Monday, January 3, 2011

Would you let your partner dress you?

So what happens when a man loves his missus but hates her wardrobe?

BELLA BATTLE spoke to three couples who cannot agree on which clothes look best on women, before giving the men a chance to make over their partner in the outfit of their dreams.

Here we show how they got on. Plus, Associate Fashion Editor SASKIA QUIRKE gives her verdict and marks the results out of ten.

LANGUAGE teacher Helene Glass, 25, and her engineer husband Joe, 23, live in Guildford, Surrey. Joe thinks Helene gives the wrong impression by dressing too sexily on nights out.

Joe says: "I can't remember what Helene was wearing the night we met, but I think about her clothes - or lack of them - all too often these days.

"Sexy doesn't begin to cover her preferred look. If we go out, she will always have her cleavage out and sometimes her midriff too. She wears a lot of make-up and loves putting on stockings and heels with short skirts.

"I think she likes the attention and who wouldn't want the ego boost of people finding you attractive? It's just that I'm the one who has to look after her all evening as drunk blokes try to chat her up or paw at her.

"I think Helene looks incredible whatever she wears. The problem is so does every other guy."

Helene says: "Big hair, lots of red lipstick and plenty of cleavage make me feel confident on a night out and I'd be lying if I said I didn't like the attention they bring.

"But I know Joe bears the brunt of my outfit choices when men want to do more than look. He has been known to yank down my hem or pull up my top on nights out.

"Although he's fairly open-minded, I think he'd love me to dress more conservatively."

THE MAKEOVER

Joe says: "I love that Helene is wearing less make-up. She is beautiful without it and this look shows how little she needs the big red lips or dramatic eyeliner to look good. Her hair and clothes are so elegant too. The dress reminds me of something Lily Allen would wear.

"Helene has real class and I think this new look reflects that while still showing off her amazing figure."

Helene says: "Ugh, I hate this, or at least the top half of it anyway.

"I love the heels and the high hem, but the rounded neck and buttons on this dress make me look like a granny. The hair and make-up is pretty dowdy too.

"If Joe bought me something like this, I'd wear it otherwise I'd feel guilty but it's just not me. I feel about as sexy as Ann Widdecombe."

THE VERDICT

Saskia says: "Joe has really scaled back Helene's style, but he might have gone a bit too far.

"Even though she looks much more demure, the whole look is slightly drab. Helene has been stripped of almost all make-up and the colour of the dress is draining on her.

"Ten out of ten for effort, but we think she should ditch the dodgy blue tights and put on some bright lippy."

RATING: FIVE OUT OF TEN

Dress, ?13, Primark; heels, ?80, Office; tights, ?4, mytights.com

CHRISTINE METCALF's boyfriend Michael Birkinshaw hates her dressing as a goth and would love to see her in something "normal".

Michael says: "When we first met, Christine wore jeans and tops or a tracksuit most days.

"But about six months into our relationship, she started wearing the goth gear. I just don't get it.

"People stare at her in the street and I don't think her look shows how attractive she really is."

Christine, 28, lives with 23-year-old Michael in Congleton, Cheshire.

Christine says: "I lost 4st recently and I'm so proud of my new figure I never want to blend into the background again.

"Looking different is important to me. Michael asks why I dress like this and I answer, 'Because nobody else does.' His reply? 'There's a reason for that, Christine.'"

THE MAKEOVER

Michael says: "She looks brilliant. I chose the pink dress and heels because I knew she'd look sexy in them. It's easy to forget what a great figure she's got under all her goth clothes.

"She looks so feminine now and you can actually see her face. I'd die a happy man if she'd wear this on a night out with me."

Christine says: "This new look took some getting used to but now I really like it... I think.

"I expected Michael to pick out something really frumpy, girly and floral, so I was surprised he went for such a sexy outfit.

"I thought the dress would look terrible but it's flattering to my shape and I like the colour.

"I won't change my dress sense permanently but I may buy a couple of colourful dresses for nights out. I could cope with looking like everyone else for a day if I looked this good."

THE VERDICT

Saskia says: "What a transformation! The pink contrasts well with Christine's lovely creamy complexion and dark hair, and the style shows off her tiny waist.Well done, Michael - we love this chic look."

RATING: EIGHT OUT OF TEN

Dress, ?42, Asos.com; heels, ?62, Topshop

AMY WEBBER, 27, is a data manager from Swansea. She loves the formal look and only wears black but student fianc? Martin Vorster, also 27, wants her to be more adventurous.

Martin says: "I think people feel intimidated by Amy's power dressing and I hate that her safe clothes hide her bubbly personality.

"She always looks well put together, but I'd like to see her take more risks. Black is so boring. Some colourful, braver clothes would suit her personality so much more."

Amy says: "I know my look is a bit boring but I hate shopping, so a wardrobe full of black staples makes life easier.

"I mostly shop online so they are the safest bet without trying things on. Black is easy - I love it."

THE MAKEOVER

Martin says: "Finally, some colour! I chose the brightest, boldest thing on the rail because I knew Amy could carry it off.

"She has always told me never to buy her clothes but seeing how happy she looks in this dress, I'll be braver about shopping for her. She looks stunning in bold colours and I love how much softer she looks with the curls and make-up."

Amy says: "I love this dress. I feel sexy and I'm holding my head higher in it. I feel quite flirty too! I wasn't sure about the frills on the shoulders but the fitted style of the rest of it suits my figure.

"This has given me the push I needed to inject colour into my Christmas wardrobe. No more blending in with boring black."

THE VERDICT

Saskia says: "Who would have thought that amazing figure was under those old baggy clothes? No wonder Martin wants her to show it off more.

"Amy looks fantastic in purple. Extra brownie points for the stylish ruffled shoulders and statement heels."

RATING: NINE OUT OF TEN

Dress, ?45, rarefashion.co.uk; heels, ?30, Dorothy Perkins

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