TPOF here, your one and only source into the scandalous minds of Manhattan’s elite. Using the Big 5 model of personality, we’ll be studying the early 2000s’ favorite frenemies: Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen. And more importantly, how the Eric Daman-costuming for both of these characters captured and conveyed so much of their interiority. Blair’s uptight approach to the world was reflected in how she kept her school uniform as meticulous as a sergeant general, which constantly contrasted with Serena’s undone tie, untucked shirt and laissez-faire attitude. At some points in the show, the Upper East Side became a warzone for these two characters. Whose side viewers were on was swayed by Blair and Serena’s power plays and outfits strategically deployed in each episode. And perhaps, whichever end of the personality scale they themselves have. Whose side were we on? That’s a secret I’ll never tell. But we digress…
Blair marrying the Prince of Monaco in season four of Gossip Girl.
Openness
Blair – Low, Serena - High
This scale is characterized by one’s inclination toward structure and regimen versus freedom and new experiences. Blair’s character was less open, as she always wanted a conventional lifestyle that aligned with her UES values. Her outfits were predictably color coordinated and kept uber-polished. She contrasted with Serena, who was first introduced to audiences as a mystery girl in a traveler look at Grand Central, returning to New York after disappearing for a year, and who jet off to Ibiza on a whim in a subsequent season.
Blair putting in work at her W Magazine internship in season four. Photo via wmagazine.com
Conscientiousness
Blair – High, Serena - Low
Blair, whose obsession with getting into Yale was a key narrative - was consistently conscientious with her outfit choices, which were aligned with dress-for-success ideals. Her wardrobe readied her for whatever task was at hand, like the pared-down business looks she wore while sleeplessly interning at W magazine in hopes of becoming editor. Serena was more frequently shown arriving home in the morning, to the relief of a frantic Lily, still wearing the cocktail dress from the night before.
Serena being characteristically trusting of Ivy, who claims to be her long-lost cousin.
Extroversion
Blair – Moderate-Low, Serena – High
Serena’s colorful personal history and easy, outgoing nature suggests that she is intrinsically an extrovert, whereas Blair’s goal-driven outings gesture toward a more focused and intentional form of socializing. Neither of them shy away from colors in their outfits, but Blair is more apt at integrating more deliberately extroverted pieces (like, bows and colorful opaque tights) into her wardrobe. These accessories hint at Blair’s strategized approach to extroversion – her gatherings were always more of a means to an end. Think back to her annual sleepover, which was a way of exerting control and securing power over the so-called minions. Poor Penelope.
Blair in do-not-disturb mode, probably icing out her last boyfriend.
Neuroticism
Blair – High, Serena – Low
Depictions of Blair’s neuroses were what really humanized her as a character, since she was constantly disappointed by those around her. She’s introduced to us as someone who has to deal with being emotionally abandoned by her best friend, father, mother and boyfriend. Whose maid doubles as a therapist and who doesn’t get into Yale (initially, anyways – that Dean Berube was always going to come around). Even in her dreams she can’t escape the fear that she might be inferior to Serena - whose carefree attitude carries her through the ups and downs of each passing season. Serena isn’t particularly power hungry or authoritarian, and good things always seem to ‘just happen’ to her.
Blair’s outfits are an outward manifestation of her tense nature, as they correspond to her need for control in every situation. She’s always on point style-wise, since her clothes are intended to mirror her overall fierceness. Serena, on the other hand, is more playful with her outfits. She takes fashion less seriously, which is an indication of her inner self-assurance and come-what-may attitude. Opposites must really attract, since, despite their frequent takedowns of one another, Blair and Serena have an undeniably sister-like friendship. The show wouldn’t have been the same without their antics and fashion choices, which inspired a generation.
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In the world of post-pandemic dressing, one word has taken social media by storm: cheugy (pronounced: chew-gee). In the worlds of fashion and lifestyle, cheugy describes a look, a thing or a person that’s considered out of date.