Gossip Girl: New York, I Love You XOXO

Part 2 of 3: Plus ça change, plus ç'est la même chose

Has anything really changed over the years? I mean, other than than the style of the clothes. Remember waaaay back when Eric was locked in the Ostroff Centre (now the Pedowitz Institute) and Lily's all, "I don't care if it's a Murakami...someone get me a drink." Well, minus the inconveniently suicidal child, Lily still has that attitude and style.

Gorgeous as always, but not really the picture of a woman who just lost her husband for the second time. Although, I guess on your fifth marriage it's more practical than about true love. She does know that she should wear a bit of black to indicate to the media that she cares about Bart's death. I love the black lace top and the giant black earrings. 

And as always, I love her hair.

I do not love anything happening on William vdW here. That coat is the colour of a potato and shaped like a sack. His exile from the UES has done him no favours. I honestly don't know what Lily and Ivy saw in him.

Poor Ivy. Despite being the jilted lover, she's looking all kinds of amazing in that red with the structured grey jacket and pattered tights.

But no matter how good she looks these days or how much money she has, she's just not ready for this crowd. Player got played on that one. I guess that explains the weird romance she had with William.

Although I'm not sure Georgina is buying that plot line.

Now there is a power couple if ever I saw one. I mean, really. Jack tried to ruin his nephew, was exiled and is now back (only because his brother is dead) to help his nephew get married to avoid the long arm of the law. 

And Georgina? Girlfriend personifies scheme.

It's probably ten in the morning and she's already in full body armour. Trusting a woman who dresses in all metallics, all the time, is kind of like trusting that dude with the face tattoos. He might stab you, she might stab you in the back. And you should have seen that coming.

How do you accessorize all those spikes and sequins?

Giant. Ass. Jewelry. That's how.

It's funny, we gave Vanessa such a hard time for overdoing it, but we're totally okay with Georgina. Maybe we just appreciate Georgina's moxie more.

Speaking of Vanessa, how is she doing these days?

Same old, same old boho self, plus one mid-century modern kitchen. Maybe one or two fewer necklaces, so I can only assume she's been reading YKYLF since leaving to go do whatever it is she did. I can't remember since Dan literally never speaks of his childhood BFF. 

On the subject of Brooklyn, when the news of Dan's online treachery broke, Rufus broke out his best trophy husband leftovers for a round of son-shaming.

The cowl neck! Oh how we didn't miss those sweaters. And so many patches! It's like he's going to go hunting with the cast of Downton Abbey. And as always, he accessorizes with a look of righteousness and judginess. 

Sage dressed like she's thinking of making a move to Brooklyn. Her brown plaid frumpy dress and chartreuse cardigan are equal parts Early Dan plus Girls hipster-adjacent style.

If the series hadn't come to an end, I'd want to send a note to Eric Daman about how we don't need this. Since the teenage troublemaker won't be a part of our lives anymore, I'll give her snaps for her outerwear - she's the winner of that catergory for this episode.

I love the plaid coat and the brown wedge boots. Well done, kiddo. You make your man-child boyfriend so much more interesting.

Something he can't do for himself.

Yep. That's Nate. Grey shirt, black tie, no clue. Best moment for him was when he thought it was a good idea to tell the cop his girlfriend is a minor. We've said it before, and we'll say it again: it's a good thing he's pretty.

As the truth came out about Gossip Girl, our friends on the UES needed a good, stiff drink.

And wasn't it about time that someone served Dorota?? I think we all enjoyed seeing her order from Jack. She knows who belongs and who doesn't.

But the Scooby Gang weren't the only ones surprised. Cameo upon cameo of former minor characters (Lola! Juliet! Agnes! Mayor Bloomberg!) expressed their shock. Our favourite was how Bell and Bilson took the news.

"Gossip Girl is real??" You bet your ass she is, Rachel.

Gossip Girl: New York, I Love You XOXO

Part 3 of 3: Ghosts of Christmas Past and Future

Forgive me if I get a little sentiment mixed into my snark. This is our last episode of Gossip Girl. I'm having a bit of a moment.  

Once the YKYLF staff got done fangirling over the wedding and the shock of who Gossip Girl is, we reveled in the flashbacks. We've come so far since Serena rode into Grand Central Station to the sounds of Peter, Bjorn and John. 

Flashback Serena is actually a lot like current Serena in her sequins, but with a flip phone. And look how young Pilot Episode Serena was! That jacket! With the stripes! I think I started watching the show because of that outfit (and started my spiral into nautical stripes).

The flashback filmed for this episode shows how much has been forgotten about S and B. 

I know we're comparing party wear to Constance wear, but I think we can see the inconsistencies. Blair's red lace is lovely, but it's not the over-the-top lovely she used to go for. And that headband? Weaksauce. 

But the flashbacks made it easy to see why we fell in love and stayed along for the ride, no matter how ridonk the ride got.

Flashback Nate's got a delightful single argyle going on. Still a lot of blue, but different blues. I wish Future Nate would embrace some sweater wear, but as we'll soon see, this is unlikey. He's accessorized it here with a joint, as Young Nate was wont to do.

Lonely Boy's big difference? The hair of course. Hello, buzzcut!

Also, I don't know that Li'l Lonely Boy would have worn a blazer a la Present Day Dan. He'd have gone cardigan or something a little more interesting (like when he had a military inspired jacket moment). He may not have been cool at school, but his style was definitely Brooklyn cool. 

And Chuck. Oh Chuck of Christmas Past!

Flashback Chuck almost nails it. The blue popped collar is all wrong, but the artful mixing and matching of patterns, right down to the signature scarf, is the Chuck that won us over. Even in pastels, early season Chuck knew how to mix things up. 

Also in the past, we can't forget Little J or the minions.

It was like a cotton candy explosion back then. Totally not the style today, but I still loved their jackets and outerwear and clear disregard for authority since they never really bothered to follow uniform dress codes. 

But how does it all end? With misty water coloured memories of the way things used to be? Oh hells no. 

Flash forward bitches! To the land of so many inconceivable things!

For starters - the NY Spectator isn't a failing newspaper that no one cares about.

And who is aboard that privately owned plane? 

Whaaaa? 

I think he thinks he's a spy with that metal briefcase. Except. Apparently in the future, Nate is poised to become the youngest mayor of New York City.

I can only assume he's slept with everyone to make this happen. Because as our readers Chloe and Lauren pointed out, there is no way Nate rubbed enough clues together to make it this far in politics or got past his past legal troubles and his tendancy to sleep with EVERYONE (Blair, Serena, Vanessa, Ivy, Jenny, Sage the minor...should I continue?). As Cyrus might say:

Oh, but that's not all. Blair and Chuck got busy faster than you can say Kate Middleton. Because this kid exists.

Unsurprisingly, Wee Henry Bass is a dapper fellow. And marriage to Blair/real death of Bart has gotten Chuck off the double breasted grey suit and brought back the ascot.

The future does look good on Blair though.

I love it a lot. It's grown up, but still pretty. 

Maybe not for a wedding, but definitely for New Year's. 

Future Lily is as lovely as ever, but there's something about Eric that isn't right.

It's as if he's spending all his time in a dive bar in Montauk instead of Sarah Lawrence.

Little has changed with Little J in five years. 

The eye makeup isn't as bad, but she's still working super hard to be edgy.

Yeah, I'm not buying this is Future Jenny and Eric. How about you? 

The Future Rufus, however... now that is a future Humphrey I buy. 

Super Hipster Rufus! Love the glasses though and the jacket. Rufus should have gotten into this look five years ago. I guess marriage to Lisa Loeb is what did it.

No, we don't understand how that happened either. No, they didn't explain. This is what happens in the GG writers rooms these days. #randomness

But they can't hold a candle to my favorite Future Couple - Jackgina! Georgack?

Either way, I see Georgie hasn't let go of sartorial tendancies, what with this Robert Rodriguez dress full body armour.

So why are all these Future Selves gathered in the Future Brownstone? 

Looking good in formal grey Dan. And you've tamed the mane of hair. Why so dressed up?

What in the what now? They're headed out of the house, right?

No?

Hells bells, Serena. Gold lamé Georges Chakra for a living room wedding? 

You said it, Cyrus. If Serena was going to wear that to the sounds of Florence + the Machine, she's going to do it in the biggest venue with the most people. No matter what Serena says, she's a girl who loves an audience. On the upside, she's got fantastic hair and earrings.

I still don't believe she'd marry Future Dan, but she looks happy, so I'll leave her be.

And is Gossip Girl really dead? Or is she haunting a future gang as they navigate the UES?

Well, that's a secret she'll never tell.

xoxo

YKYLF

Gossip Girl: It's Really Complicated

Part 2 of 2 - The Successes

As for those steadily improving Gossip Girl characters, the list isn't really a surprising one. By the end of six seasons, you know who can dress and who only gets lucky once in awhile.

Blair finally begins to grow up (sartorially...not emotionally) and, for the first episode in a long time, appears in pants. Specifically, a gorgeous gray tweed pantsuit.



The black detailing at the waist reminds us just how tiny she is, and the burst of blues and purples courtesy of the Gucci blouse is so flattering. Our Thanksgiving wish for her is better hair. What happened? The ghosts of Thanksgivings past tell us it once had volume and lustre. 

I think even Blair knows it to be true. I can only assume that's why the sour face. Or maybe it's because her emotionally distant and drunk true love is being, well, emotionally distant and drunk. 

Despite the hair, it's nice to see a grown-up side of Blair. And since she's still Blair, she finds the perfect accessory in a iridescent flower pin on her lapel.

Unfortunately, all is not so golden.

First, she insists on slipping on this wallpaper-print coat in clashing whites and golds.



This actually looks like a housecoat my grandmother owned in the sixties. She's really dropped the ball on outerwear. It used to be one of her talents. The kind of talent you could take to the bank and add to your LinkedIn profile. Not so much anymore. 

Second, she pulls out one of the most offensive and just plain bizarre outfits she's ever worn on GG. And I mean ever. 



Whaaaat? Yeah, I don't get it either. I guess she was trying to forcibly jerk (shock?) Chuck out of his Bart-induced scotch haze? The thing is, it's not like Blair doesn't know how to lure Chuck to bed. This was not only unnecessary, it was tacky. And potentially using jewelry Vanessa left behind before she went whrever it is she was exiled. 

But if you think the top is a bit much, take a gander at the full ensemble (yes, there's more). 



Oh yeah. Definitely tacky. Wacky, like Blair, but also missing that important factor of class that we've always associated with her.

Dorota doesn't know what to make of all this.



Us either, Dorota.  But I'm glad to see you broke out your Thanksgiving themed uniform.

Sage may be a newbie to our little show, but she's got sophistication in spades, at least for a national holiday.



Let's get to know her a little better. When not debuting, scheming, stripping at fashion shows, dating older men and airing sex tapes at society functions, Sage loves walking the streets of Manhattan in awesome khaki trenches with embroidery details.



Plus, like any self respecting young woman with more money than she knows what to do with, she's busy perfecting the Van der Woodsen talent of Wearing Very Heavy Earrings. This Sage, she's a force to be reckoned with.



Underneath the coat, she's not quite as classy, but still, her evergreen bandage dress is flattering enough, and she managed not to overdo the costume jewerly.

Serena's ex-almost-fiancé Steve is more pathetic than anything else, but he's included here because we feel sorry for him.



One of many (many) to have loved and lost Serena, he seems to be lost and confused. Possibly because he also thought food came from a catering truck. It also seems like he's so confused that he's taken to dressing poorly. The shirt looks bunchy under his coat, like it might not even fit him all that well (in his grief has he lost weight? Because he should know enough to get a fitted shirt) and the camel coat is just plain lazy. Maybe Serena's love is poisonous to the opposite sex -- after all, Dan doesn't seem to faired all that well either. They do say the female of the species is more deadly than the male. 

Feeling sorry for himself and generally giving up on life, Chuck is really suffering after losing the evidence to lock his father up once and for all.



Been there, done that. Amirite? I mean, if I had a nickel for every time my step mom tossed the damning microfiche in the fire.... It's no wonder he wishes all the glasses in his penthouse were bottomless. And they possibly are. 

He looks marginally better upright (but still with trusty glass in hand). Since this is Chuck, his pajamas are a sumptuous black satin with a subtle maroon trim. Very nice. The man does know how to feel sorry for himself with a touch of class.

Of course, we know how well Chuck cleans up. He's the one character you can count on fairly consistently to look great and event-appropriate, even if he is completely in the bag after two bottles of scotch. Plus, he really knows how to dress for fall.



The brown three-piece suit is gorgeous, and his red bowtie the perfect accompaniment (unless, maybe, we're counting Blair).  Even his hair has finally grown out from his unfortunate incident with the clippers.

Despite being all kinds of underhanded, it's kind of hard to stick Bart Bass in with the losing side.  He's such a perennial winner.



His clothes aren't all that interesting, but for the look he's going for--cold, hard-hearted businessman--he dresses flawlessly. He's even wearing a palette of icy blue and gray, his exterior emphasizing the barren wasteland within. Everything about him exudes power and ice and general hatred for his spawn. 

She might not have made it to the beach as planned, but Lily Rhodes van der Woodsen Mueller Bass Humphrey Bass is usually another high point during the holiday season on Gossip Girl, and this year is no exception.



Not the most fantastic dress she's ever worn, but it fits beautifully and the weft of the fabric adds a little visual interest. Love her gold knot earrings. Small by usual Rhodes girl standards, they're a nice touch. 

Definitely a lot more going on with the outfit Lily slips into for dinner.  



There's a lot of sequins on this dress, maybe even more than Serena would dare to wear. Totally what you wear for a meal at home with the kids and not at all at odds with Dan's v-neck and chest hair running wild and free. With the heavy sequins adding a bit of bulk, Lily does need the waist definition that the bow sash gives her, but it's a little incongruous with the top and bottom. We'll give this an A for effort, but not much more. However, the patented giant Lily earrings? How many of us would love access to Lily's spectacular earring collection? Her jewelry box must be the most magical place on earth. 

Gossip Girl: Save The Last Chance

Part 2 of 2: Really?!

Evidentially, Bart hid damning evidence about illegal oil deals in the back of Lily's Richard Phillips painting Spectrum.  Bart went all "Library of Congress" on us and stored his scans on microfilm instead of a digital option. The world changed while Bart was pretending to be dead and it doesn't look like he caught up. I bet he still has a first generation iPod. (By the by, how do you mastermind your fake death, but can't hide some frigging microfilm? Really, Bart? Really?)

Anyway. Ivy Dickens! I curse the day you entered the UES! All of your schemes and odd plots twists have exhausted me. I just want to lie down in this nice cozy bed (adorned with graphic black and white needlepoint Jonathan Adler pillows) and avoid processing all of this ridiculousness. 

For weeks we have known that Ivy was in cahoots with someone. It appears that someone is William Van der Woodsen, with whom Ivy is having a secret love affair. These two are trying to take down Lily at the request of their silent partner Lola. I'm just going on record as saying that I think this is completely, officially wackadoo. William can't really love Ivy and be trying to publicly humiliate the mother of his children… right? And how could Ivy be sick of eating waffles every day? It just doesn't add up. 

Although she is grating on my nerves, I do like Ivy's jacket. The shawl collar is on trend and the warm grey color works with her skin tone. The rest of this scene leaves me cold (as does the slight hint of a pinky ring on William's left hand). 

While Ivy is trying to persuade Bart and Chuck to turn on Lily, sensible (and potentially drunk) Lily decides to go another route. She heads over to see Rufus and convince him to give her the microfilm. Their conversation is about as boring as their ensembles. This is one big blah blob of brown and beige. It's sad when the cheeriest thing in the photo is a paper coffee cup. 

The scene reminds me of this past episode- in which Team Beige goes to Cafe Boulud. 

Being cunning is good for Ivy's hair. Her tresses look quite shiny and smooth this week! I also approve of the patterned Torn by Ronny Kobo top. 

Chuck decided to make a faux deal with Ivy. He plans to trick her into giving him the microfilm and using it to hurt Bart. I'm more intrigued by his impressive posture and dapper attire than his machinations against his father. 

While Chuck is focusing on taking down Bart, Bart is working on destroying Nate. In an out of the blue plot twist, we learned that Nate has been cooking The Spectator's books and is under water on his loan. I'm no accountant, but that doesn't sound good. It turns out that Bart backed Nate's loan and wants to use Nate to hurt Chuck. What the Bass family lacks in familial loyalty, they make up for in ability to blackmail. 

I'd comment on their attire, but neither of these gentlemen are wearing anything too exciting. 

Unlike the blackmail plot that has yet to reveal itsefl fully, their boring outfits surprise no one.

Although his world is falling apart, Chuck made a quick appearance at Blair's fashion debut. While he always looks perfectly put together, I think we can see his stress. He is in so much anguish that he has forgotten his signature pop of color. 

Get this man to the men's furnishings and tie department at Barney's! I think a purple pocket square and a shot of whiskey are in order. 

Eventually both Bart and Chuck end up in a room with Ivy who ends up in a polka dot bra (really? Nothing sexier for photos to convince Lily her back from the dead husband is cheating on her?). All three of them fail in their scheming. The real winner is Lily, who gets the microfilm from Rufus and then burns it.

Poor Chuck! He was unsuccessful in his quest to ruin his dad. Poor Nate! He is wearing a hideous shirt and tie combination and is being blackmailed. 

While this entire story line leaves me dazed and confused, my real upset is over Chuck and Blair. I just don't understand why they can't be together. Really GG writers?! You would do that to us? 

Sigh. With only a few episodes left, they better get this figured out. Although with so many new twists to work through, we don't expect a resolution until the last minute. 

Gossip Girl: Where the Vile Things Are

Part 2 of 2: Rivalries and Investigations

Most men limit themselves to one shade of purple, but Chuck goes for all fifty. (Also: what's with the pom-pom? Did he steal one from Serena's dress?)

This is what happens when you spend too much time in Brooklyn with Rufus. You start wearing his plaid and your hair looks like straw. It might be something in the water.

I love Ivy's leather jacket and silk Hemut Lang top. But this hair is just cray. Is this her, "Look at me now, bitches, I'm richer than all y'all" hair? 

Because it says, "I just stepped off the Greyhound and into a fortune" to us. Also, Rufus, are we going hunting when we're done buying all the art? 

Back to that hair - when she put it up I thought it was a second head.

You're not fooling anyone Ivy. You reek of nouveau riche and that's why Lily will win. 

Speaking of Lily, this is what happens when you divorce Rufus. Shiny, glowing, gorgeous hair.

Adding Bass back to your list of names suits you, Lily Rhodes Van der Woodsen Mueller Bass Humphrey Bass. 

Fittingly enough, Lily's Pucci dress could be on the walls of the gallery. And that golf-ball ring could work it in any geology museum display.

Our favourite accessory though? Her look of utter disapproval. She wears it so well and it goes with just about everything. 

She had reason to wear that look. Her art party was hijacked by what is probably the most diverse and un-Lily group of people you will ever meet. Dreads, outfits made of old blankets, cheap suit, and shades.

But mostly, we're wondering about the series of phone calls that led to Fab 5 Freddy having a cameo on a show like Gossip Girl.

Chuck's still wearing the pompom, Lily's dress is ridiculously bejewelled (it probably comes with a warning: do not board a boat), but is so pretty and so very Lily. And despite the small animal attached to the back of her head, I like Ivy's intergalactic space warrior-y dress. 

If you're going to hatch a secret evil plot against Lily, Rufus, Chuck and Chuck's awful hair, you should dress like an evil space warrior. That's how we know you're stylishly up to no good.

I used to think Nate looked good in everything. Until I saw Nate in sweats. (YKYLF Pro Tip: shirtless is always a good look).

I guess it's a change from wearing the exact same damn suit every episode. 

"I'm sorry, I only own the one suit, ok?"

Nate, we really hope you turn the Spectator around and earn some money to buy new suits. Maybe Chuck can float you a loan.