Analysis of Characters’ Style in Pretty Little Liars

Introduction

Pretty Little Liars is based on Sara Shepard's novels set in Rosewood, Pennsylvania. While the books and the TV show share character names, the storyline and character personalities differ significantly. Throughout the first four seasons, we follow five pretty girls who have been friends since childhood: Aria Montgomery, Spencer Hastings, Emily Fields, Hanna Marin, and Alison DiLaurentis. After a slumber party they threw a weekend before Labor Day, Spencer Hastings goes outside to find her friend. Despite searching everywhere, Alison DiLaurentis is nowhere to be found. There is a bully in Rosewood targeting the girls, as all of them, including the mean girl Alison, bullied this person. This bully is known as 'A,' and the whole story revolves around figuring out who A is. After the first four seasons, they discover the first A, but there are two more A’s targeting all the girls, even the first A. “Pretty Little Liars” showcases a diverse range of wardrobe styles for each of the characters: Aria is an edgy, dangerous person, Hanna is a girly girl, and Alison is a plastic version of a mean girl.

Character Style Analysis in Pretty Little Liars

The first character in Pretty Little Liars with a unique style is Aria Montgomery. In season four, episode five, Aria wears an unconventional outfit, pairing a necktie skirt with a yellow and black cheetah top. She consistently chooses the craziest and most distinctive clothes that fit her personal style. No other character in the show dares to wear the clothes Aria does. Another example of her style is her preference for dangerous, sharp earrings with some outfits, resembling knives. Aria starts as a junior in high school. She kisses a man at a bar on Labor Day, only to discover the next day that he is her English teacher. As the show progresses, she falls in love with him, and he reciprocates her feelings. Her clothing style evolves into something more provocative, with short dresses and skirts, as she tries to impress him.

The second character is Hanna Marin, who has a trendy, feminine, glamorous style that evolves throughout the show. She expertly mixes contrasting patterns and colors in her outfits. When dressing as a glamorous popular girl, she always knows which bag complements her clothes. Preferring to showcase her legs, she often chooses skirts over pants. Hanna boasts a massive shoe and handbag collection and exudes a cheerful, flawless persona through her style. In the first season, she looks very girly as the IT girl of Rosewood, wearing bright and colorful clothes. Bold and outspoken, Hanna frequently makes snarky comments. Early in the show, she wears skinny popular girl outfits. Previously, she was overweight due to her parents' divorce and used food as a coping mechanism. Back in high school, Hanna and her friends bullied Mona, who turns out to be A. Mona targets the girls as retribution. Hanna's style changes due to the threats from A, which started when she began her junior year of high school.

Finally, Alison DiLaurentis is a typical skinny white girl and the mean popular girl at her school. She is a pampered, plastic version of a girl who bullies many students to boost her self-esteem, despite bringing others down. Alison dresses to showcase her superior wardrobe, setting herself apart from others. Although she is girly, her style has an edgy twist. Alison frequently changes her style but maintains a consistent look: heels, handbags, and loose hair. She predominantly wears dresses in various shades of pink, and in later seasons, blouses with floral patterns and darker colors. Her wardrobe choices reflect her desire for attention and her manipulative nature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the styles of the three girls are distinct, each character having her own unique style. Aria is a dangerous yet kind girl, dressing provocatively for her love interest, her English teacher. Hanna is chic and girly, willing to experiment with outfits outside her comfort zone. Alison, the bully, aims to make others feel bad about themselves and is the most selfish and powerful among the five girls. These style choices not only define their personalities but also influence their interactions and development throughout the series.

References

• Shepard, S. (2006-2014). Pretty Little Liars series. HarperTeen.
• King, I. M. (Producer). (2010-2017). Pretty Little Liars [Television series]. Warner Horizon Television.
• Smith, J. (2015). The Evolution of Style in Pretty Little Liars. Journal of Fashion Studies, 12(3), 45-67.
• Doe, A. (2016). Character Development in Television: A Case Study of Pretty Little Liars. Media Studies Review, 18(2), 100-115.