Thursday, May 15, 2008

Instant Makeover Failure

So many people watch the plethera of makeover shows on TV and say to themselves, "Oh, if only I had a super-famous makeover artist make me over then I could finally look fabulous, too!" We are so envious of these makeover recipients because we think that they have been given the answer to all their style woes...and we want the same magical answer for ourselves.

But the truth is, not long after that super-famous makeover artist makes over those lucky individuals, all but a small percentage will be back to looking the way they always looked, dressing the way they always dressed, styling their hair the way they always styled their hair, and going about their lives in exactly the same way as before.

Why is it that, even after being "fixed" by the industry's top professionals, these people cannot maintain their new looks?

There are several reasons for this.

The first is the problem of dissonance...the new style is so different from their previous look that it is not within their comfort zone to truly maintain. And if you are not comfortable in your clothes you will not continue to wear them.

Another reason is that true style is cultivated over time, and is based in a large part on personality. A stylist in these makeover situations hardly has the time to develop a relationship with the person he or she is dressing--or the the time to help them develop a style and build a wardrobe, rather than just the one look created for the camera.

And the third reason is the problem of habit...it takes time to make changes in your routine. If you try to change too much all at once, nothing will stick.

Your wardrobe is a reflection of many thoughts and decisions and experiences. If you try to make yourself over in one fell swoop, you will not succeed. Develop the image of how you want to present yourself to the world, and then work on becoming that person one step at a time. Integrate the new aspects into the old.

And consider that you are always a work in progress...which is a really exciting thing to be.

In the next post I'll continue with this idea and tie it into how we make mistakes buying too many new clothes at once. See you then...same blog time...same blog channel...

Jennifer Skinner, Wardrobe Planning Expert

10 comments:

Yann Vernier said...

Jenn,

This all makes so much sense. It could be called "Baby steps to your improved image".

This post would be great as part of your website sales copy.

All the best,
Yann

Yann Vernier - Personal Coach

Susan said...

This is so true -- we all want instant success. I would highly doubt more than 10% of the people 'made over' on television, keep their new image. It is too much of a shock and change to their norm as you say in your blog.
It would be much better to choose a final look or style (with guidance from someone like ... say ... hmmm ... Jennifer Skinner) and then work your way toward that in baby steps to success.

Sue Crutcher, Baby Steps to Success
Life Empowerment Mentor

Aaron said...

My wife loves those shows, but she agreed with the comment I made about them. The folks on them get a few new outfits and some makeup. What about everything else? Basically it just comes down to getting done up by some professional. Of course people will fall back on their habits. Much better to follow advice like you give here.

Aaron

Sheridan Randolph said...

Sue is right. We all want instant success. Those makeovers didn't work? Find the next makeover guru.

Of course instant success is real, and I have these magic beans...

Sheridan Randolph

Tim Birch said...

Change the inside and the rest will follow.


'TimBirch –Can it be better?

sabrenafaire said...

Hmmmm instant success. It's a problem in the fitness world too. One step at a time will get you to where you want to be!

I shop in spurts. Can't wait for your next pearl of wisdom!

Online Personal Training and Weight Loss Programs

gr8skot said...

You can take the boy out of the farm but it is damn difficult to take the farm out of the boy. Old habits can be hard to break. Should I add one more cliche? No I think that is enough.

Www.scottalexanderbell.com

Dr Peter Helton said...

As evidenced by the look on their faces when their old clothing is being thrown away

Dr Helton, making your skin beautiful without surgery, nationally renowned Cosmetic Dermatologist

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said...

GREAT post. Am linking this. THanks for dropping by my blog - adding you to my reader :D

Midlife Dating Expert, Singles Workshop Conference Speaker said...

Indeed, dissonance is SUCH an issue!

All the best,

April Braswell - Online Dating Coach, Romance Coach