A Gilmore Girls Autumn
Mid-September, I caved. For almost as long as I can remember the talk of falling leaves, Trader Joe’s pumpkin flavored everything, and sweater weather has somehow also coincided with “Who should Rory have ended up with?” and “I wish I lived in Stars Hollow.” Somewhere, somehow, the beginning of Fall and binging the classic old-time, slice of life show Gilmore Girls became one in the same.
At some point I decided to stop feeling like an outsider and experience the craze for myself, and on one (probably sunny, because it’s San Diego) September day I began the march through the Stars Hallow life. Officially a few seasons in and yes, seriously enjoying it, I think I can draw the connection between pumpkin season and the fan favorite comedy-drama. What makes Gilmore Girls the show of the season every year has become more and more clear.
The Fashion:
An unmistakable part of Gilmore Girls is the fashion decisions made, which have become inspiration for people’s fall wardrobes even today. The color scheme consistently features browns, maroon, cream, and deep blues–typical Fall of the color palette. Paired with the sweaters, low rise jeans, and plaid skirts of Rory and the leather, denim, and turtle necks of her mother, Lorelai, their outfits just scream autumn. The jackets alternate between short and long, or denim and leather. Either way, Gilmore Girls fashion is the ideal fall fashion. The early 2000s, East Coast look combines coziness with a sense of class and style that epitomizes modern day autumn aesthetics.
The Small Town:
If Stars Hollow isn’t the embodiment of a small town aesthetic, I don’t know what is. If summer were a place, it would debatably be Cousins from The Summer I Turned Pretty. Fall, though? Stars Hollow. Every store and home is a walkable distance from one another and every resident knows each other by name. Businesses are locally run and you most definitely won’t see a chain store anywhere in sight. Luke’s Diner is the go to place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, odds being that he probably knows your “usual”- something all of us dream of experiencing at our favorite food shops (let’s be honest). Even the events that Stars Hollow throws are deep-rooted in tradition, an attempt to bring the small community together and celebrate. Something about the town has a magical energy to it, like it’s almost too good to be true - a fall fantasy with vibrant orange trees and falling leaves and picket fences. If you were to remove the characters from the show, leaving only Stars Hollow behind, the fall vibes would still clearly shine through.
The Pace:
Something about the slow pace of the show reflects a cozy, homey energy that fall also carries. Gilmore Girls has just enough drama to keep you watching and just enough humor to keep you laughing, but at the same time it doesn’t overdo it. It makes the show an easy watch,
something that can be on in the background or have your full attention. While not action-packed or fast-paced, you’re still entertained - and it has a distinctive feel-good energy that makes you want to curl up in bed with a hot cup of cocoa and blankets to watch. Personally, I think there is no better time than autumn for a feel-good show, and Gilmore Girls is exactly that.
Is there more to the show that also reflects an autumn aesthetic? Most definitely. The abundance of hot coffee, the time it was filmed…the list could go on. And while you don’t necessarily have to watch Gilmore Girls during fall, I understand why this time of year it has its strongest revival. I see how bits and pieces of the show have made it into modern day fall aesthetics, and I’m not mad about it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go continue watching.
Paige Barclay — November 7th, 2023
