The holiday season is upon us! While Thanksgiving is typically hallmarked by large family gatherings, hometown friend reunions, and lots of hugs, this year has been (say it with me now!) unprecedented.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged Americans to rethink their holiday travel plans in light of recent COVID-19 spikes across the country, noting that even small gatherings can pose a threat when separate households come together.
“More than 1 million COVID-19 cases were reported in the United States over the last 7 days [before the holiday]. As cases continue to increase rapidly across the United States, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with. Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu,” warns the CDC. We can only assume that similar guidelines will be put in place for the rest of the season.
As such, many are deciding to forgo their usual traditions for much more intimate (and probably less formal) affairs.
Since I didn’t get all dolled up to reunite with friends and family this year, I resorted to my favorite loungewear set and started a new Thanksgiving tradition that was sure to satisfy all my high-fashion cravings of the season: a Gossip Girl binge.
Any loyal xoxo’er knows that Thanksgiving is always quite the occasion on the Upper East Side, and where there’s a Serena van der Woodsen, there’s a glamorous ensemble to admire.
Let’s break down a few of my favorite Thanksgiving fashion looks from the classic CW series as we make the most of our 2020 holiday season.
S1, E9: “Blair Waldorf Must Pie!” | Leopard is a Neutral
The episode played out in a series of flashbacks, all of which highlight Serena’s dramatic transformation from wild party girl to Dan’s wholesome plus one.
I’ll highlight the “Last Year” look: Serena’s emerald pleated minidress and leopard coat. She completed the look with heeled booties and a classic black tight.
Three years ago, Blake Lively herself immortalized the look on Twitter, writing “…When I had no idea I wasn’t an actual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float.”
This is certainly a look that remains memorable to us all.
S2, E11: “The Magnificent Archibalds” | A Cape on a Mission
‘Tis the season for jacket envy. Blair and Dorota turn heads all episode long as they traipse around the Upper East Side, on a mission to save the Waldorf Thanksgiving from unwanted dinner guests.
Blair, portrayed by Leighton Meester, wears a classically styled Sretsis coat in baby blue; her maid, portrayed by Zuzanna Szadkowski, follows close behind in a festive cape coat.
S3, E11: “The Treasure of Serena Madre” | A Jumpsuit for Icons
Everyone knows not to breach the subject of politics at the Thanksgiving dinner table (especially in 2020), but we have to discuss the Season 3 gift of the Tripp van der Bilt affair. Serena brings her new political beau to the feast, and (you guessed it) dramatic chaos ensues.
Our leading lady’s November style never fails to disappoint, but this Stella McCartney look takes her to supermodel status. Tyra Banks actually wore the same lace-inset jumpsuit during an episode of America’s Next Top Model. Two fashion powerhouses rocking the same piece? You can say I’m pretty thankful!
Not that I ever really need an excuse to re-binge Gossip Girl, but Thanksgiving is always the perfect occasion, especially this year. Not only do we have extra time to fill (time that would usually be taken up by game nights with extended family and Black Friday game planning), but also because the Gossip Girl reboot is in full swing.
Earlier this month, the first photos were released of the brand new cast of the HBO Max series draped across those iconic Met steps. Fans welcome a notably diverse lineup of prep school socialites, certainly a welcome change from the white washing of the early 2000s. Adding to the intrigue of the highly anticipated reboot, then, is the world of influencers that we have come to expect from the modern social media landscape.
“Eight years after the original website went dark, a new generation of New York private school teens are introduced to the social surveillance of Gossip Girl. The prestige series will address just how much social media—and the landscape of New York itself—has changed in the intervening years.” – a source tells Harper’s Bazaar
So yes, there is MUCH to be thankful for this year.
xoxo
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