Get "Gossip Girl" Style!

For many, the show "Sex and the City" wasn't about the sex, or the city -- it was about the clothes! That may be why the CW Network's "Gossip Girl" has now caught viewers' fashion-hungry eye.

Read an Excerpt of "You Know You Want It"

Leighton Meister plays Blair Waldolf on the show. She's a Manhattan's Upper West Side teen queen du jour. Her style? If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Meester said, "My character's very polished and well put together and has very expensive, great taste. She always has to live her life as if she's in a movie."

A little too "haughty" couture for your taste? Maybe you're more of a "Serena."

Meester told CBS News, "Serena's character got this bohemian I-don't-care-boho-chic style, which is really hot."

So who dresses these fashion "platelettes"? Enter costume stylist Eric Daman. Daman, costume designer for "Gossip Girl" has a strong resume -- he assisted with costume design on "Sex and the City."

Meester said, "(Eric) finds pieces that I would never think individually would be Blair necessarily, but then he puts them with something and suddenly makes this incredible outfit."

At Daman's shop, there are dresses from Blair and Serena's wardrobe, separated by high-end designers, such as Dolce Gabbana, Carolina Herrara and Charlotte Russe. There's also an amazing wall dripping with designer bags.

But what's the best part about playing dress up?

Meester said, "I come in here just to hang out cause (Eric's) really funny and fun. He helps you throw together stuff and you can get ready and look fabulous in five minutes."

Daman, the author of "You Know You Want It: Style Inspiration Confidence," brought some of his "Gossip Girl" secrets on "The Early Show."

Daman demonstrated how you can create the looks of Serena and Blair on your own, and how accessories can redefine a fashion look.

One of Daman's main style mantras is that every woman should remember "to admire, attire -- and be inspired."

Daman explained, "Admire: what's around you every day -- art, architecture, entertainment. Look and learn from the world around you. Are you attracted to the roses or peonies at the deli? Do you read Vogue or the New York Times or both? Do you prefer film noir or romantic comedies? Whatever we admire helps identify us as individuals as does our attire, and all the things we admire usually influence our attire, so I believe it's important to be aware of what we admire, and being conscious of this can help us identify our personal taste a bit more precisely and help us create a style that is our own, which will in turn inspire you and hopefully others."

But why is it important that we have something in our wardrobe that is identifiable to only us?

Daman said, "It is important to have a piece that is identifiable and personal at the same time -- something unique to your own style that can travel through different fashion phases with you. ... Style is fluid, but whatever your signature piece is, it should be a constant that you and others can identify with, such as the 'Gossip Girl' Blair's headband, Serena's slinky necklaces, Audrey Hepburn's pearls."

As for the "Gossip Girl" looks, what makes Serena's style help define the free-spirited party girl persona?

Daman said her wardrobe is about mix-and-match of accessories, such as a bangle from Bangledesh with stones from Estonia, wooden beads with turquoise rings, rose gold rings and platinum platforms.

However, for Blair's character, there are some key accessories to achieving a more classic ladylike look, according to Daman. With accessories, for instance, you would would choose pearls over layered lariats.

Daman said, "Blair is my girl Friday, a nod to old Hollywood glamour, something most women can identify with, but I like to keep it contemporary -- a new twist on the old classic pearls with a bit of bling," he said. "And you can never go wrong with a signature headband, be it bejeweled or basic."

Daman said it's OK to break fashion rules. He even has a chapter dedicated to doing just that in his new book.

"I say rules were made to be broken!" he said. "As long as you feel confident in your choices, then go for it! White jeans in winter! Silver with gold! Navy with black! It's 2010 and about time to take a few more fun fashion risks. Just do it all with confidence!"

In the end, Daman said confidence is the key to great fashion.

He said, "Just know that style is fluid and it should be fun. Change your look every day if you want or stay true to one style you feel comfortable with! Over-accessorize or under-accessorize -- just feel great about yourself and what you are wearing, and you'll look and feel fashion fantastic."