Lloyd Boston is the host of the new series Closet Cases on the Fine Living Network. He is currently traveling across the country assisting people with their wardrobes and recently sat down face to face with Windy City Times before his appearance at Macy's on State Street.
Windy City Times: So you are back in the Windy City. How is this tour going?
Lloyd Boston: It's a two-part tour, so I have been promoting Closet Cases, which is my new show and too much fun. I am also on tour with Jones New York, I am their style guy. I do events around the nation with real women, sometimes with menswear mixed in, hosting clinics and seminars on how to get the most out of your wardrobe for spring. It's called Style Miles. I get to find out what people are wearing so I can help them look better versus coming in and telling them "put this on, sweetie" or "this looks fabulous." I like it to feel like a give and take.
WCT: How did FLN's Closet Cases get its start?
LB: The Fine Living Network saw me on Oprah. Another thanks to the big O, because I had been hoping to find a network home and to do a show of my own for many years. They had a show called Closet Cases that they were developing and thought I would be the perfect host. I did the pilot and it tested well. It's getting a lot of great feedback after debuting.
WCT: What makes your reality show different than others?
LB: That's the first thing I asked Fine Living when they called. There are so many style shows and makeover shows. I wanted to know how I could stand out. That was the first question and the second was, "Will you allow me to be myself?" For me that was pointing out what is good about people's clothes and helping them do more of the same. I did not want to change into one of those snarky, negative, judgemental style guides. I have always been the opposite of that as a person. They told me to be myself and just have fun with the people.
What makes this show different is it's the first double makeover. Not only am I am helping them look better with the things on their body but while we are out shopping for essentials, there is a separate team gut renovating their closet. They come home and their closet is painted and reshelved, it has new lighting fixtures, matching hangers and organized by color. So all of a sudden their closet feels like a real boutique.
I think that's what makes it new and unique because everyone knows a closet case! This show really positions me as your BFF, your best friend in fashion. I tell you what to keep and get rid of. If it's something you should keep, then I show you how to put it together in unexpected ways.
WCT: What can viewers look forward to in your first season?
LB: People can expect to see more of my personality. They have seen me for years on the Today Show, The View and Oprah but they have been short segments. This time I get to roll up my sleeves for the whole half hour and really get to know the person that I am working with. I get to really have fun with them as opposed to being the uptight expert on a morning news show.
I do a handful of guys, which is rare on these types of shows. The guys are a little more resistant because most are straight forward traditional whether they are wearing hockey jerseys or hand me downs.
People can expect to see a show that focuses on the center of your style, which is your closet and that has never been done before.
WCT: What has been the craziest thing you found in someone's closet so far?
LB: Oh God, there have been a few. One guy was holding onto Star Wars neckties, after he was clearly into his 30s. I found rations in a closet, like jugs of water, even flamenco dresses, pants with holes in the butt that were still in active rotation.
People are holding onto comfort and convenience more than they were holding onto style. So it takes an objective voice to tell them to give this up. I show them how to replace it in just as a comfortable way.
WCT: I heard that you tell men not to put their wallet in their back pockets. What is the story behind that?
LB: For one, visually there are a few things that guys can do to improve the nuances of their style. Men have a tendency to carry an overstuffed wallet in their back pocket. Which you don't notice from the front and almost everyone else will notice from the back, leaving that lopsided butt-cheek moment.
With technology, someone may have their PDA on their hip and their Bluetooth in their ear. Those things, if they can just house them in a bag or an inside jacket pocket, will give them a richer look. They are comfortable habits that we fall into.
WCT: Also with technology, I think we are getting away from wallets anyway. Most things are now put in your iPhone, such as pictures and credit card information. No one carries cash anymore.
LB: Well, sure, and it also creates an imbalance when you sit. Many men suffer from sciatic nerve pain. You are sitting on it for years and most of the time it's a card where you buy ten yogurts and get one free or your library card from college! Like you said so much is streamlined these days. Also, it can ruin clothing. If you are purchasing a $300 pair of pants, you don't want a wallet rubbing a hole in it.
WCT: That's a good point. What trends do you see for the summer?
LB: I am finding that men are taking nods towards the mid 60's look with slimmer pants and jackets. I am seeing them embrace a touch of nautical underneath the suits, a striped t-shirt instead of a stuffy button down. More fashion forward guys are pulling out their sandals and pairing them with their suits for the weekends. Also, shots of bold unexpected color for guys, softer colors, pale lavender, soft mango, a touch of butter on a shirt versus the traditional blue or white.
For ladies that bohemian chic is bigger than ever for the summer, long gauzy scarves, flat sandals that jewel encrusting or beads. I am seeing the tunic making a comeback with a lot of women belting it this season, to give more definition to the waist. I think it's a comfortable cozy chic that you can do whether you are shopping designer or consignment.
WCT: Are you writing any more stylebooks in the future?
LB: I am working on fourth book now. That's in between shooting Closet Cases. I am also shooting a few specials for the Fine Living Network. That will come out next fall and be my ultimate style guide.
After all that happens, a vacation in Key West, one week with my eyes shut and hopefully a margarita in arms reach!
Closet Cases airs on Mondays on the Fine Living Network for more information visit www.fineliving.com/closetcases.
