3 College Style Tips Inspired by Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls
Although it ended in 2007, Gilmore Girls was a TV favorite of daughters and moms alike for seven seasons. Set in a small Connecticut town, the hit CW series followed Lorelai and her daughter Rory through Rory’s time in high school and college. The dialogue was fast-paced and filled with pop-culture references, and the girls both had family, relationship and career highs and lows.
To this day, the comedy-drama is a must see show, and Rory’s looks are still perfect style inspiration for any college student. Below, we’ll show you three college style tips inspired by Rory Gilmore’s wardrobe.
Rory’s Style: The Basics
Through her awkward high school years, to her prep school uniforms, to her time at Yale, Rory’s style matured from t-shirts and jeans to cardigans and dresses. Her polished, sophisticated wardrobe choices perfectly reflected her dedication to succeeding in the world of journalism and achieving perfect grades.
With graduation season fast approaching, Rory’s chic, ladylike looks are the perfect inspiration for parties, interviews and end-of-the-year events. Read on to learn how to get them for yourself.
1. Try Ladylike Silhouettes
Whether you credit her high-society grandparents or her private school days, Rory’s wardrobe always revolved around classic, ladylike pieces. For family dinners, work events and days at the office, her go-tos included a-line skirts, collared blouses, cardigans and fitted (but conservative) dresses.
Rory’s ladylike aesthetic is perfect for college students who want to look a little more polished in their everyday lives. If a long skirt and cardigan are a little too matronly for your liking, choose one of the pieces (an a-line skirt, collared blouse, or cardigan) and mix it with a favorite top or pair of jeans. A basic string of pearls is also a great way to add a bit of classic femininity to any outfit.
Product Information: (Clockwise from Top Left) Necklace – Forever 21, Sleeveless Blouse – Old Navy, Dress – Forever 21, Floral Cardigan – Delias, Pleated Skirt – Forever 21, Lace Trim Cardigan – Forever 21
2. Make Simple Dresses Your Closet Staples
One of the best college-girl closet staples is a comfortable, stylish dress. As we all know, a pretty cotton dress is easy to dress up or down for almost any occasion. And Rory definitely knew this – as she transitioned from high school to college, she branched out from jeans and polo shirts to modern and classic frocks.
So embrace the versatility of the classic dress: Pair a black cotton dress with a denim jacket and flats for a day of classes, then lose the jacket and add a great pair of heels for a night out. Channel Rory’s style by choosing simple dresses in neutral colors like navy blue and black – they’re both timeless and flattering.
Product Information: (Left to Right) Jean Jacket – Old Navy, Floral Dress – Delias, Ruffled Tank Dress – Forever 21, Striped Dress – Forever 21, Flats – Old Navy, Twist Front Dress – Delias
3. Invest in Polished Basics, then Mix & Match!
While her style matured over the years, Rory was always a jeans-and-t-shirt girl at heart. However, jeans and a tee just don’t cut it when you want to look put-together and professional. So when Rory got to Yale, she depended on sweaters and blazers to add polish to her teenage wardrobe staples.
Hopefully, you already have a great mix of basic t-shirts, tanks and jeans in your wardrobe, but to really step up your style, don’t wear them on their own. The key is to pair these basics with something a little more grown-up, like a nice sweater or structured jacket.
As Rory proves, whether you rock a well-cut blazer with a t-shirt and converse, or a pretty tank with a chunky knit sweater, mixing and matching can have great results!
Product Information: (Left to Right) Blazer – Nordstrom, Cardigan – Old Navy, Tank – Gap, T-Shirt – Delias, Jeans – Old Navy, Wrap Sweater – Old Navy
What do you think?
Over the seven seasons of Gilmore Girls, Rory’s style evolved as she did, transforming her from an awkward high school student to a self-assured, successful undergrad at Yale. Rory’s looks are ladylike and conservative while still being casual and accessible – the perfect combination for college girls wishing to step up their style.
So what do you think of Rory’s style? How did you create a more grown-up wardrobe when transitioning from high school to college? How do you add polish to your ensembles?
I love to hear you feedback and requests for future posts – be sure to leave a comment!
Posted on on May 10, 2011 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Accessories, Celebrity Style, Celebs, Clothing, Dresses, Fashion Inspiration, Gilmore Girls, Inspiration, Outfits, Summer, Tips, Trends
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Kelsey
So happy to see a post on GIlmore Girls. I sitll catch all the reruns when I can. :)
daphne
i can’t believe you did a post on rory !she ‘s one on my favorite tv characters ever and i love love love GG!her style is very similar to mine .
hazel
best.post.ever <3
loved gilmore girls so much..and now that i can channel Rory..even better :D
Ashley
I’m so glad to read this post! I’ve always loved Gilmore Girls and Rory’s style is a huge inspiration.
Jenifer
Yea Gilmore Girls!!! Favorite TV show to this day. Re-runs have gotten me through the past 3 years of college and that sad final year of high school that it was cancelled for. I love that you’re posting about her!!!
rachel_
aw thank you so much, I’ve been waiting for an article on rory for almost a year now ;) could you maybe do laurelai ?
kelsey
This. Makes. My. Life. I am a complete Gilmore Girls addict! And I definetly agree, Rory’s style definetly changed as the season went on! I just wish they could make one last reunion episode/movie, there’s rumors of that happening but I don’t think it’s going to make it! :( I love the dresses you picked out for Rory! And yes, I agree with Rachel, could you do a post on Lorelai possibly? :)
Sarah
YES. I haven’t read this article yet, but I requested a similar post awhile ago. YES.
Paula*
I never watched Gilmore Girls but I loved this article1
Ana
Do one on Lorelai..PLEASE..I loveeeee GG. Still watch it everyday (Im jobless)
Kate
YAY!!! A Gilmore Girls Post, please please do more esp one on Lorelai, as this show rocked!!
Michelle
I love Gilmore Girls and Rory. She inspires me in so many ways. Thank you for this post!
Danielle
I cannot tell you how much I love this! Please keep this going! :)
Ashley
I’m in the same boat as most people here. I LOVE GILMORE GIRLS. I always admired Rory as such a classy dresser and I love seeing her styles here. (Oh, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do Lorelai!)
Vicky
I love this post! Gilmore Girls is one of my all-time favourite shows and I am always looking to Rory for fashion inspiration! Wonderful! :)
I also think a post about Lorelai’s style would be awesome!
Kearston
Thanks for doing this post! I have all the seasons of GG on dvd and have always admired Rory’s style.
Lilly
I love love LOVE gilmore girls!!!! Thank you for this :)
Emma
Oh my gosh thank you so much for this! I love Gilmore Girls and own all 7 seasons!
Also Rory’s style really developed over the years, especially when she was at Yale. Perfect example of how a university student should dress! =D
N
This post made my day =)
K
I was SO happy to see this post on Gilmore Girls!!
Its one of my favorite shows and I love Rory’s style!
Basically, I love this post! :)
Thank you! =D
Carolyn
BEST POST EVER.
o
I love Rory´s style, a lovely post… really nice!!!
Anna
This post made my day, and it was already going pretty damn good.
(Do one on Lorelai, and you might just make my year! :D)
Larissa
Amazing post! I remember loving how Rory dressed!
Elizabeth M
I’m glad to see this post. I love Rory!
Melissa L.
Love this post! Absolutely stellar. I own every season of Gilmore Girls, and I love Rory’s style.
Priya
As I massive Gilmore Girls fan (all seasons on DVD etc.) I am so glad to see this! Rory’s style really has evolved and it’s so cute but formal at the same time! Thank you for doing this!
(Wow I like using exclamation marks!)
You should do a post on Lorelai because well, her style is just as cute :)
NorthernDelight
I’m so excited to see this post! lovely! Rory’s style got so sophisticated after season five, thanks for doing this :)
Rania
Hey guys, please do a post on Felicity. Please :((((((((((( I love her so much
Melissa
I loved the clothes you put in here! My mom and I watched every single GG episode together, so this is so sentimental and extra exciting for me to read! :)
Karissa - Elms College
This is my all time favorite TV show! Spectacular post- Rory’s style is amazing.
J.D.
Thank you so much for posting this! I love, love, love the Gilmore Girls… It’s the only series that I have ever bought and I watch all 7 seasons over and over again. :D
Just something to add:
1. Both Lorelai and Rory wear coats a lot. There is a light pink coat that both Lorelai and Rory wore in one of the earlier seasons that I wish I had.
My style is very much inspired by Rory and Lorelai.
Again, thank you for this post – happy happy –> :D
Ashley
I miss this show so much.
Gabriella
I love this post! Gilmore Girls was such an amazing show. Both Rory and Lorelai always looked great, I loved their styles! Now I want to go watch some re-runs :)
Kyley
Great post! Gilmore Girls is my favorite show, I have all 7 seasons on DVD and I really love Rory’s style. :)
now I want to watch some… but I should probably get back to homework :/