Stacy then introduced us to the next big things in fashion: jewelry from Rockras, dresses by Yeojin Bae, and shoes by Madison Harding. I thought that this segment went too fast to get a clear view of what these new designers had to offer. It felt like more of a teaser segment to get viewers interested enough to visit the TLC website or research the items on their own.
The show ended with the coast guard makeover. We did get to see glimpses of the woman’s transformation and she looked stunning when she came out. With a new layered hairstyle by Rodney Cutler and makeup by Joanna Schlipp, she looked ready for a night on the town. She wore a black cocktail dress, which showed off her waist and created a shapely silhouette with its flared skirt. Her heels were stylish and it was quite a change from the way she looked in her Coast Guard clothes.
So, with so much going for it, why do I feel like the show missed its mark? I think it has a lot to do with the fact that prior to the premiere, I was fortunate enough to actually attend a taping of the show. I got to experience the thrill of dressing up in what I hoped were appropriate party clothes. I got to travel and meet with friends, have a cocktail and actually party.
The experience was quite different when watching in my pajamas and sweatshirt, sipping a lukewarm cup of tea instead of a cocktail, and trying to stay awake after a long day with the kids. It felt sort of like I was watching other people having fun, instead of experiencing it myself.
But sadly, that is the nature of real life versus television. I will keep watching though. The interviews are engaging. Stacy is as personable and knowledgeable about fashion as ever. The style lessons are invaluable. And the greatest thing is that at least when my fabulous party opportunity arrives, I’ll have the know-how and the tools to be ready for it.
Article comments
1 - eva
wish i could be chosen for a makeover for a new outfit.....Its been a long time....well maybe Ill be chosen for something better. I enjoyed your review it was like being there. I still want to see what was in the Goodie Bags.......
2 - Carol
great review. i totally agreed. just one question, does anyone know if i can find a copy of the theme song? i've checked Betty websites etc. and cant seem to find anything! Thanks
3 - Ellen
I am a huge fan of What not to Wear, so I was looking forward to Fashionably Late. I watched it last night with my 17 yr old daughter and I was really disappointed. I agree with the comment above that all of the elements are there...but then somehow it all does not work. Stacy is funny but very sarcastic and taken with herself, in general. On What Not to Wear, she is well balanced by Clinton who is also funny, but more FUN and better at relating to the person being made over. At the end of that show, hugs for Stacy often seem forced. She's brilliant about fashion, just too taken with herself. It's fun when she spices up What Not to Wear with her wit. On the other hand, A whole hour with her as the host is just too much Stacy London. She did an interview on the second(?) episode with a little kid - it was really forced. You could tell that she just wasn't comfortable talking to a 9 yr old. She also tried making chocolate cookies with 2 bakers, renown for their baked goods. They looked appalled, the audience look bored and I was just plain grossed out as the normally perfectionistic Stacy threw ingredients all over the place and then used her unwashed hands to put globs of dough on a cookie sheet. The poor audience got cookie samples with teensy tiny little shots of milk. Somehow those stingy little milk medicine cups stick in my mind. I could never imagine Ellyn Degeneres or Oprah being that unthinking about how folks were going to wash down cookie samples with about an ounce of milk. It seemed downright mean.Stacy is great when she hosts documentaries on shoes or bridal gowns or in What not to Wear. I may be wrong, but I don't think Fashionably Late is going to be around for long.
4 - Kate
I like this show!
5 - Sherry
I really don't really know what I think about this show. I always thought stacy was a hoot but this show really is not what I expected. Working with clinton, she is very funny, but alone, I don't know, not to hilarious.
6 - Emma
I love this show. I look forward to it every Friday. I love her outfits, and all the interesting interviews. Love it!!!