Yes, Looks Do Matter

Parent Cafe
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<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/fashion/26looks.html[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/fashion/26looks.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Am I the only one who had a more positive response to her appearance before the makeover?</p>

<p>This is an interesting topic to me since yesterday a very sophisticated and stylish acquaintance (who always looks perfect for every situation) went on and on about how wonderful I looked, how young, how this outfit was my “look” and I absolutely needed to wear it every day, etc. etc. Since she had unexpectedly caught me at home doing yard work in my children’s worn out and outgrown middle school clothes it seems she really really doesn’t like my regular wardrobe.</p>

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<p>*yard work in my children’s worn out and outgrown middle school clothes *</p>

<p>or else she is a tad snarky and she was making a comment about how much more suitable childrens clothes were for you.
But thumbs up for weather to do yard work in :)</p>

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<p>I loved this reader’s comment on the above referenced article (the article is about stereotypes, using Susan Boyle as a starting point):</p>

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<p>I am as guilty of stereotyping as the next person. If I saw Susan Boyle “before” on the street, my immediate reaction would be: writer, artist and/or faculty at the local university. If I saw her in her “after” outfit: unimaginative suburban type. </p>

<p>My own very intentionally frumpy clothes are embarrassing expensive, but will only be recognized as such by a very small audience (if at all).</p>

<p>emeraldkity: I am positive the woman was well-intentioned and honestly trying to help me out, not snarky at all. The “after” look is her daily uniform.</p>

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<p>It bothers me that Susan Boyle has been characterized as ugly. She is an average-looking middle-aged woman. I suppose the audience assumed that such a person could not sing beautifully.</p>

<p>What struck me about the original youtube video is the transformation when she started singing. She looks beautiful as she sings, confident and open. </p>

<p>I’d love to see your “before” and “after” photos, alh. Out of curiousity, where do you buy expensive, frumpy clothes?</p>

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<p>I’d love to see your “before” and “after” photos, alh. Out of curiousity, where do you buy expensive, frumpy clothes?</p>

<p>Eileen Fisher?</p>

<p>you just can’t make a whole * outfit* out of it- you have to have somthing that is structured- if that matters anyway
:)</p>

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<p>^^I thought she looked interesting “before”. The “after” looked average. The before and after photos to which I am referring are on the Times link in my first post.</p>

<p>I buy my ridiculously expensive frumpy clothes from American women designers who operate small, all most entirely women staffed businesses that make the garments on site in various areas of the US. If I had to wear Susan’s “after” outfit I would cry.</p>

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<p>I’m not sure our expectations about entertainers being attractive can be characterized as a stereotype.</p>

<p>Isn’t it really part of the job description?</p>

<p>On the other hand, although I do not follow American Idol I have the impression that they have had all shapes and sizes appear on that show.</p>

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<p>^She didn’t seem unattractive to me in the before photo. But I haven’t seen or heard her on tv-- just saw the photo this morning in the Times.</p>

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<p>MTV made it much more difficult for people that weren’t attractive to make it in the music business.</p>

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<p>I have to agree with your observation.</p>

<p>With regards to Boyle’s makeover, I don’t see any problem with wanting to clean up your image to promote yourself. Appearance today holds a lot of weight towards how successful you become, especially when you are trying to make it in the entertainment industry.</p>

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<p>I was just noticing at the Fred Meyer skin lotion aisle- how many " aging" or should I say " youth" products there are now.
( Sorry- I couldn’t tell you which ones work-cause I tend to buy something and my 18 year old " borrows" it and forgets to give it back and I forget all about it and just use what ever is in the bathroom)</p>

<p>Re appearance
I used to " do " hair.
It was fun I liked the people/customers, but I didn’t like " the industry" and I hated being expected to come to work in full makeup everyday.
Of course I was young- and now I understand that just as you wouldn’t go to a financial planner who was bankrupt, you wouldn’t necessarily give someone whose appearance was a mess a chance to fix yours.</p>

<p>( but the same isn’t true for contractors- I know a couple whose homes are always " being fixed up but never finished" and they still get work.) :confused:</p>

<p>Oh I did have a point.
In absence of extensive background information- we do form opinions about someone from visual clues, someone who dresses inappropriately will leave a different impression than someone who has taken time to consider their appearance.</p>

<p>It also is my own prejudice- but I don’t buy it when people say " they are above" appearance", they may be too busy to spend a lot of time on their appearance, or they may not know where to start- or they may have simply given up- but to not * ever* care what they look like?
I bet they notice what * other people look like*</p>

<p>I enjoy changing what I look like- and it affects the way I feel- when I have my boots on and other gear- I feel effective as a landscaper- when I have shaved my legs and have on heels and a dress- I feel like the " church lady"
:wink: ( of course this happens not so often)</p>

<p>I don’t really watch Tv- so I not as familar with the shows that feature " real people", but I think it would be natural for someone on that large of a stage to want to present themselves in the most favorable light.</p>

<p>I think she looks much better in the 2nd picture- I don’t really like the pants- they look shapeless but I like the scarf and her hair color.
I would put her in more flowy clothes though-
but personally I love my fake leather motorcycle jacket I got from Target’</p>

<p>MTV made it much more difficult for people that weren’t attractive to make it in the music business.</p>

<p>hey isn’t ZZ Top still around?
:wink:
I think the last time I had cable was when the video for* Thriller* came out.
That was worth getting MTV for.</p>

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<p>Looks matter in more than just the music industry, it impacts most careers sometimes in a positive way but also can have a negative impact.</p>

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<p>I’m reading Blink right now (Malcolm Gladwell), which is all about snap judgements. </p>

<p>What’s interesting to me about the Susan Boyle phenomenon is that it’s the contrast between her singing and her looks that is creating the buzz around her. Yes, she sings beautifully, but she wouldn’t have gazillion hits on Youtube just for that. I think a makeover is a mistake, if anything, she should go even more in the other direction because that’s the main part of her appeal. </p>

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<p>emeraldkity, that made me laugh. I think of it as the artsy genteel older lady look (think museum docent).</p>

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<p>talbots, lands end, llbean, chicos…all frumpy…lol.</p>

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<p>well- I have to say- I would rather err on the frumpy side, than look like I shopped at
Hot Topic
;)</p>

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<p>some of us have frumpy bodies; everything looks frumpy!</p>

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<p>As for looks and the entertainment business… I’m convinced that if Taylor Swift didn’t look like she does, she wouldn’t make it past the second round of American Idol. Her voice in most of the live performances I’ve heard is weak at best. (She sounds fine in a studio, though). And she’s just the tip of the iceberg - hello, Britney?</p>

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<p>Ha, ha. I’ve always been a frump. I was a young frump in highschool and college. And I am an old frump now. However, I’ve always worn clothes that did not stand out as frumpy. More not noticeable.</p>

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<p>This brings up another discussion…when do we know NOT to dress like our daughters anymore…lol. My daughter will tell me, well why don’t u wear it, u’ll look good in it. I at 50 know that wearing her jeans and top is really NOT appropriate!..However, I also know I don’t have to start dressing like Susan Boyle!! lol…I LOVE HER…but, I have pictures of my grannie from Ireland when she was in her 40’s - 50’s and looked exactly like susan boyle. My Grannie came from a very small village…I think alot has to do with where and HOW ur brought up!! If we( my bro and I) were being raised by my grannie in that little village…good chance we’d have no style either!!!</p>

<p>It is silly for us to judge people so quickly. I actually thought when she first came out…wow…she has “balls” (sorry} How could she take the critique!..But, I remember aunts and uncles in Ireland, singing at parties, with wonderful voices…but is was taken for granted. When I heard her, it was like…aha!! lol…awesome for all my relatives that didn’t have the guts to put themselves out there…cause I know I sure didnt!!..</p>