We're in the midst of a Leighton Meester renaissance. Once the reigning queen of the Upper East Side, in 2025, she’s reclaiming her narrative, reminding us that her talent has always extended far beyond Gossip Girl’s glossy chaos.
Last week, she debuted what many are calling the grown-up iteration of Blair Waldorf — this time, in the form of an insufferably polished mummy blogger (and childhood nemesis of Joanne) in season two of Nobody Wants This. It’s a role made for Meester’s dry humour and impeccable timing, only heightened by the fact that she stars opposite her real-life husband (and our eternal crush), Adam Brody.
Then, cementing her enduring pop-cultural relevance, Meester has landed a guest role in HBO’s I Love LA — the series already tipped to become our next obsession. She plays the snobbish boss to Rachel Sennott’s character, joining the likes of Josh Hutcherson, Jordan Firstman, and Odessa A'zion in the main cast. And just last year, she joined the ranks of The Buccaneers in season two, serving up some serious plot twists when she was revealed to be Nell, Nan's biological mother. If you haven't already binged the series, we suggest you do so, stat.
Her style, too, has only gotten better with time. At the I Love LA premiere, she channelled timeless glamour in a sequinned LBD by Carolina Herrera, complete with a plunging neckline. And once again proving her range, she's also not afraid to experiment with her look. Take the Emmy awards in early 2025, where she stunned in a pastel pink and blue gown by Prada, offset perfectly by her copper hair and a fringe that reminded us just a little of Blair Waldorf's preppy style.
Whichever era you're most a fan of, we're charting Meester's ever-evolving style through her best looks, below.
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Wearing Carolina Herrera to the premiere of I Love LA.
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The perfect power couple at the premiere for Nobody Wants This season two.
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Another example of couple's dressing, this time in pastel Prada at the Emmys.
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A Giambattista Valli moment while promoting The Buccaneers.
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A preppy look by Thom Browne.
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In Jacquemus.
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Wearing Elie Saab in Paris.
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A simple silhouette by Versace, in our favourite shade of green.
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Proving her off-duty holiday style is just as chic.
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The cutest LBD.
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In 2019, Meester and Brody stepped out together at the premiere for Ready Or Not.
