Stacy London and Clinton Kelly are back, as they re-team for “Wear Whatever the F You Want”

Kelly jokingly refers to What Not to Wear as “10 years of cringe,” but “we are products of our time,” he acknowledges. “We both came from the women's magazine industry and we were brainwashed into believing that every woman wanted to look four inches taller and to look 10 pounds thinner. I joke that for 10 years I taught women how to make their butts look smaller, and now every woman wants their butt to look bigger.”

So now, on Wear Whatever the F You Want, Kelly and London aim to work with clients to help them achieve their personal style goals, rather than those of the hosts. “We don't have to love the outfits that they wind up in,” London says. “We wanted to get people on the right road, but there are outfits that we signed off on that I wouldn't be like, ‘I would wear that.’ But it's not about us.”

London describes Wear Whatever the F You Want as “more meaningful” than What Not to Wear since “people are not superficial about fashion” today.

“There was a different time when television reigned supreme before social media took off where we were truly considered experts on television. You don't need experts anymore,” she says. “So what are you doing on TV, where it's such a visual medium and you can really show so much about what to do and how to make an outfit? We take it to heart.”

Kelly says his and London’s current approach comes down to “respecting other people's history” and “where they're coming from.”

“If this particular outfit makes you happy, that's because everything in your life has brought you to this place where this outfit is going to make you happy, and you've had a different life experience than I've had, so that might not be making me happy,” he continues. “It's realizing that not everybody's cut from the same cloth, and it's kind of great.”

The stylists feel like they’ve changed over the years, too. “We joke around that we're grayer and gayer — he's grayer, I'm gayer,” says London, who revealed her relationship with musician Cat Yezbak in 2019. “We're middle-aged now, dare I say, and wisdom and age really grow together. There are a lot of things that I think we had blind spots about when we were in our young 30s that we had to learn. We learned a lot in between What Not to Wear and this show, and it really reflects our philosophy the way that we would want to work with clients now.”

Wear Whatever the F You Want premieres Tuesday, April 29, on Prime Video.

Do we really need a show to tell people that?

Trinny and Susannah were the first and the best.

Oh! Please! There are items of clothing all of us should not be caught dead wearing out in public. These include:

Sweats

Tights and midriff cropped tops on overweight women

Cargo shorts on men

Board shorts on any man who is not lanky and tall

Baseball caps on me over 21

R4 = Sitting at hone alone in an ascot dressed like Mr. Peanut.

Wow, I thought they were both in their mid-fifties during the original run.

R5, LOL...Just as we should be treating this...an occasion for witty repartee!

I'm actually wearing sweats.

r5, you made me chuckle. Thank you.

I'm with you R4. The way people dress is appalling.

I'll add Crocs and pajamas and slippers as street wear.

I loved 'What Not to Wear', as formulaic as the fashion was that they would prescribe. I would definitely watch a reboot of it, just for their personalities and chemistry. I clocked Stacy London as a lez 25 years ago. Glad to see she's finally out.

The pair, with lots of history, answer questions like dance partners rarely out of step.

“From the second I sat next to Stacy during my audition (for 'What Not to Wear,') we had an instant chemistry,” Kelly says. “We were finishing each other's sentences. We were laughing at each other’s jokes. It was like that for 10 years of ‘What Not to Wear.’ And it was like that for eight episodes of ‘Wear Whatever the F You Want.’ When we got back into the studio together, it was laughter, camaraderie supporting each other and our client.”

It’s hard to believe the two ever had a falling out. London blocked Kelly on Twitter, now known as X, after he published a collection of essays in 2017. “Why did I love and loathe Stacy?” Kelly wrote in “I Hate Everyone, Except You.” “I loved her, I think, because she’s charming as hell. I’ve met few people so good as she at making others feel decidedly special. … I loathed Stacy because … well … maybe there was some jealousy on my part. She really seemed to enjoy, nay, need the attention of others, and I felt that she was almost constantly jockeying for it.”

From 2011–18, Kelly served as a cohost on ABC’s daytime show, “The Chew,” a food-focused play on the network’s long-running “The View,” where London appeared as a guest host. She launched her podcast “Hello Menopause!” in 2022, and in August 2024, she debuted a clothing collection for QVC.

The hosts credit their new show with bringing them together.

“Clinton talks about the fact that we really challenge anybody to sit next to somebody for 10 years every day, day in and day out and get along just fine,” London says. “When we describe our relationship, really, it's like a brother and sister on a long car trip.”

Sometimes it’s like, “Don't touch me. Don't touch me,” Kelly jokes. “We love each other. The thing is, my husband, who's a psychologist, says you can't have love without hate. And a lot of people don't like to hear that, but it’s the truth. Because when you have strong feelings in the positive towards somebody, you're going to have some negative feelings about them as well. That's just the way we are as human beings. We love hanging out with each other, and sometimes ..."

“We want to kill each other,” London says, finishing the sentiment.

“This is being a human being,” Kelly says.

“But it is much more fun to work together than not work together,” London adds. “I will tell you that.”

Post Covid the fashion world has really changed. We no longer need office wear the we can wear out at night. We need sweats that will hide our gunts

I've watched two episodes so far and love it. Clinton and Stacey always had a lot of heart and that's why I enjoyed watching them on What Not To Wear. They've still got it and the new show is entertaining.

R13 I'm a little confused about what they actually do on the show. (I haven't seen it yet)

If it's called "Wear Whatever the Fuck You Want," then what is their role?

Jesus, just what the world needs... Stacy, "No, no, no, you really do look fabulous in your pajama bottoms, crocs and sweatshirt that says, Bold, Brassy, Bitch!" Added Clinton, "It's an injustice that Neiman wouldn't hire you!"

[quote] Trinny and Susannah were the first and the best

Uhh, no. Shoving women with breasts fuller than a large B-cup into v-neck tops was a disaster. As were their statement coats. The hot pink satin trenches live in infamy.

“Maybe skip the blue hair, and go for an auburn instead!”

What Not to Wear was never about telling people what they should and shouldn't wear, per se.

It was about updating someone look and creating some sort of personal style from stylelessness, as well as focusing on things like tailoring and fit.

I don't really see the point of a show that endorses having no fashion sense and wearing whatever you want.

[Quote]From 2011–18, Kelly served as a cohost on ABC’s daytime show, “The Chew,” a food-focused play on the network’s long-running “The View,” where London appeared as a guest host. She launched her podcast “Hello Menopause!” in 2022, and in August 2024, she debuted a clothing collection for QVC.

For a sassy, skunk-haired snatch-eater, that's one aggressively frau CV.

[quote]I've watched two episodes so far and love it. Clinton and Stacey always had a lot of heart and that's why I enjoyed watching them on What Not To Wear. They've still got it and the new show is entertaining.

I did too, but I roared with laughter during episode 1 where the makeover woman went out for a fancy tea in New York.

I've been around enough reality TV to know what happened, and the table of "ladies" she joined was obviously the women of the crew and support staff shoved awkwardly into fascinators and fancy blouses in a closed restaurant, looking supremely uncomfortable. And I loved it when the makeover woman looked around and said, "Do you all go out for tea often?" and the others just shifted in their chairs and mumbled, "Oh. Uh. Yeah ... "

On a Very Special Episode about body positivity, Clinton should embrace his male pattern baldness and remove his unstylish hairpiece. Or shell out for a better one.

I watched the first episode - the first subject's best friend Dallas is a character absolutely MADE for Datalounge.

Where is Carmindy?

He has a surprisingly nice body for someone so nerdy. but he has GOT to ditch those kooky grandma eyeglass frames.

[quote]Where is Carmindy?

She was so sweet and a real delight on the original show.

The new makeup artist and hairbender are instantly forgettable — and he's not even very good at his job.

R23

And her smokey eye!!!

Agree about the hairstylist R25. The woman on the first episode was adorable but desperately needed a good hair cut.

Trinity and Susannah were really funny. I should see if their old episodes are available streaming anywhere.

Trinny

"The thing is, my husband, who's a psychologist, says you can't have love without hate."

Sounds like his husband is trying to manipulate him about his own shortcomings. Yes of course you hate me when I do X, Y, Z - it's because you LOVE me so much! Wha?

I don't think this is a true statement. At all. Everyone in close proximity and frequency can get annoying at some point of course. But hate? Hate is a strong word and over-used I think.

I watched a couple of episodes - I didn't really care for it. Seemed too manufactured - the people want to have a specific look/style, so they go overboard at first then dial it back the next day.

Personally I thought the people in the first two episodes didn't look great - the clothes were costumey - from Legally Blonde over the top in the first episode to aging punk rocker in the second episode.

Meh - not the worst thing I've watched but the make-overs didn't blow me away.

This recent shot of her in the Times made me think for a moment she was transitioning.

I loved What not to Wear. I didn't watch a lot of TV but back then this and Trading Spaces were the only shows I went out of my way to see.

Wearing "whatever the F you want" is why we all live in Slob Nation now. The first show attempted to remedy that; this version just seems to find newer versions of the old slob outfits.

On the old show, they actually performed a service. People learned what looked good on their body types and they went from there, finding outfits that matched the person's preferences but showing them new possibilities as well. One other good lesson was that nice clothes didn't have to be uncomfortable or fussy.

Carmindy was a ray of sunshine whose makeup applications actually made a big difference; the current woman doesn't do that. And the old hairbenders (Nick?) really knew their stuff and made transformations. The current queen seems to have been picked up from the parking lot of a Supercuts.

And, yes, as the person above stated, these are more costumes than outfits.

no matter what anyone says about the conformity of the clothes they picked every heiffer they did a makeover looked 1000 X better.

[quote]Cargo shorts on men

Nonsense. They may be out of date, but they are very functional. Sometimes you need some pocket room. I have more "nice" shorts than I know what to do with, but when the occasion calls for it, I'll put on my cargo shorts.

I'm 69 yo. Fuck it.

I always thought Clinton was a hottie, when he got his top off.

Stacy's QVC line is ugly. It seems as if she went from one extreme to another--pencil skirty and five inch heels to dressing like a hobo.

Her father was an odd one. Scholar at the Hudson Institute and Manhattan Institute, Trump enthusiast, author of 30 books and unsuccessful mayoral and gubernatorial candidate.

Stacy was very close to her father.

Isn't London the one who criticized the way Whoopi Goldberg dressed every day on The View about ten years ago, and Whoopi 'responded' to her on air ? And then the next season, London was hired by the show as a 'rotating host' (with a few other women) and that lasted just a couple of show before the whole concept died ?

I question whether Stacy ever owned a mirror. The idea of her giving anyone tips on how to dress is ludicrous.

I don't know what your post means R41 - on the original WNTW, Stacy definitely knew what worked on different body types, what made participants comfortable, and more. And thanks to others who posted about London's father... what an interesting man, someone I have no memory of in NY politics.

They need to return to their original concept. So many women look especially bad… tight leggings, crop tops, yoga pants,..Also seems to be an obesity epidemic among young girls…more overweight ones than I ever remember.

R43 Agreed. I, personally, can't believe how these 'younger women' (under 50) dress for the office at my place of employment. Then add in all the tattoos on their neck, arms and hands - and they're ready to start their professional workday. No one says a word.

[quote]Kelly jokingly refers to What Not to Wear as “10 years of cringe,”

Please, woke people are so cringe!

People are getting sick of ugly, fat people being forced down our throats.

One of the reasons why Democrats (who support this nonsense) are bleeding members.

I was at Target over the weekend (for the first time in five years) and all the models everywhere were fug and out of shape.

I was like, "I can't stand all this ugliness!" and walked out.

In the future, after woke has run its course, people are going to look back at the late 2010s/2020s and say, "God, everyone was so ugly back then!" because many of the current actors and models are so fug.

Radical "woke" progressives have no standards.

It's become a race to the bottom with them.

They have models at Target?

Have you seen Trump supporters R45?

[quote]I watched a couple of episodes - I didn't really care for it. Seemed too manufactured - the people want to have a specific look/style, so they go overboard at first then dial it back the next day.

I'll admit at laughing when the one woman's sister implied that she looked like a drug dealer in her fantasy style outfit. Surprised they aired that as it goes against the 'wear whatever the F you want' concept.

I'm glad they're doing the 'dial back', though I'd be interested in re-visit episodes to see if they maintain the new look. That's one thing that they sometimes missed on WNTW. There was one episode where the subject was a handler at dog shows, and Stacy threw away her flats and made her wear pointy toed heels. One just can't properly run a dog around a ring in high heels!

It would be nice if they actually do a truly casual style. People can wear yoga pants with the right top and make it look good.

R34 - totally agree about the hair and makeup. On the first episode, the woman didn't look much different - a tad more polished, but it didn't look like two professionals had worked on her at all.

And the hair and makeup people? Two overweight Latinos with neither good hair OR good makeup. When your profession is hair or makeup, I expect your hair or makeup to be something to comment on and to stand out. They didn't - and neither does their final result. I wonder if they're not getting paid to keep expenses down. Those two were not the best they could get.

I only got through 2 episodes - but both of the clients sounded like immature people who wanted to dress up in a fantasy that wasn't appropriate for either of their lives. One woman with several kids from Newport News, VA wanted to look like someone who goes to tea? She's clearly not a professional - and those outfits are out of place for Newport News or for being a soccer mom. The formerly bulimic Brooklyn ginger 40 year old guy with the punk rock dream was just cringe all the way.

Both screamed LOOK AT ME, GIVE ME ATTENTION as opposed to having an organic style. I'll watch a few more eventually, but this attempt at being real just feels so fake.

They both look great. They’ve barely aged

The black bakery guy is fine- he can wear anything. Too bad he's in bumfuck, Indiana.

[quote] I'm glad they're doing the 'dial back, though I'd be interested in re-visit episodes to see if they maintain the new look. That's one thing that they sometimes missed on WNTW.

R49 Look no further than Mayim Bialik (season 7, episode 1 in 2009). She completely ignored the advice from “What Not To Wear” and appeared in 2010 on CBS in “The Big Bang Theory” as Amy Farrah Fowler, who dressed like Mayim Bialik. Bialik made many millions of dollars working on TBBT until 2019, I dare say quite a bit more than Stacy and Clinton did in their 10 years on TLC. Take that, WNTW!

R53, don't you think that Amy was a frumpier version of Mayim?

Though she had some ill-fitted jackets when she hosted Jeopardy, so perhaps not.

R54 I think Mayim brought not only her neuroscience Ph.D. with her to TBBT but also her way of dressing.

Don’t get me wrong—I think Mayim is both a wonderful comic actor and person, and as a fellow scientist, I can tell she’s a good scientist.

I just think it’s hilarious that she did better wearing what the F she wanted!