Gilmore Girls
Showing posts with label Gilmore Girls. Show all posts
Where Was Gilmore Girls Filmed? Where Is Stars Hollow?
If you're a Gilmore Girls fan, you might have ever wondered where Stars Hollow is. Is Stars Hollow a real place? Where was Gilmore Girls filmed? Where does it take place? When was Gilmore Girls made? Can you visit the set or go on a Stars Hollow tour? I answer all of these questions & more. Scroll down to find your question & the answer to it!
Lorelai and Rory Gilmore are a mother-daughter duo who live in the small town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut.
Lorelai runs Stars Hollow's Independence Inn, and they go to Luke's diner whenever possible. Although it still looks so real when they walk around, it's actually a fictional Gilmore Girls town. Lauren Graham plays Lorelai. Alexis Bledel plays Rory Gilmore. Scott Patterson plays Luke Danes. Kelly Bishop is Emily Gimore, and Edward Herrmann plays Richard. Melissa McCarthy is Sookie St. James, Keiko Agena is Lane, and Yanic Truesdale is Michel.
"Oy with the poodles already!" - Lorelai Gilmore
Gilmore Girls In Omnia Paratus Carry All Pouch / Travel & Pencil Pouch by Tbdprints - Set of 3. Click here to shop.
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| I ate lunch & explored the Gilmore Girls filming location in Burbank, CA. |
Interested to learn more about the show's world? Read Lauren Graham's book Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between).
Men's Gilmore Girls Stars Hollow Logo Tee, Size: Large, Med Grey. Click here to shop! Great for fans!
Related reading: Gilmore Girls Binge Watching Essentials
"In omnia paratus!"
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| The Stars Hollow sign. |
Where does Gilmore Girls take place? Gilmore Girls Town - Where Is Real Stars Hollow?
Is it Stars Hallow or Stars Hollow? This sign shows that it is spelled with an "o" in Stars Hollow. Star Hollow's top attractions include Luke's Diner, the Stars Hollow Gazebo, Doose's Market, Independence Inn, the town hall, and more. Fans might be wondering...Where is the real Stars Hollow?! Want some New England charm? Is Stars Hollow a real place that you can visit? Stars Hollow is a fictional town; it's supposed to be located in the state of Connecticut in the United States. Unfortunately, there is no real-life small town, Stars Hollow, in Connecticut that you can visit. Although you can't walk around the town square to watch the ballet dancers practicing at Miss Pattie's & you certainly can't stop by for coffee at Luke's diner, you can see where the magic happened by exploring the Gilmore Girls filming location. It feels like real small-town charm. There's a lot of small-town camaraderie in the show, from supporting the local diner to Miss Patty's to Lorelai's historic inn.
If your first question is where Gilmore Girls takes place, or where is Stars Hollow? Followed by Where is Gilmore Girls filmed??, then the answer is: On a backlot in Burbank, California! Book your tickets for the Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood Tour. Do you have a favorite season?
"People are particularly stupid today. I can't talk to any more of them." - Michel.
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| Lorelai Gilmore's Jeep & mailbox in Stars Hollow. |
Where Was Gilmore Girls Filmed?
The Gilmore Girls series filming location is based in Burbank, California, at the Warner Brothers Studios, not in the small fictional Connecticut town of Stars Hollow. Many popular films & beloved TV shows and characters are shot here, including Friends, Pretty Little Liars, Blade Runner, & even the famous kiss between Spider-Man & Mary Jane. Yup, it was all shot at the WB Studios in Burbank, California.
It's filmed on a lot called Midwest Street, which is the biggest lot at WB. Check out some pictures of Midwest Street.
Since it is a fictional town, there is no Stars Hollow, Connecticut! It was shot on a studio lot. That means Rory (Alexis Bledel) & Lorelai (Lauren Graham), all our favorite Gilmore Girls characters, walked around the set too. Buy a ticket for the Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood Tour. Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, Gilmore Girls stars Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson, Kelly Bishop, Edward Herrmann, Melissa McCarthy, Keiko Agena, Yanic Truesdale, and more.
Actual Gilmore Girls Filming Locations
Some scenes, especially ones about Chilton Academy, were shot in Beverly Hills at Greystone Park and Greystone Mansion. Rory's visit to check out Harvard with Lorelei was actually shot at UCLA, and some Yale scenes were filmed in Claremont, California, at Pomona College.
What inspired Stars Hollow?
The pilot was filmed in Unionville, Canada, which is a Toronto suburb. Other scenes were filmed in South Royalton, Vermont. Series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino has often credited her stay at the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington Depot, Connecticut, as the spark that ignited Gilmore Girls.
In 1999, she visited the luxury inn and spent time exploring the surrounding town, where she was struck by its neighborly warmth, cozy inns, and bustling local businesses. The sense of community she felt—along with the area’s storybook New England scenery—became the blueprint for Stars Hollow. While the Mayflower Inn ultimately morphed into the fictional Independence Inn and later influenced the Dragonfly Inn, its charm and atmosphere can still be experienced today by visitors looking to step into the world that inspired Lorelai and Rory’s hometown.
Washington Depot wasn’t the only Connecticut town to leave its mark on Stars Hollow. Sherman-Palladino has mentioned drawing inspiration from nearby communities like New Milford, with its classic town green and white gazebo, and West Hartford, known for its vibrant main street and mix of local shops and cafés. These places embodied the balance of small-town intimacy and everyday bustle that became a hallmark of the show. The winding roads, colonial-era architecture, and seasonal festivals of these towns seeped into Stars Hollow’s DNA, giving it the believable texture of a real New England community—one where everyone knows your name, your coffee order, and maybe even your dating history.
"What she tackles, she conquers." - Richard Gilmore
“I'm sorry if you thought we had some kind of deep Thelma and Louise thing going here, but we didn't.” - Paris Geller
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| Gilmore Girls location: The iconic Stars Hollow gazebo. |
When was Gilmore Girls filmed?
When was Gilmore Girls made? The original Gilmore Girls ran from 2000 to 2007. Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino is the writer as well as the creator of the show. Where was Gilmore Girls filmed? The pilot episode of the Gilmore Girls series was filmed in Unionville, Ontario. Everything else besides the pilot was filmed at the Warner Brothers Studios, including Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Stars Hollow is supposed to be located in the state of Connecticut.
"The person I most wanted to be was her." - Rory Gilmore
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| I smell a snow sign at Lorelai Gilmore's house. |
This is where all the local Stars Hollow, Connecticut shops are. Just about everything is shot here, from the Dragonfly Inn to Lorelai & Rory Gilmore's cozy home to the house of Sookie St. James and Jackson Belleville, and everything in between. Even Luke's Diner! Now, when you visit the Warner Bros Studio Your everything is reused, so you might have seen Luke's Diner in a different movie or show. They completely alter the set each time with paint, props, & other cool tricks of the trade. It's magical. It was so fun to explore the Gilmore Girls series filming location! Click here to learn more about the Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood Tour.
"I don't like Mondays, but unfortunately, they come around eventually." - Lorelai Gilmore.
Gilmore Girls Updates as of 2025
There was a Gilmore Girls reunion of sorts at the 2025 Emmy Awards show, where Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel stood on a set recreation. Fans were obsessed!
Gilmore Girls Christmas: Holiday Lunch at Lorelai's
I visited during the Gilmore Girls Christmas & winter festivities. In 2018/2019, the event was called "Lunch at Lorelai's." In 2019/2020, they called it "Holiday Lunch at Lorelai's." They had a whole setup at Lorelai's house where you could enjoy your meal outside. There wasn't a Luke's diner, but I did nosh on a veggie burger while sitting outside of Lorelai Gilmore's house. They also sold Poptarts & coffee. They had Gilmore Girls merchandise, which I was very excited to look at, but was disappointed that most items were gone & there was hardly anything in my size. Lots of smalls though! Almost feels like you're a Stars Hollow local yourself.
"Buttfaced miscreant." - Rory Gilmore
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| Exploring the Stars Hollow set at Warner Bros Hollywood Tour. |
I ate lunch in the small town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. I stepped inside the iconic Gilmore Girls Stars Hollow gazebo in the town square. So many good moments happen in the charming town square as they walk around. I saw Lorelai's beige Jeep & saw Rory's college admissions letters in the Gilmore mailbox. I took a photo in front of the Stars Hollow sign. It's a magical experience I won't forget.
This particular Gilmore Girls Christmas moment isn't always available; it's a seasonal offering & I just had to buy a ticket when I heard about the Lunch at Lorelai's house festivities. If you love Gilmore Girls, then you have to experience this at least once. Now, if only you could stroll through Chilton School. It's worth the money to have the memories, to have the photos, & to see some behind-the-scenes of a television series that I spent so much time watching over the years. Book your tickets for Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood Tour & make sure to tell your guide you're a Gilmore Girls series fan! Take photos or take your family and enjoy yourself.
"I am not your mother or your hugger. If you need some love, get a hooker. If you're having a bad day, find a ledge or a way to deal. My door is not open to you ever." - Paris Geller.
Stars Hollow was all about community and the relationships of each person in the town. Each character plays an important role, giving their unique spin and funny quotes.
While there isn't a specific Stars Hollow tour, you can always tell your guide that you're a Gilmore Girls fan & they will tailor the tour toward what people like. Everyone said a couple of their favorite movies and shows, and they make sure to tell you factoids related to them! They'll share filming behind-the-scenes, show you Gilmore Girls filming locations, and maybe tell you something about the cast of Gilmore Girls. If you're a Friends fan, you can also visit Central Perk! If you're lucky, you might be able to see the gazebo. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is perfect for many movie & TV fans.
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| Lorelai Gilmore and Rory's house in Stars Hollow, Connecticut. |
More Information on Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Warner Brothers Studio Tours are offered in English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin. ASL interpreted tours are also available upon advance request. Click here to buy a ticket for the Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood Tour. They tell you a bit about the Gilmore Girls cast. There were even acceptance letters from Yale & Harvard in the mail box. At the end, you can shop at the gift shop.
If you want to delve deeper into the Gilmore Girls world, read Lauren Graham's book Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between). There are many merch options for fans.
If you want to delve deeper into the Gilmore Girls world, read Lauren Graham's book Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between). There are many merch options for fans.
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| Where was Gilmore Girls filmed? In Burbank, California, at Warner Bros. Studios. |
Comment your favorite Gilmore Girls quote. I'd love to hear it! Have you visited the Warner Bros. studio? What are your favorite episodes? Did this answer your question about where was Gilmore Girls filmed? Are you a Gilmore Girls fan too? Which is your favorite of the seven seasons?
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Where was Friends Filmed? Central Perk Cafe From Friends: Warner Bros Studio Tour
Friends fans can sit on the orange couch at Central Perk Cafe where Ross, Rachel, Joey, Monica, Phoebe, & Chandler spent so much of their time at the coffee shop. Take a photo in the Friends cafe. Stand where Red Ross played rugby. See where Rachel, Ross, Chandler, & Monica walked down the stairs for prom. The Warner Bros Tour Hollywood is a must-see experience if you like Friends, Harry Potter, Batman, Gilmore Girls, & entertainment in general.
We all know the iconic opening credits song. The cast of the show made us all laugh while they hung out in their apartment building. Do you know when Ross played rugby? The piece of grass is TINY! The magic of angles. You can see where Rachel, Ross, Chandler, & Monica walked down the stairs for prom. There were a couple other Friends fans on our tour, but we also had Gilmore Girls fans, Batman fans, Big Bang Theory fans, quite a nice range. Speak up or else your tour guide will talk about what others ask for!
Is Central Perk real or just a building? Can you do a Friends set location tour? Where was Friends filmed? What are the filming locations? Where is the Central Perk coffee shop? Are there cheap hotels in Burbank, CA? Plan your Friends trip & stay up-to-date on everything you need to know about Warner Brothers Studio Tour Los Angeles.
Learn more About Carmen here.
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| Keep reading to learn all about Central Perk Cafe, Lot 48, Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood, & more. |
Friends Boutique & Café
Warner Bros has a cool Friends Boutique & Café where you can shop for exclusive Friends-themed souvenirs and even eat in recreated sets. The Friends Boutique is only accessible when you purchase a ticket to the Studio Tour, located within Stage 48: Script to Screen. Learn more online!
Tell Your Warner Bros Tour Guide You're a Friends Fan
Friends was an original show that aired on NBC. You have to buy Warner Bros Studio tickets! The Warner Bros Studio Tour is located in Burbank, which is part of the greater Los Angeles Area. Most of the filming locations occur here. There isn't an official Friends set tour, but the Warner Bros Hollywood Tour is customizable based on tour participants, so make sure to specify you're a Friends fan! They'll tell you all the juicy details, show you where certain scenes were filmed, & more!We all know the iconic opening credits song. The cast of the show made us all laugh while they hung out in their apartment building. Do you know when Ross played rugby? The piece of grass is TINY! The magic of angles. You can see where Rachel, Ross, Chandler, & Monica walked down the stairs for prom. There were a couple other Friends fans on our tour, but we also had Gilmore Girls fans, Batman fans, Big Bang Theory fans, quite a nice range. Speak up or else your tour guide will talk about what others ask for!
Buy your tickets to the Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood!
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| Explore the guided Warner Brothers Studio Tour in Burbank, California. |
Is Central Perk a Real Place? Was Friends filmed in NYC?
Yes & no. The Central Perk in New York City doesn't really exist & you can't visit Monica's apartment. While the show took place in New York, the show was filmed in California. Warner Bros Tour Hollywood created a real-life Central Perk coffee shop where visitors can sit down to enjoy a coffee, located at Stage 48 in Burbank, California. The Central Perk Cafe isn't a replica of the Friends set, but you can still eat a sandwich or pastry in the Friends cafe. Order food at the counter then chose where to eat from the available tables & seats. It was pretty busy at the cafe. Buy a Friends coffee mug, coffee, Friends souvenirs, & any Warner Bros Tour souvenirs your heart desires.Stylistically, you might see the show written as f.r.i.e.n.d.s or f r i e n d s. The show takes place in New York but in real life it was filmed in the Los Angeles/Burbank area. The apartment is supposed to be in Greenwich Village, New York. For ten seasons, the Friends apartment entertained us. That apartment held a lot of laughs & good times together. The sitcom remains popular to this day, all these years later.
In season three, the friends all go to see Joey perform at Lucille Lortel Theatre, which is a real theatre in New York. With the art of filmmaking, they didn't actually have to go to the Lucille Lortel theater to get the shot.
The exterior shot of the apartment was filmed at 90 Bedford Street at the corner of Grove Street.
Tip: The Friends cafe does include a replica of the Central Perk coffee shop sign. There might be a line in front of the sign but it goes quickly. Worth it if you have time.
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| Don't forget to take a photo in front of the Central Perk Cafe sign on Lot 48 at the end of the Warner Bros Studio Tour. |
Is There a Friends Set Tour? Can You Visit the Set?
Central Perk New York City doesn't exist nor does Monica's apartment in Greenwich Village or ugly naked guy. You can't jog through Central Park after a cup of coffere. However, there are multiple Cental Perks out there. There is no official set tour. The Friends set tour doesn't include Joey and Chandler, Monica, Rachel, Ross, or Phoebe's apartment building. They always made New York look so cool. However, the Central Perk Cafe is available at the end of the Warner Bros Studio Tour at Stage 48 when your guide drops you off at the gift shop. This is at the end of the tour so there's no guide for this portion.The self-guided set tour does include a replica of the Central Perk Cafe building from Friends that we all know & love, including the orange couch, counter, tables, Phoebe's guitar, & more! It feels like New York, but not really. You can look at the inside of Central Perk coffee shop along with all the other people on the mini set tour from the side of the set. You cannot walk around the Friends cafe set replica. Now if only Joey and Chandler were there too.
Buy your tickets to the Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood!
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| The Friends set replica on Lot 48 of Warner Bros Tour in Burbank, California looks lonely without our favorite characters. |
Tip: If you have time, stand in line to get your photo taken on the Central Perk Cafe set replica. You can pose on the orange couch with a Friends coffee mug. Don't miss this iconic photo opportunity!
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| Snap a picture on the Central Perk Cafe couch with a coffee mug. |
Where to Stay/Hotels in Burbank, CA
There are a couple Marriott Burbank hotel options: Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport & the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Los Angeles Burbank/Downtown. Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport is less than a mile away from the Burbank Airport. The Marriott Los Angeles Burbank/Downtown is a 15-minute drive from Universal Studios Hollywood & Warner Bros. Studios. Burbank Inn and Suites is 5 miles away from Universal Studios.Do a quick search for hotels in Burbank, CA. Just add your travel dates to see what's available & what the cost is:
I Cried When Friends Ended on TV
Gotta loves those opening credits. I grew up watching the show over the years & even watched the finale when it aired. I used to think it was really filmed in New York as a kid. I thought Central Park & Greenwich Village & New York City were a subway ride away. I used to want to visit Monica's apartment. Was ugly naked guy there?It was a very popular series. I always laughed at Joey. I watched Ross, Rachel, Joey, Monica, Phoebe, & Chandler for years. I wrote about it in my diary later that night. I mourned for the end of the show & cried at its last moments. I tore up the diary entry & threw it away years later because I was so ashamed at how lame I sounded. I must've been a moody teenager at this point. But it's a fond memory now that I can laugh & reminisce about. I can watch a DVD, the Friends box set, or Netflix when I want my Friends fix; it always reminds me of growing up, much like the characters in the show. There's nothing new like it.
Buy your tickets to the Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood!
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| The side of the Friends Central Perk Cafe set with a line of people waiting to take their photo. |
Do you have a question about Warner Bros Tour, Central Perk Cafe, or the Friends set tour building? If you have time, please comment below & I'll answer the best I can.
Looking for Friends-related gifts?
- Buy your Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood tickets.- Buy the Friends box set to watch every episode whenever you want.
- Buy a Friends coffee mug to drink all the coffee in the world.
- Buy tickets to the Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood - skip the line.
Looking for places to stay in Burbank, CA?
Los Angeles Marriott Burbank AirportSpringHill Suites by Marriott Los Angeles Burbank/Downtown
Burbank Inn and Suites
Holiday Inn Burbank
All Friends fans should add the Warner Bros Studio Tour their list of Friends-related things to do. Is Central Perk real? Where was Friends filmed? It's located in Burbank, California. You can visit a replica of the set & even take your photo with a giant Friends coffee mug. I had a blast exploring the WB gift shop building & finding out all the juicy behind-the-scenes details from our tour guide.
What's your favorite television show? Do you like the show? Do you have any new shows to recommend? Do you know any other Friends filming locations? What other shows are set in New York City? :] Leave a comment!
Rory Gilmore Outfit from Gilmore Girls
Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, better known to most of us as Rory Gilmore, has a comfortable, cozy, minimal, simple style that's perfect for everyday wear. This particular style inspiration comes from Gilmore Girls season one episode 19 called "Emily in Wonderland." It's very reminiscent of the early 2000s & can be easily emulated with a modern twist. Do you have a favorite or season or episode from the series?
How Do I look Like Rory Gilmore? Here's what you need to get this simple look:
At Chilton, Rory always had to wear a school uniform. We know Rory's iconic Chilton uniform with the plaid skirt and blazer, but Rory Gilmore has a range of fashion choices throughout the series. There's her school dance dress, the Life and Death Brigade gown, . You won't find her rocking jeans in class, but throughout the course of the show, Rory wears a lot of comfortable outfits since she's at home or once she heads off to college.
Cardigan
Start off with a stitched button up cardigan. This intricate knit cardigan is stitched to perfection; it's a mix of retro & modern. Find a color that you like best! There's a vintage feel to it, but it's not quite as bulky as the one that Rory wears.
Their hair, makeup, costume, dresses truly ranged throughout the show, so just go with cozy. Rory Gilmore fashion moments often include a turtleneck sweater or oversized knit sweater, pants or jeans. Some were more memorable such as the red polka dot dress from the dance marathon. The Danceathon dress was iconic in looks but also because of the emotional rollercoaster fans went through over the course of the episode. Shop for chic women turtleneck sweaters.
T-Shirt
Underneath your cool cardigan, you'll need a plain black t-shirt. I'm pretty sure we all have one in our closet but this H&M version is a good choice. It's plain which means it's the ultimate versatile piece to include in your wardrobe.
Get the Look: Rory Gilmore Outfit from Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls is a popular comedy-drama television series from the early 2000s. The show was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino & starred Lauren Graham & Alexis Bledel as the lead characters, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. The show debuted on October 5, 2000, on The WB. A Year in the Life premiered on Netflix in 2016. Rory and Lorelai are a dynamic dup but so is Rory and Lane! Rory Gilmore's best friend is Lane Kim.
Rory's fashion, especially in the older episodes, is very minimal & modest. She doesn't reveal too much & she isn't trying to impress anybody with what she wears. Comfort is key. If you want to shop the look, click on the links, the clothes are all available on Amazon!
Pants
Go for chic black skinny pants or stay authentic to Rory & opt for classic black slacks. This is something Rory would wear in the present day. The pants sit above the hip & come with cool slant pocket details.
Choker
Chokers are very reminiscent of the 90s but the early 2000s were chock-full of them too. Black velvet choker is always a good choice & goes with everything. There are also choker sets online so you can mix & match.
If you've ever thought about where is Stars Hollow? Where was Gilmore Girls filmed? Can you visit the set or go on a Stars Hollow tour? I answer all of these questions & more. Read my related blog post: Where Was Gilmore Girls Filmed? Where Is Stars Hollow?
Boots
Rory wears a cool boot like Dr. Martens, combat boot style with a round toe. There are more affordable black combat boot options too.
Gilmore Girls is a favorite for many. The show is known for its fast-talking dialogue and flair for pop culture references.
Some fans like the Year in the Life revival whereas others want to forget it entirely. Throughout the series, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore wore some fun outfits, from the vintage red polka-dot dress & vintage hair updos on the dance marathon episode to the cozy t-shirt & jeans.
They also wear sophisticated, chic looks such as the handmade gown Lorelai crafted for Rory's Chilton dance. The mother-daughter duo definitely wore a lot of outfits throughout the years. Think of all the episodes! That is quite a collection. When I visited the Warner Brothers Studio Tour, I was able to see some Gilmore Girls outfits, even Lorelai's house.
Over the course of Gilmore Girls, Rory's style changes in the later seasons when she grows up & gets out of high school. No more school uniforms after all. This particular outfit is from the very, very beginning with easily recognizable bits & bobs of the early 2000s. The outfit might not be one of the most recognizable on Gilmore Girls, but it's easily replicable and stylish. I love getting inspiration from the past & putting a funky, new twist on it. You can often find Rory wearing blue jeans, something preppy like a polo, t-shirts. She likes to be comfortable. Rory's outfits change throughout the series, so you can pick and choose something to your suit your personal style.
Related reading: Where Was Gilmore Girls Filmed? Where Is Stars Hollow?
Other fun Halloween costume ideas from TV Shows / Movies
Laney Boggs Prom Dress from She's All That - view here.
Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls - view here.
The Plastics from Mean Girls - view here.
Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family - view here.
Cher's gorgeous white dress in Clueless- view here.
Cher's Yellow Plaid Outfit - view here.
What's your favorite episode from the series? Do you have a favorite season?What do you think of this Rory Gilmore inspired look? Would you wear it? :]
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