Bad News Blair, 1 of 3 - Serena

Episode Synopsis: Blair is happy, then sad, then resolute.  Eleanor is a bitch, then bitchier. Serena is nice, then taken advantage of, then poses for silly photos.  Dan is consoling.  Chuck is heroic, and also gets laid.

This was an awesome episode, fashion-wise. Lots of stuff that shows off Eric Daman's genius. I suppose it's to be expected in an episode where the storyline figures around Eleanor Waldorf's clothing line. In reality, Eleanor's clothing is by real-life designer Abigail Lorick.

Been to the shops lately? You may have noticed that yellow is HUGE this spring, and GG is true to life. Sorry if it doesn't look good on you! There's some cute stuff going on to the left, but the print on those dresses to the far right appears to be seriously fug.


On to the story. We open with Blair's dream sequence, in which Serena plays the bad girl. It's fun to see her in this persona. What she's wearing is almost identical to what Blair wore to her mother's party in the pilot:


The girls go shopping in NoLIta, with Serena in faded jeans and a denim vest over a simple tank. Here's a publicity still that has her holding a dog. I'm pretty sure it's an actual dog, and not one of those "faux dog" bags. Obviously this didn't make it into the episode. (Edit: ok, I now know that this is Blake Lively's dog, Penny. Cutie!):


Her purse looks really uncomfortable. I can't imagine it would feel good on your shoulder. I do like the beads, though:


I have mixed feelings about her shoes. Are those spats? I thought we only saw those in 19^th century period films and on marching band members.


I call this the Bouncy Dress, because she bounces around so damn much in it. It was so hard to get a decent screen shot, so here's all I've got. Cute skyline print at the bottom.:


I like the necklace. Also, lavender is very flattering on her.:


Her bag is straight out of the 80s. I'm pretty sure I had something similar. Knowing me, I probably used it for My Little Pony transportation. There may have been a Wham! tape in there and perhaps some strawberry flavored Bonne Bell as well.:


Her dress from the photo shot. Pretty cute, although not everyone can pull off a bubble skirt. I like the pale lavender sash.:

The purple shoes go well. Purple seems to be her thing for this episode.:

So, apparently that wasn't a dress, it was a top and skirt, since here she is wearing the top with jeans. She's about to blow this popsicle stand, so are we to assume she gets to keep the clothes?:


Soft, butter colored leather bag. Perfect for stowing all of your worldly possessions:


This is a fun look, but I'll bet it's very difficult to pull off in real life. I'll comment more on that in the Blair post for this episode.:


Unique back - I like how the belt comes across the skin.:


Yay! It's my favorite Serena hairstyle, this time with a mod polka-dot scarf!

Bad News Blair, 2 of 3 - Blair

Blair, why so pale? Did Makeup forget to apply some color, or are they deliberately going for a sallow look? Then again, this is supposed to be a dream sequence, and a bad dream, at that.

In this tribute to Breakfast at Tiffany's, (What's with the possessive, Truman Capote? The proper name is "Tiffany" without the apostrophe-S.) Blair wears a modern twist on Audrey's pearls.:


Long shot:


Cool sunglasses - love the white on the sides.:


Ok, back to real life. Remember in a previous episode when I wondered if Blair slept in flowy lingerie? Well, apparently she does. I like the navy/aqua combo:


See? She just woke up...and without bed-head, at that!:


Out shopping with Serena, Blair sports a very cute dress and fabulous loafer inspired stilettos. The sunglasses from her dream would be perfect with this ensemble.:


Preparing for her Eleanor Waldorf photo shoot, Blair goofs around with friends in a lovely cream dress.


Her headband matches the sash....


...which coordinates with the patterned tights. I wish I could wear this color, but alas, it's best on brunettes.


At the photo shoot. This is ok - has a very 1940s flair to it. I think the hat and gloves make it look costume-y.:


Closeup of the sequined hat, which would be not costume-y with a different outfit.:


When I'm not judging Gossip Girl fashions, I judge drill team competitions. I can't tell you how many dance groups wear this exact outfit for their lyrical productions. Cue the angst ridden Tori Amos music.:


Huh. I like this shirtdress from the top up. The bottom makes it look frumpy. Cute T-strap shoes (again with the 1940s):


Here we can see some more detail on the shirtdress. I still maintain that it looks better from the waist up.:


Here's Blair's Big Bag:


Ever see a dress on the rack that looks super cute, but as soon as you try it on, it shows every bulge and ripple? This is that dress. Seriously, I don't know a non-celeb who would look good in this. Leighton Meester is not a chubby girl, but even she just barely pulls this off.:


And it's backless. Given the clingy properties of the fabric, I hope it has some sort of bra cups at the front.:

Bad News Blair, 3 of 3 - All the Rest

Your eyes do not deceive you.  This is not the same Eleanor as in the pilot.  May I present Queen Eleanor II?  Anyway, she gets a lot of face time in this episode, so let's start with her.

Nice pearls. I have to say, overall Eleanor does classic-yet-contemporary jewelry very well.:



SO nice to see her in a color other than white, off-white, ecru, ivory, eggshell, cream....:


Goodness, doesn't she look panicked! In this scene she's in her nightgown, but is still wearing her earrings. At first I thought they were the Elsa Peretti starfish, but I don't think they are.:


Another non-white color! She's dressed in black-on-black houndstouth, ready to deliver the bad news to Blair. Looks like her only jewelry is her reading glasses.:


K&I in Blair's dream, dressed as French maids. I like the chunky necklaces.:


What a great color combo on Isabel (or it Katy? Whatever.)


The other one wears it well, too. I still like the first one better though. Should I feel bad not being able to remember their individual names?


Tee-hee! Eleanor's panic-stricken assistant is totally channeling the 1960s office girl. Love it! She can take this outfit and go work as an extra for Mad Men.:


And her other assistant is just a little bit 80s, what with her baggy top and contrasting shoe/tight combo.:


Rarr! Hello Rufus, I'm here to buy some art. Then I will jump your bones.

Ok, that didn't actually happen, but it looks like it's about to. As I recall, there was some flirting going on, and possibly a date that was set. I don't remember for sure and I'm too lazy to go back and check. Her earring are awesome.:


Sister, that is one HUGE bag. I'm guessing this actress is a dancer, judging by her overall lithe-ness and huge muscle bulge in the quad.


Chuck dresses for his new job as a soda jerk. All he needs are arm suspenders.:


Will that be a sarsaparilla, or an egg crème, ma'am?:


Ignore the fact that it looks like he's catching flies, and let's pull focus below the neck. Love the purple shirt and ascot combo.


Chuck, WTF? Did the soda counter give you time off to appear in Sweatin' to the Oldies?


Oh, hi Dan. You were really, really boring in this episode. This is the most exciting thing you wore. Way to match the hallway.:


Oh, hi Nate. You were also boring in this episode, although this shirt showed off the color of your eyes.:


BTW, Chuck was having a big party. Here's what everyone wore.:


Oh, I see he invited Cute Token Black Guy! That's so inclusive of him.:


He also invited some hos. The one on the right is wearing a bejeweled bra. I'll bet the one on the left is, too, but we don't get to find out because this is the CW, not Cinemax.