A Definitive Ranking of the Best Looks From And Just Like That…
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO Max; Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images; @sarahjessicaparkerSome things are utterly sacred for the fashion set, like unearthing hidden gems in the sale section, watching the red carpet at the Met Gala, or scouring fashion week for the most recent trends. But possibly the most sacred thing of all is costume design. Don’t get us wrong. Seeing your favorite designer’s work go down the runway or spotting the latest It bag on a girl at the metro station is magic. But for millions of fashion lovers worldwide, the easiest way to get a glimpse into the fashion world is through our screens. Just think about the power that stylish fictional characters hold in the zeitgeist—what would we do without Andrea from The Devil Wears Prada or Blair from Gossip Girl? Characters with great costumes can transmute the magic of fashion into every corner of the world (and the internet). And while there are so many stylish characters on-screen, we know damn well that none have held a grip on the fashion set like Carrie Bradshaw herself.
Like it or not, Sex and the City has been and always will be a part of the cultural and fashion canon (Carrie did single-handedly carry Fendi’s baguette to fame, after all.) So when HBO released the reboot of the series, And Just Like That…, we knew we had to watch all of it. Of course, there are still some cringey moments and some plot points that could have used some fleshing out, but what remains true for this series is that the fashion did not fail us—nor did the costume designers. To prove our point, we’ve rounded up the 30 best looks from the series along with critical pieces to re-create the look. Warning: A fair number of spoilers and stilettos lie ahead.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 1
WEAR: Manolo Blahnik heels
Hard-core SATC fans lost it over the first episode of And Just Like That… because of that infamous ending—Mr. Big dying after working out on a Peloton. If you weren’t crying/screaming/throwing up over the fact that the writers did Carrie dirty after all those years of shenanigans, then just think about the loss of those shoes. Carrie ruining her blue satin Manolo Blahnik shoes that she wore to their wedding while trying to save him in the shower? It’s too much to handle.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 6
WEAR: Verdura jewelry; Linda Farrow sunglasses; Etro suit
Our beloved Samantha not being a part of the reboot was a disappointment, but we did gain many new, intriguing characters, including Seema. If Samantha’s word was “sex,” then Seema’s seemingly is “power,” as she’s a successful real estate agent with a slew of power suits to play the part. Only she could sell us a new apartment in a full head-to-toe leopard suit.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 3
WEAR: Fendi bag
Post-funeral, Carrie’s style in the show begins to harken back to those over-the-top ensembles that defined her ’30s. Is it regression or merely her style? I digress, but it’s safe to say only Carrie could pull off wearing this to Che’s stand-up comedy show.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 5
Ah, the ongoing joke of the series: aging. We can’t lie and say we’re in our late 50s, but some of the plot points in the series (like Steve suddenly not hearing anything) just feel too far-fetched considering how old these characters are supposed to be. Nevertheless, come episode five, we learn that Carrie must get hip surgery, which is no surprise considering how long she’s been wearing heels. But her post-surgery look—with the dramatic layered pearls and tweed cardigan over the medical gown—makes this seemingly low moment a little more stylish.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 2
Episode two may have been all about Mr. Big’s funeral, but it could have also been an homage to the death of the pragmatic and practical Miranda we came to love over the years. Throughout the season, Miranda is just hopelessly lost. From the obsessive drinking to the cringey comments to cheating on Steve to having sex in Carrie’s kitchen, it’s just downhill for Miranda after this look. But at least, we have the memory of this crisp suit, right?
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 6
As Carrie begins looking for a new apartment in episode six, it seems her style is also exploring new terrains. Suddenly, Carrie’s channeling downtown vibes and wearing a grunge-inspired suit with a corduroy blazer. We’re kind of about it.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 9
Come episode nine, it’s so clear that Carrie is down bad. She's canceled her second date with the teacher, she’s trying to avoid a contentious conversation with Steve about Miranda cheating, she accidentally steps her platform heels into a paint bin, and she almost loses Mr. Big’s wedding band. Homegirl is going through it, but she proves you can do anything in heels.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 10
Despite Miranda’s messy moments throughout the season, this finale scene of her waiting for her Uber as she prepares to go to L.A. with Che is… refreshing. This look feels like a return to who she is—not just because she’s dyed her hair or is wearing a stunning tonal suit, but because she’s choosing to go for love over everything else. Who would have thought our most beloved pragmatic and sometimes rigid character would get to this moment?!
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Gotham/GC ImagesWHAT: Episode 4
We’re introduced to Lisa Todd Wexley in episode one, but we finally get more of a sneak peek into her relationship with Charlotte in episode four. What’s great about this look from these two leading women is that their colorful outfits are as complementary as how they take on PTA tasks.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 8
At the end of episode eight, you’re just hoping for a redeemable moment for Carrie, and thankfully for us, it comes in the form of this ensemble she chooses to wear to the fundraiser. While she may still be mortified by how her first date went and the fact that she’s running into him at the gathering, she’s handling it with grace and style.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 7
WEAR: Jean Paul Gaultier suit; Pierre Hardy bag
After writing her book, Carrie emerges in episode seven ready to share her story. It should be noted that writing isn’t the only way she’s communicating. This look she wears to her publisher’s office is pure poetry. If you’re not pitching your tell-all book in a three-piece Jean Paul Gaultier suit, just don’t even try.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 4
We’re first introduced to Seema in episode four when Carrie decides to finally sell that penthouse—you know, the one with the absurd walk-in closest. Well, despite loving her home with Mr. Big, she’s decided the place is haunted and will be residing in her former apartment until it’s sold, which Seema is up for doing. Frankly, if you’re wearing something this chic, we want you to sell our homes too.
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James Devaney/GC Images GettyImageWHAT: Episode 10
What do you wear when you’re meeting your deceased husband’s brother for lunch? An oversize blue blazer dress, obviously. While their conversation was on the heavier side (talking about where to lay Big’s ashes to rest), this bright-blue suit was anything but sad, which proves the point that a great costume design can take an otherwise solemn scene and add some levity to the moment.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 7
WEAR: Schiaparelli necklace; Markarian Drusa Floral Brocade Bow Dress ($1895)
Honestly, the trope of moms not having time to worry about what they wear is dismantled every time Lisa is in a scene. Her donning a Schiaparelli necklace and Markarian dress for a school fundraiser is so chic. And while the auction did not go well for her, we’d spend all our money just to re-create this look.
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Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesWHAT: Episode 3
Besides Gossip Girl characters, no one embodies that Upper East Side energy quite like Charlotte. Of course she’d be wearing an entire look to walk the dog in the morning. This is who she is. And what makes this look so fabulous is that, despite all the changes the reboot has brought in the world of these beloved characters, you know our Goldenblatt girl will always give us some golden looks.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 7
WEAR: Max Mara blazer; Norma Kamali dress; Paco Rabanne bag; Aquazzura shoes
Remember that iconic body-hugging dress Carrie wears while banging on a window? Well, episode seven brought back this style for the updated circumstances. After getting the advice from her publisher and Oprah to add a “glimmer of hope” to her book, Carrie has to go on a date. While the date may end badly with both parties vomiting on the sidewalk, it’s safe to say that this body-con-dress moment is bad (in a good way).
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James Devaney/GC ImagesWHAT: Episode 10
Honestly, Carrie putting on this cute date outfit while talking to Big’s ashes brought a sweet little tear to our eyes. Maybe it’s the fact that she’s putting herself out there again, or perhaps it’s the sequin bag that makes this look so moving. But either way, what we can know for sure is that, while the future of Carrie’s love life may be unknown, she does know how to dress.
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RCF/MEGA/GC ImagesWHAT: Episode 10
From the good to the bad, we’ve seen everyone go through it this reboot. But while our favorite characters’ lives may change just like that, this matching all-white moment reminded us that their great style will remain ever present.
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James Devaney/GC Images.WHAT: Episode 3
WEAR: Carolina Herrera dress; Roger belt
Any dreams you may have had about these characters becoming well-adjusted go right out the window in episode three. To be fair, Carrie does get some grace considering the circumstances, but after finding out Big left Natasha money in his will, she decides to confront her. If being blocked on Instagram wasn’t enough indication that Natasha had no interest in whatever the hell Carrie was looking for, she decided to show up at her workplace. The whole thing is messy, but this look? At least that’s not. If you’re going to spiral, we guess you have to do it stylishly.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 4
WEAR: Fendi bag; Chanel tutu
Who can forget the iconic opening of the original SATC, where Carrie dons a tutu skirt? This costume feels like an homage to her roots but in a more grown-up length. But what makes this look is that Carrie whips it out of her closet to wear to her local bodega after spending the night in her former apartment. Is it giving unhinged, or is it just giving? That’s for you to decide, but either way, there’s no denying this is one of the best costumes in the reboot.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 8
WEAR: Batsheva dress
Who can forget when this outfit went viral before the release of the reboot? Honestly, this look had everyone questioning, Is Carrie okay? But once you dive into this episode, you get that she’s not well. She’s still mourning, on top of having a traumatic first date and a new loud neighbor. It only makes sense that she’d wear dramatic cleaning gloves, a scarf, and oversize sunglasses to walk and smoke a cigarette.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 10
WEAR: MaryJane Claverol Malibu Beaded Sequin Turban ($395); Bottega Veneta The Chain Cassette Bag ($4500)
When Charlotte and Harry planned a giant they mitzvah for their child, Rock, everyone came out, including Lisa. Frankly, this bedazzled turban and wrap coat are giving rich-mom energy to the fullest extent of the definition. She is the only person we’d turn to for parenting advice (and maybe style advice too).
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 4
Okay, so we were a little skeptical of the first few episodes of the reboot, but by the time we got to this look, it started to grow on us. There’s just something about this scene. Carrie getting into the car with Seema, lighting a cigarette, and staring out the window in blue-tinted shades as she drives away from her former home with Big? Emmy-worthy performance.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 9
WEAR: Moschino outfit
Carrie may have thought she was being extra by painting in those platform heels, but Lisa brought it. Just because you’re doing charity work doesn’t mean you can’t continue to give the guys and girls what they want: a lewk. And this head-to-toe Moschino safari ensemble is just that.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 6
Are you even grieving if you’re not wearing great hats? Joking aside, episode six of And Just Like That… shows Carrie trying to move forward with her life. She buys a new apartment and tries to unpack some of her boxes from her storage unit. Strides forward don’t come without stumbles—she can’t seem to settle into her new place, and she only managed to leave her storage unit with a giant sun hat and a lamp. But who said dealing with grief was easy? At least she’s doing it stylishly.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 10
WEAR: Oscar de la Renta Floral Strapless Cocktail Dress ($5960)
There are so many magical things in this look—the layered necklaces, the lace cardigan, the Oscar de la Renta dress. But maybe the best thing about this look is its role in the episode. Carrie’s not only wearing this look at Bobby Lee’s surprise wedding and when she gets an offer to host her podcast, but she’s also wearing it when she has a dream about Mr.Big, in which he tells her where he wants his ashes to be spread. If that’s not magic, we don’t know what is.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 8
WEAR: Versace Couture gown
Ah, who could forget this Versace Couture gown? It made its first appearance in the last season of Sex in the City when Carrie found herself in Paris alone and thinking about Mr. Big all the time. SATC fans know how the story ends, but the designers bringing this gown out of the woodworks could not be a better foreshadowing of the finale.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 2
Have whatever feelings you have about And Just Like That…, but the costumes delivered. Case in point: Carrie’s outfit for Big’s funeral in the second episode. This moment and this look set the tone of the entire series. The dramatic hat, pearls, and ’50s A-line skirt gave Grace Kelly. It was a reminder that nothing is going to stop Carrie from dressing up.
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Craig Blankenhorn/HBO MaxWHAT: Episode 6
They say the final stage of grief is acceptance, and in many ways, the last look of episode six nods to Carrie coming to terms with Big’s death. She sold her new apartment, moved back into her old home, and is even unpacking Big’s things from the storage unit. But the most powerful indication of this shift is her sweet little red dress styled with one of Big’s very own blazers. Talk about using costumes to support character development.
WHAT: Episode 10
WEAR: Valentino gown
This look is the finale. If you’re going to lay the love of your life to rest where you kissed on the Seine, then you better be serving a look (preferably Valentino). This moment in the finale—where we see Carrie muster up the courage to go to Paris alone to spread Big’s ashes—can make anyone cry. Truthfully, this season of the show may have had its rough moments, but it was a reminder that our lives can change just like that. But it also serves as a reminder that no matter what life has in store for us, great clothing and great friends can make anything bearable.
