'Gossip Girl' Fashion Patrol
On the CW's 'Gossip Girl,' the clothes are as much a character as the Upper East Siders themselves. From far-out fashions to wearable trends, we picked the best and the worst from this designer-loving bunch. Keep clicking to see the looks we're crazy about -- and the ones that just look crazy. -- By Maggie Furlong
Uniformly Fabulous
School uniforms can be such a drag -- unless, of course, you're as crafty as Serena van der Woodsen. Once you add a belted camel coat, a stylish butterscotch purse and metallic gold gloves, the stuffy collegiate air gets expelled. Verdict: BEST
Like Mother, Like Daughter
When Daddy Dearest and his new boyfriend came to play, Blair Waldorf and her mother Eleanor pulled out all the stops for their day of ice skating. Is there any inch of their bodies not wrapped in something ridiculous? Verdict: WORST
Princess Jenny
Jenny Humphrey had her Cinderella moment when Blair gave her this fab yellow Eleanor Waldorf original to wear for their girls' night out. We'd take this chic, put-together look over a fairy godmother any day. Verdict: BEST
Little Men
Chuck Bass is about as offensive with his fashion as he is with his sexual advances, but here he lures Serena's little brother Eric into his tangled web of don'ts: trenches, nubuck day shoes and that ever-present domino-fringed scarf. Verdict: WORST
Belle of the Ball
Managing to go glam while still looking her age, Serena shines in her sequined, knotted champagne ball gown. The simple ponytail and minimal accessories make her our favorite society style queen. Verdict: BEST
How the Other Half Lives
Dan Humphrey might've been having an off day here, but nothing compares to Vanessa's hideous satin bomber jacket/skinny jean/high tops combo, not to mention her big accessories and even bigger hair. We get the whole outsider thing, Vanessa, but enough is enough. Verdict: WORST
Untucked
Nate Archibald's clothes might cost more than your car, but it's all in the way he wears them. Loosened tie, shirt a bit untucked ... we can see what Serena and Blair (and Jenny!) are attracted to. Verdict: BEST
Jenny From the Socks
Jenny tries to fit in -- oh, does she try! -- but she's often the victim of youthful experimentation, like when she paired her metallic heels and sleek trench with scrunched aqua-hued socks. Yikes. Verdict: WORST
Got Our Eyelet on Her
Always a lady -- you know, unless you cross her -- Blair looks like a beautifully wrapped present in her mod eyelet mini, pearl bracelets and bowed headband. Verdict: BEST
Synchronized Sidekicks
Kati and Isabel, the often seen but rarely heard hangers-on of the group, are practically twins. Matching tights, pearls, tweed jackets, tam caps and big bags make them much more fun to look at than to emulate. Verdict: WORST
Vintage Vixen
When the entire class broke in to the school's pool after hours, Serena took a dip in this vintage-inspired black one-piece. Still perfectly coiffed and talking on her cell, she made a stylish splash. Verdict: BEST
The Caped Crusader
Blair has a world of coveted fashions at her fingertips, yet she's often an overzealous dresser, forgetting that less is more -- as with this layered, multi-textured, unfocused ensemble that goes every which way but the right one. Verdict: WORST
Toned-Down Tomboy
In an attempt to prove she's not completely fashion-deficient, Vanessa ditches the flashy accessories and opts here for simple layers, more subdued hues and a small pop of color instead. We're still not sold on the satin hoodie, but you can't win 'em all. Verdict: BEST
Mad for Plaid
Jenny channels Sherlock Holmes in her plaid-happy outfit, with a cap, coat and uniform skirt all in clashing patterns. She finishes the look off with the accessories of the desperate: bright-orange tights and a purse made from woven gum wrappers. Verdict: WORST
Dapper Dan
Dan is such a heartbreaker, we'd be happy with him in a potato sack; but his spiffy suit proves that this fish-out-of-Brooklyn can fit in even when he's way outside his comfort zone. Verdict: BEST
Senior Citizen
Blair ditches little-girl sweet for old-lady sophisticated in this unflattering ball gown, which is stiff and matronly and sports a giant shoulder bow. The slit might add sex appeal if the rest of the dress weren't so ugly. Verdict: WORST
Mom's the Word
Upper East Side mom Lily van der Woodsen sticks to classic couture, which keeps her safe from any "fashion don't" lists. Who knew heather gray and tan created such a killer combination? Verdict: BEST
A Man of Leisure
Chuck's smug attitude and sinister schemes are the source of much 'Gossip' drama, but this outfit is the source of our '70s polyester flashbacks: paisley pants, a retro jacket and, yes folks, that's a mockneck. What more can we say? Verdict: WORST
A Personal Touch
The actual rules for the lax dress code at the kids' private prep school remain to be seen, but Blair's variations are always refreshing. Here she adds stripe on stripe and her favorite head topping, a bow in shiny red. We heart her style. Verdict: BEST
BFF = Brutal Fashion Fads
Blair and Serena often represent the yin and yang of diva personalities, but on this particular shopping spree they only showcase what happens when your stylist takes the day off. Verdict: WORST
Keeping It Real
Dan gets props for appreciating the ease of having a school uniform. Instead of trying too hard to express his individuality, Dan is at his best with a simple military jacket and messenger bag. Verdict: BEST
Suit Up!
The sexiest father figure on the show, Rufus Humphrey's got the artsy musician vibe down pat. It only gets stifled when he tries to clean up for on-again, off-again flame Lily van der Woodsen. Verdict: WORST
Style Hero
Serena amazed in her Guitar Hero showdown with Vanessa, but her outfit struck a chord, too. Drab on just about anyone else, the simple heathered T-shirt dress gives Serena girl-next-door charm. Verdict: BEST
The New Face of Xanax
Nate's always involved in a sexy love plot with someone, but his storylines never surpass his good looks ... except when he's playing sad, depressed Nate, shuffling around in PJs. Then we just get sleepy. Verdict: WORST
All Business
Sure, he looks like he's going to buy a large corporation or negotiate a major merger, but this classic pinstriped suit with splashes of regal purple is a sexy change of pace where Chuck is concerned. Verdict: BEST
Welcome to the Jungle
Our normally hot heroine takes a walk on the wild side in a red leather jacket, over-the-knee boots and zebra-print purse. We can't imagine this look being OK at boarding school ... or anywhere outside of a strip club. Verdict: WORST
Preppy Princess
Showing off her playful preppy side, Blair mixes pinstripes, argyle and a schoolgirl-inspired mini to deliver breakfast in bed. Anyone else got a craving for orange juice? Verdict: BEST
