One can’t think of Blake Lively‘s stellar style, without recalling of one of her most famous (and fashionable) on-screen characters, Serena van der Woodsen. The Gossip Girl star recently reviewed some of her favorite outfits throughout her life and career, and naturally, Serena holds a special place in the actress’ heart.
After playing Serena on the critically acclaimed CW show for six seasons, she wore a lot of stop-and-stare designer clothes and accessories, but one look stands out from the rest for Lively — the yellow floral-print Ralph Lauren gown with keyhole-style neckline and tiered, ruffled skirt paired with black gloves that she wore in the season 1 finale (to Lily and Bart’s wedding to be exact).
“This dress was one of the most critical fashion moments of Gossip Girl,” Lively told Vogue in a new video. “This was such a beautiful look.”
During her visit down memory lane, she opened up to the outlet about Gossip Girl‘s impact. “Eric Damon our costume designer was so spectacular and inventive. He really took that idea to the next level of characters really having a look. They were almost caricatures of themselves. They had such distinct looks and fashion. I just find that so inspiring, to this day I bring that with me to every character.”
She added, “The impact of the fashion on that show was greater than anything else. Greater than the storytelling and greater than the characters. It definitely changed my life.”
Lively’s most recent show-stopping look was at the 2022 Met Gala, where she wore an Atelier Versace that paid homage to New York City (and an ode to Gossip Girl, cue Serena getting spotted in Grand Central Station).
Essentially a love letter to N.Y.C., Lively paid tribute to the Empire State Building with her gown’s beaded detailing, the State of Liberty with her crown and train’s color reveal, and Grand Central Station, with the embroidery on her train mirroring that of Grand Central’s celestial map-painted ceiling.
“It’s the place I choose to live — it’s the love of my life, other than my family. I really wanted to celebrate the city that’s given me so much,” Lively, who was a co-host of the event, explained.
Really bringing it all full circle, she says her yellow Ralph Lauren Gossip Girl dress may have influenced her very first invite to the Met Gala in 2008, when she wore a black strapless Ralph Lauren mermaid-style gown. “I think [Ralph Lauren] only invited me because of [the yellow] dress. I even wore cropped gloves there because it was such a sweet look.”
From guest to co-host, Lively has solidified her style influence.
