Gossip Girl Style Series: Serena Van Der Woodsen.

If Serena Van Der Woodsen (played by Blake Lively) wasn’t a work of fiction, you can bet that Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist would stop her on the New York City streets.  She wears all of the labels from Christian Louboutin to Versace. She’s not afraid to experiment with a new trend or she can throw on anything and look effortlessly fabulous.  She’s the epitome of trendy fashionista, with a small touch of uptown girl polish leftover from her roots.

Serena’s Style Tips

Ask any trendy girl.  Everyone has a favorite go-to designer. Serena’s favorite go-to designer is Vena Cava. Although Vena Cava creates denim and leggings, Serena lets her girly side pour out by modeling their dresses as seen in the photo above from Season 2.  You can view the dresses on the website, but some of the dresses can range well into the triple dollar mark range!

Serena’s look for cheap.

To get this look without breaking the bank, scout out dresses that have unexpected details, sequins, and studs on them.  As Serena likes to keep up with the latest trends, you might want to try a maxi dress in a pretty floral pattern.  You can scout out similar dresses to what Serena would wear at Bluefly and  Forever 21. Or you can take a plain cotton dress like the one above and dress it up with a belt. Keep your jewelry and accessories understated, but fresh.

Notte by Marchesa Spring 2009 Dress

If you think you wore something new before, Serena’s probably worn it first. Serena’s always on top of the latest designers from Fashion Week. But, it’s not just about who designed it. Serena also pays attention to the latest trends before carefully incorporating them into her free-spirited, yet polished style.  This Notte by Marchesa is a perfect example as Serena exhibits the ever popular one shoulder trend which is very hot this season and can be worked by everyone. Make it a dress too – or go with a top!

Other trends that you might want to pay attention to are zippers and blazers. Zippers have been showing up everywhere on the runways, such as outside of dresses and running up the edge of boots.  Blazers are perfect for chilly Autumn days when you need a cover-up without having the need to bundle up already. Solids are key, but don’t be afraid to branch out to stripes and patterns.  If you still crave Serena’s prep school look, look into getting your blazer tailored so you can always look just as put-together. It’s also important to remember that you’re not expected to try out every trend out there, but only the ones that pertain to your personal style.

Photo Credit: Google

Serena literally changes cell phones like the weather! Perhaps she has a few phones to match her outfits or she changes her cell phone based on her mood, but it’s not just about function here.

“Strate” Tall Boots from Chinese Laundry, $89

Photo Credit: Google

Accessories certainly aren’t skimped on!  Serena’s signature accessory would be her boots. Although she wore a lot of boots on previous seasons, a good pair of quality boots will help navigate any trendy fashionista throughout her daily rituals on a chilly Autumn day. Invest in a good, quality pair (Try Chinese Laundry, Aldo, or Nine West) and you’ll have a pair for this season and beyond. If you don’t fall in love with another pair, that is.

As far as jewelry goes, Serena’s style is still boho chic so don’t be afraid to layer some of your favorite understated pieces together.

Serena isn’t afraid to let her hair down, but that doesn’t mean she still doesn’t not look cute either. After you wash your hair, work mousse through damp hair (Try Garnier) and blow dry it with a diffuser and scrunch it to give your hair some very natural beach waves. But, hold on. Now we style. Heat up a 1.5 inch barrel curling iron and curl your hair in sections starting with the bottom layers and working your way up. Finish your hair with light hold hairspray, gently toss, and go.

Serena pulls off effortless style with every season. What was your favorite season? What do you think of her style? What’s your favorite trend this season, in general?

Next week…a sneak peek into Jenny’s style!

 

Gossip Girl Style Series – Blair Waldorf.

In honor of the Season 3 premiere tonight, I decided to create a style series of some the most stylish characters on Gossip Girl over the span of the next few weeks. So, I can’t promise you designer labels, but I can promise you a more attainable way to score a fresh and innovative wardrobe based on your favorite character on Gossip Girl.

For my first installment, I’ll be starting with Blair Waldorf who is played by Leighton Meester on the show.

Photo Credit: Google

Blair loves old-fashioned movies and is obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. It’s no surprise that this is reflected in her personal style. It’s always very polished, classic, ladylike, and glamorous – very much like her favorite Breakfast at Tiffany’s actress. Blair always looks like she stepped outside of a department store window; her outfit is flawless; and she never has a hair out of place.

Get Her Style

The occasion could be Sunday Brunch or going out to dinner. But, Blair always dresses up for everything.  She prefers dresses, but you could also choose knee length skirts if you’re more comfortable with that too. She pairs these with patterned tights (Try: Urban Outfitters or Bloomingdale’s) in the Winter and she has bare legs in the warmer months.

Look for structured dresses in high-quality details. Blair’s a total girly girl, and loves lace, a belt, and ruffles for details so you might make want to make note of this. Try shopbop.com or Forever 21 for an array of dresses. She will very often pair her dresses with a patterned peacoat in the Winter and a light sweater in a bold color in the warmer months.

This is Blair’s traveling outfit. Her traveling outfit reflects her classic and ladylike style that is a reminder to how one of the old Hollywood actresses might have worn in one of the many old movies she likes to watch. Her look is polished and ladylike, and she also is big on matching with another feminine touch to her style.

Photo Credit: Google

Contrary to belief, Blair Waldorf isn’t a blackberry girl.  Or an iPhone girl!  On top of a hectic academic schedule, charity events, and her social calendar, she is still a busy girl. But, wherever she is, she doesn’t let her wireless phone consume her when she values the amount of time spent from the person in the room. Well, most of the time.  When gossip rings, her handy LG EnV cell phone comes in handy for sending a quick text.

Photo Credit: Google

A Waldorf doesn’t wear flannel pajamas to bed, as she prefers the comfort and luxury of designer negilee.  And hanging around the house doesn’t mean wearing sweats!  Blair prefers a satin dressing gown instead.  Try Nordstrom for classy negilees.

Hair and Make-Up

Photo Credit: Google

Blair’s medium length brown hair is often styled in loose waves with lots of volume. If your hair is thin, invest in a volumizing shampoo (Try Aveda or Frederic Fekkai) and wash your hair. Now  If your blowdryer doesn’t have a “Cool” setting, use Thermasilk Heat Protecting Spray on your hair before you blowdry your hair smooth. If your hair is naturally very curly, straighten it with a flat iron to get your strands super sleek. If your hair is naturally straight, use a curling product to bring out your natural waves. Separate your hair into section and starting at the bottom layer, curl your hair with a 1″ barrel curling iron. After curling, spritz lightly with some hairspray. After styling, apply some frizz serum through your hair to prevent frizz. (Try John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum)

For make-up, you’ll want to invest in a good mascara, a pinkish brown blush (if not blush and a bronzer), and if you often have blotchiness, a good foundation (Try HD Makeup Forever at Sephora) . As Blair is not naturally tan, she still likes to give her cheeks a bit of a sun-kissed glow.  Try using a large fluffy brush (Try a Kabuki Makeup Brush) to dust some bronzer before you apply a brush, if you don’t find a good pinkish-brown blush along the apples of your cheeks. Keep your make-up simple and classic, like the rest of your outfit. To finish, dust some shimmer powder along the edges of your face and up to your forehead. This will emphasize how your light reflects light naturally and give you a radiant glow.

Up Next Week:  Serena, Serena.  Get Serena Van Der Woodsen’s style.

What did you think of this post?

Do you love Blair Waldorf’s style? Do you have anymore tips to share? What do you think of the premiere of Season 3, and more importantly, the clothes? Let us know in the comments!

 

Get Her Style: Sienna Miller.

Photo Credit: Google

As back to school season is right around the corner, so is back to school shopping.  But, where do you start?   Some of us don’t necessarily have a personal stylist.

On the other hand, you don’t necessarily need a personal stylist. All you really need is a few key pieces to get you through the hallways or a few style tips from some pretty stylish celebrities.  Some of them may include Sienna Miller.

Sienna Miller has been popping up in fashion magazines everywhere. It’s no wonder because her free-spirited, bohemian style has been attractive with style mavens and fashionistas among the like!  I think so many people adore her style because it’s always trendy, but also very simple, without trying too hard.

Sienna can often be seen pairing denim minis with cowboy boots and wearing long and long peasant skirts.  While the afro mentioned outfits might seem cool for a Friday night out, it might not be campus appropriate.

The photo of Sienna above is more campus appropriate. In the photo above, Sienna is wearing a comfortable, nice pair of jeans with a tunic underneath a long cardigan. Long cardigans and tunics are very popular right now, as long as the proportions are right.  You can pair yours with a pair of comfortable and nice jeans like the kind that Sienna is wearing. She is also carrying a messenger bag that is big enough to hold textbooks, her Sigg bottle, and some small accessories. You’ll want to scout out something that is just as reasonable in size. And like Sienna, don’t forget to pop on your shades when you bolt out of the classroom in those afternoon rays.

Where to Find

Urban Outfitters is your go-to to find reasonable pieces of Sienna’s style.  You can find long cardigans, tunics, your messenger bag, and Ray-Bans knock-offs there for under $20.  But, shop around too. You can also find stylish and cute long cardigans and tunics at American Eagle, Forever 21, and Free People.