With the release of the official trailer, it’s not long until Gossip Girl returns to our screens. While the rebooted show features an entirely new cast, Kristen Bell returns as the voice of Gossip Girl, an anonymous Instagrammer set to take down Constance Billard’s social elite.
But Gossip Girl was never just about the identity of the infamous blogger – fashion was the show’s beating heart – and luckily, original costume designer Eric Daman is on board for the reboot.
Although details have been kept under lock and key, first-look photos and pictures from the set demonstrate that style is still a priority. Using these tantalizing glimpses, we’re going to look at the new cast and see what insights we can get into their personalities through their individual style.
Julien Calloway (Jordan Alexander)
Where Blair Waldorf had headbands, Julien Calloway has knee-high boots from Jimmy Choo, Fendi, and Stuart Weitzman. Biker shorts and sneakers are another fixture in Julien’s closet, often paired with preppy shirts or designer purses, and she has a penchant for mixing streetwear brands and classic labels.
Her willingness to experiment with new trends suggests high extraversion – and as Constance Billard’s resident influencer, she’s probably used to leading the pack. Could she be the new Blair? Her perch on the Met steps might just be a hint, as well as her head-turning fashion.
Audrey Hope (Emily Alyn Lind)
Audrey may be Julien’s best friend but she clearly has very different style credentials – this is a girl who wouldn’t be seen dead in biker shorts. Much like the original Blair, she favors a refined look and her style staples include cable-knit sweaters, elegant bows and loafers.
Audrey also wears a lot of neutral colors, opting for natural makeup and sometimes a classic red lip. Her softer, girlier look suggests a thoughtful and whimsical side – and a quieter disposition than her influential BFF.
Akeno “Aki” Menzies (Evan Mock)
With a pink buzz cut and a skateboard somewhere about his person, Aki is the epitome of cool and casual. Like his girlfriend Audrey, he seems to stick to a muted color palette and wears lots of browns, greens and blues, often layering an ochre hoodie under his blazer. Aki definitely has an enviable sneaker collection, with most outfits including Air Jordans, Reeboks or Converse.
Aki’s style suggests an easy-going and relaxed nature. But if there’s one thing you can count on in Gossip Girl, it’s that everyone has a secret.
Otto “Obi” Bergmann IV (Eli Brown)
With a name like that, you’d expect Aki’s best friend to be flaunting some serious wealth. However, Obi seems to be quite a low-key dresser, usually spotted in jeans, cord jackets and turtleneck sweaters. He doesn’t customize his school uniform much either, suggesting that he’d rather sit on the sidelines than take center-stage – much like the original Gossip Girl’s Nate Archibald.
Max Wolfe (Thomas Doherty)
Obi’s style is a sharp contrast to playboy extraordinaire, Max Wolfe. Many think he could be the new Chuck Bass and it’s easy to see why. He loves Gucci, especially his monogrammed cross-body bag, and isn’t afraid of rocking a bold outfit. Max exudes confidence, whether he’s wearing a golden pinstriped suit and a grey shirt, or pairing burnt orange trousers with a yellow turtleneck.
His audacious style and easy grin suggest that he’s always ready to try something new – and cause a little mischief at the same time. That’s very Chuck Bass.
Zoya Lott (Whitney Peak)
“She’s not from here,” Julien says, upon spotting Zoya in the latest trailer. Could Lonely Boy now be…Lonely Girl?
New girl Zoya seems to be the Dan Humphrey of the group and her laid-back style reflects this. Oversized jackets, denim overalls and patterned cardigans are her closet staples, styled with colourful socks and heeled ankle boots. She also wears sneakers a lot, with the choice of accessible brands like Adidas and Vans possibly indicating that she’s perhaps not as wealthy as the rest of the group.
Zoya’s own spin on the school uniform includes layering an oversized sweatshirt over the regular plaid skirt and finishing the look with thigh-high socks. Her outfits are imbued with a sense of fun and seem created with comfort in mind, as well as fashion. This suggests she’s not as concerned about appearances as some of the others.
Let’s hope this soft, relaxed style doesn’t indicate too agreeable a personality – you never know who you can trust on the Upper East Side.
Kate Keller (Tavi Gevinson)
Hardly anything is known about the mysterious Kate, but her structured style suggests that she’s one driven young lady. Screaming of conscientiousness, her look is all about being put together: sleek hair, high collars, light colors and smart shoes. Even her accessories are subtle, usually a neatly-tied scarf or neutral-colored tote bag. Kate never has a button out of place and her polished appearance suggests a disciplined, more serious personality.
Luna La (Zion Moreno) and Monet De Haan (Savannah Smith)
Both Luna and Monet’s outfits fuse the preppy with the rebelious, pairing delicate blouses and miniskirts. However, Monet’s style is girlier and she often pairs skirt suits with embellishments like bows and berets. This attention to detail means she’s always dressed to kill, and suggests a goal-oriented disposition.
Luna has a more sophisticated look than her BFF, wearing fewer patterns and sticking to a simpler color palette. She also likes to flaunt her legs a lot, perhaps pointing to a more extroverted personality. Interestingly, she’s a designer and stylist – could she be the new Little J? We’ll have to wait and see.
Whether you love or hate the idea of a Gen Z reboot, there’s no doubt the new Gossip Girl is going to be just as fashion-embracing as the original. In a recent interview with L’OFFICIEL, Eric Daman said “there will be classics but also many new brands to discover”, mentioning Chanel, Ferragamo, Balenciaga, and Staud.
Fresh style inspiration, drama, and colorful new characters, just in time for summer? We’ll see you on the Met steps on July 8th. XOXO.
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