#FashionFlashback How Serena Van Der Woodsen Elevated Old Mo

Welcome to week 3 of our very exciting feature we have dubbed #FashionFlashback where we go back in time to look at the wardrobe/costume styling of some of our favourite fictitious TV characters.

Today, we go back just a few years in time to look at the styling of Blake Lively’s character in the popular WB series, Gossip Girl.

Gossip Girl was one of those shows that took viewers by storm as we were served with a double dose of “rich people problems” and over-the-top styling but we didn’t complain. If you are interested in learning more about how Serena elevated the old-money chic look, keep reading as we break down the looks and the inspiration behind them.

#FashionFlashback How Serena Van Der Woodsen Elevated Old Money Chic

Gossip Girl is a book series that was so successful that it was turned into a TV series which aired on the WB in 2007. The show followed the lives of Manhattan’s most elite who are all wealth and successful but all have secrets. The show made for great TV and we were all hooked and tuned in weekly to see what the characters would wear.

Serena Van Der Woodsen Style — Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen in their Constance uniforms. Photo: Courtesy Warner Brothers

About Serena Van Der Woodsen

Serena Celia Humphrey (née van der Woodsen) is a main character in the Gossip Girl series of novels and its television adaption, in which she is portrayed by Blake Lively

Serena is considered the “It Girl” of the Upper East Side. Throughout the series, Serena has an on-again, off-again relationship with Dan Humphrey and the two have the longest running relationship on the show; spanning from Pilot to their marriage in the season six finale, New York, I Love You XOXO. She is best friends with Blair Waldorf and shares close friendships with Nate Archibald and Chuck Bass.

All the characters of the series were styled by Eric Damon, stylist for Sex and the City but he had sworn off working with TV shows as he deemed it as relentless.

“I was like, ‘I’m never doing episodic television again; the grind is terrible, it’s just relentless, it’s killing my art”.

“When I first got the script for the ‘Gossip Girl pilot, I wasn’t familiar with the book series, and I was like, ‘Oh, a pilot for a TV series; it’s just not for me.’ There was a moment where I wasn’t even gonna read the script, and then my boyfriend was like, ‘Why don’t you just read the first page?'” Daman explains. “I read the first page, and it totally dragged me right in; my teen mean girl came out immediately, and I was just obsessed. Then I read the book series, and I just felt in me that I had to be a part of this project — and I’m very happy that I did.”

The good thing about Serena’s character is that she is rich, which means her wardrobe would reflect that! She had looks for days even when she was being “casual”. Below you will find her looks on the show that showcased her character.

Coat & Trench

Serena’s coat and trench game were strong as she lived in New York and we know the winters are brutal.

Coats and Trenches are not just for keeping wean but are a Fashion statement.

Special Occasion Dresses

There is always something going on in the Upper East side which ranged from Birthday celebrations to charity events.

The most awaited moment remains that of the parties, many in the Upper East Side, where Serena regularly manages to get noticed.

Her long dresses, with precious textures and bright colors – gold, white, yellow, anthracite – animal prints, enriched with gems, precious stones, lace and tulle, made us all dream and want to wake up in the morning in an attic view Central Park.

Boho Chic Vibes

Serena would be much more international, Bohemian; she’s almost like a bird that was traveling and just picking up things throughout Europe and had this very different, easy-going nonchalance about her. I would say Blair is American Vogue and Serena was Italian Vogue, in a way. – Eric Daman

Rock, romantic, and boho-chic. Serena among the Hamptons villas uses fringed garments and accessories, leather belts, and embroidered garments, to obtain this naive effect.

Designer/Statement Bags

Serena comes from money, so having access to the latest designer bags was not an issue. She could have easily taken a few pieces from her mother’s collection since she also grew up wealthy.

Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton, in each episode, complete the outfits are the bags.

Hairstyle

Serena Van Der Woodsen

There was no outfit that Serena wore that was not accompanied by incredible hair styling. How many times have we tried to replicate those braids in the mirror? Well, maybe not me, but I always thought her hairstyles were so interesting.

It was like a bridal or editorial look for just a day walking in the park and she would have a really cool undo or her signature boho waves.

Serena’s passion for fashion translated into clothing that followed all the trends of the 2000s, mixed with boho-chic elements. The looks of the series were deemed iconic and a few of them can even be worn today. Thanks to the incredible eye for detail and talent as interpreted by Eric Damon.

Let me know in the comments, what your favorite Serene Van Der Woodsen looks are.