You could say I am abandoning all things South Molton St when I write about Blair, as we should technically only write about people who are British. But since she is a fictional character, I think it's fair to say she doesn't count. I have only recently discovered Gossip Girl, and am admittedly addicted. I am a non-extreme Blair - some would say pushy, stubborn and self centred, I say determined, driven and direct. (ps - for an updated Blair-style page click
here).
Her outfits are by far my favourite thing in the series, (except for a weird crush I have on Rufus even though he really, really irritates me) and so I have pieced together a few bits that I think best reflect her look. Two pieces, bows and class - also have a look at some of the stuff I did on
Sunday Girl as her feminine pieces are quite similar. Think sharp edged bags, tights and the must have item - an alice band (ASOS have the best ones), et voila! You are half way there....
Get the look
So much of Blair is about prim, proper and tradition. Heritage English brands and pinnacle designer names have been given a revival thanks to her two piece skirt suits, bows and sharp tailoring... Blair is all about Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs and Herve Leger - for us that translates at Hobbs, LK Bennett and Jaeger Boutique. Here you go...
Hobbs/NW3
Hobbs' new range NW3, designed to attract Hobbs' daughters and younger sisters - has succeeded in doing exactly that since 2009. Ever since their design team got comfortable in what they were doing, the collections have oozed sophistication, class and attention to detail aka, Blair. Here are a few of their most Blairite pieces for 2011.
You are going to need a quilted jacket, if it isn't Burberry or Barbour - by this one:
high waisted skirts with a clinched waist...
this piece is perfect 'take me seriously, but treat me like a lady' ...
Hobbs
Hobbs are perfect for their Blairite jackets, all come with matching skirts...
Jaeger Boutique
Another collection that must have had Blair in mind...
looks similar to:
this little white shirt is perfect for school, I mean, work (add a bow)
or even her brighter days...
As a contrast to her sharp tailored look for weekdays, at weekends Blair goes floral. However never too floaty floral, she keeps the waists in and the hems trim. Still looks sharp. LK Bennett (yes, where your mum buys her outfits) are good for this, I'm a big fan and am only gutted they don't do 3 and half size shoes because some of their stuff is so cute.
Alice and Olivia dress, 2009
LK Bennett
Here is the best floral dress available in their new collection, but check out all of their dresses here as they also have some great
one-colour pieces that achieve the same look.
Also...
Lace Smock Dress
Lovely little look and easily doable. Smock dresses, lace dresses, whatever you want to call them are more or less everywhere. My favourite one so far is over at French Connection, below. One thing I will say is, girls make a terrible habit of thinking that if a size 10 comes up big, then a size 12 can fit in to it.
With smock dresses, they are made to be big on the body - but make sure it fits. The sure way to tell is to make sure the shoulders fit you, and the arms start where they should - both on the shoulder and underneath by your arm pit. If it gathers at all on your arms, or you it is tight across the top half of your back, then sorry to say, but you need a size bigger.
Oh and lastly, you will need coloured socks and tights, even the groupies are doing it (above). I tip I was once given is to never buy cheaply as you will end up looking like your grandmother - rolls of material around your ankles or socks that fade. Buy ruthlessly, cleanse your sock drawer ruthlessly - buy less and buy better. Try
Tabio and
Falke, and chuck out the ones from Primark you bought as they were only £2. They look like they were only £2. Blair would vomit.
