Fashion

Gossip Girl style is here to stay

From left, actresses Leighton Meester, Blake Lively and Taylor Momsen
Blake Lively, left, and Leighton Meester
From left, actresses Taylor Momsen, Blake Lively and Leighton Meester

Several months ago, a XXI (that's the slightly fancier version of Forever21) flagship store opened in the Houston Pavilions downtown. My best friend and I waited eagerly in line with more than 200 recessionistas for the store's doors to open for the first time. The store was packed with sales associates, thankfully, as I wanted to ask where one of the items on display was located.

"Oh, that's in the Gossip Girl section," she said, as my jaw dropped, seemingly in slow motion.

"The what section?" I said, stunned.

"The Gossip Girl section," she repeated. She explained that the store was divided into sections based on the most popular shows—mainly Gossip Girl and the revived-from-the-90s 90210.

It's no secret that Gossip Girl is worth watching for the fashion alone (raise your hand if you love the fashion as much as the drama!) From the embellished school uniforms (which, by the way, I would have totally got sent to the office for in my Catholic school days), to Blair's preppy-chic, girly ruffles, bows and headbands, Serena's edgy bohemian, New York City-girl style and Jenny's rocker-girl look, the show is style-heavy in all the right ways.

Just like with Sex and the City (RIP, but thank goodness we still have the movies to look forward to), I sometimes find myself so drawn into the fashions featured on Gossip Girl that I have very little recollection of the actual plotlines. I especially love the winter episodes that feature all of those amazing coats, boots and handbags, which we can't really wear here in warm-year-round Houston, but it's nice to covet them from afar.

Since GG's inaugural episode (the series is based on novels by author Cecily von Ziegesar), there has been a phenomenal trickle-down effect that's influenced the entire fashion industry. Never have I see so many blatantly girly fashions and accessories available. I think designers and retailers finally got the message: basics are still in, but let's spice it up a little! From J.Crew's gorgeous feminine details in both their clothing and accessories to Forever 21's droves of ruffled tops, dresses, floral headbands and preppy looks, Gossip Girl style is here to stay (and I couldn't be happier).

It makes sense—the variety of styles on the show are appealing to many audiences. While some love Blair's perfectly polished ensembles and flawlessly coiffed tresses, others covet Serena's earthier style, including her undone blond waves and "this took me 5 minutes" makeup (and she totally rocks the glam look as well).

Designer Ana Sui recently created a line for Target based on her interpretation of Gossip Girl looks. I have to admit, I was disappointed with the results. Nothing about it said Gossip Girl to me. If it hadn't been marketed that way, I wouldn't have had a clue that the line was made to mimic some of the character's looks. Her patterns, textures and colors failed to make the GG connection. Disappointment aside, it's clear that designers and clothing retailers are tapping into the success of Gossip Girl by bringing back those pretty and intricate details so many women desire.

My love for feminine, pretty, girly details in clothing and accessories runs deep, so shopping has been particularly fun for me lately. The fact that I can easily find incredible accessories to amp up a little black dress (a gorgeous headband or a pretty cashmere cardigan with ruffles) is so liberating. I say liberating, because for someone like me, the ability to add girly elements to my daily ensembles is of utmost importance—it makes me feel polished and pretty.

I'm ecstatic that Gossip Girl has re-ignited a move towards clothing that is wearable and beautiful, but also isn't afraid to be something exciting, with details that prove the garment was given a little extra thought. Basics like cardigans, pencil skirts, tanks, silk blouses and simple dresses have transformed into pieces brimming with so much detail and careful design elements, that it's hard for them to not immediately catch your eye when you walk into a store. And that's what consumers should expect, because there's nothing more disappointing for a fashionista craving her next fix than a store full of boring clothes that don't spark something inside of her.

Gossip Girl style is about pushing the limits and combining prints, textures and accessories like never before—bright purple or yellow tights with an otherwise simple dress, an unexpected sparkly brooch in the hair for the evening, a great, chunky bracelet with a mini dress, layers of charm necklaces in varying lengths—the possibilities are endless. That's why I hope this style continues to evolve and thrive.

Besides, there's no better excuse for women in Houston to have a little bit of an Upper East Side look, even without the cold winters.

Veronika Javor Romeis writes about fashion and beauty on her blog Veronika's Blushing.

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Movie Review

Sheriff Bob Odenkirk is back in over-the-top new action movie 'Normal'

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Bob Odenkirk in Normal.

Screenwriter Derek Kolstad, who wrote the first three John Wick movies, has essentially had a blank check to do what he wants in the movie landscape since 2014. In recent years that has meant writing the action series Nobody for Bob Odenkirk, who has turned from a comedian into an unlikely action star in his sixties. Kolstad and Odenkirk are teaming up again in Normal.

A film that tries to evoke Fargo in multiple ways, Normal finds Ulysses Richardson (Odenkirk) serving as a temporary sheriff for the small town of Normal, Minnesota after the previous sheriff died. Knowing he’s just a steward until a new sheriff is elected, Ulysses takes a live-and-let-live approach to the job, letting the deputies (Ryan Allen and Billy MacLellan) do the grunt work and trying to stay out of everyone’s way, including Mayor Kibner (Henry Winkler).

A bank robbery attempt by two non-citizens upsets his best-laid plans in more ways than he can imagine. Not only is he forced to confront a crime not often seen in a town like Normal, but the robbery uncovers secrets that turn the film into an all-out bloodbath. Soon, almost everyone in town becomes involved in what comes to resemble a war, along with — you guessed it — Yakuza henchmen from Japan.

Directed by Ben Wheatley and written by Kolstad, the film is a slight twist on the everyman-turned-hero character Odenkirk played in the two Nobody films. While Ulysses is in law enforcement, he prefers to use words instead of weapons, and it’s only when he’s pushed to the brink that he crosses that line. Naturally, his skills are beyond what anyone would expect of him, allowing him to match up well with people half his age.

The film is not a comedy in the traditional sense, but instead aims for laughs by catching the audience off-guard with its ultraviolence. Some characters are dispatched in shockingly unexpected ways, with one of the only natural reactions to the jarring nature of their deaths being laughter. That’s not necessarily the case for other killings, which range from blasé to sadistic, and the only reason they count as entertainment is because the filmmakers have primed the audience to accept them as such.

After a relatively solid setup, where Wheatley and Kolstad seem to take their time getting to know the main characters, the second half of the film is pure action that dispenses with good storytelling. Like many action movies, there are double crosses, surprise revelations, and more, but the filmmakers don’t seem to care about making sense of any character arcs. All they care about is delivering mayhem, and they succeed on that front.

Odenkirk has perfected the mild-yet-intimidating nature of his action characters, and it is satisfying to see him get the better of those who have done him wrong. He doesn’t run or jump like fellow 63-year-old Tom Cruise, but — with the help of fast-paced editing — he still makes for a credible action hero. The only other actors of any note in the film are Winkler, who’s a nice presence with his sardonic personality, and Lena Headey, whose small role doesn't match up with her experience.

You have to have a certain mindset to enjoy a film like Normal, but if you can abide its over-the-top bloodiness, it’s a serviceable action film. Few would have expected Odenkirk to take on these kinds of roles at this late stage of his career, but he’s making the most of his opportunities.

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Normal opens in theaters on April 17.

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