Like Sex and the City before it, the OG Gossip Girl revolutionized television costume design. It only makes sense that as the acolyte of Patricia Field, Eric Daman editorialized fashion on the small screen CW flagship show.
I can speak from experience that no other wardrobe, fictional or otherwise, had such an impact on my own style than Blair Waldorf. Not only did I seek to copy elements that made Blair, Blair {per Eric, “a dot on a dot on a dot perfection”}, but I also started shopping the same labels she wore. At the time, I worked at the Georgetown Cusp, the Neiman Marcus small format store, which carried the contemporary labels. Unpacking boxes was an exercise of spotting pieces that appeared on the show.
Unfortunately many of the labels are no longer in production: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Nanette Lepore, Parker, and the old iteration of Milly of New York, pre-rebrand while it was still owned by Michelle Smith. Luckily, eBay is goldmine of product that popped up on the CW. In fact, per this Fashionista article there are sellers who specialize in curating shops around favorite series and characters.
I love shopping on eBay, especially for contemporary labels of eras past. Since I have purchased most of my Gossip Girl-era Milly from eBay, I have never been able to try on prior to buying. Learn from my mistakes:
- Always look at the measurements of the item. If the measurements are not included in the item listing, then request them from the seller.
- Contemporary labels run small. I only purchased items that are at least a size larger than what I would typically wear. A trip to the tailor can bring a frock from too large to customized.
- Read the fine print about the item because finding a NWT condition Gossip Girl-era item is rare. Exercise due diligence. If you have any doubts about an item, ask the seller if there are any flaws and subsequently, for detailed photos.
- Research original MSRP for items. Frequently, item listings include the brand-given item names. A Google search for the item name can garner past press and etailer placements which frequently include original price information. Compare the original pricing to what the eBay seller set current price. If the Make an Offer option is available, absolutely make a (reasonable) offer and try to bargain. Sellers can block buyers, so don’t like, you know, piss anyone off with a lowball offer.
- If the price is not right, do not even entertain a bid. I saw a Zara shirt Blair wore circa season one, set at over two hundred dollars on eBay. That seller is actually delusional.
I have watched Gossip Girl (particularly seasons one and two) more times than I can count. Below are (or same brand and similar to) items as worn by Blair Waldorf that I was able to identify season and episode. Be sure to page to the bottom of the post, because there I rounded up all items I was not able to identify.
Season 1 (2007 – 2008)
Bad News Blair
Victor, Victrola
Seventeen Candles
Hi, Society
Roman Holiday
The Thin Line Between Chuck and Nate
Woman on the Verge
Much ‘I Do’ About Nothing
Season 2 (2008 – 2009)
Summer, Kind of Wonderful
Never Been Marcused
The Dark Night
The Ex-Files
The Serena Also Rises
Pret-a-Poor J
It’s A Wonderful Lie
Oh Brother Where Bart Thou?
In the Realm of the Basses
You’ve Got Yale!
The Age of Dissonance
Remains of the J
Southern Gentleman Prefer Blondes
The Goodbye Gossip Girl
Season 3 (2009 – 2010)
The Freshmen
Reversals of Fortune
The Lady Vanished
Season 4 (2010 – 2011)
Belles du Jour
Easy J
War at the Roses
While You Weren’t Sleeping
Season 5 (2011 – 2012)
I Am Number Nine
All The Pretty Sources
Season 6 (2012)
High Infidelity
Dirty Rotten Scandals