Today, two of our favourite noughties style icons celebrate their birthdays. Yep, Blake Lively and Rachel Bilson – aka Gossip Girl’s Serena van der Woodsen and The O.C.’s Summer Roberts turn 29 and 35 today. To celebrate, we’re pitting them against each other in a throwback style-off, to see who wore those slip dresses, tank tops and (completely inappropriate) school uniforms the best.
1. BFF CO-ORDINATION
Despite clashing over boys and bank accounts on a regular basis, both these on-screen BFFs managed to co-ordinate their outfits like total pros. We’re into Blair and Serena’s on-trend ruffles but Serena and Blair’s expert colour co-ordination wins this round.
Winner: Gossip Girl
2. CLIMATE CONTROL
Of course we remember Gossip Girl for the head-to-toe designer outfits and OTT parties, but it also provided some great Autumn/Winter layering inspiration thanks to those typically freezing New York winters. Set in sunny Orange County, The O.C. was the total opposite – think slip dresses, kitten heels – which were all we wanted to wear in 2003 – and tons of bikinis. Dreamy.
Winner: The O.C.
3. THE SCHOOL UNIFORM
The school uniform was a recurring look in Gossip Girl – although Blair Waldorf’s trademark headbands were the only thing appropriate to recreate. The O.C.’s Harbor School had a much more chilled-out look and we usually saw Summer working a flared-jean and floral top combo, which we like, but blazers and tartan minis are eternally cool.
Winner: Gossip Girl
THE DATE LOOK
Serena opted for a preppy-chic look on her dates with on-off boyfriend ‘lonely boy’ Dan Humphrey. Slip dresses were Summer’s staple – often worn on top of a vest – so of course she chose them when hanging out with her boyfriend (and everyone’s ultimate teenage crush) Seth Cohen.
Winner: The O.C.
THE SPORTS KIT
Summer’s sports-inspired outfits were pretty rare until she received her ‘Brown’ college jumper – she loses points for wearing it with jeans instead of tracksuit bottoms, though. Over in NYC Serena and her girls clearly knew how to work a PE kit – think headscarves, belts and knee high socks.
Winner: Gossip Girl
THE BLACK TIE LOOK
Although Serena’s black tie looks were always pretty amazing (she was basically always head-to-toe in couture), Summer’s go-to evening look is much more cool, with satin slip dresses and delicate jewellery being the look of choice. We can’t call it.
Winner: Draw
It was close, but Serena and Gossip Girl win this one…
Need more vintage inspiration? Here’s 6 Of The Most Stylish High School Movies
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