How To Create A Gilmore Girls Capsule Wardrobe

By Charlie Colville

2 months ago

Stars Hollow Style


For many of us, an annual rewatch of Gilmore Girls is an essential step in celebrating the arrival of fall. Fans of the show will no doubt already be thinking about a suitably autumnal Stars Hollow, with its picturesque New England backdrop decked out in amber leaves and carved pumpkins. Nestled amongst it all, are Lorelai and Rory. Many memorable scenes in Gilmore Girls take place during the mother-daughter duo’s regular walks through Stars Hollow – but it’s the fashion we can’t get enough of. And, almost 20 years since the first episode aired, we’re still craving the show’s signature fall style.

With autumn once again on our doorstep, we’re tapping into our inner Gilmore Girl and filling our wardrobe with all the chunky knits, oversized scarves and puffer coats to see us through the season. And now, having done the research, we can successfully narrow down the perfect look into five statement items. Here’s how to build your very own Gilmore Girls capsule wardrobe.

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Gilmore Girls Fashion: Key Themes

GILMORE GIRLS

Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life

Style Notes: Rory

Rory tends to keep her style a combination of preppy and cosy throughout the show. In the early seasons of Gilmore Girls, her regular off-duty wardrobe rotation consists of soft sweaters, low-rise jeans and Converse.

But, being the show spans seven seasons, her fashion does evolve over the course of Gilmore Girls. Her college attire reflects a more grown-up version of Rory, with a look centred around tailored staples: turtlenecks, shirts, blazers, plaid skirts and Mary Janes.

Style Notes: Lorelai

The Gilmore matriarch follows a similar style evolution – although she still retains her flair for vibrancy. Her fashion early on in the show is characterised by more casual attire, such as graphic tees and jeans, and bold patterns and prints. Never one to shy away from colour, Lorelai is seen in a whole rainbow of colours – including a Barbir-coded pink coat – throughout Gilmore Girls.

Her look remains bold and playful throughout the show, but as she becomes a successful inn owner we do see some changes. Mainly a switch towards brightly coloured wrap dresses and blouses, as she takes on a more confident style as a businesswoman.


The Longline Coat

We’ve mentioned it once before, but Lorelai’s pink coat really does live in our mind rent-free. The Gilmore matriarch has an impressive collection of coats, spanning plaid, corduroy, leather and even a few classic trench coats. Whatever the material, you’ll usually find her coat in a bright shade that lets her stand out amongst the muted tones of Stars Hollow.

Style Suggestions: The beauty of a staple coat is that, for the most part, it can be worn with everything. Lorelai teams up her outerwear with both jumpers and blouses – depending on what her day at the inn looks like.

Check coat

Really Wild

The Gentlewoman Wool & Mohair Check Coat, £675

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Panel suede coat

RIXO

Lindsey Suede Coat, £585

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The Chunky Sweater

Practical, but also stylish. One of Rory’s most memorable fashion moments comes from the Gilmore Girls pilot, when she wore a chunky cream sweater over jeans and a pair of Converse. This causal look never really went out of style, and we reckon is easy enough to recreate with what you already have in your wardrobe.

Style Suggestions: Throw on an oversized jumper over jeans and trainers for a relaxed fit, or tap into Rory’s preppy streak with a mini skirt, tights and loafers.

Fair isle knit jumper

Herd

Fleetwood Jumper, £495

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Cream jumper

Finisterre

Women’s Taran Jumper, £110

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The Fall Jacket

Not to be confused with the coat, the Gilmore Girls jacket is worn throughout early autumn and takes on multiple forms. There’s Lorelai’s signature blue puffer and Rory’s seemingly unending collection of blazers, as well as the sherpa-lined denim and leather jackets worn by both mother and daughter throughout the show.

Style Suggestions: We like how the Gilmore girls layered their jackets over a graphic tee or patterned sweater.

Brown leather jacket

Nanushka

Burnt Orange Faux Leather Single Breasted Blazer (Size UK 12), £195

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Brown shearling jacket

Gerard Darel

Shearling Jacket (Size FR 40), £103.50

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The Knee-High Boot

An autumn staple, Gilmore girl or no. Fall style wouldn’t be complete without a pair of knee-high boots (preferably an earthy shade of brown) on your feet. This style of shoe is favoured by both Lorelai and Rory, who use it to elevate their seasonal wardrobe as their style matures within the series.

Style Suggestions: Keep it casual with a pair of straight leg jeans, pulling on an oversized sweater or cardigan for extra cosy vibes.

Black boot

Holland Cooper

Albany Chunky Boot, £399

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Brown boots

Russell & Bromley

Gaucho Boot, £475

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The Oversized Scarf

And you can’t embody the feel of the noughties without the decade’s favourite accessory: the trailing scarf. Lorelai and Rory are no stranger to an oversized knit, and are often seen walking through Stars Hollow bundled up in a scarf that swallows up their neck and face. On more mild autumn days, however, you’ll catch a member of the duo leaving the ends of their scarf hanging loosely by their knees.

Style Suggestions: Neutrals work nicely for creating a cosy autumn look, but for a Lorelai-approved twist you should make sure your scarf is the pop of colour your outfit needed.

Pink knitted scarf

Mr Mittens

Billie Scarf, €285

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Blue and brown stripe scarf

Damson Madder

Fluffy Stripe Scarf, £45

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Featured image: Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life © Netflix