Alysia Rogers, 28, Medina
Production assistant for Brunswick Area Television, a cable access channel, substitute teacher for high school and middle school, video production for Parma City Schools sporting events and commentary for girl’s soccer.
What is it about the show Gilmore Girls that you love?
I love the story line and the mother-daughter dynamic. My mother and I watched it together. I love the way they fast-talk and love coffee. Their small town reminds me of my small town. They have a town square and gazebo like Medina does. I find what they wore and I search on Poshmark, Tradesy or eBay and I hunt the items down.
How do you find out what designers they’re wearing?
There’s a couple of websites. I always check Coolspotters or Worn on TV. They are sights that report what they wore on different shows and they show a photo of it. I have pieces that have taken years to find.
Do you stick to a budget for these designer, as-seen-on-TV items?
Yes, I try to spend somewhere between $20 and $40 for tops and for dresses I try to keep in under $100. Also, my boyfriend encourages me to sell something every time I buy something. He helps me watch my bank account.
What did you do when the show cancelled?
I cried. I’m a super fan. They had a reunion this past summer in Austin. I wanted to go but couldn’t get tickets.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
What is your favorite season for fashion?
It’s probably fall because I like wearing coats, hats and scarves. It’s also my favorite season in general, so I’m probably biased. I also like tank tops, skirts and dresses in the summer. I used to be a tomboy, so I like showing that I’m not.
When were you a tomboy and what caused the change in your style?
I changed in college. I never wore dresses and now I love them. They’re so much easier. I was asked in college to be on-air talent for other student’s projects and when I would dress up and get compliments I soon realized that I should explore a more feminine look. Maybe there is something in that I was a tomboy who loved Barbie. I think that’s where I first discovered fashion and style. I loved dressing them up and I begged everyone to play with me. They had the best clothes and I loved the little high heels. I used to wear T-shirt, jeans and hoodies. As I got older and made more money, I realized that the hoodie look wasn’t that flattering either. I went to Cleveland State University and I was on the dance team. The other girls were girly and kind of preppy. I guess they influenced me, too. I was a nanny for three years after college and didn’t wear dresses as much as I do now that I work in a more professional environment.
IMAGE plus size bridesmaid dresses
How do you describe your style?
I think that I’m girly-chic. I go through spurts where I try different kinds of looks. I still love to dance, too. My boyfriend and I take ballroom dance lessons. He’s very good. I like to try Boho and grunge, but those things feel more like a costume, it’s not really my look, but I like to experiment once in a while. It’s fun and that’s what fashion is about.
Yes it is! Where do you like to shop?
I like to shop online and eBay is a big part of it. I’m always looking for Gilmore Girls clothing. I also post things on Instagram. I can be found@GilmoreGirlsClothes. I post things I already have or things that aren’t my size or in my price range for others looking for Gilmore Girls clothing. There’s a community of us. I also go to J. Crew. I love their pants. I go to H&M and Kohl’s for the trendy stuff. I’m trying to build a good wardrobe, but you have to add a few trends so I don’t like to spend a lot.
I get a lot of my inspiration from TV, especially Gilmore Girls. I probably watch one rerun a day while I’m getting ready. I like it because it’s about relationships and it’s fun. One of the looks I brought today for the photo shoot is inspired by the show Pretty Little Liars. I don’t go quite as deep with that show, sometimes they wear really crazy stuff, but I take parts of a look and figure out what I have in my closet that can come close.
Other than Gilmore Girls clothing, what do you look for on eBay?
I like pieces that flatter my figure. I kind of have an hourglass shape and I like to show that off. I won’t look like this forever, so I like to find things that fit right. I look for the best fit, style and shape for me.
Gilmore girls went off the air in 2007 and rumors are swirling about a revival on Netflix. What do you think?
I was in disbelief, and a little leery because I have heard that many times before, “‘Gilmore girls’ might be coming back!” But it looks like it’s happening and I am super excited to see where they pick up the story line and of course will be watching the fashions. I plan on scooping up as many new Gilmore outfits as I can afford! I hope Rory (the daughter) isn’t married, I think they can have more interesting plot lines with her being single and dating. I will be interested in seeing how they deal with the actor, Edward Herman’s character because he passed away in December. I could probably go on and on…I can’t wait.
What does your wardrobe say about you?
It says that I care about how I look and that I’m invested in my look. I take time putting looks together.
Who are your fashion icons?
When I was growing up it was Rory, the daughter on Gilmore Girls. She wore cute cardigans with blouses underneath and I still like that. But, as I’ve gotten older Lorelai, the mother, has my attention. She runs an inn and dresses in business attire. I look to her fashions for dresses and a more mature look.
How do you follow the trends?
I follow several Instagram pages like Asos, Urban Outfitters and American Apparel. I like to get inspiration from them. I also like to save money, so I might look for similar trend elsewhere.
Do you have any favorite designers?
I like Diane von Furstenberg. I have a few pieces including a wrap dress that was worn on Gilmore Girls. I found it on eBay for $80.
Do you have a best fashion find?
I would have to say the Marc Jacobs geometric blouse I brought with me today for the photo shoot. It was worn on Gilmore Girls in probably 2005. It might’ve taken me years to find it in my size and price range but it was worth it. It’s gorgeous and I love it.
Do you stick to any rules?
I never buy anything just because of the brand name. It’s important to remember that when you are in a thrift store. Sometimes you get excited because you found a designer item, but if it’s ugly or doesn’t fit right, don’t buy it. And while I look for sales, I don’t buy things just because they’re cheap and on sale. It still has to be the right fit and look. I used to do that when I was a kid. I would buy things that I didn’t even really like just because it was $5 at the Gap. Also, I never look at the size and worry about it. Sizing for all brands is different.
What are your pet peeves?
It has to do with sizing again. I can go into Eddie Bauer and buy a size 4. I am not a size 4. They’re generous with the proportions. It’s called vanity sizing. It makes us feel great to buy a smaller size. So how do the tiny girls buy anything? Is that why they now make size triple 0? If all of the designers did that we would all buy more. I’m not sure why many designers do the opposite and size everything really tiny. It would be nice if things were uniform and measurement based like in men’s clothes.
Tell us a secret about you.
I’m a little OCD when it comes to my closet. It’s organized by color and I even match the hanger color to the item. Pink shirts go on pink hangers. It’s like going into Charming Charlie every time I go into my closet. It’s a little annoying if, let’s say, I only need one purple hanger and I have to go buy a whole pack of them. Sometimes I can snag hangers from friends when I go to their houses. I’ll even trade them.
Have you ever had a fashion malfunction?
Well, sort of. Near the end of college I cut my hair pretty short. I hated it so I started wearing extensions. I just started dating my current boyfriend and didn’t mention it. They were the clip-in kind and I took them out at night. I figured he wouldn’t understand and might think it was weird. So, he was kissing me and went to run his hands through my hair and came across one. He frantically asked what it was and started to pull it out and he freaked out because he thought he was pulling out a big clump of my hair. I stopped wearing them after that. My hair was long enough by then. I guess that’s not exactly a fashion thing, is it?
READ MORE gold bridesmaid dresses
