Serena van der Woodsen Costume
Embody the effortless, chic style of the Upper East Side's golden girl.
Serena van der Woodsen is the effortlessly stylish protagonist of the hit teen drama Gossip Girl. This costume recreates her iconic Constance Billard school uniform, characterized by a relaxed, high-fashion spin on traditional prep school attire. It is a highly popular choice for anyone looking for a recognizable, trendy, and easy-to-assemble outfit.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as Serena van der Woodsen
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Serena van der Woodsen costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Serena van der Woodsen costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
White Button-Down Blouse
A classic white long-sleeve button-down shirt, worn slightly unbuttoned at the collar for Serena's signature relaxed look.
DIY: Use any white collared shirt from your closet, leaving the top few buttons undone.
Plaid Pleated Mini Skirt
A pleated schoolgirl-style mini skirt in a navy blue, grey, or dark plaid pattern.
DIY: Any dark pleated skirt or school uniform skirt will work.
Loose Necktie
A dark blue, black, or loosely knotted plaid tie worn loosely draped around the unbuttoned collar.
DIY: Borrow a dark necktie and tie it loosely so it sits low on the chest.
Brown Leather Riding Boots
Knee-high flat or low-heeled brown leather boots to capture her bohemian-preppy fusion.
DIY: Any knee-high boots or black loafers with over-the-knee socks.
Designer-Style Tote Bag
A large, stylish brown or black leather shoulder bag or tote carried on the arm.
DIY: Carry any large, structured everyday handbag.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Serena van der Woodsen costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white button-down shirt, leaving the top two or three buttons undone for a relaxed fit.
- 2
Tuck the shirt into the plaid pleated mini skirt.
- 3
Loop the necktie under the shirt collar, tie it loosely, and pull the knot down so it sits a few inches below the collar.
- 4
Pull on the knee-high brown leather boots.
- 5
Style your hair into loose, messy blonde-style waves.
- 6
Grab your large leather tote bag and a smartphone to complete the Upper East Side look.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in loose, voluminous, slightly messy waves with plenty of texture. Keep makeup natural and glowing with a nude lip, light bronzer, and subtle mascara.
Serena van der Woodsen for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as Dan Humphrey in a simple messenger bag and waffle-knit sweater, or Blair Waldorf in her pristine headband and matching uniform.
- group
- Gather a group to dress as the Gossip Girl cast, including Blair, Chuck, Nate, and Dan in their respective Constance Billard and St. Jude's uniforms.
- kids
- A smaller version of the navy pleated skirt, white shirt, and a cute headband makes for a mini-prep school look.
- Plus size
- A pleated skater skirt with an elastic waistband paired with a classic stretch-cotton button-down offers a comfortable, flattering fit.
Tips
- Keep the shirt slightly untucked or messily tucked to capture Serena's effortlessly disheveled 'it-girl' aesthetic.
- Layer with a fitted navy blue blazer or a grey knit cardigan if you are wearing this in cooler weather.
- Carry a coffee cup from a high-end cafe as an extra prop for photos.
Serena van der Woodsen costume FAQ
- What is Serena van der Woodsen's style?
- Serena's style is 'boho-chic meets preppy.' She takes classic school uniform pieces and wears them loosely, accessorizing with high-end bags and bohemian jewelry.
- How do I make a DIY Serena van der Woodsen costume?
- You just need a white button-down shirt, a plaid pleated skirt, a loose tie, and knee-high boots. Most of these items can be found in thrift stores or your own closet.
- What accessories do I need for this costume?
- A loose necktie, a large leather tote bag, and optionally some bohemian layered necklaces or a smartphone to receive Gossip Girl blasts.
Did you know? Serena's iconic style was heavily inspired by real-life fashion icons like Kate Moss, blending high-end designer pieces with a relaxed, rock-and-roll attitude.