Dr Fashion

Below is my first fashion feature produced: Dr Fashion. This is a gonzo journalism piece where I go out as 'Dr Fashion' and find someone who i think isn't showing their complete potential in the fashion department, and make them over. You can also find this article on WINOL's own fashion website: http://www.winol.co.uk 

Enjoy!

Makeovers. A word that about 50% of the female population dread and 50% get excited about. Hair cuts, new make-up, new wardrobe and even a brand new statement bag or shoes are what many women see as benefits of having a makeover. However, the 50% of those who dread such a task are often either happy with the way they look, or are stuck in a pattern of dressing in the same way on a day to day basis. I decided to search Winchester to find women who would both benefit and be interested in a makeover that would not only boost their confidence but also widen their wardrobe choices to suit Autumn/Winter trends. Step one, find someone who would not turn their back and walk as fast away from me as possible. I found Laura Brett, 19 in the Multimedia Centre at the University of Winchester working on an essay for her Education Studies degree.

I instantly noticed the way her baggy jeans and hoody did not flatter her body shape, making her look a size bigger than her actual curvaceous figure. Not only this but her lack of make-up and hair which was a rich dark brown was shoved up in a loose ponytail. The issue I had from the beginning was how do you go up to someone and tell them that they simply ‘don’t look good’ or ‘I could make you look better’. Luckily for me Laura was very forthcoming admitting that when she needed to make an effort with her clothes she would e.g. an important night out, but on a day to day basis she just didn’t have the time. The task was set, I was determined to show Laura that you can still look both good and stylish without it taking more than 20 minutes of your time in the mornings.

The beginning of the makeover began with Laura bringing in a mix of her own clothes, some that she thought were maybe ready to be thrown out and some that were for keeps. Together we sorted through the mix leaving us with a couple of her good choices, a gold necklace, a pair of leather brown dolly shoes and a top from Topshop. I then went shopping with Laura in West Quay, Southampton, helping her pick out some cheap but classic pieces for Autumn/Winter 2012. Most of Laura’s choices at the beginning of the shop were baggy jeans and plain simply tops which is what her previous wardrobe mostly consisted of. I then began to pick out some pieces for her which would flatter her body shape. Such items were a pair of black skinny jeans £25 from Dorothy Perkins, a baggy colourful top £32 Topshop, black blazer £25 from New Look and a pair of boots; £30 from New Look. Wearing the colour black always flatters body shapes, making them seem slimmer than normal. Adding a baggy top with skinny jeans allows women who are conscious of their stomach to hide this, showing off features such as shoulder bones that make the rest of your top half look slimmer.

Throughout the process I didn’t let Laura see herself trying these clothes on in the mirror until we showed her the before picture of her in her baggy jeans and hoody. The reveal of her new look which showed class, style and also flattered her body shape left Laura amazed at the transformation. “I love my new clothes” said Laura “I can’t believe how different I look and feel.”