“XOXO, Gossip Girl.”
This is the theme song that took over my TV once a week from 2007 to 2012. “Gossip Girl” is a drama focused on privileged men and women living in the Upper East Side neighborhood of New York City. The series followed the characters from high school and to adulthood.
Basically it was full of drama, designers and debutantes— I was obsessed. Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf? I shipped that. Dan Humphrey’s Drama? Don’t even get me started. Serena van der Woodsen’s wild ways? That was pure writing gold.
But, most importantly, Waldorf’s evolving style is what captivated me.
Waldorf’s taste in clothing isn’t as simple as a little color there and a little pattern here. She adapts to the situation she’s placed in, making every outfit on point.
First outfit situation is Waldorf’s school uniform adaptations.
The woman always keeps to the same color scheme— navy, red and white. She just picks different variations to the uniform to keep things fresh. This means changing the outer layer, the tights, the headband— anything that can make “Queen B” stand out from the crowd.
To adapt this into an everyday wardrobe is simple.
Use this outfit inspiration at an office job, internship or sorority event. Start with a simple pencil skirt in black or navy. Add a white button up with a blazer that matches the skirt on top.
Then the fun begins. Experiment with colorful outerwear, jackets, headbands, tights, shoes and bags to make the basic skirt and blazer stand out. You’ll be the queen of the office.
Now— Waldorf’s spring and summer is polar opposite to her school uniforms.
These outfits involve crisp whites and bright florals. They also involve no sleeves and short hemlines. Waldorf also matches her shoes and purses to the most prominent, or only, color in the ensemble.
Adapting these examples into your wardrobe is best done with a skirt or dress.
If you decide to go the all-white route, make sure the dress is tailored to where it fits all your curves and your height. Also, keep the accessories as crisp a white as the dress. If you decide to go with florals, combine two different patterns that coordinate by having similar color patterns. Again, the most dominant color will be used for accessories.
At this, you’d think Waldorf has used up all possible style angles.
Wrong. You haven’t seen anything until you’ve witnessed the black tie event ensembles she sports.
For these, Waldorf only uses black and white as her colors, However, she jazzes it up with sequins, lace and chiffon.
These looks, like the spring and summer looks, are best recreated with a dress or skirt.
However, there’s definitely more free reign with these looks. Pick garments that involve plenty of Waldorf’s three signature embellishments. That way while your outfits don’t stand out with color and pattern, they’ll stand out with fierce black and white embellishments.
It also wouldn’t hurt to add a signature headband. Waldorf would approve.
