Ed Westwick (Chuck) used to look so... young. The change has been so gradual over the years that we barely even noticed it. But when we look back at Ed’s Season 1 promo shots, it definitely becomes clear: Chuck Bass grew up these past few years. And he grew up fine. Gone is that bratty little high school kid who still didn’t quite know how to put on a tie properly. The Chuck Bass we see today is sophisticated, refined, and (duh) still hot as hell。

Remember back when the sight of Leighton Meester’s Blair without a headband was about as rare as, say, spotting Lonely Boy perusing the jewelry collection at Bergdorf’s? These days, B hasn’t been spotted wearing a headband — or a schoolgirl uniform — in ages. Of course, she briefly traded up for a princess crown in Season 5, but Blair’s time a real-life royalty lasted about as long as it takes to say “Blouie。” Wardrobe changes aside, though, Leighton herself really doesn’t look all that different than she did five seasons ago. A bit less of a baby face, perhaps. But other than that, she really hasn’t changed much at all。

Penn Badgley (Dan)， on the other hand, is light years away from his boyish Season 1 self. Okay, we’ll admit it: His big change in appearance is mostly all in the hair. His super-short cut from the series premiere has gotten progressively longer — and curlier — over the years, and it reached critical levels of overgrown, out-of-control mop head by mid-season 5. Luckily, Penn gave his locks a much-needed chop before starting to film Season 6.

Like her co-star Leighton, the biggest change in Blake Lively’s (Serena) appearance has more to do with a difference wardrobe than a significant change in physical features. Blake’s still leggy, blond, and youthful as ever — but her sexy schoolgirl wardrobe is certainly a thing of the past. These days, S is all about the glitzy designer fashions and grown-up ensembles. No more plaid skirts and pleats here!

Taylor Momsen (Jenny) was already starting to look a bit goth when she left Gossip Girl in Season 4 on an “indefinite hiatus” back in 2010. But since then, the now only 18-year-old rocker is now looking even more edgy and hard core. These days, the former Little J is all about the fishnets, leather boots, and racoon eye makeup.

Chace Crawford (Nate) may have trimmed his hair from those shaggy, sun-kissed locks we feel in love with back in Season 1, but his sexy stare and boyish good looks remain the same. In the years since Gossip Girl first began, Nate has traded his boyish backpack and preppy school uniform for the more sleekand professional look of a new media businessman, but he’s still — without a doubt — the same Abercrombie model-lookalike charmer we’ve been crushing on since the beginning。