Sex and the City first appeared on screens in 1998 and changed our wardrobes forever. Four women – Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York – started trends, broke fashion rules and put brands we now know and love on the map.
From kickstarting the concept of high-low dressing to making every woman in the world want a pair of Manolos, the impact, courtesy of costume designer Patricia Field, was huge – and we were able to admire the four characters’ individual styles develop over the six ground-breaking seasons and two films. Now, we’ll get to explore what their 50-something style will look like in the upcoming reboot series And Just Like That (although, sadly, without Samantha) .
Regardless of the reboot, it’s safe to say that the world is still obsessed with SATC style today – and there’s a reason for that. Whether you admire Carrie’s commitment to maximalism, Samantha’s penchant for a power suit, Charlotte’s preppy pieces or Miranda’s ahead-of-its-time style, we have rounded up the pieces you need to invest in to create your very own Sex and the City wardrobe.
Carrie Bradshaw
Carrie was the very definition of a fashion icon – always one step ahead of trends, willing to give any look a go and often (to her detriment) putting clothes before anything else. At one point in the series, the writer worked out that she had spent a whopping $40,000 on shoes alone, but had nowhere to live. She almost became, in her own words, “the woman who literally lived in her shoes”.
While SATC was not the first TV series to have a focus on fashion, Patricia Field created characters – and this was particularly the case with Carrie – with unmistakable signature style. Carrie put labels on the map, she created the concept of high-low dressing (“I need a $5 dress to go with my $500 shoes”) and kickstarted trends that we still see on the catwalk today.
Inspired by everything from that tulle tutu to her trademark ‘Carrie’ necklace, her now iconic Fendi baguette bag and the numerous eccentric trends that she wore first, here are the eight pieces you need to create your very own Carrie Bradshaw wardrobe.
Those Sex and the City opening credits are still inspiring the catwalks today. Take your cue from Carrie and ensure that tulle is central to your wardrobe.
Avid Sex and the City fans will remember that Carrie wore many iconic bags on multiple occasions – but the Fendi Baguette was one of her signatures.
Our bet would be on Carrie being obsessed with maximalist designer Christopher John Rogers. She’d love this vibrant green cropped offering.
Miranda Hobbes
Miranda is definitely the dark horse of the series when it comes to style. At the time, she wasn’t the most overtly fashionable member of the group but, looking back, much of what she wore is very on trend now (ever so ironically).
Her penchant in the early days for wearing dungarees, hoodies, dorky sunglasses and puffer jackets might have had her painted as distinctly disinterested in fashion back then, but now many of her outfits wouldn’t look out of place in a Balenciaga campaign. If the show was made today, Miranda could well have been the most fashion-forward of the gang.
A few seasons on from her dungaree addiction and Miranda’s wardrobe grew up. By the end, the successful lawyer was favouring printed frocks, sharp blazers for the office and colourful, yet always practical, pieces. Her look was often more low-key than the others but she wasn’t one to conform to the norms either; it came as little surprise when she donned a velvet suit on her wedding day.
A Miranda Hobbes wardrobe would not be complete without some casual dungarees. Team with a hoodie, a hat and some sunnies.
When it came to the boardroom, Miranda knew exactly how to work a sharp blazer. You’ll need one in your arsenal if you want to channel her no-nonsense style.
The now iconic image of her wearing dungarees, a puffer jacket and a baseball cap has become synonymous with the character’s ahead-of-its-time style. She’d snap this hat up in a heartbeat.
As a working mother, Miranda would have favoured a big practical tote to fit all her essentials in (but she would, of course, have kept it chic).
Miranda famously loved her heels, but would also opt for something practical and versatile for running around the city in. These Aquazzura slingbacks would work for any occasion.
Samantha Jones
Samantha Jones meant business when it came to a lot of things, but particularly fashion. Her look was the epitome of power dressing; it was daring and bold, filled with clashing prints and head-turning colours, skintight dresses and exaggerated shoulder pads. Samantha wore her clothes with confidence and always dressed to be the centre of attention.
This sense of self confidence with meet me her style remained for the whole series and throughout the films, never letting what anyone thought deter her from wearing exactly what she wanted (let us not forget the moment in the second movie when she accidentally matched with an 18-year-old pop star in the form of Miley Cyrus).
Whether it was a punchy leopard print, an oversized straw hat or logos, logos, logos, her clothes always made a statement. Despite the character not returning in the new upcoming series, you can still channel your inner Samantha with our edit below.
Power dressing defined Samantha Jones’ wardrobe and she always did it in the boldest hues possible. This striking Versace blazer would be her go-to for the boardroom.
The high-flying PR exec was known for her love of bold colours and punchy prints. Make like her and opt for this head-turning feathered top from The Attico.
Animal prints were a staple in Samantha’s wardrobe and whether for the office or a night out with the girls, she would have worn this dress again and again.
Charlotte York
Charlotte York’s wardrobe was undoubtedly the most girly of the gang, with the Park Avenue princess always opting for something classic, feminine and preppy.
She favoured designers like Ralph Lauren, Prada and Oscar de la Renta, wore tailored jackets and feminine frocks, and definitely had a penchant for pink. Her ensembles would always be finished off with an elegant pair of pearl earrings or some chic sunglasses.
If the Duchess of Cambridge had been in the public eye in the early ’00s, she would have been Charlotte’s style icon. Think clean lines, classic silhouettes and an addiction to an elegant court shoe. Inspired by her ladylike style, shop the five items that we think would be on Charlotte’s wish list this season.
