Blake Lively vs. Serena van der Woodsen

Good morning Upper East Siders. That's right, it's that time again, and this week's Gossip Girl episode is promising bigger scandals and drama, so who ISN'T excited?!
Well in the spirit of this juicy new episode, I thought I would mention one of the main characters that, without her, the season would be complete.
I know as much as any hardcore Gossip Girl fan that once you start to get into and know the characters, when they're outside the show, it's just plain weird! You look at them on the red carpet or at major events and think, 'It's just NOT the same!'
One of the main characters, Serena van der Woodsen, is a total fashion icon on this show, a true it-girl, but what is her style and her personality off-set? I dug a little deeper to separate the glamorous character and the real Blake and what sets them apart.

Serena van der Woodsen

People magazine compares Serena with Josh Schwartz's original it-girl creation Marissa Cooper, and states that Serena is the character that "seems to have it all, but in addition to her party girl reputation, dark family secrets and a disregard for high society, Serena one-ups the sulky Coop with a history of BFF betrayal. She's the bad girl gone good stereotype that slips up once in a while. Blake comments on her character, saying "I feel ridiculous at times with her, because I'm killing someone or marrying someone, but I look like me. I'm like, 'Oh, this is absurd.'"
But of course, this blog is about fashion, so fashion is what we shall look at now!
Serena's sense of style on the show is compared to that of Kate Moss, as she mixes a lot a fashion-forward and vintage pieces for a boho chic look with a rock chick edge. Like Kate, Serena is not afraid to wear something crazy if she loves it, and seems to able to throw absolutely anything on and make it look effortlessly gorgeous, and she will never leave the house without injecting something unique into her outfit! Of course, Serena's style is inspired by the Upper East Side, so there's always that element of classic chic that is always present. Also, her clothes may not always look it, but most are extremely expensive designer pieces that many fashionistas (I'm pointing at me) cannot afford.
Serena is most known for her well-cut jackets, skinny jeans, girly dresses, boots, layered necklaces and bangles. She is also often seen with her hair crafted in a way that is perfect yet imperfect and messy, but whatever the occasion, she always manages to look fabulous!

Blake Lively

Blake Lively was born September 25th 1987, making her a Libra, and she was born in Tarzana, California. She grew up in the fabulous LA and is the youngest of five children. She was voted one of People's "100 most beautiful people" in 2008, attended Burbank High School and both her parents were actors. Vogue magazine called her upbringing to be advantageous to her character background and finds her "dazzling and worldly and optimistic." Her mother, a former model from Georgia, would dress her differently and her differing fashion choices drew the attention of her classmates from the LA private school she enrolled in. She stated that "it was the only school where people were just downright mean to me. They would make fun of my clothes because I dressed differently than the other kids." I bet they're all kicking themselves now!
Blake has two sides when it comes to fashion - one is creatively casual, where she looks absolutely stunning when she's just walking down the street to get a Starbucks (caramel latte anyone?), and there's also the gorgeously dressy side of her, where she manages to pull off deliciously unique and somewhat quirky designs in a way that not many can!

Who's style do you prefer, Serena's or Blake's? And who else is dying in anticipation for tonight's episode? Let me know!

x