Of all the characters in Gilmore Girls, Rory seems to get the most attention. It's hard to blame fans for being so charmed by her. To all appearances, Rory has it all; she's pretty, well-dressed, intelligent and loved by pretty much everyone she meets.
While some of the things Rory has are difficult to replicate—we can't all be born with rich grandparents and live in tiny, close-knit towns with quaint names like Stars Hollow—there are actions you can take to live a more Rory Gilmore-esque lifestyle (although, perhaps it's best to only mimic how her character is in the first few seasons. Don't drop out of school, kids).
Here's a breakdown of ways you can live your life like Rory Gilmore.
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Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)Area 1: Studying
A central aspect of Rory's personality—and a motivator for much of her behaviour—is her commitment to studying. A viral TikTok sound of her declaring “who cares if I'm pretty if I fail my finals?” encapsulates Rory's devotion to her studies.
Here are ways in which you can improve your own study habits:
- Form a routine — part of the reason Rory is so successful at studying is due to her organisation. She is frequently pictured sitting at her desk making notes, or else asking Lorelai to quiz her on them. Everyone's study routine is unique, so find a method that works for you. Popular methods that you could try include the Pomodoro Technique and active recall.
- Set aside time for studying — repetitive, consistent action will help you turn studying into a habit. Try to work out when your motivation and concentration is highest. Perhaps it's straight after school when you're still in a studying mindset, or after dinner when you're refuelled.
- Romanticise studying — turn studying into an event; light a few candles and set out water and snacks. If you're someone who listens to music while you work, you could play some of the music that Rory likes. Options include bands like the Bangles and the Smiths. Some Spotify users have even created Gilmore Girls-themed playlists, such as this one containing ‘songs rory gilmore listens to on the bus to chilton’ and this one titled ‘lane kim and rory gilmore have the best music taste’.
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Area 2: Reading
Another central pillar of Rory's personality is her love for literature. Rory is often shown reading a book, or even just carrying one around with her. Reading is part of the reason why she's so clever and is a large reason why she and Jess connect.
Just reading is enough to bring you one step closer to Rory's lifestyle. However, if you want to go even further, you could try reading some of the same books that Rory is pictured with. Amongst the many she goes through, here are some that I can personally vouch for:
- The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
- Brick Lane by Monica Ali
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
- Emma by Jane Austen
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
If you want to take your reading experience to the next level, you can try annotating your books. Highlight favourite quotes and scribble down your thoughts about lines that catch your interest.

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Area 3: Fashion
It's no exaggeration to say that Rory's dress sense has become iconic. Amongst the most famous of her outfits is the cream cable-knit sweater that she wears in the pilot. Both Elle and Cosmopolitan have written articles on where you can buy dupes of the sweater.
To dress like Rory more generally, it's best to opt for clothes that are considered light academia. This includes items like sweaters, turtlenecks and preppy skirts. On the whole, Rory seems to favour autumnal colours like cream, red and brown. The outfit can be accessorised with a headband and, of course, a book.
If you're after more specific outfit ideas, I would recommend giving Pinterest and TikTok a scroll. Both sites are brimming with creative Rory-inspired outfits.

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Area 4: Food and Drink
To truly indulge in the Gilmore Girl lifestyle, you need to become a diehard fan of coffee. Seriously; coffee is a crucial staple of the characters' lives. It's no surprise that a whopping 503 cups of coffee were consumed throughout the duration of the show.
If you're opposed to coffee but are still keen to live like Rory Gilmore, there are some loopholes. For example, you could consume non-caffeinated coffee. Or, you could exchange your mug of coffee for a mug of coke, which is what Alexis Bledel herself occasionally did while filming.
In terms of food, you'll need to treat yourself to takeaways. Admittedly, this isn't the most healthy lifestyle choice so it's best not to overdo it. Still, takeaway is an important part of Rory and Lorelai's lifestyle, and the occasional one won't hurt.
Amongst their most favoured dishes seem to be Chinese takeaway and burgers. The takeaway is best accompanied by a movie night!

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We've now covered the major ways in which you can live like Rory Gilmore. Of course, Rory is far from a perfect character, so it's best to only emulate the positive aspects of her lifestyle. Fortunately, there is much good to pick out from her. Replicating her lifestyle, particularly her study and reading habits, may even help you better yourself.
Here's to living your best Rory-inspired life!