Modern Serena Van der Woodsen
Even before I was a Gossip Girl super fan, I was inspired by the blonde bombshell Serena Van der Woodsen. I remember reading my sister’s Seventeen magazine and seeing pictures from the set of Gossip Girl. Seeing those pictures I wished that my Catholic school uniform looked half as chic as the Constance Billard ones.
It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I watched Gossip Girl – 2 years after the last season premiered. I instantly hated Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf and had a major girl crush on Serena. In a lot of ways I related to her character – boy crazy, trying to “find herself.” Luckily I grew out of that phase.
While I don’t relate emotionally to Serena anymore, I still see her as my biggest fashion inspiration. She has a chic bohemian style that reads effortless but super put together. I love that she wears mostly muted colors, as opposed to Blair who can rock bright preppy style better than anyone I’ve ever seen.
I’ve partnered with Chic Wish to bring to you my 2019 Serena VDW fall wardrobe.
Outfit #1
More often than not you’ll see Serena running around New York in short skirts, tights, and booties or heels. When I saw this leopard dress that’s exactly what I thought to pair with it. If you have mile long legs like me, you might have to convert this “dress” into a tunic. I paired it with thicker leggings for a less scandalous outfit. Instead of the 4 inch heels Serena walks effortlessly in, I chose my favorite Coach booties. They’re much easier to walk in and a little more casual for Naperville, IL.
I love that this is a neutral outfit. Most of mine, and Serena’s are. For fall I don’t play with a lot of color. This muted ensemble will take you all the way through the holiday’s.
Outfit #2
Serena Van der Woodsen has the best coat wardrobe I’ve ever seen. Growing up I had my “go to school coat” and my “we’re going to Christmas mass coat.” One was puffed and full of down feathers, and the other was a wool peacoat. Both were my favorite color: black.
Now that I’m an adult I have been investing in coats left and right. I absolutely love this tweed number. It has a muted background but adds a statement with woven strands of pink and blue and even some metallic. My favorite part about this coat? The pearl buttons! I drew inspiration from Serena’s outfit when she visited Yale.
She looked like she stepped out of a Ralph Lauren catalog in a striped blazer and riding boots. I paired this coat with my black riding boots, black jeans, and a chambray. I love the preppy vibes this outfit gives!
Outfit #3
In season 6 of Gossip Girl, we started seeing Serena get a more grown up approach to dressing. While we still saw micro mini skirts, we started seeing midi and maxi skirts as well. This skirt is an ode to that Serena. Again, I love the muted colors brought to life by a denim jacket.
The rest of this outfit is very simple: a basic tee, white sneakers, and delicate jewelry. I don’t think we ever saw Serena in a denim jacket or sneakers, but this is with 2019 modifications, okay?
Outfit #4
Serena Van der Woodsen had a very free spirit attitude. She never had a real plan for her life, and often used summers to reset and “keep dream journals” and detox from all the drama. This dress reminds me more of her attitude than her style. A flowing midi dress with gold stars, this screams free spirit to me.
Of course that’s why I love it too. I love anything to do with stars and constellations and astrology. I love the navy blue as an option for fall. It’s neutral enough, but also adds a slight pop of color. I also love how it pairs with the orange and gold hues fall gives us.
So, which outfit is your favorite? Who is your favorite Gossip Girl character, or style inspiration? Let me know in the comments below.
This post is written in collaboration with Chic Wish. All opinions are my own.
