The premise is as follows: friends and family member nominate a fashion victim for a much needed makeover. They then provide substantiating “secret footage” where the dressing disasters are displayed in graphic detail. The viewing public bears witness to sags, bags, stains, panty-lines and all-around “shlumpa-dumpa” clothing—that is until Clinton and Stacy educate the offender as to the error of her ways. She fights them for a while but soon comes around and the show ends with the newly spiffed-up fashionista showing off to her loved ones. This is my favorite part because I’m a sucker for a happy ending.

I’ve noticed, however, there’s a certain recurring theme on the show. Prior to their makeovers, one of the oft-repeated critiques made by the hosts to their guests is: “you’re dressing like a grandma.” Now I recently had the great fortune to interview Clinton on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio (take a listen, this is a good one!) and I knew of his wild and wicked sense of humor. So, in the name of all of us grannies, I just couldn’t let that one pass.

After we discussed ways to brighten our homes for the holidays and talked about entertaining family and grandchildren (as boomer women, most of us have them by now), I happened to mention how often he referred to us grandmothers on his show. And, in my sweetest voice, I told him I considered this frequent mention a compliment. To add even more zing to the conversation, I asked him which one of my holiday sweaters (he hates these) I should wear.

Living up to his reputation as a man with a big heart and a ready laugh, Clinton got in on the joke right away. He did, however, hasten to say that he “loves grandmas” and thinks the grandmas of today don’t dress the way grandmas did fifty years ago. And he’s right!

As feisty grannies who came of age during the swingin’ sixties, we may have bid farewell to our minis (let’s hope so), but we boomers have still got spirit, spunk, and quite a bit of life left to live before our bucket list runs out. So rock on, my fellow grannies, and enjoy your holidays. Eat, drink, and be merry but leave those holiday sweaters at home. If you don’t, you just might end up on “What Not to Wear!”

If you’re looking for work and worried you may be missing out on important job opportunities because you don’t know the ways of the marketplace today, be sure and check out Land the Job You Love. I’m continuing my 20% discount for a limited time. So go to Create Space and enter 4923LVK5. You’ll learn the insider tips and strategies to move forward with confidence and shave weeks and months off your job search!

Nevertheless, I still want to look my festive best at holiday gatherings and I recently had the good fortune to interview Clinton Kelly from TLC’s What Not to Wear. I’m a fan of the show because both Clinton and his co-host, Stacy London, have a sharp eye and an even sharper tongue. Although they throw some sassy barbs at their participants in the beginning, the show always ends on a happy note. The “big reveal” has friends and family cheering the newly glamorized fashion plate while she beams with confidence and style. (I’m a sucker for the heartwarming stuff.)

Clinton had some great tips on holiday fashion for both our persons and our homes. He suggested ways to add sparkle and shine that wouldn’t break the bank, which, as we know, is already strained this time of year. He also threw out a special caution for women over fifty. There’s a certain article of holiday wear that our friend, Mr. Kelly, just can’t abide. You’ll have to listen to the brief interview (10 minutes) to find out just what he referred to, but he promises that wearing it will age us. In fact, Clinton finds this garb so gross that he called it “frumpa-dumpa!”

So before you put that turkey in the oven or pull out the holiday decorations, take some time to plan and do a little shopping for yourself. You’ll want to be your smashing best this year and shine in all your holiday finery. No more “frumpa-dumpa,” it’s feisty and fabulous for us!