Style makeovers look like a breeze when Clinton Kelly and partner Stacy London do them each week on TLC’s “What Not to Wear” TV show.
They take women from frumpy to fab over the course of a couple of days, offering shopping and figure advice, as well as the services of makeup artists and hair stylists.
But it’s a big leap from doing a makeover on one woman to tackling 15 in a single day. The latter has been Kelly’s challenge this spring, overseeing Make Over America in Macy’s stores across the country. By the time the project concludes this fall, he will have traveled to 15 cities. Denver is the seventh stop, and Kelly will be here Saturday to introduce 15 local women selected for makeovers.
“Denver is the last stop on the spring tour,” he said, noting that the makeover subjects’ ages range from 20s to 60s. “At the show, it’s really wonderful for the audience to see their neighbors feeling beautiful.”
When we caught up by phone with Kelly last week, he was in a Macy’s store in Alpharetta, Ga., taking a lunch break. He had spent the morning helping six makeover candidates find outfits and had nine more to do before the day was done.
He said the same issues keep popping up as he meets women around the country, and they don’t all deal with hemlines and trends.
“It is amazing and shocking how many women dislike something about their body,” he says. “Their back is too broad, their calves are fat, their tummy sticks out.”
So he spends a lot of time reassuring them. No matter your size, “You can still find clothes to fit and flatter you,” he says.
Why do women have such a hard time breaking out of their fashion ruts?
“For some, the unknown is scary,” he says. “What they need to do is stop talking about their flaws and making excuses, and be open to change.”
“Half of what I do is psychology,” he says. “I tell women they need to keep an open mind and try on a ton of stuff.”
Often, he says, a woman will try on three pairs of jeans, and when none fits properly, she’ll give up. “That is a total cop out,” Kelly says. “It can take 20 pairs of jeans to find the one. You need to keep going till you hit it.
“And you have to take control over clothes — when something is too boxy, take it in. You need to tailor your clothes, or they’ll never look right.”
Another thing he’s had to do is persuade women to amp up their style game. “They confuse casual or comfortable with sloppy,” he says. “You can be comfortable and still look great, but you have to work at it.
“It’s like anything else. If you want healthy teeth and gums, you brush and go to the dentist. If you want a perfect body, you eat right and go to the gym. If you you want great style, you have to spend time shopping and going to the tailor.”
Suzanne S. Brown: 303-954-1697 or sbrown@denverpost.com
Makeover America
Clinton Kelly will host Makeover America/Denver at 2 p.m. Saturday at Macy’s Cherry Creek. Those who spend $100 will get a copy of Kelly’s book. RSVP required. Call 303-390-4632 (option 1, ext. 4632). .
Clinton’s top five
Looking to add some flair to your summer wardrobe? Here are Clinton Kelly’s picks.
A white blazer: “I love the idea of this classic, worn with jeans and printed blouse. Or with a maxidress.”
Trouser-style jeans: “There’s a style for every body type out there.”
Bright color: Try something in coral, turquoise or orange, he suggests.
Gladiator sandals: Choose either flats or heels.
A summer scarf: Add a pop of color, and don’t make it too “matchy-matchy” with your outfit, he says.
