Give Up the Frump!
Do you run errands in your pajamas? Are your husband's sweats a staple in your wardrobe? If the answer is yes, you may be a shlumpadinka.
Oprah's been using this word for years, but many people are still in the dark about shlumpadinkas. One audience member guessed they were the distant cousins of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Oompa Loompas, while another said shlumpadinka is what you call something when you've forgotten its name.
Though this word isn't in Webster's Dictionary—yet—Oprah says she knows a shlumpadinka when she sees one. "I made this word up a long time ago," she says. "It represents, for me, a woman who dresses like she has completely given up...and it shows."
Every woman has had a bad day or two in her life, but some are guilty of nonstop frump. Oprah's calling in Lloyd Boston, author of Before You Put That On, to help eight ladies go from shlumpy to sexy.
Oprah's been using this word for years, but many people are still in the dark about shlumpadinkas. One audience member guessed they were the distant cousins of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Oompa Loompas, while another said shlumpadinka is what you call something when you've forgotten its name.
Though this word isn't in Webster's Dictionary—yet—Oprah says she knows a shlumpadinka when she sees one. "I made this word up a long time ago," she says. "It represents, for me, a woman who dresses like she has completely given up...and it shows."
Every woman has had a bad day or two in her life, but some are guilty of nonstop frump. Oprah's calling in Lloyd Boston, author of Before You Put That On, to help eight ladies go from shlumpy to sexy.
When a neighborhood of self-proclaimed shlumpadinkas wrote in asking for fashion interventions, Lloyd rounded up a camera crew for an ambush. "I am heading to surprise a neighborhood of women who feel that they've let themselves go," he says.
Watch Lloyd surprise unsuspecting shlumpadinkas.
After showing up unexpectedly at six different doorsteps, Lloyd gathers the friends together for two days of nonstop shopping. "I'm going to show them it's really just about picking out the right things to make you look chic but casual," he says.
Instead of heading to high-end boutiques, Lloyd takes these friends to stores where they would normally buy clothes—Kohl's, JCPenney, Gap, Old Navy and Sears.
Watch Lloyd surprise unsuspecting shlumpadinkas.
After showing up unexpectedly at six different doorsteps, Lloyd gathers the friends together for two days of nonstop shopping. "I'm going to show them it's really just about picking out the right things to make you look chic but casual," he says.
Instead of heading to high-end boutiques, Lloyd takes these friends to stores where they would normally buy clothes—Kohl's, JCPenney, Gap, Old Navy and Sears.
Dawn, a 46-year-old mother of three, is the first member of the shlump club to let Lloyd take inventory of her closet.
Outfitted in a baggy Old Navy sweatshirt and exercise shorts, she's the first to admit that she needs guidance. "I love Old Navy, but they make cuter things," Lloyd says.
Once the closet doors are opened, this stylemaker sets his sights on Dawn's denim collection. Every pair of jeans she owns is the same—high-waisted. "I have the dark. I have the stone-washed. I have the light," she says. "I'm going someplace nice [I have] the same pants but in black. ... They're my mom jeans."
Lloyd says moms across America should toss out their unflattering, acid-washed denim and replace it with one pair of timeless jeans. "If you really are bare bones in the budget, if you get this one pair, it will solve everything," he says. "[Buy] dark rinse, simple, affordable—it will age over time, versus buying them aged and having them age you."
Outfitted in a baggy Old Navy sweatshirt and exercise shorts, she's the first to admit that she needs guidance. "I love Old Navy, but they make cuter things," Lloyd says.
Once the closet doors are opened, this stylemaker sets his sights on Dawn's denim collection. Every pair of jeans she owns is the same—high-waisted. "I have the dark. I have the stone-washed. I have the light," she says. "I'm going someplace nice [I have] the same pants but in black. ... They're my mom jeans."
Lloyd says moms across America should toss out their unflattering, acid-washed denim and replace it with one pair of timeless jeans. "If you really are bare bones in the budget, if you get this one pair, it will solve everything," he says. "[Buy] dark rinse, simple, affordable—it will age over time, versus buying them aged and having them age you."
Fabulous, flattering jeans don't have to cost a fortune. Lloyd helps Dawn look like a new woman in a pair of classic Levi's, which cost just $44 at JCPenney.
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"Look how great she looks," Lloyd says. "[She has a] clean, athletic, all-American look."
The rest of Dawn's outfit—including her red trench, white handbag and animal-print flats—also came from JCPenney. "These are three easy pieces," Lloyd says. "She doesn't have to think any more than she would in a sweatshirt and old jeans."
On date night, Dawn can dress up her new jeans with a pair of heels or throw her coat on over a little black dress. "We got a great red trench, so [if] she's running out in a pinch, it always makes her look pulled together [and] brings a warm glow to her skin," he says.
"You look great," Oprah says. "A little Hilary Swank-like."
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"Look how great she looks," Lloyd says. "[She has a] clean, athletic, all-American look."
The rest of Dawn's outfit—including her red trench, white handbag and animal-print flats—also came from JCPenney. "These are three easy pieces," Lloyd says. "She doesn't have to think any more than she would in a sweatshirt and old jeans."
On date night, Dawn can dress up her new jeans with a pair of heels or throw her coat on over a little black dress. "We got a great red trench, so [if] she's running out in a pinch, it always makes her look pulled together [and] brings a warm glow to her skin," he says.
"You look great," Oprah says. "A little Hilary Swank-like."
The next shlumpadinka on Lloyd's makeover list is Dawn's neighbor Annette, a car-pooling mom who works part-time as a special education teacher.
For Annette, comfort is key. At times, she's doesn't even bother changing out of her plaid pajama pants to run errands around town. "I know what that feels like," Oprah says. "I like staying in mine all day."
When she does get dressed, Annette usually opts for oversized sweats and baseball caps. "Do you think it's shlumpadinka?" Lloyd asks Annette.
"I know it is," she says.
"That's a good thing," he says. "The first rule is admitting you're a shlumpadinka.
For Annette, comfort is key. At times, she's doesn't even bother changing out of her plaid pajama pants to run errands around town. "I know what that feels like," Oprah says. "I like staying in mine all day."
When she does get dressed, Annette usually opts for oversized sweats and baseball caps. "Do you think it's shlumpadinka?" Lloyd asks Annette.
"I know it is," she says.
"That's a good thing," he says. "The first rule is admitting you're a shlumpadinka.
Underneath the shapeless sweatshirt and pajama pants, Annette's inner diva was waiting to shine! "Look at that," Lloyd says. "I'm talking about a clean breath of fresh air when you walk in the room."
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To create this look at JCPenney, Lloyd says he relied on an old style trick. "The most stylish women in the world know when you want to look sophisticated, keep everything in the same color tone," he says. "You can do this when your husband's asleep and snoring. You can dress in the dark."
Annette's says her $50 stretch chino pants don't feel as comfy as sweatpants—they feel better! A white trench, simple white T-shirt and gold ballet flats make this outfit ideal for workdays or weekends.
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To create this look at JCPenney, Lloyd says he relied on an old style trick. "The most stylish women in the world know when you want to look sophisticated, keep everything in the same color tone," he says. "You can do this when your husband's asleep and snoring. You can dress in the dark."
Annette's says her $50 stretch chino pants don't feel as comfy as sweatpants—they feel better! A white trench, simple white T-shirt and gold ballet flats make this outfit ideal for workdays or weekends.
Every shlumpadinka has a favorite fashion crutch. Jackie, a 45-year-old mom, says she's stuck in an elastic rut.
When Lloyd arrives for Jackie's wardrobe inspection, he finds faded elastic pants in an array of colors. "I'm so embarrassed," she says.
An adjustable waistband might feel good, but Lloyd says thick, chunky elastic adds bulk to a woman's midsection.
When Lloyd arrives for Jackie's wardrobe inspection, he finds faded elastic pants in an array of colors. "I'm so embarrassed," she says.
An adjustable waistband might feel good, but Lloyd says thick, chunky elastic adds bulk to a woman's midsection.
After a shopping excursion to Old Navy, Jackie discovers she can feel comfy without looking frumpy.
To achieve this sporty look, Lloyd dressed Jackie in a bright top and swapped out her velour sweats with a pair of black yoga pants. The best part? The pants cost just $16.50. "A lot of ladies think yoga pants are for the skinny-mini gym bunnies," he says. "[But] they're for every woman if you find the right fit. ... They're slimming because they snap at the hip and flare at the leg."
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Lloyd makes Jackie's petite frame look longer by matching her shoes with her pants. "Take the hem right to the floor," he says. He also transforms a red safari shirt into a fitted jacket by tying it in the back.
Finally, Jackie's ready to leave the elastic behind! "I feel sexy," she says. "I feel beautiful. I feel younger."
To achieve this sporty look, Lloyd dressed Jackie in a bright top and swapped out her velour sweats with a pair of black yoga pants. The best part? The pants cost just $16.50. "A lot of ladies think yoga pants are for the skinny-mini gym bunnies," he says. "[But] they're for every woman if you find the right fit. ... They're slimming because they snap at the hip and flare at the leg."
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Lloyd makes Jackie's petite frame look longer by matching her shoes with her pants. "Take the hem right to the floor," he says. He also transforms a red safari shirt into a fitted jacket by tying it in the back.
Finally, Jackie's ready to leave the elastic behind! "I feel sexy," she says. "I feel beautiful. I feel younger."
If your daily uniform consists of frayed jeans, sneakers and a hooded sweatshirt, you may be able to relate to Lee, a mother of three who's ready for a fresh look. "I'm thinking of how embarrassed my son is of me," she says.
After learning the tricks of the fashion trade, Lee says she wants to walk into a room and feel spectacular. Lloyd's fashion philosophy is when you look better, you feel better. "You get more done in the day," he says. "You might grab a little cocktail with the ladies because you're still looking cute versus coming home and polishing off a bag of nachos."
While rummaging through Lee's clothes, Lloyd comes across a fabulous pair of high-heeled black boots that sure don't look shlumpy. Lee says the only problem is she doesn't know how to wear them or what to wear them with.
After learning the tricks of the fashion trade, Lee says she wants to walk into a room and feel spectacular. Lloyd's fashion philosophy is when you look better, you feel better. "You get more done in the day," he says. "You might grab a little cocktail with the ladies because you're still looking cute versus coming home and polishing off a bag of nachos."
While rummaging through Lee's clothes, Lloyd comes across a fabulous pair of high-heeled black boots that sure don't look shlumpy. Lee says the only problem is she doesn't know how to wear them or what to wear them with.
Problem solved! Lloyd pairs Lee's leather boots with a little black dress and leggings from Gap. The dress, which he shortened to show off her great shape, retails for $60.
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"[The dress's] empire waist brings the attention to her smallest point right beneath her bust line, so she looks younger, hipper and sexier," he says. "She can go right out."
To make the look more casual, Lloyd says Lee can also substitute ballet flats for boots.
Oprah says she loves the way a vibrant scarf can take an outfit to the next level.
Watch Lloyd teach Oprah to tie a scarf.
"I have them in a rainbow of colors," Lloyd says. "Toss it on if you're feeling low in these gray, chilly days. It adds a shot of color around your face."
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"[The dress's] empire waist brings the attention to her smallest point right beneath her bust line, so she looks younger, hipper and sexier," he says. "She can go right out."
To make the look more casual, Lloyd says Lee can also substitute ballet flats for boots.
Oprah says she loves the way a vibrant scarf can take an outfit to the next level.
Watch Lloyd teach Oprah to tie a scarf.
"I have them in a rainbow of colors," Lloyd says. "Toss it on if you're feeling low in these gray, chilly days. It adds a shot of color around your face."
Julie, a stay-at-home mom of two, says she practically lives in tracksuits year-round. Lloyd finds not one, not two...but 12 in her closet! "[It's] the fortress of velour," he says. "Oh Lord, they're spilling out."
There's a tracksuit for every occasion, including a "summer" ensemble made of terry cloth. "I might want to take some of these off your hands at a later time," Lloyd says. "I'll give you something new, you give me 10 of these."
There's a tracksuit for every occasion, including a "summer" ensemble made of terry cloth. "I might want to take some of these off your hands at a later time," Lloyd says. "I'll give you something new, you give me 10 of these."
Julie trades in her trademark tracksuit for a fashion-forward look from Gap and Kohl's. White jeans and a blue Anorak sweater show off her petite frame.
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"She can wear anything, but she was hiding under bulky, dark sweatsuits," Lloyd says. "The Anorak is a great way to add more curves. We cinch in the waist, and now she has more of an hourglass."
To add a splash of color, Julie carries a yellow, gauzy Gap scarf that costs just $19.50.
"They're an inexpensive way to wake up [an outfit]," Lloyd says. "French women have been doing it for years. Now, it's time for my American gals to catch up."
A telltale sign of a shlumpadinka, Oprah says, is wearing regular clothes with workout shoes. A good alternative is a ballet flat, Lloyd says. "Ballet flats can fit in your glove compartment. So, why not keep a pair around [so] that you can instantly change?"
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"She can wear anything, but she was hiding under bulky, dark sweatsuits," Lloyd says. "The Anorak is a great way to add more curves. We cinch in the waist, and now she has more of an hourglass."
To add a splash of color, Julie carries a yellow, gauzy Gap scarf that costs just $19.50.
"They're an inexpensive way to wake up [an outfit]," Lloyd says. "French women have been doing it for years. Now, it's time for my American gals to catch up."
A telltale sign of a shlumpadinka, Oprah says, is wearing regular clothes with workout shoes. A good alternative is a ballet flat, Lloyd says. "Ballet flats can fit in your glove compartment. So, why not keep a pair around [so] that you can instantly change?"
When Carol runs into someone she knows at the grocery store, she says she runs in the other direction. Most days, you can find her in bleach-stained sweatpants and baggy tops.
The day Lloyd comes to visit, Carol is wearing what she calls her "dress sweats." These stand apart from the rest because they don't have any noticeable stains or holes. "The saddest part is I cleaned out my closet probably three months ago and kept the best of what I had," she says. "This is the best of my everyday."
The day Lloyd comes to visit, Carol is wearing what she calls her "dress sweats." These stand apart from the rest because they don't have any noticeable stains or holes. "The saddest part is I cleaned out my closet probably three months ago and kept the best of what I had," she says. "This is the best of my everyday."
Although Lloyd hates to pick a favorite, he says Carol may be his choice for most improved. Outfitted in a cropped white jacket, red denim pants and a long-sleeved black shirt from JCPenney, Carol's look is what he calls "nautical, fresh and timeless."
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"They're all so great," he says. "But what speaks to me about Carol is the fact that she has a real American body. She has curves, and I love the fact that she can show them off."
If your size makes you uncomfortable in a short jacket, Lloyd suggests wearing a long, black shirt underneath. "That way you get the coverage, and you still feel confident," he says. "[Carol] was concerned about the midsection, but the black makes it disappear."
After learning how to put together casual, chic styles, Carol says she'll never be seen in sloppy sweats again. "I feel sassy," she says. "You should take care of your family, but you should never forget yourself."
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"They're all so great," he says. "But what speaks to me about Carol is the fact that she has a real American body. She has curves, and I love the fact that she can show them off."
If your size makes you uncomfortable in a short jacket, Lloyd suggests wearing a long, black shirt underneath. "That way you get the coverage, and you still feel confident," he says. "[Carol] was concerned about the midsection, but the black makes it disappear."
After learning how to put together casual, chic styles, Carol says she'll never be seen in sloppy sweats again. "I feel sassy," she says. "You should take care of your family, but you should never forget yourself."
The next shlumpadinka may not live in the same neighborhood as Dawn, Annette, Jackie, Lee, Julie and Carol, but she's guilty of similar fashion crimes.
In a letter to The Oprah Show, Jazzmin, a 26-year-old wife and mom from Florida, admitted that she'd stopped caring about her looks. She'd even started wearing her husband's basketball pants, shirts and jogging suits.
"My husband, Timothy, is currently serving in Iraq. This is his fifth tour there, and I worry about him every single day," she wrote. "It's really hard this time because we have an 11-month-old daughter, Laila. ... She was born with Down's syndrome, so she needs a little extra loving and attention. Between taking care of my daughter and worrying about my husband, I've lost myself and I've let myself go. I miss the beautiful, sexy woman I used to be."
Lloyd's ready to help Jazzmin find the bombshell hiding beneath men's clothes!
In a letter to The Oprah Show, Jazzmin, a 26-year-old wife and mom from Florida, admitted that she'd stopped caring about her looks. She'd even started wearing her husband's basketball pants, shirts and jogging suits.
"My husband, Timothy, is currently serving in Iraq. This is his fifth tour there, and I worry about him every single day," she wrote. "It's really hard this time because we have an 11-month-old daughter, Laila. ... She was born with Down's syndrome, so she needs a little extra loving and attention. Between taking care of my daughter and worrying about my husband, I've lost myself and I've let myself go. I miss the beautiful, sexy woman I used to be."
Lloyd's ready to help Jazzmin find the bombshell hiding beneath men's clothes!
To make Jazzmin feel beautiful again, Lloyd takes her to Nordstrom to splurge on a sexy gold dress. "She's a beautiful woman," he says. "She's got a lot on her mind and a lot on her hands, and now she looks like she's ready to go to a red carpet."
This Tadashi dress may not be a bargain at $348, but Lloyd says it makes Jazzmin look like she spent $1,000. "She's got curves. She's proud of them," he says. "I wanted to show her off."
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Though shopping used to be hard for her, Jazzmin seems to be getting the hang of it. "I've always known I'm beautiful, and I felt it on the inside, but now I'm able to present that to the world," she says. "My inner beauty, as well as my outer beauty."
This Tadashi dress may not be a bargain at $348, but Lloyd says it makes Jazzmin look like she spent $1,000. "She's got curves. She's proud of them," he says. "I wanted to show her off."
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Though shopping used to be hard for her, Jazzmin seems to be getting the hang of it. "I've always known I'm beautiful, and I felt it on the inside, but now I'm able to present that to the world," she says. "My inner beauty, as well as my outer beauty."
Jazzmin's father and sister are in the audience to support her, but her husband couldn't be there...or so she thinks!
"Timothy was anxious to see his wife, so he's joined us by video conference," Oprah says.
Jazzmin is shocked to see her husband's face appear on the television screen behind her. What does Timothy think of her new look? "Oh, she's breathtaking," he says. "Beautiful as ever. ... You look wonderful. I love you."
"I know it looks good all the way in Iraq," Oprah says. "But it really looks good here!"
With tears streaming down her face, Jazzmin tells her husband how much she loves him. "I can't wait to see you," she says. "Your daughter's getting so big and she misses you. ... I miss you."
"Timothy was anxious to see his wife, so he's joined us by video conference," Oprah says.
Jazzmin is shocked to see her husband's face appear on the television screen behind her. What does Timothy think of her new look? "Oh, she's breathtaking," he says. "Beautiful as ever. ... You look wonderful. I love you."
"I know it looks good all the way in Iraq," Oprah says. "But it really looks good here!"
With tears streaming down her face, Jazzmin tells her husband how much she loves him. "I can't wait to see you," she says. "Your daughter's getting so big and she misses you. ... I miss you."
When word got out that Oprah was searching for shlumpadinkas, a few women in Idaho immediately thought of their neighbor Janet.
They say this Canadian transplant is in desperate need of an overall overhaul. Mostly worn by carpenters and farmers, overalls aren't seen very often...except when Janet's around. "I have four pairs," she says. "I love overalls because they're the most comfortablest clothes you'll ever wear."
Janet has a favorite pair, a pair she can roll up in the summer, a dark "winter" pair and a pair that are way too big. "When my friends found out I was moving to Idaho, they thought I'd fit right in with the overalls," she says. "But I've never actually seen anyone in Idaho wear them."
They say this Canadian transplant is in desperate need of an overall overhaul. Mostly worn by carpenters and farmers, overalls aren't seen very often...except when Janet's around. "I have four pairs," she says. "I love overalls because they're the most comfortablest clothes you'll ever wear."
Janet has a favorite pair, a pair she can roll up in the summer, a dark "winter" pair and a pair that are way too big. "When my friends found out I was moving to Idaho, they thought I'd fit right in with the overalls," she says. "But I've never actually seen anyone in Idaho wear them."
Lloyd transforms this farm girl into a sexpot in just a few days! "We took her from Mary Ann to Ginger," he says. "We wanted to give her a little sex appeal."
Little did Lloyd know, Janet had a great body hiding under her overalls. He accentuates her long legs and lean frame with white Elie Tahari pants and a black Theory dress from Nordstrom.
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"This is the new overall," he says. "She can jump into this in one second."
Since her leopard-print heels matches nothing, Lloyd says they actually match everything! "Don't do the matching bag with the shoes, ladies," he says. "You don't want to look a little Flintstone-y."
Little did Lloyd know, Janet had a great body hiding under her overalls. He accentuates her long legs and lean frame with white Elie Tahari pants and a black Theory dress from Nordstrom.
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"This is the new overall," he says. "She can jump into this in one second."
Since her leopard-print heels matches nothing, Lloyd says they actually match everything! "Don't do the matching bag with the shoes, ladies," he says. "You don't want to look a little Flintstone-y."
Published 03/14/2008