As a series, Naruto is filled with iconic settings and character designs. Almost any anime fan can recognize the Uchiha crest or the red clouds of the Akatsuki. These memorable aesthetics make the world of Naruto stand out compared to other anime. However, good design isn't only memorable. A truly great design connects and supports the themes of the story as well.
There is one character whose design reflects both their personality and the growth of their character over time. Sakura Haruno's character design matches perfectly with her development as a person. At every step, her outfit and style of choice say something about her character. From the beginning of Naruto all the way to Boruto, Sakura's design carries deep meaning for the story.
Sakura is Not Prepared For the Ninja World in Part 1
Even at the very start of the series, Sakura's character design makes a strong statement about who she is. She has long hair that goes down to her back and wears a dress that ends at her knees. Sakura is invoking a traditionally feminine aesthetic that looks good but isn't entirely conducive for combat. In fact, she is actually grabbed by her hair while in the Forest of Death, prompting her to cut it.
When Sakura is first introduced, it's made clear that she's not a physical fighter. She's incredibly smart but is significantly lacking in terms of sheer physical strength. She is primarily focused on impressing Sasuke and winning his heart instead of developing her ninja skills. Her combat-ineffective attire and hair show that from her perspective, her appearance is a greater property than her ninja duties.
As the story of Part 1 progresses, Sakura learns that to be a great ninja, she needs to change. She realizes that in order to achieve her goals, she can't solely rely on her book smarts or Naruto and Sasuke's help. Sakura decides to become stronger and stand on her own. This change in personality is reflected in the change in her character design.
Sakura Grows in Maturity in Part 2
Sakura might have had the most radical change out of any other character in Part 2. Her look develops from a traditionally feminine aesthetic to a look that says she's ready for a fight. She decides to keep her hair short so that there won't be a repeat of the Forest of Death incident. The gloves and high boots indicate that she plans on using her hands and legs in combat a lot more. The knee-length dress is also gone, replaced by a skirt that allows for much more mobility.
Part 2 marks Sakura's transformation into a frontline fighter. She can decimate a battlefield and save the lives of her comrades if they get injured. She has worked hard and trained so that she can keep up with Naruto and Sasuke. Her new look in Part 2 confirms this change in her character. She is prioritizing combat effectiveness over her appearance while still sporting a look that shows her personality.
Her outfit in Part 2 still has the same color palette as her outfit in Part 1. This shows that aspects of Sakura, like her personality, have transferred to Part 2. For the rest of the series, Sakura keeps this general design. It changes a little after the Fourth Shinobi World War but the core elements remain. As long as Sakura is needed to fight, her character design stays combat-ready.
Sakura Embraces Who She is in Boruto
By the time Boruto starts, the world has entered an era of peace. Ninjas are not needed as much and many characters have switched to less combat-heavy professions. Sakura is no longer an active ninja and her design reflects that. Now that she no longer needs to fight as much, she has gone back to dressing in a more traditionally feminine way.
She wears a long dress again, harkening back to her Part 1 design. She also sports high heels, bracelets, long fingernails, and even noticeable makeup in some instances in the manga. During flashbacks, when her daughter is young, it's also revealed that Sakura grows out her hair again. When there's no threat of danger, Sakura dresses and styles herself how she wants.
Each outfit that Sakura wears reveals something about her character. It's possible to track her growth as a person solely from her character design. She starts as a rather immature girl who chooses beauty and style over practicality and effectiveness. She then matures and always makes sure that she is ready for whatever challenges the chaotic ninja world throws at her. By the time she reaches adulthood, the world is safe enough for her to dress however she likes, while still carrying an air of professionalism befitting the director of the Medical Clinic and the village's top healer.