On a Friday night, you can find me scouring my closet and drawers for the perfect outfit, like almost every woman at Penn State. I try to find the best possible outfit seen as trendy and original, considering it's been forever since I actually went to a mall. Thankfully, with the help of Stacy London and Clinton Kelly on TLC at 9 p.m. every Friday, I know exactly What Not to Wear.

Forget other reality shows with Flavor Flav or makeover wonders on Dr. 90210; What Not to Wear hones in on makeover blunders, taking the idea of transformation to the next level. London and Kelly draw on their expertise from their extensive fashion resumes. London once served as fashion assistant at Vogue and Kelly worked as executive editor at men's fashion magazine DNR. They know their stuff.

Inspired by a British hit show, London and Kelly first follow the participants through their everyday toils, secretly taping the participants in all their glory: mullets, spandex shorts, hoochie tops and potato sacks. The pair then surprises their participants, making them an offer: a $5,000 credit card with their name on it, with the condition that they trash their entire existing wardrobe. The credit card is intended to replace the fashion-expired stock with new-and-improved pieces.

But not so fast. The shopping doesn't begin until participants survive the 360-degree mirror. Participants must wear their clothes one last time, with London and Kelly pointing -- often cruelly -- at their mistakes as the victims denying all charges. Tough love.

Participants receive instructions from London and Kelly as seen on a set of dressed mannequins in the showroom. London and Kelly secretly tape the participants once again as they proceed through the pre-selected stores.

As soon as the participants fail to resist the temptation of their old habits, London and Kelly surprise their participants and take fashion into their own hands.

Just as the participants admit the error of their ways, they are rushed to stylist Nick Arrojo and makeover beauty Carmindy. Whether it's a 40-year-old stay-at-home mother, or a 30-something, struggling musician, these stylists can transform even the worst cases of fashion faux pas. And trust me, I have seen makeover shows where participants looked better when they first started.

What Not to Wear's fashion duo also has incredible chemistry; each has a quirky personality and witty comebacks that make the show must-see TV.

Participants walk away with some high-end pieces -- unlike the makeover shows that really budget on the clothing. It's not unusual to find a newly selected wardrobe equipped with $500 skirts, $100 accessories, along with the occasional "inexpensive" $80 blouse.

You won't see participants bargain shopping through flea markets or vintage shops in downtown Manhattan. London and Kelly would agree that in order to look like a million bucks, you have to be willing to spend money. Now that's useful wisdom.

There's also the added bonus of the video diary. Participants confess their fashion errors, usually linked to a lack of self-esteem or worth.

Amid their personal journeys during their New York shopping experiences, participants acknowledge a change in their outlooks and make a promise to care for and appreciate the people they've ignored for quite some time: themselves.