...that does not seem to be the case. Now, I have no problem with the fact that these girls are always dressed to perfection, and honestly I don't expect anything less from a show with a huge wardrobe budget, but I do have a problem with how they treat the characters when they are not looking their best. In order for these high school girls to even consider wearing sweatpants in public they have to have some sort of excuse.
Hanna was dumped by her serious boyfriend.
Aria was very sick.
Spencer had a drug problem that caused her to sleepwalk to school. She woke up the next morning at her teacher's desk and put on the clothes she could.
The reason that I have a problem with this is because most teenage girls who only have to balance school, work, and relationships, who do not have the added pressure of having a stalker trying to torture them, wear sweatpants to school quite often. During my senior year of high school, as these girls are in, I wore sweats almost every day because I was too tired to wake up early and try to look perfect. This show gives the girls that watch it an unrealistic expectation of beauty for when they go to school, and if they do not look as put together as the characters do, there must be something wrong. School is for learning. It is not a fashion show. It is not necessary or realistic for girls to have their hair and makeup done with the perfect outfit every time that they go to school. There is so much more to worry about during senior year than looking "perfect."
I think this behavior comes from major self esteem issues. It's sad that girls think they have to impress people in school where you are there to learn. One thing I liked about being in a Catholic school was that uniforms kept some of the comments at bay. Everyone dressed similarly so it was hard for girls to really say rude things about another girl's clothing style. Maybe uniforms should be considered more in middle, elementary and high schools? At that age, kids are more likely to make fun of someone being of clothing style, as well as other things. At least with uniforms they all look the same. . .
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's a problem with girls wanting to dress up for school but I do agree that Pretty Little Liars takes it to a whole other level. I myself wore sweatpants nearly every day in middle school until we had to wear uniforms in eighth grade. Even then, since our uniforms were a variety of khaki or navy blue pants and blue, white or black polos, students were able to wear them in a way that still represented their style, and students could still wear accessories, makeup and nail polish (etc). I kind of disagree with the comment that it's about self esteem issues, though, because while that argument can be made for some people, I think others genuinely like to dress nice for school. I know if I feel dressed up or "put together" I feel more confident and just generally more productive, and I do it for myself, not to impress others. As for the PLL's having to have an excuse for wearing sweats, I find that a little ridiculous and also dislike how it seems like they have to make an excuse for looking like a normal high schooler.
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