Pretty Little Liars’ pants are on fire. Not only that, but the rest of the clothes on the high school mystery show are très haute too, thanks to costume designer Mandi Line.

The woman behind the sizzling ABC Family series manages a rare feat. Despite a relatively teensy budget ($10,000 per episode, compared to the $25,000 its sister show Greek gets), the outfits are on-trend, original and totally covetable.

And while Pretty Little Liars’ fans will have to wait for another season of sartorial bliss (the first half of Season 1 wrapped a couple weeks ago), Line says everyday teens can work some PLL-inspired magic when they head back to school this fall. 

So whether you’re preppy like Spencer, high-fashion like Hanna or have your own unique vibe going on, here are Line’s top five tips for creating a stylish wardrobe on a shoestring budget.

1. Second-hand news. Rather than dole out major ducats at posh boutiques, Line trawls department stores, flea markets and thrift stores. “We don’t want the looks to be unattainable, so I try to shop where the characters would shop,” she says. Her big-name haunts include Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, and she rounds it out with Wasteland, Una Mae's, and Polka Dots and Moonbeams in Los Angeles.

2. Altered reality. Wearing clothes off the rack is about as creative as a peanut butter sandwich. “I’m a big fan of scissors, a needle and thread,” says Line. “I’ll cut a shirt shorter, snip the side or take off excess fabric. It’s not always about getting something new — you can look in your closet and personalize something to fit the trend and make it your own.”

3. Mix master. Lose the matchy-matchy mentality and combine things in unexpected ways. “It’s thinking outside the box. It’s combining different genres. Spencer is very cookie-cutter preppy, but her outfits aren’t. In the SAT episode, she wore some vintage, a Banana Republic sweater that I made into a vest, and quilted Hunter rain boots.”

4. It’s all about It pieces. Keep your wardrobe au courant with seasonal trends. “[This fall] it’s all about getting the right belt, the right jacket and the right boots. J.Crew made a peach motorcycle jacket I put Hanna in. And I can’t even tell you — I’m dying for boots right now, and they’re affordable,” gushes Line, who’s currently in love with her “old lady” buckled Bjorn stompers.

5. Formal education. Dances, banquets and formals are all good reasons to fancy it up with a one-of-a-kind look. “Embrace your figure, then go for a colour and choose a price point. Look at magazines for inspiration.”

Take a cue from Aria’s homecoming dress: “I wanted something that was a little circus-y looking, a little Rihanna-esque, and they didn’t have that.” So, Line put a vintage tutu under a Bebe dress, added shoulder pads from an H&M T-shirt and used a hair clip as a back closure. “The total of that dress, any kid could afford. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Thoughts? melissa.hank@bell.net

 

 

A bona fide beauty and fashion geek, Melissa gets a thrill analyzing all things good, bad and oh-so-fugly on television. Although she salivates for vintage stylings and brands like Roberto Cavalli, she’s equally elated to score discount duds at Winners.

Melissa is a firm believer that style should be a mix of fun, individuality and a dash of absurdity. When she’s not watching Project Runway, America’s Next Top Model or What Not to Wear, she can be found trying to whip her tangle of curls into submission. If only the “afro meets bride of Frankenstein” look was appropriate for work.
 



 

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