Fug or Fab: Leighton Meester

I LOVE the dress, but the socks are perplexing. I feel like if I were wearing them, they wouldn't stay up properly.

are those socks and sandals or are they boots with patent leather accents? and is that a briefcase? is she on her way to a business meeting? the accessories are just awful.

I used to work with this kid who had zero fashion sense. So when he bought work clothes, he would take a bunch of cash and go to Sears and buy the complete outfit that the mannequins were wearing. When he would show up in head-to-toe Izod with a sweater artfully tied 'round his neck, hilarity would ensue. This outfit reminds me of that. Like, everything was cool until the window-dresser felt chilly and took pity on the mannequin, and then poor Leighton here, outside on the pavement, saw the outfit, and was like, "Interesting...and I will take the laptop bag too! I am modern! I am edgy! I, too, have cold feet!"

There's also something about the sock/sandal combo that oddly reminds me of what a nun might wear when she goes over the wall and wants to blend in with the hip civilians.

I say ditch the socks and I'd be OK with all of it except the ruffle she seems to have puked down her front.

All she really needs is to swap awkward length socks-destined-to-fall-down-and-bunch-terribly with proper knee socks or over-the-knee socks. That's my theory, at least. Or, you know, just commit to tights, because really, who doesn't like tights?

YES. Tights. I think tights are a solution here. With tights? AWESOME. Because I think the shoes might be good?

The dress is wonderful and the golden bracelet gives it that extra something. But
oh dear lord,the socks, the shoes.

I'm not a big fan of these extra high heels because it looks like the person wearing it got stuck in cement and threw some paint on it. or whatever.

A simple elegant black pump would be perfect . Without the socks. duh.

weirdly, the socks don't bother me as much as they should. i would prefer tights, but i'm giving her a pass. maybe because i can't help but see her as her character - oh, blair...

The outfit doesn't offend me in any way, really...I think she looks cute!

But those shoes. SHOES! If I attempted to wear shoes like that on the cobblestones of the Versailles driveway, I'd lose both ankles in .5 seconds. Guaranteed.

Seeing as she's almost made it inside to the smooth floors of the palace, I have to give her great amounts of kudos for still standing upright. ::golf clap::

Keep Grandpas vest, but give him back his briefcase and socks.

I'm not a fan of the belted open cardigan look to begin with....(why belt when you can button if sweater closure is your aim)...
The pattern on the dress looks like tie dyed psychedelic skulls, or maybe its just the reaction my brain is having to finally giving into the Starbucks barista and trying Via.
Individually I like the pieces, but the overall look makes me think of a stripper (the shoes), who is trying to reform her ways and go back to school (the lap top bag), and become a judge (the chest ruffles), and is trying fit in with her geeky peers (the black socks).

Good, bad, all things aside... that outfit makes her one taaaall drink of water

Maybe this is her way of bridging summer to fall seasonal changes. Still no. The dress is too light for tights. Bare your feet woman! That would fix everything.

LOVE the dress, please remove the socks at once so we can appreciate what appear to be awesome shoes. I don't even mind the bag so much.

Dear God, I thought we were finally getting rid of cropped leggings under dresses and now we have to deal with the reverse - feet and lower calf covered and not the rest of the leg! It's called TIGHTS people!

Truly, the footwear is awful. Couldn't she just wear some plain, you know, shoes? As to the dress: if it were all solid color, it would be fine. If it were all print, it would be almost fine (large prints tend to look, to me at least, like something from the Vermont Country Store). The combination makes my eyes hurt.

And what's wrong with her carrying a nice laptop case? Particularly since the "DON'T YOU HAVE A CLASS TO GO TO?" comment indicates this lady might be playing a student (I don't watch the show). Laptop cases are good, and to spend enough to get a really good one, like spending enough to get a really good laptop, pays off in the end when your hard drive doesn't die on you ten minutes before you were going to print out your paper.

Maybe she was puttering around the house with the socks and forgot to take them off before putting on the sandals. Then, once she realized her tragic mistake, it was way to much work to unstrap herself from those things so she went out praying people would mistike the whole look for boots (which I did at first.) I'm not excusing her though. There is no excuse for socks and sandals. None.

She looks a little like she's wearing hoofs here, but the socks are certainly (ahem) accessory to that crime. I'd definitely ditch the Inexplicable Socks and the Also Inexplicably 80s bangles, add a few black leather cuffs, and give her laptop bag to me.

What? I really need one!

I hate the socks with the heels, and I keep seeing it everywhere this year. It was even in freakin' J.Crew! What gives?! I think if she put on some tights the whole outfit would be better. The bag is kind of weird but it does not bother me that much.

Those are socks! I thought they were really wierd boots! Terrible

djheydt, I think the problem with the laptop case is that she's not in costume. She's going to a fashion show. So it seems rando.

Let me abuse the comment system to comment on this older posting:

http://gofugyourself.celebuzz.com/go_fug_yourself/2009/10/rihannfug100609.html

"Every" straight male reader should be able to tell you that she is doing a Lara Croft imitation. Why? I don't know.

Why the socks? Why!?!

I don't care - I LIKE the socks! I think they would look better a little slouchier, but it's a cute twist on a hipster look, within the summer-into-fall category.

I´d like this, if the shoes were boots just under the knee.

A high fashion version of socks-n-Berkes?

Ya know, I get a half-understanding on the socks. I have incredibly sweaty feet (thanks, genes-of-my-father) and the current trend of no-hose-with-shoes means I run the risk of ruining perfectly good shoes because, well...let's say it is a bad, bad scene beyond the curing power of most OTC products and leave it go. So, really, socks are a serious consideration for me. I can see a reason beyond cold feet (to which I say, CLOSE TOED SHOES).

HOWEVER...those look pretty damned strappy, and so, not a huge sweaty feet problem. Also, as has been suggested, tights (as opposed to the currently vilified nude hose) are an acceptable option here, even if a bit questionable with super-strappy shoes.

I'm thinking this is less a fashion choice and more a matter of comfort over style. Maybe those strappy things chafe.

Because I am suffering from a post-lunch haze [mmsandwichyumm] I read the title of this post, then scrolled to the picture and thought "Aw. I really see nothing wrong with this. Those boots look fantastic with the dress. So very fall."

Without scrutinizing any closer, I then read the post and was like "Socks...lolwut?" So, you know, in my alternate universe they were boots. Which I'm okay with. So my vote is a pair of boots, possibly shorter than that "pair" would've been, had they actually been boots and not the product of me enjoying some gfy on my lunch break.

Yay! Comments :). I really love this look on Leighton from the knees up. Hair, dress, vest, accessories and make-up are all awesome. And I don't even like vests! And I like the shoes, but those socks have GOT to go. And I'm sure she could find a cuter purse.

You know what...get rid of her Dad's socks and those sandals and the look is ok. What is with these ugly bootie shoe type things that are out now???

I like the socks with the shoes. It makes the look unique and it's saved from being too "out there" by the fact that the socks and shoes are the same color.

The dress is great, and she is gorgeous as ever.

The socks/shoes combo definitely kills the look. I didn't even realize that's what it was until I read the copy - I thought they were boots. Still not OK. That dress in daytime in Paris calls for some kitten heels. Maybe gold to go with the jewelry?

And I hope the bag is functional (maybe she is doing an art history PhD on the side?). Otherwise, no.

She's in her twenties. She gets to wear the socks if she wants. If she were over thirty, then I'd bring out the big oh-hell-no. But as it is... they're fine.

(I admit, though, that I'd prefer it if they were boots.)

I hate the whole thing--the print on the dress looks like tie dye skulls (well, I guess it IS almost Halloween), the socks look like she borrowed them from her grandfather (he wears them with sandals too!) and I guess I have to resign myself to the fact that, like bell bottoms and fringed vests, platform shoes are back to taunt us with their ugliness, just when we had heaved a collective sigh of relief, convinced that they had been a hallucination caused by vast over-use of mind-altering drugs back in the 70s.

I'm confused by the dress. So, she has a fruity triangle in front and in back? Is the rest of the back of her dress just plain black, with a triangle on her butt? That just seems awkward to me. You know, if I were headed to class and saw someone ahead with a flowery triangle on their butt, I might chuckle a little, and muse about what the floral yield sign represented.

Those are socks with shoes? I thought they were some sort of space-age boots.

Either way, have to give her props for the dress. I must own that dress.

I'd lose the socks, and if possible the weird mesh saddlebag hanging onto her left hip. What IS that?

Otherwise, totally cute. Like a goth flower girl.

Socks=Do.Not.Want
I like dress well enough and I do really like the shoes but the socks kill it.
I can't tell if I like the bag...from this angle it looks briefcase-y and I am far too lazy to look it up elsewhere.

Maybe the socks are cutting off the circulation in her legs and this could cause a huge international incident of some sort.

Fast forward forty years. Those shoes are the light brown pleather oxford-y ones from Walmart. The socks are white crew socks. Girlfriend is just getting an early start.

Like the dress (lovely belt), and I like the shoes, but they're overkill with that dress. I'm going to assume that she is carrying her laptop and thus needs that bag, and it is a great choice for the job.

I want the jewelry. It's different from the usual starlet choice; elegant and simple.

The socks? They have to be from Great-grandpa's nursing home sock drawer. And I saw someone her age in a similar footwear look yesterday. Just as horrifying in person.

Right, I saw this picture yesterday and thought exactly the same thing. The whole thing is great, the dress is gorgeous and great shoes, bag is fine, it doesnt seem that displaced to me, it's just a bag after all I suppose.
I get that she wants to look edgy and all being that she's at fashion week, but NO Leighton, NO, not the socks!
Slim fitting ankle boots that go just past your ankle or something, yes that's fine, then she can retain the structure which is obviously what she's going for, and refrain from the crazy, which is what black socks with sandals bring to the equation. NO, Leighton, NO!

Oh Leighton. You must be frozen. Either with cold to have socks on or with rage that the stylist convinced you it was a good idea. Socks? With cute strappy high heels? Apart from being weird, it chops half a foot off your height.

I love everything but the shoes and socks.

Knee socks or no socks. That is all.

Or, you know, tights.

I just won't accept socks and high heels outside of fashion spreads. I'm not having it.

The whole thing is pretty awful. Everyone has pretty much said what needed to be said about the footwear and laptop bag, but what is going on with the dress? It's laying this way, it's laying that way. Is it a frilly floral bib? Is she eating at Famous Dave's later and plans on ordering the ribs? Is that a knitted vest over it? Didn't we learn our mistakes about knitted vests in the 90's? Lord, please tell me we did!

Natalie: you took the words right out of my mouth! Thank you! I, too, HATE THE BOOTIES LOOK!! I hate, hate, HATE them. No one looks good in them. Not one person. They are ugly and clunky, ruin the look of pretty dresses, and make people look like they've swapped their feet for hooves. I HATE THEM.

Thank you so very, very much for the validation! Now when I shake an impotent fist at the world, I won't feel so very alone.

They are sandals. Sandals should be worn with bare legs and feet. No tights, no socks. Stop the madness.

Departing from the topic of this footwear (oh, let's!), I'd like to speak briefly on the topic of socks and sandals. There are times and places where they are the best choice. E.g., I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where it can get quite chilly in the morning and be definitely warm by noon. If you put on closed shoes and socks to keep your feet warm in the morning, they're going to feel like steamed potatoes by noon. If you just wear sandals, your feet will congeal in the morning and thaw out by noon. So I put on the socks, and the sandals, and go out wherever I'm going, and about eleven a.m. remove the socks and stick 'em in the bottom of my purse. If you live in a place where it's going to be warm all day or cold all day, you don't need this technique.

Well I'm glad she fixed her hair, those blond highlights were ridiculous on her. Also, has she stopped pretending to be a singer? She really is too good an actress to just become an attention whore.

I like the dress, I'd have paired in with some aquestrian style boots instead of WTF is going on with her below the knees.

This should have been a scroll-down fug as everything north of the knees works.

knees down, i'm thinking self loathing drag queen... platform sandal insanity with formal, black mens' socks. as for the bag, it's barely visible - why so much criticism? it even looks like it has shoulder padding.. suh-weet. comfortable shoulders, aching feetsies. we all have priorities.

I'm with Bonnie on this one! I thought they were boots too and thought, meh with the dress, but not terrible. And then I kept reading and really? Seriously? Please tell me this isn't a new fashion trend. Please?

I really dislike the chest ruffle, it's unnecessary and distracting, plus it looks like a detachable decorative bib due to the vest. Also, I've been trying to explain to my dad why sandals and socks are a noxious combination. So I know this battle well. Too well.

Bonus points for the great hair and lovely smirk!

I actually really like the socks....am I crazy?
Usually when people like Alexa Chung wear socks and heels I hate it, but I think these make the outfit and shoes a little more interesting than just another cute dress and strappy black cage sandals.

I hate to say it, the socks don't even faze me. I spent the last month watching Skins, and many of the girls wear some version of that leg look. Knee high semi sheer hose all the way to raggedy woolen knee socks, paired with footwear as diverse as trainers to stilettos. At least Leighton looks clean! And if you squint, she could just be wearing tight mid calf boots.

Somehow it looks ever so slightly frumpy.

i guess we'll have to just agree to disagree because i thought Hilary Duff's acting was terrible and i had a hard to watching her.

not big on socks with heels.

She's in Paris, and the Spring Collections are being shown as we speak. Roughly half the designers so far have put models in the heel/sock combo. So there is a logic to what she's wearing. An ugly logic, a "logic" that gave us Ugg boots with miniskirts and tank tops, but a logic nonetheless.

I have no explanation for the carry-on luggage.

The rest, I love.

OK, so I deliberately scroll past all the other comments so I won't be swayed. Even so, I have a strong feeling what I'm about to type will be met with uproar and rampant disagreement: I LOVE THE SOCKS!
PS: Lose the pointless belt, kid!

Shoes -Fantastic
Dress -is flattering on her, even the ruffles
Laptop bag -tres chic
Socks -oh no! OMG wtf? please no.

I also like how it looks like they have her penned up...people leaning on the fence as if shes a caged animal snapping her picture ..oh look over there it's leighton Meester and she's wearing socks quick get the camera!

None of this works for me. None of it. She is too pretty to be decked out in this garish outfit. What was it, the 1960's when ruffle fronts and cameo pins were in style? The belt doesn't go with the dress. Parts of the dress don't go with each other. The bag is horrible and the sandals and socks are the worst crime of all. Sadly, she would look better in sweats. I deem this one, gigantic, fugfest.

Ohhhh so close!!!! Like the hair like the makeup like the dress the belt and bangles, li-wait are those my dad's socks with stripper shoes?

LOVE. I'm sorry guys, this entire thing works for me. Even the socks...

This is AWESOME!! I was just thinking a couple posts ago that I wish there were comments! So, I'm going to go for it...Kate looks SUPER FIERCE in that leather dress, but how exactly does one get oneself into a long sleeve, turtleneck leather dress without a shoehorn?

Agreed on the whole "don't you have class to go to?" question. For someone who is so "academic," I worry about her lack of attendance. On to the clothes. I knew this would be on here for the socks and I agree that is what is fugging this whole thing up. However, this whole look leans more toward Blair than Leighton as a result of the school-girl aspect, maybe she's taking cues from the wardrobe people on GG.

The socks. Make them go away, please...

I actually think she looks great, minus the bag. I think she's too fair skinned to pull off cut-outs on black platform sandals- they wouldn't have looked right without the sucks and the ankle straps would have made her legs look even shorter than they do without the socks. . .

*removes the socks*

There you are!!!

I like everything she has on...just not together...

I LOVE the socks. However, this is Leighton Meester doing Chloe Sevigny, who of course is doing Elaine Benes. These young girls insist on socking + sandling it like granma, and moccasinning + huge tortoise shell specsing it like grandad, and I effing love them for it. In conclusion, sock it to me.

The outfit... Meh. Like most of the other commentators, I dislike the socks-sandals combo. But, perhaps our real concern should be that she seems to have been enclosed in a paddock.

Socks + sandals = Birken-socks to the power of HELL NAW!

Sock rules as I understand them:
1. Boot socks with boots;
2. Knee socks with loafers or flats;
3. Ankle socks with booties or tennis shoes;
4. Mid-calf socks and sandals with burmuda shorts;
5. No socks with strappy sandals.

Clearly, she has a diffrent set of the rules than I. Also, the bracelet looks like it came from a gum-ball machine.

it's as if she was worried her ankles would get cold and threw on some men's dress socks in an effort to ward off swine flu. it doesn't work like that Leighton. i like the idea of above the knee patterned tights/socks if she wants to go that route. the socks don't match the sandals and if they were boots it would look just a little less "off", due to the flowy brevity of the dress. tights would look a bit twee, but they'd be a sight better than the current accessorizing madness going on. the purse shoulda been yellow or blue - color would've been lovely. the bracelets are fine and the dress has a beautiful 80's vibe without being awful.

Lose the socks, and I'm in!

Ha, Elaine Benes -- so true.

Sock rules as I understand them:
1. Boot socks with boots;
2. Knee socks with loafers or flats;
3. Ankle socks with booties or tennis shoes;
4. Mid-calf socks and sandals with burmuda shorts;
5. No socks with strappy sandals.

Clearly, she has a diffrent set of the rules than I. Also, the bracelet looks like it came from a gum-ball machine.

If I didn't adore her so much I would be cringing but she's known for being daring with her fashion choice. Plus the shoes are stunners.

First of all, I COVET her laptop case. While Leighton would not dane show up to my office to write copy and make coffee, I would look SO CHIC doing just such activities with that laptop/brief case that costs more than my laptop itself. So, Leighton, kindly donate to ME. You, go get yourself a Fendi tote.

Secondly, SOCKS WITH SANDALS. Either cute closed-toe pumps in a similar vein (the shoes themselves look killer in a good way). Or boots. Or even, dare I say, booties. Just no knee socks. She looks like dayglo school girl.

The dress: Good, except for the part of the top that sticks out from under the belt like hipilauts.

The shoes: I don't like. Even without the socks, they don't look right. Maybe it's just me getting older, but I have to say that platform revival heels are soooo 2000 Hookerwear.

Love the dress and the shoes, but the socks have got to go!

Surprisingly, I like to socks-I think she pulls them off well. I say "surprisingly" for the obvious reasons that socks do NOT normally go a) with a dress; b) with any formal attire; c) with most anything that would render them visible ever. That said, she looks thoroughly cute and while that disturbs me, I am going to run with it anyway!

guys, give her a break! i mean,its leighton.. its blair waldorf! almost nothing can screw her up, except maybe if she went gaga, which she hopefully wont! these socks wouldnt be my choice, but blair.. sorry, i mean leighton can pull off even those!!
btw,anyone realised how the stylists of GG are slowly dropping all the stockings,ruffles and headbands and turning our very special classy/preppy blair into someone not very far from serena? i pray the day blair wears jeans, sneakers and boho bag shall never come!:/

Weirdly, I think this is kinda of fab. On anyone else the socks would be a little to grandpa-sunbathing-at the retirement home in Florida- but some how Leighton makes the socks rock, or maybe I just adore her on GG so much that I can literally not identify anything she does as "Fug"

Discard the socks and commit to tights- Done.

If it's warm enough for her to go sleeveless, why is it not warm enough for her toes to be exposed? Those are some HOT ASS SHOES, and she should be showing them off. I have absolutely no problem with the outfit, I'd wear it. The bag is weird but oh well. It's just the socks. That said, she doesn't look as bad as it seems like she SHOULD.

Yay! Yay! Yay! Comments! Yay! I'm hugging my monitor. It's warm. Mmmm.

That said, my god, woman. This is just blarg. Someone tell me again why the trend is to wear belts that aren't holding up pants?

I'm a little floored (I'm sort of half-lounging, half-flung) that she seems so proud of her cankle covers. Not a dig, because seriously - why else would you wear black socks with giant platform sandals?

I loved Hilary Duff too! Except for her lame hat, but I understand why the producers needed it for their gimmicky plot contrivance. Wait, is this supposed to be about Hilary?

You know how Coco Chanel said something about looking in the mirror and taking off one accessory? Clearly Leighton missed the memo. She needs to take off about eight "accessories" ... I'm using quotation marks because when in holy hell did SOCKS become accessories. They are to be worn under boots or slacks or at the gym ... not with pretty ruffly dresses. But really, did she need the belt, the vest, the socks, the ugly handbag, AND the chunky gold bracelets? Simplify, little one. Maybe she's just tired of Blair always looking fabulous. God, I love Blair and so would Coco.

Surprisingly, I think she's working the sock/strappy shoe combo. Love the whole thing.

Mercy, why is that poor girl wearing socks? Is she cold? Could she have cold feet due to her fashion sense? I can understand that she wants to keep her laptop/netbook close *you never know who will want to steal your computer* but why the old man black socks?!

Oh man, when I'm running around in the morning, ironing my pants or trying to figure out what to wear, I look jsut like that with my trouser socks on. Then I put my pants on and no one sees them.

Take the socks off now, you're hurting my brain!

It's been said already, but... TIGHTS! Or, even better, BARE LEGS!

I'm also a tad concerned about how high those shoes on, but maybe she has excellent balance and very strong ankles.

It's been said already, but... TIGHTS! Or, even better, BARE LEGS!

I'm also a tad concerned about how high those shoes are, but maybe she has excellent balance and very strong ankles.

I actually love socks paired with dressy heels. I loved the combination the first time I saw it in Vogue, the first time I saw it in person, and I still love it as much today. If done properly (and it IS a little tricky to pull off), it makes any outfit more interesting and current. That being said, socks usually look better with elegant shoes, not those hoof-like platform clunkers she's waddling in. Please, God, can platforms be over noooow?

I love the socks. I, too, would similarly rock socks with heels, if not for the constant fear that the socks would not stay up

Um...the socks make me think that Leighton is not merely a young woman who was trying to look good whilst keeping her feet warm. Instead I think that perhaps she was possessed by the spirit of an old man who likes to wear dress socks with gym shorts and a white undershirt. We should pity her in her time of need and confusion.

I must need some caffeine or sugar or alcohol or something, because I love this whole thing. Even the socks. I'm not sure what is wrong with me. I feel like I should hate the socks.

Okay, how about this: trade the socks and shoes for black boots, which hit at the same point of her calf and have the same heel. I think that makes me just as happy, and I'm not having this weird tweaky feeling about liking something that is obviously wrong.

Whew. Dodged a bullet there. I feel so much better now.

OK, anyone over the age of 5 who wears socks with a dress has some serious 'splainin' to do. There something new that has been invented that would get you the same look - they are called BOOTS. They are wonderful and come in many heights and colors and people won't think you're trying to dress like bait for a certain foreign director in some Swiss Miss hot water right now - all I'm sayin'.

I say power to socks, in Canada we need to wear socks cuz it's too darn cold (ie SNOWING. TODAY. ALREADY. UGH.) Swap them with a sheer-ish knee length/over the knee as opposed to midcalf - and with a pair of bright heels to compliment one of the many colors in her totally fabulous dress. Other than that, Blair Waldorf is pretty darn hot. I wish I was in Paris...

The dress/belt combo is clearly amazing, and her hair is perfect. But, her vest needs to be a sheer-ish cardigan, and her socks need to go. Also, I would consider a purse that doesn't look like a briefcase.

Also, there is something about her shoes that I just don't like. I think the shoes in the post above this, the girl's name I forget, but with the flowered dress: her black shoes would look much better here. Or hell, Leighton is daring. Go for color! Yellow could work.

From the knees up? AWESOME! From the knees down? Geriatric stripper!

Okay, why oh why in all that is holy would she commit such a crime against cute shoes? This is most certainly one of those times that your Grandpa's black trouser socks are not allowed to come out to play! It is such a cute fun look, except for the horrid socks! I'm even on board with the ruffley thing on her chest. But please honey just stop what you are doing, right now, and take off those socks!!!

Remove le cardigan. Leighton I love you but i dont care if you freeze.

Remove le sock. See above.

Apply le tights (see! Maybe I do care!).

Is it bad that the thing I love and covet MOST is the laptop bag?!

I agree with Mouse - the current platform shoes all make people look like they have hooves. It didn't used to be this way, I can't figure it out, but suddenly everyone has hooves instead of feet. I hate it.

socks with a dress/dressy shoes will forever remind me of little girl pageants. all leighton needs is some ruffles on those socks, a few hundred pounds of sequins and rhinestones on the dress, and a lifetime of low self-esteem and she's ready to go.

Remove the socks from her tootsies and the permanent look of smug amusement from her face, and we have ourselves a winning look. I'm not much for those BDSM-looking shoes that seem to be all the rage now, but I can overlook them if she would please just STOP SMIRKING SO SNOTTILY in every single picture I EVER EVER see of her!!! I don't watch the show, so I don't know her character or whether that look is appropriate to her, but in her regular life? Come on, now.

There should never be socks in peeptoes shoes. Never, not even with apocalypse. And the bag could be smaller and maybe in one of the cute colors in the dress.

Dress: cute. Shoes: a bit much. Socks: Priceless...ly ugly, that is!

I would ditch the laptop bag, the socks, AND the shoes. Sorry Fug girls, but as much as I love some outrageous heels and strappy sandals (I actually bought those studded rhinestone Balmains!), these just seem a little to stripper-ish for me.

Dress is fab. As for the socks, about 12 years ago my dryer ate a pair of those low-calf black beauties, and apparently they jumped through a time warp to the Alternate Fug Universe.

I'm in a marching band, and before every performance we have a rehearsal in which EVERYONE is wearing (a much cheaper version of) those socks. I can't remember the last time anyone looked at a marching band and went "ooo, chic!" so...yehhhh. The socks need to go. The bag isn't awesome, but it's do-able.

My mother is reposible for two very wise comments - Firstly "No one runs for a stationary train" (which, while good advice for your love life, is not applicable here) and Secondly "Don't wear stockings/tights with open toe shoes - you look plain silly".

I think Mum would definately extend that to socks. I really just don't undertand the choice - if you have closed toe shoes, this is the perfect time to break them out.

I too have been tempted to wear my favourite strappy heels when it's a touch too cold outside. Either harden up and brave the chill or cover up in closed toe shoes. Stockings/tights/socks are not an acceptable third way...

My screen's quite dark, so when I voted on this I thought the sock/sandal combo was actualy boots, but fortunately other commentors put me straight. Socks with sandals... No. Just no. Put some stockings on instead girl! What were you thinking? I LOVE the dress though. It combines two of my favourite things: black and psychedelic. I love it so much that if I was given it on condition that I had to wear it with socks and platform sandals, I'd be scrabbling in my drawers for my least sock-like pair of socks.

I also think this is a look that could be enhanced with different makeup. Maybe it's my screen playing tricks on me again, but she looks like she has dark circles under her eyes, and that lipstick is so pale. I think a 1920s style look would work well - dark, plain eyeshadow and bright lipstick as long as it's a color that harmonises with the psychedelia.

Love the dress and the belted vest over it. So cute. The sock are baffling. I am truly perplexed over them. Like, I'll still be thinking about it in a few hours when I'm making dinner for my family. The shoes I'm meh on. I like the uppers, but the exaggerated platforms are too cartoonish for my tastes. The bag I don't get. Maybe it is an expensive laptop bag and she's off to poach some free wifi at Starbucks.

Lastly, I covet her hair.

I (guiltily) thought Hillary was super cute, too. Then again, I loved Lizzie McGuire.

Honey, those are stripper shoes and, no matter how expensive they are, stripper shoes are always tacky.

I think it's quite sensible really, socks keep her toes warm in the windy weather and the bag is useful for when she needs to scuttle round the corner and take those achy shoes off and swap them for the flats she has in her semi-briefcase. Smart girl, I like.

I seriously don't know what I should say about the whole outfit because I'm too amused. I live in Finland that is the promised land of socks-in-sandals horror, and to see same mistake done by a celebrity... aaaaaaaaaaaa, I can't stop laughing!! :D :D :D Too hilarious!

Love the dress, covet the shoes but let's leave the socks on Mary Katherine Gallagher.

what's wrong with some lightweight boots? the same amount of ankle coverage, with a lot less urgh.

Due to my colossal girl crush on Leighton - gasp! Thighs! On tv! And they aren't, like, the size of my forearm! - I struggled mightily about how to approach this.

The good news:
Her hair looks awesome. Very shiny and healthy looking. I like. Her skin is gorgeous, as well, and the makeup is quite reasonable.

The bad news:
She looks like she was getting dressed for work, got to the pants part, and said "Meh. I'll just pull my shirt down and call it a dress." It's not that the dress is too short, it's that the mix of bare legs and arms and open toed sandals and black socks is... conflicted. She could have worn black tights and pulled this off way better.

While Leighton has a gorgie face, her legs are straight up and down (e.g. not shapely in any way). Maybe the socks are meant to blunt that fact? Or, she's trying to go "fashion-forward" in Paris. Either way, it's fugtacular.

Love the dress.
Remove the waistcoat.
Add a cropped black jacket.
Keep the belt, or maybe a larger one.
Swap the socks for tights.
Voila.

I DO covet her hair. The socks, less.

I agree a larger belt is better.

WHY SOCKS WHY

At first glance, I thought the heels/socks combo was, in fact, boots... and I think that might actually have been cute? I wish she had gone for a black boot. But as it stands, I wish she would 86 the socks and-- though this could just be my internal mother-voice screaming SWEETHEART, YOU'LL FALL AND BREAK SOMETHING-- maybe a different shoe? But she looks adorable, the hair is back to fab again, so overall I am well pleased.

...Also, yes. Hilary was actually quite decent last week, and while I've never hated her, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I didn't mind her character.

As for Tyra: Turkey pepperoni or real pork swine. That is all.

Skinny boots with a stiletto heel- E' Voila!

As I sit here in my sock and sandals (Pacific Northwest forever!), I cannot help but echo prior sentiments regarding hoof shoes. Boots would not work here, with a sleevless, flirty, pretty dress.

If the shoes were the ones Ms. Pattern above sports- purple suede Mary Janes- and if the socks were knee high, or over the knee, JUST maybe they would work with a sock in a bright, fun color, like teal or pink. I personally love her hair, makeup, bracelet, smile, and suitcase.

I just want the vote results to open in the same window like they used to. I miss them right underneath the posting! Can we put that to a vote?

High wasted, pointless, belts are SO UGLY. So are 1987 flower prints.

Who is the fugtard I can blame for bringing the worst of the worst of the 80's back? Clothing trend are atrocious these days. I can't even shop at a normal retail store because everything is so out of date and ugly. I've been buying from Goodwill, not out of lack of money, but because I can't stand current fashion trends.

The 80's were supposed to be over when we freed ourselves from its nasty grip. Now it's back with a vengeance.... :(

I'm going to bury my head in a hole until 1998 comes back in style. Even then I'm going to purchase lightly.

Ditch the socks and shoes, and get a pair of patent knee-high boots on that girl. That's what this needs.

Amanda, the poll is opening under the post like normal for me -- email fuggingitup@gmail.com and tell me what it's doing for you...

I actually love crazy footwear, and I kind of like the proportion of the socks. But if you're going to do something odd like that involving shoes with elaborate straps, at least wear them in a contrasting color, like white or gray. I know I'm probably the only one who feels this way...I just love putting stuff on my calves.

Don't watch Gossip Girl, but the name 'Leighton Meester' always sounds like a Carnac punchline to me. I miss Johnny. *snif*

Until the socks were pointed out to me as such, I 'saw' them as boots. Tie-dye is always iffy, and the laptop bag is a bizarre choice. But y'know what? She's so pretty and well-groomed that she pulls off the whole shebang.

P.S. "No one runs for a stationary train" -- JJ, where was your mother thirty years ago when I really needed her?

If Leighton continues in this vein I believe she will be a strong competitor for March Madness....

you know what? i actually like the shoe/sock.. with one qualifier.. the shoes need to be closed-toe. but i agree with the people that said a nice pump would have worked better. i love the rest of her tho.

This would have been a perfect Scrolldown Fug.
WHAT HAPPENED TO SCROLLDOWN FUGS?????

It is a scrolldown fug. It's tagged as a scrolldown at the top of the post.

i like it! I wish the socks sort of were a different color. like, COMMIT if you're going to do that.

All of it is embarrassing in front of a classically French setting. Black man's sox and sandals? A waistcoat and Impressionist ruffly minidress? a laptop bag? Ugh. Trying to bridge the entire history of France in one outfit is unfortunate.

I put my hand in front of the picture and covered everything up below her hips and was much happier. The bracelet can stay, though.

I loved this outfit when I thought those were boots. Now I'm pretty disappointed! If you are THAT cold that you need long socks with your open-toe shoes, just GIVE IN and go with the boots. It doesn't matter HOW cute the shoes are. Either suck it up or make the change.

Abruptly I have developed a theory that she is worried she might become bored wherever she is headed, and has the socks just so she can keep herself distracted by pulling them up when they slip down every 5 minutes.

if i were teeny and cute i would so rock that.

I know I’m going against the majority saying this, but while at the beginning of the show, Blair was indeed a great character, interesting, secretly in love with Chuck and therefore fabulous, lately her attitude is really getting on my nerves. She has become so unlikeable and smug to me and I’m not even sure why – all I know is that I can’t possibly judge this outfit in an unbiased manner – because my immediate reaction is and would always be hate, regardless of what she is actually wearing.

Those are my dad's black dress socks. Which he keeps in his upper-left dresser drawer. Which he has worn to work nigh on these past 40 years.

I voted haaaaate, and raised, then furrowed, my brows at the description of the upper ensemble as "charming and likeable".

BUT now I think there is some elaborate "schoolgirl" riffing going on here that incorporates the socks and the computer bag and her smirk is at the whole funky JOKE of it all. Ha ha ha ha. Maybe.

I dunno, I've never even seen Gossip Girl and I still find HER charming and likeable, so I'm clearly biased and also skewed in my perspective because I apparently live in a cave.

I kind of love the whole look too. Maybe her toes were cold? What impresses me is that she doesn't look stumpy at all and she's not tall, is she? I mean, not wee like Kristen Bell, but not an Amazon. And she looks young! Great make-up.

It's not like me at all, but I kinda like the socks. I think it's because she's so darn cute and pretty. I have to say the skulls scared me at first though, but I'm feverish and I was afraid they were gonna come alive.

Different, simpler shoes, please. Thanks.

Can I just say that I find Blair really annoying now and I don't know why?

I LOVE the dress. The styling is questionable.

Socks? SRSLY? WTF.

I thought they were knee-high boots at first, which would totally do it for me. I still think it looks like boots. Socks with open-toed sandals, though, irk me. COMMIT TO BOOTS, Leighton!! You would be much cuter!

I love this look, particularly the socks. HA!

I tried my super stripper-esq black heels on with that length sock the other day and they looked incredible. I think she looks phenomenal, the length of the sock is totally flattering on her, who cares about old fashioned 'fashion rules'?

Love it.

Clearly she got blisters from those wretched shoes.

152 comments and nobody guessed blisters?

I must live in an alternate shoe universe, because just looking at those shoes made my little toes bleed.

I've never seen the show, but her name is Blair? Like from The Facts of Life? Awesome!

Oh my god, I can't believe that she pair sock with those amazing shoes, then again every designer in Paris is doing it, I can't believe what the world is turning into...next they're going to be models walking down the runway with Uggs and belts that are called skirts!

Honey because we love you, ditch the socks and the laptop bag!

Love love LOVE the shoes, the dress is cute, and I love the shoes so much I don't even care about the socks. It's like she's going for the bootie-with-skirt silhouette, except with socks, thought they're a wee bit too tall, and shit I think I'm talking myself out of ignoring the socks. No, no, I think she looks adorable, and I wish I could wear shoes like that without screaming in pain the next morning, so she gets my vote.

To purposefully misquote blair waldorf, "Sandals are not boots!"

socks: no.
but I'm here to talk about GG: I enjoy Hilary Duff's music, but I really dislike her acting. Something about it is so cheesy, and adding that to the general circus [of awesomeness] that is Tyra Banks, the entire episode felt like some kind of hallucination. Also, Hilary looked like an absolute midget. Better-fitting t-shirts, please?

Personally I love the socks. The weird ruffles and waistcoat are dire though. And the skirt isn't sitting straight

I'm with everyone else on this - dress is so good (and the hair and makeup are great, too), but black socks with sandals? really? I think just ditching the socks would be enough to pull this back from the brink of fug.

The socks and shoes's seem to scream "call the fashion police"...... does anyone know if someone did on her behalf?

I'm not fussed either way by the dress..

I actually really love it. The socks (surprisingly!) do not bother me at all. I know if they were on anyone else they would look terrible, but she pulls them off brilliantly. It's the bag I'm having issues with.

As so many others have said, the dress is adorable. It's fun and interesting without being crazy. The shoes too are covet-worthy. The socks, though, are completely unnecessary. They add nonthing and indeed drag down the whole ensemble. If the socks were gone, this look would be perfect. (I'm not going to comment on the bag because although it does look like a laptop bag, I don't know the context of the photos, i.e., is she on set?) Also, her hair looks fantasitc. Love the color with her pale, pale complexion. Leighton, please don't go blonde!

I like the socks. I do NOT like an open cardigan with a belt.

Well... the girl is beautiful, no doubt about that.
Socks and Sandals may be the new boot.
And strangly arranged rags may be the new vest.
Laptop bags may be the new Birkin Bags. The Leighton Bags.

Maybe "Maybe" would have pulled it off.

Otherwise I don't know what's my point.
Be that as it may.

Maeby of course!

I have a solution to the socks'n'luggage puzzle:

She's in Paris, about to hop a plane for an overnight trip to the Alps to do some high-heeled hiking.

(Any hiker knows how important it is to protect your lower legs from thorns and vermin with a sturdy pair of socks.)

I also can't help gushing that from the hemline up, she looks gorgeous!

The dress, tie-dye colors, ruffle, and all, is perfect for her hairstyle -- and it actually shows off her WAIST! Bless her for that.

I actually like the black vest or cardigan (or whatever it is) on this dress: it gives her a touch of Cinderella -- very figure-flattering!

I viewed this from a distance therefore I thought she was wearing boots. Even though she is wearing socks with heels, she's at least wearing socks that match the colour of her shoes. And you can get away with it if it's in black.

Also, the dress(...?) is gorgeous if somewhat confusing (is that a belted cardigan, or part of the dress?)

Why the socks? WHY! It's COLD now, for fug's sake, there's no reason why all women shouldn't now be able to heave a huge sigh of relief, slide back into the black opaques and pick up a croissant (I'm assuming this is Paris. It looks like Paris. Either way, pastry in the morning is a YES.)

If these were booties with socks, I could get behind it. Generally not a big fan of the whole socks/sandals thing, though. Not even on her!

In one easy sep this could look so good; LOSE THE TIGHTS LEIGHTON!
Then you can show off the awesome shoes ;)

She looks super pretty, and the dress is cool, but OMG the SHOES. HATE THEM. I won't even talk about the socks. If she'd worn this with a pair of regular high-heel black knee-high leather boots (of the non-shiny and non-platform variety), or even a simple black heel (as I think someone already suggested), it would be straight up fab. Though I do question the laptop bag, now that I think about it. I'm presuming it's because she's on set. So close, Leighton, SO CLOSE!

P.S. I also agree that Hillary Duff was surprisingly charming last week. I hope they keep her around for a bit.

She looks about eight feet tall, so maybe the socks are accomplishing some kind of weird optical illusion here. But my dad wears those same socks, sometimes in white tennis shoes while mowing, and strangely they don't make him look any taller!

I do want her dress, though. It's a shame what happened underneath, because the dress is simply gorgeous.

Btw, what's all this about a belted open cardigan? Is she wearing a cardigan? I thought she was wearing a dress that just happened to have black parts and printed parts. That's partly why I think it's so gorgeous! My monitor here is pretty bad, so if that's a cardigan I am going to cry. Maybe let's keep it a secret okay?

The dress is cute. But the shoes make her feet look HUGE! And I don't get the whole socks-and-heels thing.

It's cold enough to wear socks, but not sleeves? Seriously...the socks gotta go. And the vest. I'd be fine with a pair of tights and a cute belted cardi, though!

I'm more concerned for myself that I don't totally hate those socks. How could this be? I think she looks really cute and her makeup looks fab.

Okay, so I've dabbled in stripping. Thus I can say with authority: from the knees down she looks EXACTLY like a Montreal stripper dealing with a drafty club en janvier.

She had me at stripper heels.

The dress, and her whole look works until you get down past the knee. I think the shoes are amazing. I just can't decide whether I hate the length of the socks, or the fact that she's even wearing said awkward socks with open toed shoes.

And as for Hilary Duff on GG, I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Unless she's got some secrets or scandals that are about to get out like everyone else on the show, I'm still on the fence. Hopefully Georgina goes crazy when she finds out about Olivia and Dan..that would make things a little more exciting.

Shes young and can afford to make mistakes. Though thankfully she hasnt today. The socks look strangeley great with the crazily high shoes. And well to be quite frank she looks fing goregous. And the bag is bulky but looks kinda cool.

Loving this look on Leighton.
Socks look fab!

xoxo

Hey Leighton, just tell your manager to let designers know that your feet are quite a bit smaller than what they might think. Coz having freebees that actually fit solves problems like this and spares you the embarassment of having to run round in public with socks in sandals.
A well-meaning onlooker.

Black socks? Really? She's one wardrobe malfunction away from a female version of SNL's digital short "The Best Look In The World".

I love the dress, the pattern's a little weird but not completely crazy. The socks with the shoes kills it for me. It's like socks with sandals, I am completely horrified. The bag is too bulky and totally doesn't mesh.

I feel a consensus has been reached regarding the following:
1. We all thought they were boots.
2. We loved them when we thought they were boots.
3. Socks are generally inappropriate with heels unless said socks are white and you're starring in a Pornographic, Japanese version of "The Wizard of Oz."

However, the following still require discussion:
1. They really are socks?

I'm pretty she just didn't want to commit to boots at the home of Marie Antoinette.

Dear Miss Leighton,

Please give me your dress, shoes, and hair. You may keep the old man socks.

XOXO

Love from head to about mid thigh, that's where it goes really really wrong. Whats up with the laptop bag she's carrying, and I'm still not sold on knee socks and sandals.

i don't understand or like the belted cardi-vest.
and typing cardi-vest made me a little queasy.
but- pressing on- take off the belt.
i don't like the cuff & bangles. switch to not-gold and i'll be fine.
i love the shoes. and i don't mind the socks if she keeps the sleeveless sweater vest. i'm not saying it's right but maybe she had a reason: cold feet, clashing polish on her toes... although what color could clash with that dress, i am uncertain.

i think it would be delightful without the vest and socks. and laptop bag. but if we keep the vest, then... oh! boots. yes. save the shoes for another day.
okay, sorry, this comment was stream-of-consciousness. conscience? no, consciousness. yes.

Take off the socks, take off the belt, choose a more appropriate bag or hand the bag to an assistant b/c it's far too briefcasey, and she'd be fine.

Me personally, I think the shoes are too platformed and tall for what seems to be out-and-about sightseeing, but they could work with the outfit. Is she wearing the hosiery because the shoes blister when she walks in them? In which case they are inappropriate for her day. Learn to dress yourself for your day, little girl.

Leighton looks so cute and stylish that I almost don't mind the socks because when you glance at them, they look kind of like boots which isn't so bad. It goes without saying that this would be better without the socks but I'm really excited that she's out wearing something pretty! And the bag appears to be a super-oversized clutch/oldschool claspy handbag with random hanging strap and I'm sure it's probably awesome (it's a shame we can't see it properly).

I think she looks stunning, head to toe. especially toe. love love love the shoes and socks combo, that is a look we see alot here in London, she looks hot. love huge heels. i dont care if she cant walk in them, in fact she may have even put them on just for this photo then took them off and replaced them with some orthopedic clogs. bu twho cares in this pic - HOTNESS.XXL