Readers’ Tales of ‘Whoa!’ About Loved Ones’ Make-Overs
Last week we asked for tales about your attempts to make over friends and family members. It was a request prompted by a reader wondering how to upgrade her husband’s less-than-dashing wardrobe. The success stories below attest to the power of the make-over (and the fact that women seem to like doing it much more than men--duh).
Lest you think we’re done with this subject, we’d next like to hear from make-overees. Who got you to change, how did they do it, and how did you feel afterward? Did you stick with your new look, or did you decide the old you was much better? Let us know.
Now, to your letters:
* “My husband of 21 years is a handsome 50-year-old with a great build who looks good in anything. He grew up in Northern California eschewing style for a comfortable, outdoorsy look. I, however, am from New York and have always loved clothes. So what was it that led my husband to become my Ken doll? His hair--or loss of it. I first convinced him to go really short--a buzz cut. He then figured that if he couldn’t have nice hair, he might as well have nice clothes. Off we went to Saks Fifth Avenue, and three pairs of pants, four shirts, one wool turtleneck and three pairs of shoes later, he still looks like himself--but more polished. He loves his new look so much he didn’t even grouse about paying the bill!”
* “The first thing I accomplished in my husband’s make-over was getting him to comb all his hair back instead of parting it on the side, which gave him that ‘Hitleresque’ look. Then, despite his huffing and puffing about working for a conservative company and needing to wear white shirts, etc., I bought interesting shirts for him: a Ralph Lauren royal blue, a DKNY taupe-gray, and others. I coordinated them with bright ties but conservative suits. Now he looks GQ great, and not like he just came off an assembly line. It can be done!”
* “My mother has a demanding and tiring job, and although she’s always a pleasant person, you could see the exhaustion taking its toll. She’s been wearing the same terrible hairstyle for about 10 years--it looked like a faded brown football helmet. Finally, after years of subtle hints from my sister and me, my mother decided to change her look. When she came home from the beauty shop, I hardly recognized her. Not only did her hair look fabulous, but it made her face (which now looks 10 years younger) shine. You could see how much more confidence and self-assurance she had from just one simple alteration. Now she looks more beautiful than ever, and I know she loves her new look too.”
* “My hunky husband, who is 6 feet tall and weighs 250 pounds, was a chemist for 25 years. He wore a lab coat over blue jeans and polo shirts. Then he became a teacher. It was no small feat getting him to the Men’s Wearhouse, considering this is a man who wanted to get married in bathing suits at the beach just to avoid shopping for clothes. The salespeople put together two outfits that could mix and match. But the clincher was the silk crew-neck tee that could be worn under the sport coats, with snazzy slacks. That was the transition clothing item that made him say ‘yes’ to the shirt-and-tie combination.”
* “My adventures at making over my husband started when we met in the 1970s. At our first meeting, he wore brown plaid pants, an orange knit pullover, a 007 belt buckle and a large peace sign hanging from a huge gold chain. This was topped off by a pair of square, green granny glasses. Aside from the clothes, the man inside was intriguing, so I set about on a gradual make-over. He now chooses mostly jeans for casual wear and black, gray or navy suits with white or dark shirts and tasteful ties for work. I helped him shop and made suggestions about what looked good. Slowly, he has absorbed these ideas, and I can trust him to use relatively good judgment when shopping by himself. Occasionally, he has a relapse (cheesy Hawaiian shirts, for example), but now our adult children let him know when his clothing choice is risking an all-points bulletin by the Fashion Police.”
* “One of the most influential fashion changes for my husband came from a wonderful gay male friend of ours. David assessed my husband’s conservative style of dress with a wary eye and introduced him to a world of Italian designer suits and expensive ties. He knew what looked great and how to pull it all together. Our friend died over 10 years ago but left us both with a more keen fashion sense and an appreciation of quality in all things. As David would say: ‘It’s not the clothes altogether that impress, darling. It’s the attitude underneath.’ ”
* “I have worked on mom, mom’s cousin, my boyfriend and even my dog, who I put in a simple, sophisticated black collar for everyday wear. Some tips: I keep mom in up-to-date styles, and she keeps me away from those awful fads that plague us 20-somethings. A haircut and some color do wonders to lift the spirits and fashion sensibilities of your make-over subject. Sometimes it’s worth the extra money to go to an upscale, trendy salon to get a new, polished look. Most men thrill at the thought of having some help shopping. It’s always easier if the store is empty. You’ll find your guy is more comfortable coming out of the dressing room in that shirt you made him try on.”
Write to Fashion Police, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to socalliving@latimes.com.
