Ep 1. Morna
- January 18, 2003
- 27 min
-
(23)
What Not To Wear is a fashion makeover show that aims to transform people's wardrobes and style choices. In the first episode of season 1, the participants are Morna and her best friend Julie.
Morna is a 29-year-old woman who describes her style as "comfortable and practical." She is a multitasking mom, juggling her job as a real estate agent and taking care of her two-year-old daughter. Morna admits that she stopped caring about her appearance after giving birth, and now she wears the same clothes repeatedly, opting for baggy t-shirts, sweatpants and sneakers most of the time. In the show's introduction, Morna explains that she has a wardrobe full of clothing that doesn't fit her well, nor does it make her feel confident or attractive.
Morna's best friend Julie reached out to the show's hosts, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, for help in revamping Morna's fashion sense. The hosts visit Morna's home, where they start by going through her closet. They are quick to point out some of Morna's fashion faux pas, such as oversized clothing that swallows her figure, bland colors and lack of accessorizing.
Stacy and Clinton urge Morna to put together a "donate" and "keep" pile, and they are both taken aback by the amount of clothes Morna has hoarded over time. The keep pile includes a few basic items that can be paired with more trendy pieces, but the donate pile is significantly larger. The hosts explain that Morna's clothing choices can make her appear frumpy and older than she actually is. They suggest that she embrace her curves instead of hiding them under layers of baggy clothing.
Before they start shopping for new clothes, Stacy and Clinton take Morna to a salon, where she gets a new haircut and a makeup routine that complements her natural beauty. They also encourage Morna to wear contact lenses instead of glasses, as they open up her face and make her look more youthful.
The next phase of the show involves Morna going on a shopping spree with Stacy and Clinton, who guide her in selecting clothing that flatters her body type and suits her personal style. They teach her about color and pattern mixing, accessories, and how to select clothing that is both comfortable and stylish. They also convince Morna to try on clothing that she would have never selected for herself, such as a fitted dress, high heels, and a bold printed top.
Throughout the show, Morna struggles with her self-confidence and body image, admitting that she always thought she was better off hiding in plain sight. However, Stacy and Clinton encourage her to embrace her curves and express her personality through her clothing choices. At the end of the episode, Morna's new look is revealed to her friends and family, who are blown away by the transformation. Morna looks confident, chic, and ready to take on the world.
Overall, the first episode of What Not To Wear is an emotional journey that tackles the theme of self-acceptance and self-love through fashion. It shows the power of clothing in shaping one's perception of themselves and how they are perceived by others. The show's hosts offer practical advice and expert guidance that can help anyone enhance their style and feel more confident in their own skin.