How to Dress Like the Pretty Little Liars: Emily
Following my post on fashion inspired by the new ABC Family show Pretty Little Liars, many CF readers called for a series of posts focused on each character’s style in more detail — your requests have been answered! Each week, I’ll do a new article featuring one of the four lead characters — Emily, Aria, Hanna and Spencer — and detail how you can achieve the girl’s look. I’m kicking off the series with Emily…
(Please note this series is not about the books but the TV show! I’ve heard the two differ and I don’t want to upset any loyalists to the book series!)
Who is Emily Fields?
Emily is arguably the most mysterious of the four leading ladies — if the last episodes were any indication, there’s a lot of angst and baggage lurking beneath her quiet, good-girl surface.
Raised in a military family, Emily is the ideal daughter: a sweet and obedient girl-next-door type with good grades and athletic talent. But her strict upbringing stifles her personal growth — fear of her parents disapproval and community backlash makes it difficult for her to explore her sexual orientation and be honest with her friends.
Though Emily may be the one harboring the most secrets and uncertainties, her style is the least complex: Of all the Pretty Little Liars, Emily’s aesthetic is the most pared down and accessible.
How to Dress Like Emily
Emily prefers simple clothes, but her style is anything but boring. Classic silhouettes and clean lines matched with bright colors and layering keeps her tomboy look fresh and lively. Closet staples like denim minis, chino shorts, distressed jeans, hoodies and t-shirts are the foundation of her wardrobe, but she sports them in exuberant hues with dainty accessories to keep the sporty look feminine.
- Think comfortable and active. Emily’s clothes are casual and reflect her active lifestyle — athletic-inspired minis, cargo pants, sweatshirts — but her clothes always have a unique touch to make them feel modern, particularly the use of eye-catching color. To channel Emily, choose items that are classic with a twist.
- Mind your proportions. Emily wears slouchy off-the-shoulder sweatshirts and boyfriend-esque cardigans, but the proportions of her outfits are always balanced and flattering. Be mindful of your ensemble’s proportions so you don’t look frumpy. Wear a loose-fitting tee with a slim mini or skinny jeans, or layer a tight v-neck or tank under your oversized cardy.
- Pare down the jewelry. Emily is not the girl on the show sporting a shoulder-grazing feather earring. (Can you guess who that was?) Her jewelry is often dainty and simple, yet feminine: simple silver hoops or a few thin, layered necklaces are more her taste.
- Pick sporty shoes and accessories. Emily almost always wears stylish sneakers and carries utilitarian-inspired bags like her everyday cargo tote.
- Stay fresh-faced and relaxed. Emily is gorgeous but she doesn’t wear a lot of make-up. To get her look, let your natural beauty shine through by forgoing the caked-on layers. Brush on some bronzer for a healthy glow and add a pop of blush on the apples of your cheeks for a natural flush. Let your hair flow down or put it up in a pony — Emily switches between the two easy hairstyles.
Outfits for Inspiration
Product Info: Shirt – ModCloth, Cami – Aeropostale, Cropped Pant – American Eagle , Tote – Gap, Earrings – Overstock, Sneakers – Converse
Product Info: Camisole – Aeropostale, Shirt – Gap, Skirt – American Eagle, Bag – Urban Outfitters, Necklace – Forever 21, Bracelet – Aeropostale, Shoes – Vans
Product Info: Tank – American Eagle, Cardigan – J Crew, Cropped Jeans – Abercrombie and Fitch, Sneakers – Puma, Messenger Bag – Urban Outfitters
What do you think?
Do you like Emily’s sporty style? Which of the Pretty Little Liars characters do you find most stylish? Whose closet do you most want to raid? Please leave a comment!
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Posted on on August 12, 2010 / Filed Under: Inspiration / Tags: Celebs, Fashion Inspiration, How To, Pretty Little Liars, TV
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Megan
LOVE IT! Please do one of these which each girl! I love all of their style!
Emily
So glad you’re doing these, I love the style on this show! Just an idea – maybe you could add some beauty tips to go with the fashion? My friend and I were just talking about how much we loved Aria’s eye makeup last night…
Katie
Yay! I LOVE this show and I loved your first post! Spencer’s style is totally my favorite, it’s classic and sophisticated but still simple and cute. I can’t wait for more!
Tiffany
omg thats last outfit is to die for. i think Emily has an obsession with stripes but its so cute!
Rachel
This is absolutely great!
You should definitely do Spencer next! :D
Cari
I love the first outfit. I could totally wear that :D
Nikki
So glad to see this I love the show and have to wait till next season for it to begin again reading these articles will feel the void. I love all the girls style I’m always changing it up to Aria to Spencer can’t wait to see the other girls
Samantha
Adore the last outfit! Great job :)
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter
I love this series! I oogle over Pretty Little Liars fashion and always want to get a new wardrobe after seeing it :)
AJ
Awesome!! Best one yet! =D
Milana
She’s so pretty, but I’m not a fan of her style. It’s cute, just not for me. I like Aria’s style!
Melissa
I love this. In my opinion, Emily is the hardest character because dressing as basic as her style is can easily be boring! This wasn’t. :)
Katie
I love this article, but I love your first one more because it has Aria in it. Can you please do Aria’s style next? She has the best style out of all the girls!
Ashleigh
Thanks for this, I love Arias and Spencers style the best. I loved the dress Aria wore for homecoming can you find something similar? :)
Jen
so glad you’re doing this! aria has my favorite style — can’t wait for hers
Jill
I’m such an Aria… can’t wait to see your post on her!
Anna
I’m a mix of Emily and Aria, please do Aria next! These are great!!
Nora
I love her style even though personally it’s just too simple for me. However, I think you absolutely nailed it. I can easily picture her in these in all these outfits. Thanks!
jillian
the feather was aria!
Karissa
Ali, I am so happy that you are concentrating on each Pretty Little Liar separately! Although my style is the complete opposite of Emily’s, you definitely captured her look successfully :] I can’t wait for your Aria post!
Leigh
Wow sooo happy your doing each girl!! I LOVE Aria’s fashion sense. PLEASE do her next!
Elodie
I’m totally FOUND of this TV show, and I also love the character!
It’s clear that Emily is the most naturally beautiful of them, but I don’t particullary like her style. I prefer Aria’s one, or even Hannah. However we can’t say that Emily’s style is awful, she’s just kind of too simple for me. But your article is absolutely perfect, like all the others! Thank your for all your advices, I come on your blog every day, and I’m lovin’ it ! :)
Jordan
Aria next, please. She’s arguabley the best dressed, the feather earring was worn by her. ;)
Mae C..
i like the way she dress…simple and cute
Katy
I just adore Emily’s style! It’s so basic, yet cute and fun. Perfect. Thank you so much for writing this :)
Jane
i would love to have emily’s wardrobe to fill my closet up! i love her comfy yet feminine style and how she pairs things that are entirely different but they are what make her entire ensemble.
stephany
have anyone found the same exact bag that emily uses??
Ari
aria wore the feather!!!! and i like emily’ style but i dont know if its for me. i like to dress up kinda like hanna but i do love the third outfit it is so cute! maybe different shoes though???
Ali
Hi everyone! I’m Ali, the author of this post.
This series was written almost A YEAR AGO. Please keep that in mind when you criticize it or leave comments. I’m sorry the information is now outdated, but there are many resources on the web for “Pretty Little Liars” fashion. One place to look is Possessionista.com.
I no longer write for College Fashion, so I don’t have control over new “Pretty Little Liars” posts. Perhaps if you request it, they might do more on the show or do an updated series.
Thank you,
Ali
virginia
i love spencer’s style the most, but i switch it up, too. (:
Jovi
Cool tips ,but whats about her beauty routine??
talor gschwend
i love aria and i dress just like her but my friend got aria and i got emily i dont even like her clothes
alyssa
Cool. Fave charechter!!!
Maggie
This helped alot thanks!
Mona
I Love Emily so Much, She is my favorite…We have alot things in commom we’re both compatative, and athletic….but I Like Aria’s style better……..
But Emily still my favorite character
hanna
i like this website because it shows you alot about how to dress like emily and that is really cool i love emilys style and spencers and arias and hannas yay now i know how to dress like the pretty little liars good for me!!!!!!!!!!
milena
very well written and such a big inspiration. thanks for the good work. your tips were really helpful, thanks for these texts!
My favourite pretty little liars are Emily and Aria. I like Aria’s daring look but I also enjoy Emily’s sporty, yet feminine clothes. But I don’t get why everyone is obsessing about Spencer. In my opinion, I think she dresses like my gramma.
Olivia
I luv the gorgeous fashions you have chosen to describe the beautiful Emily Fields
Olivia
I luv the gorgeous clothes u have picked to describe emily