I'm going to be interviewed for a teevee show and need some advice on clothes

[riderinthestorm]

I've told my genealogy story before on DU (family emigrated from Jamaica and transformed themselves from mulatto Jews to white Protestants on the boat to Canada in 1906. Then spent the rest of their lives "passing" as white, destroying their family connections in the process).

Well, one of my Canadian cousins has grown pretty fascinated with the story and submitted it to the Generations Project teevee show. And they're doing it. My family's "big secret" that I discovered.

Filming starts in 2 weeks and since I "discovered" the story doing some genealogy research, they are flying me up to Toronto to 1. meet the Canadian relatives I've never met and swap stories with them and 2. to film all of this. I just googled the show and it's a reality type show fwiw.

Soooo, I need some clothing advice. I'm built a bit like Snookie - big boobs and no waist. I'm also in my 50s so I'm not going to wear anything trendy.

Help! I'm thinking black turtlenecks and jeans?? Instinctively I've never worn any prints or plaids as I hate to draw attention "up top" if you get my drift. I'm in Toronto for 2 days for "my" part of the filming so I believe I'm going to need 2 outfits. Perhaps they dress me? If so, I want to at least not let them put me into anything too bizarre.

[polly7]

1. Wow! Good for you!

I suggest you wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and what you feel looks good. I can't wait to see the show! Just be comfy and have fun.

[riderinthestorm]

3. Thanks! I live and work in very casual clothes, jeans and tee shirts.

I really need to think about what might look okay (and maybe get out to a mall and see other people?)

Honestly, I get pretty much 100% of my clothes at Goodwill since they get trashed on a daily basis (I'm a farmer) so actually shopping for an "outfit" (swoon!!) well, it's been years.....

[rbnyc]

2. If you feel comfortable...

...you will look comfortable.

Amazing story. How exciting.

[riderinthestorm]

5. It IS exciting. I'm thinking the "angle" is going to be the oldest girl who was left behind

when the rest of the family emigrated. Her birth certificate listed her as "black". Everyone else's was "mulatto" which I've inferred means that she was darker skinned than the others (all of whom were as fair as any Caucasian with blue eyes and blond hair).

The family literally spread apart and purposefully kept away from each other so noone would "slip up" and unconsciously talk about their life in Jamaica. I learned all of this from a journal that my grandfather kept - he took off for the US obviously. It's just a really sad tale about how far they went to "pass". None of the women married - there was an old wives tale that women could have "throwback" babies that were dark. So the women vowed to not marry so the men could have a chance. Just hideous if you ask me.

But... common.

So my guess is the angle for the teevee show is going to be on the girl who was left behind. She was 18 years old when they left so I presume she was already married? on her own? estranged because of her color?

Not sure but whatever they've found must be interesting enough for them to make the show because blacks passing as whites is a pretty common story imho. Part of the show is supposed to be the surprise factor for the family being featured so I haven't been told anything. I've decided to practice my "surprised" look in the mirror so I don't look like a complete idiot with the open mouth fish face :rofl: :rofl:

And of course get fashion advice from the experts at DU!

[polly7]

7. It's really sad they had to distance themselves like that

to keep a secret that never should have been a concern:(. I'd be chewing my fingernails down to nothing wondering what the surprise could be. Fun!

[riderinthestorm]

19. Its terribly sad. My grandfather never went back to Canada or saw his family after he came to the US

as a very young man. He was the black sheep anyway but the daily lie must have been hard.

I only discovered the truth when my grandmother told me a small factoid when I asked her if she knew anything about his heritage since I was having trouble locating his records online. During WWII foreign born nationals were required to register with the US government. My grandmother saw his papers when he got back that day before he could snatch them away. Imagine her surprise when she saw that he was from Jamaica and not from Scotland like he'd always said. She never did have the courage to ask him any further questions (he was abusive and they were divorced when my father was a child. I never did meet him).

But thanks to the internet and online genealogical societies like Ancestry.com, it was easy to find his birth certificate once I knew where to look.

[polly7]

23. Aw, it must have been terrible.

My grandfather came from England alone at a very young age - 17, we're not sure yet if he was a 'home child', as we can't find his name in the Archives, yet we can't figure out any other reason he'd leave a large family of 10 other children and parents. The rest remained in England and married and had families .... but none of his siblings' descendants can tell us why he left, they don't know anything about him. He went back to visit a few of his brothers and sisters during his time in WW1, and that was the only time he saw them again.

Hundreds of thousands of children were picked up off the streets in England to be sent over to the colonies - 'orphans' (including many who did have families and homes)and were sent to work on farms, quite often never educated, never paid, often abused, and worked nearly to death. I hope someday to find out if he was one of those whose names were registered incorrectly, or not at all. He came with the clothes on his back to the hard life of the bare, empty, freezing cold prairie, not knowing a soul. It's a mystery we may never solve. Sorry, your story just reminded me of him. I hope you find out everything you've been looking for.

[struggle4progress]

4. well, i'm a pasty-skinned northern european. but if i were you, i'd go for a loose

colorful african-print type dress. lots of women i know wear stuff like that, and frankly i think it's a really great look. plus the media people might like it for seeming to make a political statement

but there's really good advice upthread: dress however makes you feel comfortable

[DFW]

6. What you wear is not the most important thing

It's how you come across on camera. Look either right at your interviewer or right into the camera
as if it was doing the interviewing (ask the interviewer what they prefer), and above all, be natural.
Especially: don't talk too fast or look around.

You'll do fine!

[Bucky]

8. I have no advice for you. But what a cool family story!

[nolabear]

9. Doubt they'll dress you. Black is okay or a color that plays up your own coloring.

Easy on patterns, nothing big or confusing for the camera. A nice fitted blazer that actually nicely accentuates your shape would look fabulous, subtle but recognizing that you're not hiding behind schlumpy clothes.

And CONGRATULATIONS!! I want a full report!

[Kceres]

10. +1. Please keep us posted. What a great story. nt

[riderinthestorm]

15. A blazer!! Whoa. I'd have to actually go to a store for that.

Yeah, I was thinking plain colors. I'm actually blond and blue eyed so I was thinking of blue but since my entire wardrobe is almost entirely black (which hides stains) I was thinking of being brave and wearing - gulp - a color!

Yup, full DU report for sure. I leave for Toronto September 19th.

[yellerpup]

11. If it's a TV show, they will have someone to style you.

Hair, makeup and togs...unless it is a low budget deal, but on TV in the US you can count on the works. I have a similar build and have to buy different sizes for top and bottom, but knee-length dresses with a waistline slightly above your natural waistline are flattering to figures like ours. (I'm 62) You'll also want to wear sleeves or a jacket unless your arms are exceptionally well toned. TV is unforgiving with any personal wobbliness, so if they are going to film you in motion, wear support garments for when they shoot you walking away.

Good luck! Sounds like a fun opportunity.

[riderinthestorm]

16. Support garments??!! Eek!! Oh my god. Okay but that is extremely sensible advice!!!

Okay, this is exactly what I was looking for. I'm fairly sure I will be filmed in motion. They've even talked about flying to Jamaica with us... (wowza!) I have no idea how "big" this show is. From the google search, it appears to be a Mormon based reality show about genealogical "secrets". IT looks like a major "big" US teevee show from what I can surmise so maybe they will dress me but I want to be prepared just in case. I don't even have teevee so I have know way of gauging.

[yellerpup]

24. You are going to have so much fun doing this.

In case they don't dress you, I would not wear a black turtleneck to a shoot in Jamaica. Toronto yes, black is chic but for daytime in Jamaica, go for a color that enhances your skin tone. Get yourself a couple of outfits that fit really well and are not too tight that are the right length to flatter your figure and express your personality. When you can concentrate, research history in your ancestral regions and read up on as much culture as you can because that will speed up your reactions to on-camera questions, and you won't have any of those moments where the host asks you a question and your first reaction is, "Why haven't I ever heard of that?" I'm excited for you. Wish I was going with you just to watch!

[MrsBrady]

12. when in doubt wear black

I've got experience working under lights.

I saw a friend wear a brown dress once, and under the lights you could see every bulge.

Every time I've broken my rule, I've seen the pictures...and ick...i stick to black.

[riderinthestorm]

17. Okay so that's eactly what I was thinking too!! I wear black almost daily since it hides stains

and my line of work is grubby to say the least.

So I was thinking black for one day and maybe a blue for the second? I'm not a brave dresser and don't have a big budget.

[Brigid]

13. Got any nice jewelry that reflects your heritage, like a necklace?

Something like that should contrast nicely against a black turtleneck. Or maybe a colorful scarf? And maybe black dress pants?

[Brigid]

14. Got any nice jewelry that reflects your heritage, like a necklace?

For TV, something like that should contrast nicely against a black turtleneck. Or maybe a colorful scarf? And maybe black dress pants?

Good luck! :thumbsup:

[riderinthestorm]

18. I do not have any nice jewelry like that. Pretty much the only jewelry I have is a wedding band.

My older daughter (23) is sending me some scarves that she says I must wear if I am going to be "so boring" (her words :rofl: ).

But I AM boring about clothes. I haven't thought about them in decades. I pull the first teeshirt out of the drawer and the next clean pair of jeans daily and never look back.

But this will be a forever kind of film don't you think? Something my kids will show their kids I believe long after I'm gone. I don't want to be schlumpfy for this - something I think will be shown in our family for a long time....

My sister has a pair of diamond studs. They are plain, classic and lovely. I was thinking of just wearing those (instead of my usual hippy dangles that I buy at every craft fair I see!)

[RedCloud]

20. Just remember to wear a smile!

And maybe something else!

[Shagbark Hickory]

21. Turtlenecks?!

I thought only republicans wear those.

[whistler162]

22. Don't wear your birthday suit!

[HopeHoops]

25. Pink lacy thong and a white see-through teddy

[Divameow77]

26. I wouldn't wear a turtleneck

but a black top would be good. Go for something a little loose fit as you may be sitting down while interviewed and even the thin can get a little muffin top when they sit :P

Too bad you can't ask Clinton and Stacy for advice.

[livetohike]

27. Good luck and have fun! Wear something comfortable so

you will be able to concentrate on the story. I would stay away from busy prints, or large floral designs as you don't want the viewers to be distracted by your clothes....you want them to hear your story :-). So solid colors are a good bet in a color you like. A nice top and slacks?

Many years ago, I had a job where I did media appearances. I was told never to wear red, because the tv camera made the color look muddy. (I'm a redhead and would have never worn red anyway).