Clinton Kelly Makes Over Austin [Interview]
So what do you think of Austin?
I love Austin. Unfortunately, I haven't seen much of it this trip, because I spent the entire day in Macy's yesterday ... to the point where I have blisters all over the bottom of my feet from running around looking for clothes. Last time I was here, I had a blast, though--it's a really fun town.
Since you're kicking off the tour in Austin, how do you feel about southern style?
What's interesting about southern fashion is that I feel like young southerners dress like everyone else in the country, but they do like color a bit more, which is really fun. They're really stylish.
I do find that older southern ladies dress like older southern ladies--the shoe, and the bag, and the jewelry all perfectly match. And the hair is a little bit of a helmet ... a little Barbara Bush, but you know it's cool. If you've been dressing that way for 50 years, I'm not going to go and change it. Unless you've been nominated for What Not to Wear.
Out of the 1,000+ Texas contestants, what was it about the 15 women you chose that made them so makeover worthy?
A variety of different reasons. I was attracted to a lot of their stories, why they wanted to be made over—whether it was because they were divorced, hadn't had a date in 6 years, had lost a lot of weight—so I chose them based on that.
I like the idea of style being a "pick-me-up"—that's the fun of it. When you start to take style and fashion too seriously, it's not fun anymore. You should be having fun with your clothes.
So, I wanted to help some women have a little fun. It sounded like they needed to have a good time.
Do you think it's absolutely vital to buy a new wardrobe to create a new look - or are there easier ways to update what's in your closet?
I think that everybody during this economic crisis is saying, I don't have the same budget to spend on my clothes as a year ago.
I think you should constantly be going through your closet, at minimum twice a year, during spring and during fall.
You've gotta get rid of the garbage. Anything that doesn't fit you needs to be removed from your closet. Maybe now is the time you're more adventurous about the way you mix patterns, mix proportions. Maybe you're usually conservative and matchy—now is the time to break up these outfits.
Once you makeover these ladies, what tips do you give them to maintain their new look without a personal stylist on call?
That is tricky. I mean, I try to stress to every woman I makeover the effort that it requires. You've gotta put effort into it. I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you want a nice set of teeth, you brush your teeth and go to the dentist; if you want a great credit rating, you've gotta pay your bills on time; and if you want great style, you've got to shop and tailor things, and that's just the way it is.
It's important to put yourself on the top of your priority list once in a while. Don't get frustrated—women get frustrated a little too easily, and I understand why. After trying on 5 pair of jeans and not finding the right one, it can get a little frustrating, but the average woman on What Not to Wear has to try on 20 before she finds what's the best on her.
How do you think everyday women's fashion has changed due to the economy?
Women are shopping less, that's a fact. In good economic times you should spend 75% on trends, 25% on classics. You need those classic pieces to make the trends work, but why not have fun with the style budget?
If you're having budgeting issues, you still need to come up with a budget, that's important—focus on 50% trends and 50% classics when money is tight. That way, out of the 50% classics you buy, you know those are going to be important for the next few years.
However, to keep your style looking fresh and modern, you have to incorporate some trends from time to time just so you look like a member of modern society. The great thing about this season is that a lot of trends are classic in nature.
[Now for the fun part—a few quick "what do you thinks"?]
Harem pants?
Silly on most women. The vast majority of women.
Strong shoulders?
I love strong shoulders as long as [they're] not super strong. I think a strong shoulder is a great thing for a woman with narrow shoulders and large bust. A strong shoulder really de-emphasizes the waist line and bust a bit—you know, as long as it's done within reason.
Colored denim?
You know, I kind of like it. It worries me a little bit that it's going be out of style fairly soon, but if you want to have fun with your trend budget, go ahead, but other than that just know next year you might look like an idiot wearing them.
Jumpsuits?
I think jumpsuits are fierce on the right person. I love a jumpsuit—it reminds me of the Studio 54 days. You have to have the attitude, the shoes, and the body to work a jumpsuit.
Neon?
I don't love neon that much. I don't think it's that flattering on people. You know, neon, it steals all the attention away from you.
And finally, since you loathe the idea of older women dressing like 18-year-olds, what do you think of Christian Audigier (designer of Ed Hardy)?
I'm not a big fan—I'm sorry, I know. I feel like it looks like some people are just trying so hard. You know, even when 18-year-olds or 25-year-olds wear it, you're just trying so hard to look cool. And then when you're 40 and wear it, it's like, dude, you don't want to be the oldest guy in the bar dressed like an 18-year-old.
