encyclopedia of style. He’s not a fairy god uncle bringing gifts. To put him in the tired old format was a big mistake, and he doesn’t deserve it.
Start over with this one! This is a waste of an extremely talented man!
I saw the preview Wednesday night. I LOVE Tim Gunn on Project Runway, but thought this show was utterly boring and repetitive. If I had to hear one more time that their makeover subject was highly resistant and that Tim and his co-host had their doubts… well, I almost turned it off. And I didn’t like the subjects final event outfit at all. I know trenchcoat dressing may be stylish, but I always wonder, is she naked under there? Tim Gunn is an awesome teacher/mentor and probably knows the business of fashion better then anyone. I think he should stick with his strengths.
Here’s my biggest complaint with Wednesday night’s show. To make that woman look better – they took her curly hair and made it straight. What does this say to all the curly haired women of the world? That you have to straighten your hair to look attractive or appropriate? I would have loved to see them teach her to style her curly hair instead of just blow drying it straight. Cop out.
I really enjoyed it. Yes, it’s been done before but never with so much fashion A-list talent. Loved Veronica Webb and Tim was as always fabulous.
That being said I’m a little tired of Bravo giving us little snacks to placate us. Just bring on Project Runway already! Jeeze.
To answer Littlered question – yes there is a project runway 4 & at the end of last night’s show there was an early preview of a contestant.
I enjoyed the show but after reading Tim’s book (which was more enjoyable)I’m not sure if all the episodes will look the same. If you like Tim Gunn – get his book.
To Elizabeth – Amen. Thanks for sticking up for the curly girls. I have put my hair dryer away and let the curls free and I’ve never felt or looked better !!
Elizabeth -
Actually, the salon owner straightened it so he could take pictures for the next time she got her hair cut. He then added some curls to make it more sexy. I think that while many women can work curls, her hair was just a giant, frizzy puff that looked mildly absurd. Curls can be sexy, but it’s also important to know when they just aren’t working.
thanks barb! i was getting so nervous there wasnt going to be another one, did it say when it will start?