Blair's Style Competition

It's not long now until the new season of Gossip Girl begins and I'm getting uncharacteristically excited as the weeks go by. It's no secret that Chuck doesn't die, as he was photographed filming scenes with French actress Clemence Posey a few weeks ago. I'm sure Blair will be less than thrilled about her love rival, but will it hurt even more that Clemence's character Eva could become a style rival too? Both Leighton and Clemence were on set in New York yesterday and it's hard for me to select a favourite outfit as they both looked gorgeous.

Leighton's floral dress is beautiful, the type of summer dress you'd keep in your wardrobe for years as the shape is so classic. But then Clemence's look has that easy vibe that French girls work so well. At the moment I'm looking for the perfect lightweight silk shirt that can be tucked into flirty skirts and will also look great with jeans, so Clemence's look definitely appeals to me.

Which outfit is your favourite? And do you think Blair and Eva will become friends or is Blair more likely to throw Eva into that dog pen?

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Hit and Miss of the Week: Good and Bad

There was no in-between this week, celebrities either got it right or wrong when it came to their wardrobe choices. Hitting a bad note was Eva Mendes, who had a rare slip-up in a tricky Oscar de la Renta dress.
Stephanie Pratt and Taylor Momsen also made wardrobe mistakes, with the former baring a little too much on the red carpet. But Lea Michele was on top form, rocking a gorgeous Giambattista Valli dress, and Coco’s Tea Party favorites Leighton and Nicole were papped in two adorable (and very wearable) outfits.

Leighton Meester: Hit

As you can tell I’m so into Leighton Meester’s off-set look at the moment. This week she was photographed leaving her Gossip Girl trailer wearing a luxe grey t-shirt and gorgeous blue shorts. Her Celine handbag is still constantly by her side and she also appears to be a bit of a Mulberry fan; wearing the navy moccasin boots that Olivia Palermo also owns. Leighton is currently unbeatable in the style stakes, now we just need her to hit the red carpet some more.

Stephanie Pratt: Miss

When Stephanie Pratt first joined the cast of The Hills I hated her. But then we were supposed too, weren’t we? The more I watched the more I liked her, and she ended up being one of my favourite Hills girls at the end of the show. Despite changing my opinion of her personality Steph still lacks a killer wardrobe. This dress could have worked (or at least made it as a so-so) if there wasn’t sheer fabric across the belly. I don’t care if she has a perfectly flat stomach; just put it away when you’re on the red carpet. It isn’t chic to show off your belly button in a dress – I’m sure Coco Chanel lived by that rule…



Taylor Momsen: Miss

I have to be careful when writing about Taylor Momsen because I don’t want to be horrible – after all, she’s only 16 – but she makes it very easy to dislike her. As you probably know, Taylor is the face of Madonna’s line Material Girl, and was in New York this week to make a promotional appearance for the label. I absolutely hate the styling of this look, but broken down I think the lace bra-top and leather jacket could be cute pieces. It would have looked a lot better anyway if Taylor’s hair wasn’t so disgustingly long. And what’s with the John Lennon shades? They make Taylor look try-hard.

Lea Michele: Hit

Last week I gave Lea a so-so rating and hoped that she’d soon be onto a hit. And she didn’t make me wait long as she slipped into this Giambattista Valli dress for a Fox event. I love the shape of the dress on her, and the colours are flattering against her tanned skin too. A gorgeous ring or embellished cuff could have been a nice addition but the look is fine as it is. I love the natural hair and makeup too. Well done Lea!

Eva Mendes: Miss

I normally love Eva Mendes’ red carpet appearances, and although I wanted to like this grey Oscar de la Renta dress I just can’t. The strange hip-detailing isn’t for me anyway, but it looked a lot less clumsy when it was shown on the runway. It’s a brave choice for a New York premiere and Eva deserves credit for giving it a whirl but she simply gets lost in all the fabric. She’ll be back on top at her next appearance though, I’m sure.

Nicole Richie: Hit

Nicole has been chilling out at home in LA this week and was spotted going for a walk with Joel. I always love Nicole’s summer style and although the outfit itself is pretty simple the styling is perfect. Her braided hair is really cute (seems she’s moved on from the Wang plait) and the across-the-body embellished bag is gorgeous. Nicole’s Winter Kate a/w collection has started to hit stores (it’s stocked at my-wardrobe and ASOS) and it’s looking strong. It would be nice to see her wearing some pieces from her own collection, so hopefully within the next few weeks she’ll start showing them off.

Who do you think deserved a hit this week? And who was a total miss for you?

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Leighton's Off-Set Look

I'm the kind of Gossip Girl viewer who dips in and out of the show when I feel like it, but the pictures from the New York set are making me desperate for the new series to begin. While I'm not always a fan of Blair's style (it's too preppy for me at times) I love Leighton's off-duty look, which she has been showing off the the maximum this week.
On Monday she left her trailer in a look Blair would no-doubt hate: skinny utility trousers (I think they're Houlihan's, right?) a lightweight beige shirt and a guitar sloped over her shoulder. She's great inspiration for anyone wishing to give summer's utility trend a whirl.

And yesterday Leighton was snapped in another great outfit as she left the set. While I'm not sure the guitar case really goes with her Celine handbag it's refreshing to see that's she's carrying her own stuff. No Mariah behaviour for her. The Miu Miu heels are totally delicious too, no?

What do you think of Leighton's off-set outfits? And which is your favourite?

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Hit and Miss of the Week: Mix and Match

This week offers such a random mix of celebrities, from Rachel Zoe to Willow Smith, as there were little to no red carpet events. First up there is Leighton Meester, who is back on the streets of New York filming Gossip Girl. Her casual look this week is a perfect example of how her fashion mojo is back on top. Also getting it right was actress Jaime Winstone, who pulled together a cute summer look for the Acne London party.
Over in California there were fewer hits this week. Ashley Greene stepped out for the ESPY Awards but her Versace dress didn’t work for me. I must admit I haven’t thought much of Ashley’s recent red carpet looks, which is a shame as she normally looks brilliant.

Leighton Meester: Hit

I mentioned in the hit and miss post last week that Leighton’s style is starting to grow on me again, and this outfit has taken her back to the top of the style game. It’s a fantastic casual look, which she wore in-between takes on the Gossip Girl set. The checked playsuit is a playful choice, but styled with the classic black blazer and sleek red Celine handbag she takes it to a grown-up level. I adore her wedge sandals too, they make a fab statement. Great work Leighton!

Ashley Greene: Miss

I normally like Ashley Greene’s style choices, but I feel she slipped up at the ESPY Awards this week. The red Versace dress is a great colour for her, but I’m not so keen on the high neckline, especially with her hair styled as it is. I also think the black acsessories let her down. She could have selected a much more interesting shoe, and the black cuff is far too Avril Lavigne for me. It’s just not working this time.



Willow Smith: So-So

I’m finding it difficult to decide where I stand on Will Smith’s kids at the moment. Celebrity kids make me a little uneasy – especially when they’re on the red carpet – but Willow seems particularly cool and clearly has her own vision when it comes to fashion. She rocked these Union Jack trousers to the UK premiere of the Karate Kid showing off her bold sense of style. I wonder how long it will be until she starts blogging Lourdes Leon style…

Jaime Winstone: Hit

Actress Jaime Winstone made an appearance at the opening of the London Acne store. I’ve always found Jaime’s style choices interesting, but for some reason I don’t follow her that closely. This simple white summer dress paired with the black wedge ankle boots is my kind of look. It’s easy, carefree and very fresh.
It would have been nice to see a splash of red lipstick too, just to push the look a little further, but really it’s great as it is. It’s time I paid more attention to Jaime.

Rachel Zoe: So-So

Okay so this may not be the most interesting look, but it’s Rachel and Rodger – my favourite fashion couple ever. I love how faithful they both are to their signature styles: Rachel is still working the luxe jersey basics, big shades and chunky heels whilst Rodger sticks with the Chace Crawford hairstyle and man-jewellery. It’s in no way one of Rachel’s most exciting outfits, but the predictable nature of her look is rather comforting.

Blake Lively: Miss

Normally I love Serena’s outfits in Gossip Girl (although the body-con mini she wore to visit Dorota’s baby in hospital was a little OTT) but this Jenny Packham dress isn’t working for me. There’s just too much going on with the print, low-neckline and crystal detailing. Hopefully it will all come together on screen, but at the moment it far too WAG-ish for my taste.

Who do you think deserves a hit this week?

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Hit and Miss of the Week: Couture Cool

It was the week of the A/W 2010 couture collection in Paris, and a flock of young stars rushed to the front rows. Both Blake Lively and Leighton Meester were in Paris for the couture collections, and sported very different looks at Chanel. Rumour has it photographers “received specific instructions from Chanel not to photograph Blake and Leighton together.” Some might argue this is evidence of a rift between the two, but look at it this way: Blake was wearing a floral cruise dress, Leighton a leather pre-fall look. These two dresses are not meant to stand together. It would just look messy; and Karl does not do mess.
And away from the couture collections there were plenty of other interesting looks this week, from Serena Williams’ Burberry dress to Gemma Arterton’s knee-high sock moment.

Blake Lively: So-So

Blake was in Paris this week shooting the new season of Gossip Girl, but naturally she found the time to attend a few Couture shows. For Chanel she chose this beautiful pale blue Cruise dress. It looks fantastic on Blake, there is no doubt about that, but is maybe a little too casual for attendance at a Couture collection. If she’d tied her hair into a sleek ponytail instead of wearing it loose and beachy I would have given this a hit instead.

Leighton Meester: Hit

Blake’s co-star Leighton was also in Paris, and sat front row at Chanel too. I’ve recently become pretty disinterested in Leighton’s style for some reason, but she definitely nailed it for Chanel. The leather dress is a really interesting choice for Leighton, as there is nothing Blair Waldorf about it. The leather dress could eaily have looked too harsh, but Leighton lightened the look with a pretty smile and a adorable gold 2.55 handbag. It looks like Leighton is back on top.


Gemma Arterton: So-So

For Net-a-Porter’s house warming party (they recently moved into new offices) Gemma Arterton showed up in this gorgeous black Prada dress. I think it’s a fantastic choice for her – such a sexy feminine shape. The only problem is the socks. I have no idea what prompted her to wear them, but they are a huge mistake. From the knee and above she looks sleek and glamorous, but below the knee it looks more like a football kit (albeit with T-bar heels) it’s just wrong, wrong, wrong!

Serena Williams: Hit

I’m a big fan of both Serena and Venus Williams, and was really excited for Serena on her Wimbledon win. At the beginning of the week she celebrated at the Winners Ball in this gorgeous Burberry dress. I love that she chose a British label for the ball, and the sequins offered a lovely bit of sparkle. The strappy black heels are a nice choice, and beyond that her Hollywood smile is all she needs to accessorise the dress.

Olivia Palermo: Miss

It’s incredibly rare for me to give Olivia a miss (I think I’ve only done it once before) but her look at the Elie Saab collection really wasn’t working for me. The dress is a lovely colour, and it is nice to see Olivia in a bit of purple, but I don’t like the print very much or the addition of the leopard print belt. The silver acsessories also seem a little out-of-place and I’m not keen on her up-do. In way it’s quite nice to see Olivia slip up once in a while, though – it shows she’s human.

Marion Cotillard: Hit

Marion attended the Paris premiere of Inception wearing this gorgeous strapless lace mini. I’m not normally a fan of bow-details on clothing but I actually really like the bow tied around her wait, it makes her look tiny and creates a stunning silhouette. Like the red carpet pro that she is, Marion accessorised this dress (I think it’s Dior) perfectly with simple nude heels and a fantastic hairstyle.

Who do you think deserved a hit this week? And which looks woud you give a miss?

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Visible Undies

I'm sure most of you have seen the photos of Leighton Meester in a lace body with her bra visible below by now [if not scroll down]. The look would have made the Hit and Miss of the week but the images came out too late. When I first saw the photos my immediate reaction was bad. Lets be honest, those are not the best trousers to pair the top with. I really admire Leighton for experimenting, but I don't think this look worked as well as she hoped.


Visible underwear is always rather hit and miss, and annoyingly (or not - if you're Lady Gaga) it's a big trend for S/S 10. The problem with bra-flashing is that you never know how it's going to turn out until your boobs are on show and it's too late. You're far more likely to end up looking like Leighton than you are Carrie Bradshaw, no matter how much work you put in.


Carrie is the queen of the visible bra, and 9 times out of 10 her visible bra looks worked, because of Patricia Field's genius. In the book Kiss and Tell Patricia says "A bra is underwear, but a T-shirt used to be too. Before 1950 no man or woman would have worn a T-shirt out in public because that was underwear. Once James Dean and Marlon Brando did it the T-shirt became the most common form of top for everyone. I see the bra the same way. It is not something that needs to be hidden."

And hidden it is not. Bras and briefs are visible everywhere at the moment. At Dolce & Gabbana the lingerie was the clothing, while Marc Jacobs took into account the fact it might be rather cold to wear underwear only - so he kindly dressed his models in cotton shirts with satin bras on top.


I think the most subtle way to work this look (apart from merely flashing a colourful bra strap) is to work a lace top - Stella McCartney style. She sent her models out in halter neck lace tops tucked into denim skirts. It's casual but still flirty, and slightly more foolproof than flashing your bra.


What do you think? Do you like Leighton's look? Does underwear work as outwear?

images from thefashionspot.com and style.com

Hit and Miss of the Week: The Year of Nicole Richie?

It's 2010, and some celebrities are off to a great style-start. Leighton Meester looked amazing in a Christopher Kane mini earlier in the week, she should wear Kane more often. Then there is Nicole Richie, who everyone loves but who has also been rather absent from the blogs the past year. She's off to a great start, three hit looks in one week, so don't be surprised if she's the celebrity to copy this year.
Then there is the not so great. Jennifer Lopez appears to be stuck in the last decade. What happened J-Lo?






images from celebrity-gossip.net and thefashionspot.com

Hit and Miss of the Week: Chloe's Miu Miu Week

You've gotta love Chloe Sevigny. She wore not one, but two Miu Miu looks this week. And looked fabulous both times. Also looking good this week was Kristen Stewart (I think she's finally looking comfortable on the red carpet) and Zac Efron. Yes, that's right, Zac Efron made it into the Hit and Miss.
Not doing so well this week are Leighton Meester and Mary-Kate Olsen. On both occasions it was the makeup that put me off their looks, particularly in the case of Leighton. Serious, what's going on with that lipstick?







images from celebrity-gossip.net and thefashionspot.com

Hit and Miss of the Week: Drew Goes all Posh

This week there's been plenty of events and plenty of red carpet dresses for me to analyse. Drew Barrymore went for bold colour in a Victoria Beckham design. At first I didn't like it on her, but it's growing on me. Her BFF, Cameron Diaz, was rocking some bold shoulders on the red carper this week - but I think she should have ditched the black tights.
And everyone's Gossip Girl style crush, Leighton Meester, slipped into two red carpet dresses this week. First a baby-blue Prabal Gurung and then a Marios Schwab mini - I prefer the latter.







images from celebrity-gossip.net and thefashoinspot

Thank God it's not a Glamour Model



Leighton Meester covers the December UK issue of Glamour. I'm subscribed and the last few issues went straight in the recycling bin - hello Katie Price cover and drippy Jennifer Aniston feature...
But I love this cover, so Glamour has made it out of the bin (not that I've actually received it yet - stupid post strike) and back into my good books. For the time being, at least.

Please no more Glamour models!!!

And Leighton looks great with big hair, no?

image from thefashionspot photo by Robert Erdmann

Sick Note

I'm really not very well (which I hate having to admit) so I don't know if I'm going to post anything for the next few days. Hopefully I will wake up feeling fine tomorrow, but at the moment that looks unlikely.
Before I go back to bed I wanted to post this picture of Leighton Meester outside the Louis Vuitton show. I love her look.



I think she deserves a Vogue cover in 2010. Please Anna...

image from justjared.buzznet.com

Hit and Miss of the Week: Rihanna Hearts Fashion

I could easily have done a whole post on Rihanna this Sunday, as she's had a new look for every day of Paris fashion week. I love how confident she is with fashion, she is clearly willing to try anything.
This week I've also been trying to figure out if it's wrong to find Chace Crawford attractive. I go up and down on this, he's not scruffy enough to be my 'type' but he's just so pretty. Thoughts?






images from celebrity-gossip.net and justjared.buzznet.com