Your definitive guide for ‘Sex and the City’-inspired style

by Сашка

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It’s been twenty-plus years since ‘Sex and the City’ made Manolo Blahnik a household name. So, when we say its revival show, ‘And Just Like That,’ was long-awaited, we mean it.

When the reboot came out in 2021, the show was a roaring success. While it had some controversial plotlines, such as Samantha’s half-explained absence, the magic was still there — and the costume designers handled each character’s style evolution with grace.

In March 2022, it was announced that the reboot would be returning for a second season. In eager anticipation, we decided it was time to deep dive into the closets of Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha.

With that, we give you a style guide inspired by ‘Sex and the City’ (or SATC for short). So whoever in the group is your style icon, you can rest easy you'll be safe and stylish.

Our favourite SATC style staples

Carrie's go-to shoe: Manolo BlahniksThe Carrie Bradshaw necklaceCarrie's iconic aviatorsCarrie’s colourful pochette

How to dress like Carrie Bradshaw

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Michael Kors, Selfridges, Wolford, Ghost, ASOS, Warehouse, EGO, Not On The High Street, Ray-Ban and Myka

To channel your inner Carrie, you need to forget everything you know about overdressing. Turn heads with bold silhouettes, unconventional colour combinations and high-fashion inspiration. We’ve recreated Carrie’s iconic opening credits look with this tulle midi skirt from Selfridges, and a bodysuit from Wolford, which would look just as good on the red carpet as in the city streets.

Try to avoid fads at all costs — Carrie started curating her wardrobe in the '80s, and doesn't treat fashion like it’s disposable. Instead, invest in a number of classic, versatile and high-quality staples, that can be re-worn with countless looks. Pick interesting textiles, like this silk satin slip dress which feels lighter than air, or this eye-catching trench coat from ASOS.

This stunning newspaper print dress (almost a dupe for her Christian Dior dress!) from Warehouse is also a great option to add some Carrie vibes to your wardrobe.

Choose items which can be easily mixed and matched. We’ve paired this Warehouse striped midi skirt with a EGO crop-top (a silhouette that Carrie practically lived in during seasons one, two and three of SATC), but it would also work with a white blouse, for the smart-casual look she grew into in 'And Just Like That.'

And last but not least, remember to accessorise. A floral corsage (like these peonies from NotOnTheHighStreet) can add a touch of whimsy to an outfit which takes itself seriously, or elevate a look that is otherwise plain.

For more Carrie-inspired picks, shop these absolute essentials.

Carrie's go-to shoe: Manolo Blahniks

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Selfridges

Manolo Blahnik Hangisi Heel

Is it any surprise that we’ve chosen the Manolo Blahnik Hangisi shoe as the most quintessentially Carrie item? Her love of Manolos was so profound, that Mr. Big actually proposed to her with this exact pair of heels.

The Carrie Bradshaw necklace

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Myka

Small 18ct Gold-Plated Silver Name Necklace

Although it is one of her most understated accessories, Carrie’s name necklace has been with the show since the very first episode — and in the sixth 'SATC' season, we saw how much it meant to her when she briefly lost it in Paris, along with her love for Aleksandr Petrovsky.

Carrie's iconic aviators

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Ray-Ban

Ray-Ban Aviator Classic

You save £36.80 (20%)£184

Carrie wouldn't be caught dead without her iconic sunglasses — she may like to mix and match with styles, but we think her classic aviators are her most iconic style.

You'll catch her wearing this exact pair at a Yankees game, at brunch with the girls, and stalking the streets of the Big Apple.

Carrie’s colourful pochette

FEATURED

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Michael Kors

Jet Set Charm Small Nylon Gabardine Pochette

You save £58 (40%)£145

If we know Carrie (and we think we do!), we know she’d absolutely love this adorable bag from Michael Kors. While she might have a penchant for bold shapes and textures when it comes to a bag (the Eiffel Tower bag from the first SATC movie comes to mind), we’d say a more simple, brighter bag is where she really feels at home. 

This small, structured bag cuts a classic silhouette and is sure to go with any outfit, from a casual pair of jeans to a more dressed-up night on the town. Although compact, it’s large enough to fit all of your everyday essentials, which is absolutely essential this summer when you don’t want to be carrying more than you need. 

Topping it off is the silver chain-link strap giving it a bit of an edge and amping it up to the next level. 

While price is something Carrie never seemed to worry about, we also love how affordable this bag is as well.

Achieve Charlotte York-Goldenblatt's classic-meets-preppy style

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: ASOS, LOOKFANTASTIC, Cult Beauty, Burberry, John Lewis, OMNES, Vestiaire Collective, Coast, Kate Spade, Abercrombie and Coach

Charlotte York-Goldenblatt is your typical preppy Upper East Side New Yorker, who believes that fashion means finessing your appearance. To start, try incorporating Olaplex no. 3 and Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream into your hair and skin routines to achieve her flawless complexion and enviably glossy hair.

Charlotte’s style is all about classic silhouettes from the '40s, '50s and '60s — her fashion icon is Elizabeth Taylor, after all, who became the namesake of her dog in season six. We’ve included this Burberry coin-purse as a nod to the her dog-walking gear: Charlotte used one like this as a doggy poo-bag holder.

In Charlotte’s world, daily staples are chic and minimalist: Black merino wool turtlenecks (like this one from COS), crisp white sleeveless shirts and high-waisted, well-tailored black trousers, such as this pair from Abercrombie & Fitch. During summer, she tends to swap knitwear for floral fit-and-flare dresses, like this number from Coast.

Charlotte’s go-to makeup look is a red lip, which usually accompanies her to an art show. Our favourite match is the Guerlain Rouge G in ruby red (and make sure to grab the matching case too). When it snows, Charlotte often accessorises with designer earmuffs and heritage print gloves — can you guess what brand her signature pair might be? (Hint: It’s Burberry too.)

We could go on, but here are three more of our top picks for those looking to nail Charlotte's classic style.

The heritage print coat

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Vestiaire Collective

Burberry Wool Coat

You save £119 (33.43%)£356

There have been many significant moments when Charlotte wore plaid in 'SATC,' like when she sported the MacDougal clan’s tartan in season four, in honour of her (ex) husband’s family heritage. However, the one look that stands out amongst the rest is her Burberry coat — partially because she wore it all the time, and partially because it’s a classic statement piece that will never go out of style.

The ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ dress

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Omnes

Riviera Mini Dress in Fuschia Pink

You save £20 (51.28%)£39

Charlotte once pulled herself out of a slump by asking herself ‘what would Elizabeth Taylor do?' — then she put on a pink mini-dress, and cracked on with life.

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This hot pink satin dress from Omnes is a dead ringer for Charlotte’s. Pair it with a black belt to complete the look, or a diamante chain around the waist to modernise it.

Charlotte's signature handbag

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Kate Spade

Kate Spade Knott Croc-Embossed Medium Satchel

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It wouldn't be a Charlotte York outfit without her signature (usually colourful!) handbag. She always manages to make them look super chic next to her equally stylish and colourful outfits.

The classic silhouette of this one from Kate Spade makes it super wearable all-year round, and it's the perfect size for all your NYC essentials.

Channel Samantha Jones with sexy staples

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Amazon, Mango, Club L London, THEOUTNET.COM, Steve Madden, LOOKFANTASTIC, Oliver Bonas and John Lewis

In SATC, Samantha won our hearts with her outrageous personality and wild sense of humour. Yet sadly, during the reboot, her presence (and passion for power suits) was greatly missed. We're hoping this season is making up for lost time.

Here we’ve recreated a ‘Sam-at-the-office’ look, using this this co-ordinating blazerand trousers from Mango.

Out of all the SATC girls, Samantha’s style was the most extravagant; she wore the brightest colours, the deepest necklines and sported bold silhouettes from Mugler and Balenciaga’s archives. Her style was more about fearlessness than glamour — as evidenced by the neon pink party wig she wore during chemotherapy, which you can get from Amazon for under £10.

Samantha taught us to stand out with bright colours, body-skimming silhouettes and anything that’s dripping in sequins or rhinestones, like this dress from THEOUTNET.COM. This plunge red dress also features a neckline that is quintessentially her. We’d pair it with red patent heels from Steve Madden, in honour of her many monochromatic looks.

When it comes to makeup, choose a dark, smoky eye and contour well. We love this palette from Morphe, which will help you to achieve Samantha’s chiselled cheekbones and sultry eyeshadow. Her jewellery choices also tend to be more OTT than the other girls, so stock up on statement pieces, like this Oliver Bonas necklace.

The glamorous black dressing-robe

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: John Lewis

Marcella Full-Length Chiffon Kimono

We’ve selected a black kimono as Samantha's signature outfit. This look reminds us of when she had a brief affair with the bellboy of a fancy hotel, whom she went to greet on a cold New York night — wearing just lingerie and a black silk robe.

The waist belt for creating an hourglass silhouette

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: AllSaints

Marcella Leather Wide Belt

Samantha is the queen of accessorising, and knew exactly how to elevate an outfit with the right waist-belt. Although she typically went for bright colours, we think this black one from AllSaints is versatile enough to make any look pop.

Knee-high boots to show off your legs

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Steve Madden

Va Boom Boot Grey Snake

You save £64 (40%)£160

One of Samantha's style staples is her knee high boots. She wears them with everything — from skirts, to dresses, to even over jeans (it was the 90s!), and she manages to make it look fun and sexy every time.

These grey ones from Steve Madden are the perfect blend of both Samantha and a more modern vibe.

Dress '90s chic style like Miranda Hobbes

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Free People, John Lewis, Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Monica Vinader, Astrid and Miyu, Nike, THE OUTNET.COM and La Redoute

In the original series, Miranda Hobbes was a no-nonsense corporate lawyer, who stood out in SATC for her androgynous, understated style. In real life, the '90s grunge aesthetic has made a come back, making us realise just how stylish (and before her time) Miranda actually was.

During the first three seasons, we mostly see Miranda in formalwear — masculine tuxedos paired with her red cropped haircut, falling somewhere between David Bowie and Marlene Dietrich on the fashion spectrum. Luckily, you don’t have to pay high-fashion prices for her look — this John Lewis boyfriend blazer nails it, especially when paired with this blouse from Urban Outfitters and silk tie from John Lewis.

On her days off, Miranda traded in corporate style for '90s casualwear, often sporting a long brown leather coat, not dissimilar to this Abercrombie & Fitch one. At clubs, she wasn’t shy of a Gaultier-esque mesh top and baggy trousers. We love these Hollister cargos, which were made to go with this Jaded London top.

When it comes to accessories, Miranda keeps it simple, rarely wearing more than a pair of sleepers and a simple chain necklace (like these earrings from Monica Vinader, which go well with this Astrid and Miyu necklace). Unlike the other SATC girls, she wasn’t afraid of brightly-coloured sportswear either, and could sometimes be seen wandering through central park with a blue bucket hat, like this Nike one.

Not to be left out, here are a few more essentials for the Mirandas among us.

Miranda's wedding blazer dupe

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: THE OUTNET.COM

Brown Velvet Blazer

You save £395 (69.91%)£565

What could be more Miranda than getting married in a menswear blazer? When she and Steve finally tied the knot, Miranda avoided the meringue gown that most brides wear, opting instead for an outfit she felt more comfortable in. This brown velvet blazer from THE OUTNET.COM is very similar to the one she wore in 'SATC.'

Confidence-boosting curvy jeans

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: La Redoute

Levi’s Shaping Skinny Jeans

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Another iconic fashion moment for Miranda was her post-partum experiences with skinny jeans.  After having her son, she fell into a confidence slump. To remedy it, she went out on the town in her tightest pair of denims. This pair of jeans from Levi’s are designed to give you the same feeling — they’re stitched to accentuate and shape your natural curves.

A colourful summery kaftan

Your definitive guide for 'Sex and the City'-inspired style

Photo: Free People

Groovy Baby Maxi Kaftan

We can always count on Miranda for a stunning kaftan moment — whether she's traversing the city with her friends, or vacationing abroad.

They're super easy to wear, and add a va-va-voom factor to any outfit, and if we know anything about Miranda, it's that her style is super laid back. She'd absolutely love the bold pattern and warm colourway on this maxi kaftan from Free People.

Our verdict

Each of the SATC girls has taught us something important about fashion. For this reason, we can't just pick one as our ultimate style guru. They're all inspirational!

From Carrie, we've learned to dress ourselves in what we love. Who cares if you're wearing a giant tutu to grab some milk — as long as you feel good, that's all that matters.

From Charlotte, we've learned that looking good is something you do for yourself, not other people. Even when life goes wrong, your favourite mini-dress will always be there to boost your self-esteem, and nobody can take that from you.

From Samantha, we've learned that there's nothing shameful about being the brightest person in the room. Wear things because you think they look amazing, and don't worry about anyone who turns their head in the street.

From Miranda, we've learned that style is more about attitude than following others. Just because most brides wear a dress doesn't mean you can't wear a tux. Always go for the clothes you're comfortable in.

What to expect from season 2 of 'And Just Like That'

Although we don't know any specifics, we're really excited to see what the girls get up to next.

Variety has confirmed that Kim Cattrall is reprising her role as Samantha Jones for season 2 — and while it's just a cameo for now, we hope it means there can be more in store for her character in the future.

We're also curious to see where Miranda's story takes her, as she moved to California at the end of the first series of 'And Just Like That.' Whether she stays on the West Coast is a mystery, but we don't think we've seen the last of her in New York yet.

Even if our plot predictions don't come true, one thing's for sure: There's bound to be even more fashion-forward looks in the next series, which aired June 22 2023.

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