Episode 3: From 52, Feeling Frumpy to Fabulous! Look Great at Every Age Makeovers
Rita is happy to be here. She always loved fashion, even as a kid but when she was 14 she was discovered and started modelling for Harper’s Bazaar. That is just a coincidence , or maybe it was meant to be. Her mom sewed everything for them growing up; they picked the patterns, colors, styles, and fabrics. Rita developed her own style through style and error. In a montage of her most memorable mishaps we see the pouf dress, to which Rita says “pouf be gone”. In the 80’s she had an assymetrical hairdo which was Flock of Seagulls meets Miami Vice. Oprah says that the 80’s were tough on us all.
Rita made a booklet telling you to be true to your own style. Oprah asks how do you know what your own style is? Rita asks, what feels good on you? Oprah says pajamas. Rita says this means comfort. Rita has some style tips to share:
Style Tip: Be true to your own personal sense of style (if you don’t know what it is ask a girlfriend. Take descriptive words- artistis, sexy- and translate them to your clothes)
42 year old Cindy has recently lost 1oo lbs. But she dresses like she’s 62; her clothes range in size from 6 to 22W. Her style is frumpy and hiding things, she has no idea what her style is. She has twin boys who were born prematurely at 29 weeks- they were so needy she put herself on hold. Cindy comes to the studio, Rita says she’s teeny tiny. We see a glimpse of the hairstylist and make-up artist- Cindy is told she needs to loose weight on her hair. Cindy walks onstage through a Before Picture. She’s wearing a black top, printed pencil skirt and heels. The crowd applauds, Oprah says she couldn’t have recognised her. The crowd applauds her weightloss. She has a tiny waist, Rita says she can loose more weight by giving away her clothes. Pre-makeover, she felt 62, now she feels like a new woman, 28 maybe. Rita loves that. Oprah asks what she thought of her reflection in the mirror? It took a while for the look to grow on her, but it grew on her fast.
As Rita went into her 50’s she reconsidered wearing a little black dress, but what she has retired is jeans with a muffin top, super tight jeans, bum crack, cleavage, anything too tight, 4″ heels, anything too fashionable. She has grown into comfort- she has platform heels which are cheater’s heels; she can wear them to walk around, but not all day, and she won’t be jogging in them.
Stacy is a 35 year old mom of two. She says she dresses like an old lady. Her husband describes her as looking old, conservative and out of style. She wears her hair in a bun for convenience. She meets Rita at Macy’s for retail therapy. She brings her mom jeans, 80’s power suits and a retirement home workout suit. Here Stacy is now in a little black dress, jewelry and heels. Stacy’s husband is very happy, wow he says. Rita says she looks spectacular. She’s going back to work, has lost 30lbs and needs a new professional look. The little dress is not the professional look, but she could pair parts of the outfit with other items. Her husband says she’s hot, Stacey wipes away tears. She has now lost her 90’s suits, and her bun is let-down. Stacey thinks she looks amazing, she didn’t know this was there. Oprah asks if she knew it was there, and Stacy said said no. Collier Strong from L’oreal used only 3 products for her look- she’s stopped wearing makeup since staying home with kids. She should go out tonight with her husband.
If you are sitting at home in sweats with your hair in a bun or ponytail, there is hope. Sweats can look stylish, even if you are home and no-one can see you, you should look good. You can get stuck but you must always ask your friends if you need a haircut, a new color etc.
Style Tip: Follow the 1 year rule. If you are not wearing it, give it away.
Angela has a headful of grey hair and is being asked out by men old enough to be grandfathers. She turned grey at 18 and last year finally stopped dying her hair. She thought it would be liberating but instead she feels she’s dying inside. She is 45 years old but feels old. She has given up short skirts, dresses, boots; she feels old. She has alot of clothes but doesn’t know how to put them together. Joe and Jesse are style gurus. They come to your closet and are unforgiving. Without Jesse, you need a friend to help you be ruthless, to help you let go. Angela went to Oscar Blandi for a colour “tweak”. Angela comes out in a dress, heeled boots, blond hair. She already owned these clothes- some still had tags on. Jesse and Joe helped her put everything together. Now she looks like a “hot blond”. Nora Ephron says hair color is our greatest invention. Oprah says we should use it. Angela says she tried going grey and she won’t be going back.
Laura Brown from Harper’s Bazaar offers advice for dressing for every decade.
- In your 30’s, shapeless clothes are your enemy. You should showcase your figure while you can. Form-fitting is good. Avoid being too trendy, only one trendy piece per outfit. Make a nod to the trends but don’t let them take over your life.
- In your 40’s, take the part of your body you are most proud of and showcase it.
The Harper’s Bazaar Fabulous at Every Age book is out now. Whenever you figure out your style, that’s good. We’re not our parent’s generation anymore, we can wear our hair long if we like. Rita has been doing makeovers in her head for years. Doing makeovers in real life is great, it is like the little dolls with magnets.
There are 4 things Rita Wilson says everyone needs in her wardrobe, regardless of age:
- Black legging or black jean legging
- Black boot or black shoe boot
- Jacket
- Scarf
Models demonstrate how women of any age can pull this look off. In your 30’s there can be bling, sparkles. In your 40’s you should have a fitted blazer with details. The cotton scarf looks like a necklace. The tunic is longer but sexy black boots are still there. In your 50’s, a sweater- scarf is good for on and off wear. It’s a “twofer”, it does double duty. Black jean leggings are comfortable and flattering. Being in your 60’s doesn’t mean that you don’t have style- you can get sexy boots to walk in, a coat and scarf to go for lunch. All the models are comfortable and they all like what they are wearing.
Backstage, Jessie and Joe show Angela in another outfit pulled from her closet, this time with no polka dots or prints. All her own clothes except for the platform shoes and bangles. Its tough to get dressed when you work from home “Get cute for you!” they all say and Oprah says shop in your own closet.
52 year old frumpola coming up…
Laura Brown from Harper’s Bazaar offers more advice for dressing for every decade.
- In your 50’s do not steal your daughters clothes. You can wear a great blouse and have classic outfits.
- In your 60’s do not throw in the towel. Do not use clothes to cover yourself up. You shoud look beautiul and wear jewelry.
- The biggest mistake people make is comfort.
Tamara felt fabulous at 40 but at 52 she feels frumpy. Her husband says most of her clothes are awful. Going through her closet, she says she’s stuck in a timewarp, she has clothes from high school. She lives in cargo pants, skorts, and has a sun hat that her husband hates. Her last hair cut was by her husband around 8 months ago. Oprah says “Thats a wower” Tamara comes out- artistic, sexy and feminine are her three descriptive words. Rita put her in stretch jeans, new glasses and she has new blonde, wavy California-girl hair. She didn’t like the tailored look. Her husband says she loks stunning, Tamara cries because it’s like bringing who she is forward, it was an incredible experience; hugs all round.
Rita’s secret weapon for hair colour- a little pen by Oscar to cover grey, which fills in your roots for a couple of weeks before you get your hair done.
All of Rita’s tips are in a handy booklet free for the audience or downloadable on Oprah.com
This 67 year old grandmother feels far from sexy. She is an incredible hard worker, she gives gives gives. Laurali puts in 18hours a day. Her daughter says she’s always in sweats, she never gets a chance to dress up. On a normal day, her hair is “yikesy”- if it was up to Laurali she would wear it in elastic bands.
Laurali comes in to the studio in black trousers, short hair, jacket and white blouse. Rita loved working with her. Laurali raised her kids, sent them through private schools, and runs her own business. She wanted to be professional and elegant. Rita dressed her in practical ballet slippers instead of tennis shoes. Everyone says she looks amazing, Laurali thanks everyone including the limousine drivers for the last two days. Daughter say she looks amazing. that the years have disappeared. She looks like the mom she grew up emulating.
Rita said she had the best time, Oprah’s team said Rita is the best celebrity they ever worked with, she is one of the girls.Oprah gives thanks to Macy’s and George’s Salon in Chicago. Rita had so much fun.
Style Tip: splurge once a year on new pajamas. Something that looks good on you and is modest.
Rita’s favourites are Cosabella’s; they are expensive but last a long time.Everyone in audience is getting a brand new pair of Cosabella pajama’s (cue wild applause), and everyone at home can get 25% off for the next 24 hours. Thanks to everyone, great job you guys.
WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:
There is always stylistic hope for you, even if you are sitting at home in sweats with your hair in a bun.
You need to identify your style. Think of three words to describe your personality and translate those words to your clothes
Every woman needs a jacket, a scarf, black boots and black leggings
Dress sexily but age-appropriately; neither too old nor too young
Never, ever let your hair go grey
A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:
Be cute for you! Find your own style! But follow the rules and never let your hair go grey.