Spotted: Stylish Throwback Photos from Blake Lively’s Gossip Girl Era

Serena van der Woodsen was a drama queen, a fashion icon and so much more

Blake Lively on Gossip Girl through the years.Credit : James Devaney/WireImage (2); Cw Network/Kobal/Shutterstock

Blake Lively is seemingly everywhere right now.

The 36-year-old actress recently faced off against her husband, Ryan Reynolds, providing the voice for Ladypool in Marvel’s Deadpool vs. Wolverine. She wowed at the film’s July 22 world premiere in a stunning skintight crimson look that echoed Reynolds’s anti-hero character’s costume.

She’s on the cover of Vogue‘s September issue, starring in a Baz Luhrmann-directed fashion spread. And she’s been stealing the spotlight in floral looks as she promotes her latest film, It Ends with Us, in theaters Aug. 9.

All this Lively in our lives has us reminiscing about the days when she was just a humble Upper East Side socialite with an enviable wardrobe, cascading locks and a glamorously messy love life in Gossip Girl.

Here, take a look back at Lively’s Serena van der Woodsen era.

Schoolgirl Chic

Blake Lively in season 1 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2007.Cw Network/Kobal/Shutterstock

Gossip Girl‘s fictional Constance Billard School for Girls may have had one of the loosest dress codes imaginable. Blake Lively’s Serena and co. were always able to make their prep school uniforms their own.

Coat of Arms

Blake Lively in ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2007.James Devaney/WireImage

Serena may have been a magnet for drama, but Blake Lively always made her character look put together.

Buckle Up

Blake Lively in ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2008.James Devaney/WireImage)

Blake Lively made Upper East Side style look effortless in Gossip Girl‘s first season.

Little Black Jacket

Blake Lively in ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2008.James Devaney/WireImage

Blake Lively’s character seemed to have an endless supply of very 2008 little leather jackets to pair with her school uniform.

Beach Glamor

Blake Lively in ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2008. James Devaney/WireImage

Blake Lively’s Serena even looked red-carpet ready on the beach!

Best of Frenemies

Leighton Meester and Blake Lively in ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2008.James Devaney/WireImage

In a rare moment of harmony, Blair (Leighton Meester) and Serena (Blake Lively) were giving off very Charlotte-and-Carrie vibes.

Boho Rhapsody

Blake Lively in season 1 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2007.The CW

Season 1’s second episode, “The Wild Brunch,” found Serena trying to sort out the prior night’s drama while looking fabulously bohemian.

Runway Moment

Blake Lively in season 2 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2008.The CW

In season 2’s fifth episode, “The Serena Also Rises,” Blake Lively’s character took her rightful place on the runway, saving the day by modeling a dress designed by junior it-girl Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen).

Even It-Girls Get the Blues

Blake Lively in season 2 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2008.The CW

A revelation about a new beau had Serena taking to her bed in season 2, episode 10, “Bonfire of the Vanity.”

Talking Turkey

Blake Lively and Penn Badgley in season 2 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2008.The CW/Courtesy Everett Collection

Same bed, different look: Serena pulled it together for a chat with Dan (Penn Badgely) in season 2’s Thanksgiving episode, “The Magnificent Archibalds.”

Fashion Faceoff

Blake Lively in season 3 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2009.The CW

Glamazon vs. Peacock: Serena went head-to-head with Gossip Girl‘s dastardly Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) in season 3’s second episode, “The Freshman.”

Paris Match

Leighton Meester and Blake Lively in season 4 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2010.The CW

A trip to Paris in Gossip Girl‘s season 4 premiere definitely upped the fashion ante for Blair (Leighton Meester) and Serena.

Je Ne Sais Quoi

Blake Lively and Leighton Meester in season 4 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2010.

Serena and Blair brought that certain American something to the streets of Paris.

Siren Song

Blake Lively in season 4 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2010.Everett

Caught up in a will-they-won’t-they situation with her dreamy college professor, Serena wore a dress in the season 4 episode “War at the Roses” that definitely said “they will.”

In the Tweeds

Blake Lively in season 4 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2010.The CW

Remember when Serena found out she had a secret cousin in season 4? Oh, Gossip Girl! How we miss your soapy nonsense!

Green-Eyed Monster

Blake Lively in season 4 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2010.The CW

Toward the end of season 4, a jealous Serena broke bad — while looking good — trying to break up bestie Blair and the French prince she was dating.

L.A. Lady

Blake Lively in season 5 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2011.The CW

After forsaking New York for California at the end of season 4, the Upper East Side’s top blonde, Serena van der Woodsen, spent season 5’s early episodes slumming it in L.A.

Spoiler Alert?

Blake Lively in season 6 of ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2012.The CW

Serena was never going to get married in a traditional white dress. Gossip Girl‘s series finale saw Blake Lively’s character walking down the aisle in a daring gold metallic gown.