Just before the original Gossip Girl was taken off Netflix, I re-watched the show, and of course, I was in awe of the fashion all over again. Mesmerized by the glamorous outfits Blair Waldorf and Serena Van Der Woodsen wore in each episode, I did a deep dive on the internet to find out who was responsible for creating each character’s signature style. That’s when I discovered the mastermind behind the lavish wardrobe: costume designer Eric Daman. He previously assisted Patricia Field on Sex and The City and even almost turned down the offer to work on Gossip Girl. Thank God he didn’t, because he truly has a gift.
Since most of the characters didn’t have a credit card limit, the wardrobe featured designers like Chanel, Dior, Ferragamo, Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Louboutin, Roger Vivier, and more. They had no excuse not to wear the most luxurious pieces in their closets. Being born into wealthy families, Serena never repeated handbags or shoes—just like Blair never re-wore the same headband.
After scouring the internet, here’s everything I learned about how Eric Daman developed each character’s style:
First, he read the books and created mood boards based on how he imagined each character would dress. He then presented them to producer Stephanie Savage, and luckily, they were completely aligned
Let’s Talk About The Female Characters Style Development in Gossip Girl
Blair Waldorf
Blair’s style was inspired by beloved Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn. Damon described her look as having an American Vogue aesthetic. While there were moments of clear Parisian influence, she also channeled old Hollywood glamour. Blair always appeared polished and dressed more modestly compared to Serena. She strived for perfection, pre-planning the accessories, hair, and makeup that would best complement each outfit.
According to Damon, Blair’s desire to always present herself as a well-dressed, influential woman stems from her eating disorder and her judgmental, disapproving mother. As a fashion designer’s daughter, she had to look the part. Being highly selective about her appearance also came from deep insecurity, she wanted everyone to believe she was confident and powerful, but in reality, she was hiding behind her luxurious wardrobe.
Still, fashion was part of her identity from a young age, and it mattered to her to showcase her knowledge. She wasn’t afraid of prints and took pride in being a trendsetter. Her outfits were always feminine yet elegant. She carried handbags from Chanel, Dior, and Fendi, among others. And her lingerie? Naturally, La Perla and Agent Provocateur.
Of course, I can’t forget her signature accessory: the headband. It wasn’t originally planned, but after seeing her in them, Damon and Savage decided it would be part of her character. The headband served as a symbolic crown—not only was she the queen of Constance, but she later became an actual princess.
Some of my favourite looks include the Marchesa gown she wore when she was crowned prom queen, the stunning Oscar de la Renta dress she wore in Paris, and, of course, the Elie Saab gown she wore when she married her one true love, Chuck Bass..
Serena Van Der Woodsen
Serena’s style was inspired by iconic model Kate Moss. According to Damon, she had more of a bohemian approach and an Italian Vogue aesthetic. She was a free spirit and a rule-breaker, and that energy translated directly into her wardrobe. Interestingly, that effortless, carefree style was one of the most challenging to develop. Serena gravitated toward mini skirts, short dresses, and plunging necklines, choices Damon attributed to her “no stable home life and several stepdads.”
Her style always reminded me of a model-off-duty look. Although we never saw her in Adidas track pants or Doc Martens, Serena didn’t need them—being the beautiful blonde bombshell she was, she rarely had to put much effort into her outfits. She mastered the messy hair look and had a closet full of high-fashion pieces she could throw on while running late. Her approach to fashion was free-spirited, rebellious, and instinctive.
Some of my favourite looks she wore include the Zuhair Murad gown at the ballet, the black couture tux by Parisian designer Maxime Simoëns, and the gold ’70s-inspired Diane von Furstenberg dress she wore for her grandmother’s birthday.
Jenny Humphrey
Every conflict Jenny faces is reflected in her clothing—from being daddy’s girl to becoming a rebellious high school dropout. In the beginning, all she wanted was to fit in and impress Blair. When she first starts at Constance, she mimics the style of Blair’s minions because she wants to be accepted by them. But once she becomes the queen of Constance, she leaves behind the innocent girl from Brooklyn and fully embraces life on the Upper East Side.
Damon explained that once Jenny takes over as queen, he started incorporating elements of both Serena and Blair’s style into her looks. While Jenny’s style was definitely influenced by the two most popular girls on the Upper East Side, she always added her own creative twist. She may not have been able to afford what Serena and Blair wore, but she was artistic and skilled enough to make something incredible for herself. Damon acting as the ghost designer behind her creations.
There’s no doubt her creativity came from her parents, who were both involved in the arts. Damon said Jenny was the most difficult character to style, but he did an excellent job of letting her personality shine through everything she wore.
Let’s Talk About The Male Characters Style Development on Gossip Girl
Chuck Bass
Damon said that Chuck was his favorite character to style. He was someone who loved to indulge in his wealth—and that extended to his wardrobe. His signature accessory was scarves, specifically the Boris scarf from J.Press. As he matures throughout the series, you can see his style evolve from a horny teenage boy into a well-dressed businessman.
Chuck brought a different energy to menswear and made it acceptable to wear flamboyant pieces and feminine colors. His style was influenced by European fashion, which is why Damon dressed him in Italian brands like Armani and Bottega Veneta. No matter the occasion, he was almost always in a suit. I think he consistently dressed well because he needed to showcase his exquisite taste, and because he wanted others to take him more seriously.
Nate Archibald
Nate dressed like your typical rich white boy, preppy and bound for the Ivy League. Damon said his style revolved around Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers, which pretty much tells you everything you need to know. Whether he was in collared shirts, button-downs, knit sweaters, khakis, or loafers, he always looked clean and crisp. The collegiate aesthetic just suited Chace Crawford exceptionally well.
There’s no doubt that fashion on Gossip Girl played a huge role in showcasing each character’s individuality, and it’s one of the many reasons the show became so beloved. Damon’s goal was to create a living magazine, and he absolutely achieved that. He also styled the Gossip Girl reboot, and so far the new cast’s wardrobe is completely different from the original. Stay tuned for my breakdown of every character’s style from the Gossip Girl reboot.
Speaking of style, did you know that you could boost your confidence by wearing your favorite color? Let me tell you how.
