Most fans of the hit TV show Gilmore Girls agree that autumn is the prime time to rewatch the show. With fall right around the corner, I’m excited for my annual Gilmore Girls marathon. As a fashion lover, I can’t help but think about what each character would wear if the show was set in 2024. (Warning: Some spoilers are present throughout this article.)
The show ran on The WB from 2000 to 2007. Some of the fashion could be considered dated, but the resurgence of Y2K fashion keeps it in style. Fashion isn’t the only thing that contributes to the longevity of Gilmore Girls, as it is considered a comfort show by many. The slow pace and hometown feel of Stars Hollow offer a welcome reprieve from watchers’ chaotic lives.
Rory Gilmore
Rory, along with her mother, is the main focus of Gilmore Girls. Because of this, her fashion on the show remains relevant even to this day. TikTok creators have make videos recreating Rory’s outfits with clothing found in modern stores, especially during the autumn season.
Below, I’ve styled Rory with Season 3 in mind. This is her senior year at Chilton, so she is around 17/18 years old. I’ve focused on the fashion trends of today since Rory was very on-trend with early 2000s fashion in the show. She would definitely follow trends like Adidas shoes and Abercrombie jeans if she were a young adult in 2024.
The base of this outfit is the Abercrombie & Fitch Low Rise Baggy Jean in Medium Wash. Rory wears jeans quite a bit throughout the show, and it makes sense that she would follow the trend of baggy jeans. Next, the Grey Bandit Martha Sweater in Green screams Rory. She is known for her incredible sweater collection throughout the show, especially the cream cable-knit sweater she wears in the pilot that has been dubbed the “Rory Gilmore Sweater.”
Rory in the modern world
Considering Rory’s type A personality, she seems like someone who would implement the “sandwich method” into her outfits. The “sandwich method” refers to an outfit that has a matching top, shoes, pants, and hat, for example. These Green Adidas Gazelle Bold sneakers perfectly match the green sweater. Rory typically goes for casual outfits when she isn’t at Chilton, hence this shoe choice over a more fancy one.
Rory always carries so much stuff with her that there’s no doubt she would love to use a tote bag. Even though this Kim’s Antique tote bag from Etsy is technically showing merchandise, if the show was set in 2024, I could totally see Mrs. Kim instructing Lane to print branded merchandise to sell in her antique shop (of course, Rory would support it).
Rory often wears a variety of necklaces throughout the show, and this Marine Blue Waterdrop necklace from En Route Jewelry matches perfectly with this coordinated outfit. Since Rory falls under a summer color palette, silver is a great pick for her.
Paris Geller
Paris has one of the best character arcs throughout the series. Though she starts in a toxic friend group at Chilton, she develops quite well throughout high school. While we don’t see much of her personal style, in Season 1 Episode 6, there is a glimpse of Paris out of uniform. She runs into Rory at the college fair wearing head-to-toe brown and burgundy with a plaid skirt.
Her personality radiates practical clothing and neutral colors. Because a large part of Paris’s plot is her family’s wealth, it is safe to say that she would shop at expensive stores in 2024. It also seems like she would have quite a bit to say about sustainability and sweatshops, which leads me to believe she would shop at brands like Patagonia, Pact, and Everlane.
Knowing that Paris sticks to neutral colors, this white cotton ribbed tank top from Pact makes up the base of her outfit. She is too busy to worry about fussing with clothing or picking out a complicated outfit, so I also picked pieces that could be part of a capsule wardrobe, which seems like something Paris would have. White tops go with everything, after all. Also from Pact, I added this slim-cut cardigan in sandshell heather. Paris is seen wearing lots of layers throughout the show, especially during the seasonal transition to fall.
Paris’s modern-day outfit
To pull the look together, I added a bit of practical color with the pants. Paris might’ve worn skinnier pants in the 2000s, but she seems like someone who would lean into the trend of relaxed pants that has emerged in the past few years. These straight-leg pants from Everlane in “Dark Forest” add depth to the outfit without being too harsh. Paris never fully shies away from color throughout the show, but she sticks to more neutral colors, as reflected in this choice.
Topping it off with shoes, these white low-top sneakers from Etiko are a sustainably made alternative to fast fashion sneakers. Paris would likely pick the white shoe for a casual event, though she might switch out for loafers in a more professional setting.
Lorelai Gilmore
There would be no Gilmore Girls without Lorelai. Her realistic life as a teenager creates a unique setup for the show. Alongside Rory, Lorelai is the most important character. Lorelai has a highly recognizable fashion sense, and numerous older fans recreate both her casual and professional attire.
Lorelai came from wealth but left her parents’ care after giving birth to Rory at the age of 16. Because of this, Lorelai has expensive taste in clothing, though she does not have a large income to shop with. If Lorelai was shopping in 2024, she would shop at places like Nordstrom Rack and TheRealReal.
TheRealReal is a verified resale site for designer clothing. This is the place to find major discounts on very expensive pieces. Considering Lorelai’s penchant for high-quality attire, especially Jimmy Choo shoes, it’s perfect for her. Her entire outfit is created from pieces on TheRealReal’s website.
Lorelai’s 2024 outfit
The base of her outfit is this black and cream RED Valentino V-neck dress. The minimalist silhouette with statement details is so Lorelai, as she typically sticks to simple styles with loud colors or patterns. The RED Valentino dress is the focus of this outfit, so these simple black Jimmy Choo pumps tie in nicely. The pumps are simple and timeless, but they are still made by the brand Lorelai loves.
While Lorelai mostly wears stud earrings on the show, I can see her branching out into minimal hoop earrings in 2024. These cute Lele Sadoughi pearl hoops fit perfectly with the cream details in the dress. Lorelai is rarely seen without a purse, as she is constantly busy and jumping from place to place. The pop of color from this burgundy Coach Leather Shoulder Bag is a wonderful addition to the outfit without taking away from the statement dress. Lorelai loves wearing color, and this choice encapsulates that part of her personality.
Sookie St. James
This fan-favorite character is typically seen wearing a chef’s jacket with an apron covering her clothing. However, in the few glimpses of everyday clothing, we see Sookie’s style reflecting her bubbly personality. Sookie is Lorelai’s voice of reason throughout the series while still being an incredibly supportive aunt-like figure to Rory.
Sookie’s practical yet positive and vibrant personality shines through in the way she is styled throughout the show. The stylists dress her in many patterns, lacy fabrics, and bright organic colors. The photo above from season 1, episode 13, shows Sookie in a classic cold-weather look. Her green top is paired with a warm-toned orange and pink skirt and a brown jacket. This mix of warm and cool tones is not typically executed well, but Sookie pulls it off here.
For my modern remake of her outfit, I thought deeply about the type of store she would shop at. As a chef with an incredibly busy schedule, Sookie probably does not have much time to shop. I could see her shopping by purchasing a bunch of garments online and returning what she didn’t enjoy (hello, Amazon, try before you buy)!
Sookie styled today
The base of Sookie’s modernized outfit is a Natural Life maxi skirt. The earthy yet bright tones of brown, orange, pink, and teal create a perfect colorful base. The brown chunky knit sweater from Amazon serves to complement the brown base of the maxi skirt. While Sookie seems to be a fan of patterns, I’ve chosen a neutral sweater to prevent the pieces from clashing.
These Marc Fisher platform boots peek out from the maxi skirt and blend with the sweater quite well. Though they have a good 3″ heel, the block style makes them practical enough. Unlike Paris, Sookie will incorporate some accessories into her outfit. Gold Filigree earrings add some more pattern to the look, and while she can’t wear earrings as a chef, she is typically portrayed with some type of gold earring outside of work.
To finish off the look, I included this dark teal tote bag. The teal brings out the blue on the skirt, and the darker hue pairs well with Sookie’s auburn hair. Sookie will rock this outfit on a crisp fall day in Stars Hollow when she has a rare day off from the Dragonfly Inn.
While the cast of Gilmore Girls won’t live their fictitious lives in 2024, it’s so fun to think about how they would shop now. Factoring in their backgrounds and personalities is important to develop a more realistic lookbook for each character. Shop these links to match the character’s modern outfits!
