My last “Screen Style” article got me thinking. I watch a lot of TV shows, and it’s inevitable that they’ve influenced my fashion sense over the seasons. Mad Men and Gossip Girl top my list, along with the recent addition of Girls —but I must admit, sometimes even guilty pleasure television can be outfit-inspiring.
This week, ABC Family premiered new seasons of two of their most popular shows (at least among the 12-18 year old female demographic), Pretty Little Liars and Jane by Design. Both have become known for their fashion as much as their ridiculous plotlines, and yes, I tuned in for both.
PRETTY LITTLE LIARS
Aria got a haircut! The new A is a pervert! Ali’s body is missing! Emily has to burn her clothes! Yeah, I didn’t get that last one either. There was so much drama packed into the season 3 premiere, it was hard to focus on the fashion—but maybe that was the point. I was underwhelmed by most of the girls’ styling choices in this episode, but it’s still early. Some outfits showed promise.
Aria, meant to be the “fashionable” one of the group, has adopted a very casual and colorful style. Was anybody else getting some serious scene vibes from the triangle fringe scarf? However, I did like her overalls-over-a-bathing-suit look.
Emily spent her summer building houses/getting crunk in in Haiti (wait, what?), but it didn’t really affect her style. She cares less about clothes than any of the others, but at least always looks respectable in dark wash denim and a decorated tank or plaid button down.
Hannah impressed me with one outfit, featuring a lace dress and a color-blocked blazer. She also got a haircut (cute) and has developed an affinity for fringe (not so cute), but honestly my eye was on her shaggy-haired boyfriend. When cooking dinner with Hannah, he was totally doing a Kate-Bosworth-at-Coachella moment in a flag-printed tee and cardigan with jeans. I loved it.
Spencer is by far my favorite for fashion inspiration (try saying that five times fast), always looking elegant yet on trend with open-shouldered blouses and smart shoes. This week she paired a sheer blue button down with brogues for a shopping trip, and rocked a polka dot top and denim blazer combo for the first day of school.
Keep up with the Pretty Little Liars on ABC Family, Tuesdays at 8 EST.
JANE BY DESIGN
Okay, truth: I’m not actually a huge fan of this show. The storyline is just a bit too much for me, but I keep watching because…well, I’ve made it this far. If you missed it, here’s the jist: high school girl applies for an big-city fashion design internship, accidentally lands an entry-level position. That’s right, accidentally. And then she lies about her age so she can keep it. I won’t even bother getting into how unlikely it would be for a high schooler to land an internship, not to mention a job, as seemingly prestigious as the one Jane did. Anyways, she uses her paycheck to help with rent for the house she shares with her lovable idiot brother, all while balancing work and school and friends and boys and teetering on five inch heels. I realize I sounds a bit harsh. ABC Family means well; as does the show’s stylist I’m sure, when dressing Jane in inspiring but overpriced outfits. Are we really supposed to believe a parentless 16 year old who has to work to pay rent can afford Chanel jackets and YSL wedges? But as I said, they can be inspiring nonetheless.
Jane has her style down to a formula, which I can totally appreciate. Her school look is casual but trendy, usually comprised of a unique jacket (denim or colored leather) thrown over a “fashion” tee and skinny jeans. She often chooses a wedge or a heeled bootie for day, switching into a spiky stiletto for work (yes, really).
Her work look also generally features a fun jacket (I had my eye on her sequined blazer from last episode) over skirts that range from pleated to poofy. Oh, and don’t forget a waist-cinching belt!
Again, I had my eyes on the boys of this show—Jane’s BFF Tommy has a definite bad-boy look going on, but with a surprisingly cool taste in accessories. Look to him for layered-necklace inspiration.
I’m also really into the “cliché high school jock” style of Jane’s ex-boyfriend. Traditional athletic-inspired fashion is so in right now, so his varsity jacket is perfect. Jane should have stolen it from him when she had the chance.
Catch Jane by Design on ABC Family, Tuesdays at 9:00 EST.
What’s your favorite show for summer style inspiration? Leave a comment or send us a tweet @everybodyisugly.
Images via ABC Family
