Ashley Benson has long been a fixture of West Coast style, from her early days as a California native born in Anaheim Hills to her breakout as the trendsetting Hanna Marin on Pretty Little Liars.
While she made her debut as a teenager in the 2004 cult classic 13 Going on 30, it was her seven-season run on the hit ABC Family drama—which filmed in Vancouver and Los Angeles from 2009 to 2017—that cemented her status as a red-carpet mainstay.
Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale, and Shay Mitchell promoting Pretty Little Liars in May 2010 (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision / Brian To / WENN / Nikki Nelson)
Benson’s evolution from a 19-year-old rising star to a seasoned fashion icon is best tracked through her high-stakes footwear choices.
Whether she’s leaning into edgy stiletto boots or delicate designer sandals, her ability to mix “It-girl” trends with classic silhouettes has made her a perennial favorite for shoe enthusiasts.
Ashley Benson was 19 when cast for Pretty Little Liars and had turned 20 by the time the series premiered
Below, we revisit a standout moment from her style archives that perfectly captures her penchant for bold hardware and architectural heels.
Glitz and Glamour: Ashley Benson’s Red Carpet Preparations
Have you ever wondered what happens right before two best friends hit the red carpet at one of the most talked-about awards nights in the world?
Why, they FaceTime, of course. In January 2016, Ashley Benson hit the red carpet at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles, but not before taking a minute to FaceTime with her “wife.”
Ashley Benson slicks her hair back for People’s Choice Awards 2016 at Microsoft Theater on January 6, 2016, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision / Brian To / WENN / Nikki Nelson)
Ashley opted for something short, going for an embellished-shoulder Philipp Plein long-sleeved dress.
Ashley Benson paired her embellished-shoulder black mini dress with suede-and-PVC Nicholas Kirkwood sandals featuring slim ankle straps and sculptural heels at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards
Nicholas Kirkwood’s Sculptural Sandals Add Architectural Edge to Ashley Benson’s Red Carpet Look
The Pretty Little Liars star grounded her embellished mini in Nicholas Kirkwood’s suede-and-PVC sandals—an instantly recognizable example of the British designer’s architectural, sculptural approach to luxury footwear.
Born in 1980 in Münster and raised in London, Kirkwood has built a reputation as one of contemporary fashion’s most innovative shoe designers, consistently subverting traditional silhouettes with bold structure and modern materials.
That forward-thinking edge perfectly complemented Benson’s sleek red-carpet look as the cast accepted the Favorite TV Cable Drama award presented by Abigail Spencer.
Ashley Benson showed off a sleek charcoal-gray pedicure in Nicholas Kirkwood’s suede-and-PVC sandals, the glossy polish complementing the shoes’ sculptural curves and sky-high stiletto heels
Off-Screen Friendship: Cherished Moments Between Stars
Before stepping onto the red carpet, Ashley Benson shared a playful Instagram moment with her “wife,” Shay Mitchell, FaceTiming just minutes before the cast reunited at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards — a fitting prelude to a night of sharply defined style statements.
Lucy Hale embraced a romantic, Victorian-goth mood in a black Self-Portrait ankle-length gown featuring a lace-up corset bodice and sheer-paneled skirt, finished with scalloped Brian Atwood “Besame” pumps, a dark berry lip, and a braided updo.
Shay delivered the evening’s leg-baring drama in a black halter Haney gown with a thigh-high slit secured by silver hardware, styling it with strappy Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, a Kotur clutch, and minimal silver jewelry.
Meanwhile, Troian Bellisario stood out as the pattern breaker in a blue-and-white printed Caterina Gatta silk gown from the Spring 2015 collection, pairing the high-neck silhouette with a Benedetta Bruzziches clutch, Vita Fede jewelry, and sleek pumps.
Ashley Benson joined Troian Bellisario, Shay Mitchell, and Lucy Hale on the red carpet at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards, showing off her sculptural Nicholas Kirkwood heels alongside her co-stars’ sleek evening pumps and strappy sandals
The American actress uploaded the picture with the caption, “FaceTime w the wife before the awards @shaym #peopleschoice.”
Ashley Benson enjoyed FaceTime with her best friend Shay Mitchell before attending the People’s Choice Awards (Credit: Ashley Benson’s Instagram)
Ashley Benson’s Shoe Evolution: From Red Carpet Stilettos to Off-Duty Cool
From sculptural designer heels on the red carpet to relaxed street-style sneakers in Beverly Hills, Ashley Benson’s wardrobe is consistently anchored by statement footwear.
Whether she’s elongating her 5’3½” frame in sky-high sandals or balancing edgy tailoring with casual slides, her shoe choices reveal a clear styling strategy: bold silhouettes, modern proportions, and luxury labels that elevate even the simplest outfits.
Explore more of her standout shoe and fashion moments below.
👠 Explore Ashley Benson’s Best Shoe & Fashion Moments:
- 📏 Ashley Benson’s height & shoe size guide — a footwear-first roundup of how the 5ft 3½ (161.3 cm) actress styles heels and the designer brands she repeats.
- ✨ Ashley Benson’s Michael Kors cut-out dress moment — her futuristic Teen Choice Awards look styled with matching Michael Kors sandals.
- 🖤 Ashley Benson’s rocker-chic Saint Laurent street style — a leather biker jacket look finished with casual Adidas slides for off-duty LA energy.
- 🐄 Ashley Benson’s cow-print sandal outfit — Agolde denim shorts paired with Simon Miller cow-print thong sandals with comma heels.
- 🐆 Ashley Benson’s off-duty leopard sneakers — casual Beverly Hills styling anchored by leopard-print sneakers and a Dolce & Gabbana Miss Sicily satchel.
- 👜 Ashley Benson’s go-to Saint Laurent tote — a relaxed gym-to-street look that shows how she elevates basics with a signature designer bag.
Nicholas Kirkwood suede-and-PVC sandals featuring a sculptural wave strap, transparent side panels, slim ankle buckle fastening, and a towering stiletto heel