Oh dear... Leighton Meester appeared yesterday at a launch for the opening of a new American Eagle Outfitters store in New York, and her chosen outfit was, in our opinion, more than a bit misguided. 'Interesting' splodges on her leggings meant that the audience were more entranced by her legwear than the performance of tracks from her upcoming album. She was joined by fellow Gossip Girl cast members Michelle Trachtenberg (who is steadily building her fashion rep with a collaboration with Coach in the pipeline) and Jessica Szohr. Maybe Michelle's friend had just said something about those leggings when this photo was taken.

We know Leighton wants to distance herself from her prim and proper alter-ego, Blair Waldorf, but this is taking it a bit far. And maybe she should have put a proper top on, too - does a waistcoat layered over a leather bandeau bra really count as a legitimate top-half of an outfit?

What do you think of Leighton's 80s ensemble?

Check out Lady Gaga wearing a 30-foot long dress during her appearance in an upcoming episode of Gossip Girl. Unfortunately, except for the crazy dress and a bit of dry ice, there's nothing else particularly unusual about the performance, despite Gaga's usual antics (see-through lace bodysuit, anyone?).

She's performing her latest single Bad Romance at a gig organised by Blair Waldorf. Blair clearly knows how to get on the good side of her fellow students at New York University - if Lady Gaga had played at my university union it probably would have caused a small riot.

The episode screens tonight in the US but we'll have to wait for a few weeks to see it here.

Source: In Style

Move over Jennifer Aniston and Victoria there's a new hairstyle trend setter in town.

According to The Cut, Gossip Girl Blake Lively has taken the crown for this seasons must have locks, with hairstylists across America claiming her tresses are the new "Rachel."

The Times has also said everyone wants her "extra long, ultra-shiny blond with a mussed-up tussle frolicking through the ends."

We think it's time to get the peroxide and curling tongs out.

Following the internet leak of the Anna Sui for Target lookbook last month, Target execs have been quick to backpedal on any suggestion that the range has been inspired by Gossip Girl.

"One of Target's top executives got nervous about being that closely associated with the show, given the [debauchery] its characters get into," a source told the New York Daily News.

Lots of bloggers are talking about Leighton Meester's new single, Body Control today. The Gossip Girl starlet has been working on her début album of what she calls "sexual electro-pop," and now a track believed to be on that album has found its way onto YouTube. It's a little too early for me to make my mind up about it, but Leighton certainly has the pipes to carve a music career for herself. Don't believe me? Then check out this audio clip of her singing her own version of Bette Davis Eyes. Gwyneth who?

Whispers are abound that the next famous face to join the Upper East Side is Hilary Duff.

EW reports that the tween sensation has signed onto star in Gossip Girl in this season's fourth episode. She plays Olivia Burke, a movie star who yearns for a normal college experience so enrols at NYU where Blair (Leighton Meester), Dan (Penn Badgley) are accepted. Her character ends up sharing a dorm room with Vanessa (Jessica Szohr), which will no doubt lead to some sort of drama.

The episode is scheduled to air on October 5. Duff's own TV series, Barely Legal, was passed up by producers. She also recently starred in Ghost Whisperer and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

(Click image to enlarge. You're welcome.)

Yeah, if you were afraid the cast of Gossip Girl was losing its hotness... check out a preview of their Rolling Stone shoot. (And Blair's eye makeup in this week's ep. Just sayin.) [Refinery 29]

Got hair envy after looking at that? Check out Pearson Knight's favorite hair trends from fashion week. [A Girl's Gotta Spa] And my story on getting the center part seen on the runways. [Girlznight]

I can't believe this isn't Edward Cullen, but I'm crushing on both cover subjects of V Magazine. [V Magazine]

Cathy Horyn gives her rundown on Fall 09 fashion. [NYTimes]

It's been a long, cold winter without our weekly dose of Gossip Girl heating up TV screens. But, fear not, the Upper East Siders return next week! To get you excited, check out the crave-worthy outwear Blair, Serena and - yes! - Georgina are wearing in New York! Oh, and some cute pics of the boys to heat things up in a different way.

Click image to enter the gallery.

[Images: WENN.com]

Catwalk Queen's Gemma Cartwright writes...

Those Gossip Girl kids definitely gets around, don't they? It seems like not a glossy goes to print without some mention of the cast of fashion's favorite show.

In the March edition of Harper's Bazaar (yep, them again), Ed Westwick gets seduced by supermodel / photographer / all-round fashionista Helena Christensen in a shoot by snapper Terry Richardson.

The shoot features the couple looking very lustful in clothes by the likes of Max Mara, Oscar de la Renta, Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry. Keep reading for more pics...

OMG, Serena throws the best parties! Looks like Chanel Iman is confirmed for that episode of Gossip Girl, the one with former Moldy Peaches singer Adam Green, The Misshapes and Patrick McMullen.

This will be a great addition to Chanel's resume if she's looking to cohost with Bar Rafaeli for the resurrected House of Style.

This continues Gossip Girl's streak of starring *celebrities* of the fashion world who no one else has heard of let alone will recognize. But I guess it will help Leigh Lezark improve her brand awareness.

[Source]

If you're missing Gossip Girl during it's holiday hiatus (will Chuck and Blair ever get it together??) then check out this video of Leighton Meester on the set of her Teen Vogue cover shoot. While she doesn't wear headbands or colored tights as regularly as her GG counterpart Blair, Leighton has a young, fashionable style all her own. We love!

Even if Serena's skirt was a little slutty for a family Thanksgiving, no one can deny her outfit was chic.

If you want to get her look, just click over to Shopbop.com. Her outfit consisted of the Porter Grey Silk Charmeuse T Shirt, $225 (the teal version is on sale for $112.50), and Silk Crepe High-Waisted Skirt, $305. (The skirt doesn't seem to be available online right now.)

If nothing else, we think you can take inspiration from the color combination Serena rocked for Turkey Day.