Gossip Girl was the first show I truly loved. Apart from the wealth of tantalizing gossip and the captivating glitz of Manhattan life, what really enthralled me about the show was the aesthetic. In fact, it was by watching Gossip Girl that I became interested in fashion–before that, I did not understand how what one wore could be so utterly captivating. It got to the point where I would pause the show and screenshot every outfit in every episode for posterity. Exactly why, I’m not sure, but somehow, even in seventh grade, I had the inkling that by transforming my fashion, I could transform my mindset and my circumstances, and grow into someone I could be proud of (at the time, this person I so badly wanted to be was Blair Waldorf). While I no longer have a burning desire to live life like Blair (even though she is still queen, fight me xoxo), I do still appreciate, just as much if not more, the power of fashion to inspire, transform, and uplift. So without further ado, allow me to remind you of some blasts from the past: looks worn by Blair, Serena, and sometimes both, that are just as iconic today as they were nearly a decade ago.
1. When Blair and Serena dressed up their prep school uniforms with such vision that it made me wish my school had one
Serena was a big fan of the loose tie, and while I could never pull it off, I always marveled at the look. The sequined cardigan is so 2007, but somehow I feel like Blake Lively could wear this exact outfit today and still work it. She’s almost got me thinking I could pull it off, but then I remember what I look like and realize I could literally never. Then there’s Blair. The red tights under the shorts? Audacious as fuck. The blazer-button-down-tie-sweater-bow situation? Incredible. Together, they look like the girls I thought I’d be/meet in high school, but I never became or discovered them. Where are they?!?!
2. This impeccable summer duo
One of the wonders of this show was the costume designer’s ability to not just style two fabulous outfits, but to make Blair’s and Serena’s styles elevate one another. There are countless scenes in the show where each look great, but together, they look absolutely breathtaking. This iconic duo from the girls’ summer in the Hamptons is everything I could want and more; the bright colors and fun accessories link the outfits together, but while Blair’s dress has a distinctly vintage feel, Serena’s slip feels fresh and modern. They look like they’re on the vacation I always wanted, as they’re caught drinking their iced coffee, shopping and, most importantly, not listening to their siblings wrestle and scream in an expensive boutique (I wonder what that’s like).
3. When they were college students but also did the absolute most
Yet another example of the perfect duo that is Blair and Serena (as friends, conspirators and, of course, fashionistas). The sunny yellows pop against the concrete of the city, and they’re even coordinated with one of their minions. Talk about styling ingenuity. Blair especially pops here (as she always has to me), in her bright outfit replete with patterns. Only one critique: As a Columbia student, I cannot comprehend how they’re supposed to be Columbia students and also have time to be dressing like this. Something doesn’t fucking add up, but I don’t really care because these looks give me a reason to live.
4. When Serena upstages Blair at Blair’s own bridal shower
This is one of those dresses that should never look good on a human body, but Blake Lively fucking does it again. The patterns, the panels, the wings, the over-the-top string of pearls? Sensational. Blair also looks fantastic in her orange sequined gown (which is another thing that only a Gossip Girl actress could ever pull off), but the intricacy and unique detailing of Serena’s dress really pushes the outfit over the edge. I’m not even going to go into how well their dresses go with the Tiffany blue background, because that’s a whole other story, but all I have to say is good job, Eric Daman.
5. When they, once again, made an impeccable duo: but this time in Paris
There is just so much here. I think if I was asked to choose a single outfit from the show that perfectly captured the fashion of Blair and Serena, this would be it. For Blair, the mixing of patterns is done with such joie de vivre that the end product constitutes nothing less than a masterpiece, while Serena’s interesting metallic-and-graphic filled mini dress just screams, “I’m blonde and rich and I’m letting loose in Paris, also I can literally pull anything off because all of you would look like trash in this.”
6. When Blair stunned in this red gown and Serena complemented perfectly (without upstaging!)
This red gown of Blair’s is positively iconic. She looks like nothing less than royalty (which is also nothing less than she deserves), and that’s all I’ll say about that. Then, Serena. The gold metallic, royal blue and chunky jewelry form a wonderful amalgamation of style, rife with all the right aspects of the cool-girl aesthetic. In this scene, their outfits are not at all coordinated, but they still pair just as seamlessly. How the hell do they do it?
7. Of course, Serena’s wedding dress
When I saw this wedding dress, plated with fucking gold, I thought, “Yeah, seems about right.” Serena looks like a goddess and Dan Humphrey is unworthy. Everything, from the hair to the jewelry to the flowers, is perfect. So perfect, in fact, I don’t even notice Dan. Which is exactly how I would like it to be.
8. And also Blair’s
This dress is perfect for Blair. The delicate detailing is stunning, and the light blue color (which matches her bedroom walls!) is exactly the unique twist I’d expect from a vision such as Blair. Honestly I need to go sit down after thinking about Blair and Chuck and this dress, so that’s all I have to say about that.
9. When Blair and Serena stunned together at Lily and Rufus’s wedding
We love when our queens coordinate (although we’ve already proven that they’re a perfect pair even when their outfits could not differ any more). The pointy neckline of Serena’s full length gown is positively iconic (and one of her trademarks), while the intricate embroidery on Blair’s dress is just the sort of enchanting detailing I would expect to see (maybe even wear) on a warm day in Central Park. Sadly, all I’ve seen in Central Park since arriving in NYC are some crying children and a shit ton of pigeons bathing in sewage water. In sum, I feel robbed.
10. And finally, this stunning number that I think about every time I walk past Lincoln Center
Oh my fucking lord. Who allowed Blake Lively to look like this? Who mandated that this dress look literally perfect on her? The color. The lace. The asymmetrical hem. The hair. The Lincoln Center backdrop. What more can I say, honestly? Nothing, because Serena killed me with her beauty.
When I moved to New York for college, I pictured myself dressing like Blair and Serena. While my bank account balance (and my waning motivation) quickly reminded me of how unattainable that is, the show’s fashion still holds significant inspiration for me. The shallow part of myself, the part so concerned with aesthetics, still stares, captivated, at my screen, examining every last detail of Blair and Serena’s exquisite looks. But I am also aware of the deeper reasons why fashion intrigues me: the idea of so vividly expressing one’s personality through style (I’m looking at you, Blair) is something I am still trying to achieve on a daily basis. For now, though, I’ll have to be content with my drawers full of leggings and my untamed hair. We do, after all, have an entire lifetime to cultivate our own Gossip Girl aesthetics.