Sex and the City, you will always be famous!
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Picture this: late ’90s New York, sun shining, and Carrie Bradshaw is strutting down the street in a pink tank and white tutu skirt, coral lipstick on, clutch in hand, feeling on top of the world. Then—out of nowhere—a bus speeds by, splashing her with NYC puddle water. The twist? Her own face is plastered on that bus with the tagline, “She knows good sex and isn’t afraid to ask.”
Fashion can be quite amusing. You look back at old outfits and cringe, wondering, “What was I thinking?” But Carrie Bradshaw? One of the main protagonists of Sex and the City wore every trend like she invented it. From slip dresses and fur coats to her iconic Manolos and that unforgettable Fendi Baguette (the one that got stolen!), her style was a masterclass in confidence. Sex and the City wasn’t just a show; it became a style bible whose impact is still felt to this day. So, let’s rewind for a little fashion history and revisit the iconic trends that Carrie—and the show—turned into timeless looks still influencing us today.
FENDI BAGUETTE BAG
The original Baguette bag, created by Silvia Venturini Fendi, hit the market in 1997 and was an instant classic. But it really blew up in pop culture when Carrie Bradshaw rocked it in the famous Sex and the City episode What Goes Around Comes Around.
One of the most memorable scenes featured Carrie getting robbed “somewhere south of Houston Street.” The mugger wanted her purple sequined Fendi Baguette, but she confidently shot back, “It’s a Baguette.” It definitely gave us major vibes from that scene in Clueless when Cher said, “This is an Alaïa,” while getting ordered to the ground and ruining her designer dress.
The Baguette has not only inspired countless designs worldwide but also influenced local brands to add their own spin. One standout you can get your hands on is GVN the Label, which offers a chic take on Alaïa’s Le Teckel—a Baguette-style bag with a sleek, dachshund-inspired design (after all, “Teckel” is French for dachshund).
LAKE DRESS
Before the infamous pond incident, Carrie wore a dress that features a subtle floral print, a flouncy hem, and cute flutter sleeves for that feminine vibe, while the asymmetrical cut and PVC mules add a modern twist. For season 3, episode 18, two versions of this floral midi dress from Richard Tyler’s Resort 2001 collection were used since Carrie ends up taking an unexpected dip in Central Park’s boating pond with Big.
If Carrie’s slip dresses and floral midis have you inspired, there are plenty of local options out there that channel that same romantic vintage vibe. Thrift shops on Instagram, like a personal favorite Florice (@shopflorice), have tons of ’90s and early 2000s-inspired floral dresses that totally capture Carrie’s aesthetic. So if you’re looking to add a little SATC nostalgia to your wardrobe, these secondhand gems have you covered—minus the splash.
URBAN SHOE MYTH
When I think of Carrie Bradshaw, I immediately think of shoes—like the red Manolos that got stolen in season three or the pink Louboutins that got drenched during Miranda’s labor. But the ultimate Carrie shoes? The royal blue Manolo Blahnik Hangisi pumps from Sex and the City: The Movie. Those crystal-embellished beauties became the ultimate SATC fan-fave after Carrie wore them for her city hall wedding to Mr. Big, sparking countless dupes.
And let’s not forget that shoe moment in Season Six. In the episode A Woman’s Right to Shoes, Carrie attends a baby shower with Stanford, only for her silver Manolo Blahnik peep-toes to get stolen. Naturally, drama ensues as Carrie tries to get the host to replace the stolen shoes.
HEADBANDS
Charlotte York wearing a blazer by Marc Jacobs while being accosted by older Jewish ladies who are trying to set her up with their sons pic.twitter.com/90m9R9j0E9
— hannah (@dumbandfunn) September 21, 2024
Before Sex and the City changed the game, headbands were mostly seen as a childhood accessory. But everything shifted when Charlotte, the princess of Park Avenue, started rocking them on the show. With her signature elegance, she paired headbands with pearls, creating the ultimate formula for Upper East Side chic. Charlotte really knew how to elevate the headband from a simple kid’s accessory to a stylish statement piece.
BAYONETTA GLASSES
Charlotte York w glasses >> pic.twitter.com/e3LcMXldpa
— hannah (@dumbandfunn) October 22, 2024
Bayonetta glasses are having a moment these days, and if you trace its history, you’ll find a connection to SATC. Charlotte York’s influence helped transform glasses from unfashionable to chic, leaving a lasting impact on future generations. As an art dealer, she made eyewear a staple in her workplace look, adding an intellectual vibe that turned heads, especially when she seduced her divorce lawyer and later her husband, Harry.
CARRIE’S ICONIC NECKLACE
Carrie’s gold nameplate necklace was one of her most iconic accessories throughout Sex and the City’s six seasons. In one of the final episodes, when she loses the necklace in Paris, it leaves her feeling lost and disconnected. But once Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw wore her iconic “Carrie” necklace, it became a major fashion trend. No matter how much Carrie’s style changed, that necklace stayed a staple, inspiring fans everywhere to get their own. The piece made its return in “And Just Like That”, where Carrie is seen wearing it again as a source of comfort after Big’s death.
Now, nameplates have evolved, with modern touches like rose gold, diamonds, and unique fonts like Old English or all caps. They’re also the perfect piece for layering with other gold jewelry. Whether you’re wearing your name, a loved one’s, or even your birth year, it’s a personal statement that’s not going anywhere.
BONUS: THE COSMOPOLITAN
@binge Cosmo, please 💁♀️ Stream every episode of Sex and the City on #BINGE #SATC25 #ISawItOnBINGE #SexandtheCity #SATC ♬ original sound – BINGE
Not a wearable trend but if you’re a Sex and the City fan, it’s hard not to imagine Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda with Cosmos in hand during their wild nights out. But fun fact: the drink didn’t actually appear until season two’s The Awful Truth, and only Samantha and Stanford were sipping them. Carrie, on the other hand, went for vodka on the rocks.
After its SATC debut, the Cosmo became the ultimate girls’ night drink, totally owning the early 2000s vibe. But as time passed and craft cocktails took over, the Cosmo fell from grace, becoming a bit cringe and associated with out-of-touch wealth. As one person hilariously put it in Vice, “The Cosmo is what you drink when you want to get wasted with no calories and have a UTI.” Even in the first SATC movie, Miranda asks, “Why did we ever stop drinking these?” and Carrie’s answer? “Because everyone else started.”
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