Fashionista Stacy London is girl-tastic!

By Lesley Kennedy, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 23, 2008 at 6 p.m.

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"What Not to Wear" host Stacy London says yes to a classic trench coat, but a big no way to Uggs. And Crocs? "Plastic shoes? What were they thinking?"

From a little girl who wanted to be a cocktail waitress so she could wear fishnets at work to a job as senior fashion editor at Mademoiselle to her current gigs as co-host of TLC's makeover show What Not to Wear and Fashionably Late with Stacy London, this fashionista knows what it takes to be girl-tastic.

Biggest mistake women make when shopping: It's really an issue of size, one of cut. Some women wear clothes that are simply too big for them and other women wear clothes that are just too small. They're not being realistic about their body size or shape. There's a misjudgment going on about what's going to be flattering. When women wear clothes that are too small, they're often shopping in the juniors department. The necessity to shop in the juniors department is sometimes because of finance, but also due to this desire to be trendy. But being trendy by shopping in the juniors department just makes you look like you're chasing your youth. There's no price point when it comes to style, but I don't feel like you need to shop younger to look great. It never makes you look as trendy as you think it will.

Worst fad she ever wore: In seventh grade, I was really into wearing a sweater dress, legwarmers, jazz shoes and a Flock of Seagulls hairdo. I really did have an awkward phase of about age nine to 30.

Favorite thing about giving women makeovers: It has nothing to do with the way they look, but everything about the way they feel. I feel very strongly about this modern-day crisis of self esteem. There's a real epidemic going on, and if in some small way I can help a woman feel better about herself, there's nothing better. When women can see what they can change about their lives, I think they realize, "Wow, this isn't as difficult as I thought it would be."

The minute you show them there is a better way to dress, and that it's not so hard, it actually makes you realize some of the other things you've been avoiding in life aren't so hard. If you realize makeovers and style aren't outside your grasp, then maybe you realize getting a better job isn't out of the question, or maybe a better relationship with your boyfriend is possible.

Favorite things in her closet: A silk charmeuse, leopard-print, V-neck, empire-waist, A-line mini dress - all the things I tell women to to look for. I practice what I preach. It was outrageously expensive. And an orange mandarin silk dupioni dress that I just bought in the Bahamas from Calypso.

What she wears off camera: Right now, I'm in running pants, a sports bra, a zip-up and a sweatshirt. When people yell at me on the street about what I'm wearing, I tell them I'm going to the gym, cut me some slack. When you are going to the gym that is appropriate attire.

Her fail-safe outfit: A dress or a pencil skirt. I've gained about 15 pounds in the last six months, after I quit smoking. I have no idea how to dress myself now. It's a nightmare and I really understand it when women come to me and say they want to get back into their own clothes. I've been every weight, every size possible. But I can't just run out and buy a whole new wardrobe for the show. But I still want to.

Favorite style icon past: Jane Birkin in the '70s.

Favorite style icon present: Kate Moss for sure. It's such a typical answer, but she's just so good. It really is about her twist, her spin on things. She's really clever. The way she puts herself together is truly her own. And now she's designing, which is really wonderful.

Items every woman should own: There are definitely basic pieces on which you can build any wardrobe: a couple neutral skirts, good trousers, a trench coat, a little black dress, but also dresses in your favorite colors.

Advice on trends: You can pretty much do any trend as long as you filter things through your body, age and lifestyle. If the trend can pass through those filters, you can figure out how to make it work for you. That Armani sheer dress you saw on the runway may become a couple layers of sheer blouses worn under a jacket. And some things just aren't going to work for you. It's just like a buffet with lots of appetizers. You aren't going to eat everything on it.

What she wanted to be when she was a girl: A cocktail waitress, because it was the only profession I could think of where you could wear fishnet stockings to work. And that is the honest-to-God truth.

Spring items she's saving for: Shoes. Yves Saint Laurent and Louboutin knock my socks off. But to spend a grand on a pair of shoes is an extravagance.

Bad hair days: I don't watch my TV show because I always hate my hair. I look fat. I get grumpy.

Favorite TV show: Rock of Love. I couldn't believe he chose Ambre!

Celebrity most in need of a makeover: Britney Spears. I can't think of anybody who needs it more. Although I am worried that Dakota Fanning is heading down a dark path.

On Crocs: I met all the guys who founded Crocs. They are lovely people. But I still think they did an evil disservice to human-kind. Plastic shoes? What were they thinking? I'm sure they're great in the garden, but that's where they should stay. . . .The company is based in Boulder, right? Denver is sufficiently far enough away, in my opinion. Isn't Boulder where Mork and Mindy were from? Enough said right there.

On Uggs: There's a value in shoes like that, but it's not a fashion value. Slippers are fine to wear in the house. But that's it. You're not doing anything to flatter your body by wearing them. It's a nightmare. Uggs are super comfy, but to wear them in public is not appropriate.

See Stacy live

What: Stacy London speaks as part of the Colorado Women's Expo.

When: 3 p.m. April 27

Where: The Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St.

Tickets: Day of the event, $12. Advanced discount tickets on sale at TicketsWest outlets in all King Soopers.

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