The Rory Gilmore sweater is her most iconic look in the Gilmore Girls universe perhaps because it’s so quintessentially New England! This beloved character wore a white cable knit style sweater and denim outfit to stay warm while walking around Stars Hollow, Connecticut, when she wasn’t wearing the Rory Gilmore Chilton costume, that is. As a longtime Gilmore Girls blogger and podcaster taking the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge to read the Gilmore Girls book list, each fall, I share my top ten ideas to get her sweater aesthetic this fall. Plus, get a guide to styling it to look just like her. Let’s recreate the look!
What is Rory Gilmore’s sweater called?
The “Rory Gilmore sweater” is also known as a “fisherman sweater,” a heavy cable knit wool sweater traditionally worn by Irish fishermen and popular in New England, where there are many chilly coastal fishing villages.
In what episode does Rory wear the sweater?
Rory Gilmore wore her white fisherman cable knit sweater in the Pilot of Gilmore Girls (Season 1, Episode 1) while walking around Stars Hollow with Lane and visiting the Independence Inn.
10 Rory Gilmore Sweater Dupes For Her Iconic Season 1 Look
- Abercrombie: fitted, wool-blend, cream (vs. ivory), and 00s collegiate style
- Aelfric Eden on Amazon: the oversized Rory aesthetic in polyester
- Amazon Essentials: budget option in cotton and men’s sizing
- Free People: baggy and cotton
- J.Crew Factory: cotton and fitted
- Kiel James Patrick: sun-bleached aesthetic and cotton
- Land’s End: a cotton bestseller since 1982
- L.L. Bean: long cotton tunic (I own this one; runs slightly large)
- L.L. Bean: classic and cotton
- Tuckernuck: high-end wool blend
Tip:
Don’t be afraid to size up for an oversized look like Rory’s. Around the time the show was filmed, this was exactly the type and fit of sweater that was popular in my own preppy mid-Atlantic school. I used to buy men’s sweaters from J.Crew!
SHOP THE LOOK
Rory Gilmore Sweater Full Outfit Ideas for Her Famous White Cable Knit
Rory’s outfit formula: In the pilot episode of Gilmore Girls, Rory paired her fisherman sweater with dark denim, flat boots, and a leather backpack.
I curated a few personal favorite items that match this casual Rory Gilmore aesthetic so you can style your sweater like hers:
- My favorite Cole Haan Chelsea boots. This is my go-to brand for long-lasting, comfortable shoes. Fit: true to size.
- My favorite Madewell perfect vintage jeans. They are neither too baggy nor too tight for that vintage meets modern look. Fit: runs slightly large. Try your normal size or size down.
- A convertible Italian leather backpack from Quince. While it’s not an exact match to Rory’s look, it’s much more practical because you can also wear it as a purse. It also looks less student-like.
- A Luke’s disposable coffee cup— because Friday night readers scoop this item up in droves every single fall, and because it truly completes Rory’s aesthetic.
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy— Rory’s favorite book.
SHOP THE LOOK
Frequently Asked Questions
Pair your white cable knit sweater like Rory Gilmore’s with straight cut, boot cut, or wide leg jeans, so you can cover your boots, to complete her Season 1 look.
Rory Gilmore paired her ivory fisherman sweater with a leather backpack. You can also carry a travel mug of coffee to look like a Gilmore.
Rory Gilmore’s fashion style features preppy, classic pieces like cardigans, blouses, and skirts, often paired with jeans or corduroy pants. Her wardrobe consists of a collegiate look with a color palette of muted fall tones.
