Poison Ivy, 1 of 3 - Serena

Episode Synopsis: Dan is discouraged, Blair is a bitch, and Serena is humiliated, but in the end they hug it out. In a surprising turn of events, Chuck gets laid.

I must note that this episode kicks off with a très amusant a capella arrangement of "Glamorous" by Fergie. Now, I was in choir back in the day and can assure you that we never sang about being flossy, flossy whilst in front of the entire student body. Then again, I didn't grow up on the Upper East Side.

Their hands in recital pose makes it all the more hilarious:


Anyway.

Serena jumps out of a cab looking good. Those boots are to die for.:


Closeup of boots. Pls do not attempt unless you are long-limbed and skinny:


Time for field hockey, so Serena throws her hair up into a ponytail. And by "throw it up" I mean she wrapped her hair around the elastic and then added a thin purple ribbon. So cute - I love wrapped ponytails. Of interest is that in this scene, Blair is wearing an identical purple ribbon. :


Time for the Ivy reception, and Serena's sporting a lovely dress. Perhaps a bit casual for the event, but wouldn't it be cute for brunch?:


She pairs it with some Mary Janes that are a tad too clunky, in my opinion. They're not horrible, though.:


Closeup of her equestrian scarf. Serena needs to wear her hair this way, like, a lot.:


Carly Simon, is that you? Seriously though, I love this hat. It's a good color on her, and the band (patent textured leather?) adds a touch of shimmer.:


Alas, my love for this outfit is only from the neck up. I'm pretty sure my mom had something like this shirt it in her closet, leftover from the 70s. Wasn't cute then - isn't cute now. It probably wouldn't be so offensive as a beach coverup, but it doesn't work here.:

Poison Ivy, 2 of 3 - Blair

Oy vey - this was a bad Blair episode.

We start off with a cute bag. I'm not sure of the designer, but omegas always make me think of Etienne Aigner. This is a charming retro pattern, right out of the late 70s/early 80s.:


Blair's school outfit. Nice ruffled shirt, and I love the bejeweled bow on her tie.:


Even better when paired with a pair of red patterned tights, one of Blair's signatures.:


We're back on the chaise lounge, but this time in a little nightgown/dress number. She was wearing it while recuperating from her tragic leg injury, so I'm inclined to say that it's for lounging, but at the same time it looks like it could easily be worn out and about. At any rate, I like the bright red cardigan and matching belt.:


So, I've noticed that Constance Billiard seems fairly lax on their school uniform policy. It seems that as long as you're wearing some version of white shirt, dark tie, and plaid skirt, they're a-ok with it. I know my K-8 private school was not like that. Anyone have some input? Is this one of those "suspension of belief" moments? Anywho, this is not a cute school look. She looks prim and proper in a scary way.:


And now we come to what is, so far, my least favorite Blair outfit to date. I don't know whether to ask her for an extension on my overdue library books or the gate number for my connecting flight.:


The only two remotely good things about this outfit are this wee little pin:


...and her fancy bun. The rest of it can go to fashion hell.

Much better, Blair.  I knew you had it in you. Love how the red contrasts against the navy! These hues are great with Blair's coloring.:


Long shot of the final outfit. Before they settled on the heels, apparently the stylists considered both Wellies and Grecian sandals (with no jacket). I like the heels best, although the Wellies are more believable for a rainy day.

Poison Ivy, 3 of 3 - All the Rest

Eek! Deliberate Scarf is back, this time on a random St Jude's staff member. HATE!:


Speaking of scarves, Chuck is back with his patchwork scarf, made from recycled ties. I really do love this piece:


And hey, this look isn't so bad, either! The velvet collar and tweed is so equestrian, but he keeps it young with the purple. Ok Chuck, I forgive you for your brunch outfit in the previous episode:


Dan's shirt is so rich looking...love the texture! Plum is a good color on him:


Even though the Regis look is out, out, out, Nate does the complimentary tie and shirt thing well:


Rufus is hunky, in his disheveled way. Hey, he's with the band - he doesn't have to dress up!


But here, he's OD'd on jewelry. You can't see it, but he's actually got multiple bracelets on both wrists, in addition to the double necklace. Seriously man, loose a few pieces!


Jenny kicks it casual-like at home. The bracelets save it from being a yoga outfit.


Aw, I wish this one had gotten more airtime! I'd really like to see it from a better angle.


Hmph. While the color is nice on her, girlfriend is way overdressed for an early-evening reception. The heart locket is sweet, but I don't like what the skirt is doing to her hips. You've gotta be a twig to pull this look off.


Jenny is monochromatic with her purple tights and dress. The bag is nice.


This shirt would be great on a 24 year old...too bad Jenny's 14. How about less cleavage for Little J?


K and I are awesome in their matching plaid jackets and headbands:


But they're even MORE awesome in their K & I sweater vests! Note matching pendants but not matching earrings (at least, not that I could tell):


And now, they are SUPER AWESOME in their field hockey gear. It's like I'm watching Troop Beverly Hills and they're the flashy Hills troop who didn't get the memo about not modifying the existing uniform.:


Two of these girls are not like the others....


At the reception, K's skirt threatens to shrink to Ally McBeal heights of indecency. (God, do I sound old or what?)


Speaking of old, I had glasses like this back in the 90s. I didn't realize they were back. They shouldn't be. I like all the muted plaid, though. Also, they're wearing scarves ascot-style, instead of the Deliberate Knot.:


Bad, bad, bad color choice for Lily. This sweater does absolutely nothing for her, and I can't stop looking at the color difference between her face and her neck. Makeup!


Nice watch and eyeshadow, tho:


Hmm...now that I see it's a tunic, I hate it a little less. But only a little.:


Ah, that's better! She looked lovely in her Ivy reception outfit. Does anyone else think she looks a bit like Victoria Tennant here? You know, the mom from the movie version of Flowers in the Attic? No? Just me?