As is the case for every revival of the shows and movies we hold dear to our hearts, the Internet is officially revelling in the contemporary take on Gossip Girl, now streaming on HBO Max. A guilty-pleasure soap centred around ‘the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite’, fans of its original predecessor rejoiced when it was first announced that Gossip Girl (and her snarky, off-the-cuff commentary) would grace our screens once more. And after prolonged waiting, owing to the pandemic, the series is finally here and there is much – mostly in the work of veteran costume designer Eric Daman – to be discussed.
While it may share the same upper-crust universe, the Gossip Girl reboot also concerns itself with representation, diversity, and activism – in other words, areas of oversight in the original series. The new series promises to provide a generational update on the legacy property by way of its diverse cast and plotlines, absence of the now archaic weblog, and maybe one too many Twitter references. Whether it has something laudable to add to the teen drama canon is still up for debate but one thing is certain; when it comes to a cavalcade of eye-turning looks, Gossip Girl delivers once more.
Though this time around, the clothes may look different. Emblazoned school jackets and it-bags remain but the flashing prep of the late-aughts is long gone. Replacing it, the show’s sartorial expert Daman opted for a darker, cooler aesthetic saying: “We’re going into this more minimalist world. It’s not the crayon-coloured tights and bright boots. It’s almost monochromatic.” There’s a jaw-dropping moment in the new Gossip Girl’s pilot in which Constance Billard student Monet de Haan draws attention to new girl Zoya’s headband (and it’s nary a compliment). In fact, that’s the last we hear of the ubiquitous hair accessory that soared to popularity a decade ago thanks to OG queen bee Blair Waldorf. If there is one thing Daman and the writers want fans to know it’s that this isn’t your millennial’s Gossip Girl.
That’s not to say that the rebooted Gossip Girl is entirely unrecognisable. Peppered in between Julien Calloway’s neutral-toned closet and Zoya’s socially conscious tote bags are nods to the iconic outfits worn by Serena, Blair, and Little J, albeit this time made appropriate for the TikTok era. Blair’s headbands may have been forgone but their phantoms live on in a myriad of neckerchiefs the cast can be spotted wearing. Elements of Serena’s classic girl next door style still prove to stand the test of time and as for Jenny – what is more timeless than grunge and teenage rebellion? The throwback looks also function well beyond nostalgia bait; for eagle-eyed audiences, they serve as a fashion Venn diagram bridging the old and new series with parallel plot lines and stories.
Though the new series is only four episodes into its first slate of six, with six more episodes to premiere in the fall, here are some of the similarities and differences spotted between all of Gossip Girl’s most iconic costuming.
From L to R: Jenny wears a light yellow tulle dress to the Masked Masquerade Ball; Zoya wears the Addilyn Dress by Alex Perry to a fictional Christopher John Rogers show
Photo: Getty Images
Like Jenny Humphrey, newcomer Zoya Lott of the rebooted series must learn to navigate the hallowed halls of Constance Billiard while attempting to preserve her moral integrity. Zoya moves to Manhattan with a scholarship and a strong sense social justice but what she has forgotten to pack is a wardrobe that will impress her affluent, unforgiving classmates. When she is invited to attend the runway show her influencer half-sister is walking in, Zoya wears a sequinned orange dress (gifted, of course) reminiscent in its colours of a similarly youthful gown Little J wears to the masked ball.
From L to R: Blair pairs a striped navy blazer from Zara with opaque red tights; Monet wears a Fleur du Mal cut-out top, navy merino wool cardigan from L'Agence, boots from Gianvito Rossi and the Varenne Bowling Bag by Jimmy Choo
Photo: Getty Images
Established as the powerful and intimidating best friend of Julien, Monet de Haan has been described by Daman as being equal parts Blair Waldorf and Dionne from the 90’s movie Clueless. With a rotation of miniskirts and statement bags, Monet perfectly embodies the spirit of Blair’s prep aesthetic, giving it a street-ready twist with a pair of knee-high boots that fully cements the style fully in the 2020s.
From L to R: Serena wears a double-breasted leather jacket with a striped shirt and neckscarve; Kate wears a similar outfit with a ribbed mock neck top from Theory and a Madewell tote bag
Photo: Getty Images
Fans were quick to note similarities between Serena Van der Woodsen’s pilot episode look and the back-to-school outfit worn by Kate Keller, an overlooked mild-mannered English teacher who soon beholds a power against her students. On Daman’s part, dressing actor Tavi Genvison who plays Kate in a tan jacket, striped shirt, and knotted handkerchief like Serena was definitely deliberate. He noted a ‘synergy’ between the looks, harkening the choice to both character’s mysterious arrival into New York society. But unlike Serena, Kate’s look is ridiculed by the students. “It took me an hour to pick out an outfit I thought they wouldn’t make fun of, and it took them one second to prove me wrong,” she says.
From L to R: Blair wears a blue, low-scope coat fashioned with a belt along; Audrey wears navy Valentino coat, leather knee-high boats from Wandler and the La Prima Bag from Georgio Armani
Photo: Getty Images
Emily Alyn Lind’s Audrey Hope may echo similar character traits to Blair Waldorf – both have mothers who are prominent fashion designers in New York but while the former may share the same name as our original queen bee’s idol, Audrey Hepburn, she is much more Grace Kelly in style. Audrey’s character, who quickly finds herself stuck in a romantic rut with her long-time boyfriend Aki, played by Evan Mock, frequently appears in poised, put-together looks reminiscent of Old Hollywood. Her long coats and sweater vests may be on the simplistic end but each outfit is crafted carefully to reflect with a wardrobe of vintage clothing.
From L to R: Prince of Bass Industries wears a long beige trench coat and a scarf with school colours; Max dons a Gucci Belt Bag
Photo: Getty Images
Who needs to follow dress codes (or decorum for that matter) when you make up the fabric of New York’s most elite circles? When it comes to revisions on the St. Jude’s uniform, no one rivals Chuck Bass – the character’s flamboyant flair pioneered the trend of playful hedonism we see in men’s clothing nowadays – but new boy Max Wolfe comes close cladding his get-up with a logo-adorned bag to remind audiences of his affluence.
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Rachelle Ma
