A "SEX AND THE CITY" REVIVAL (NO, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT "JUST LIKE THAT")
With the recent addition of the cult-classic TV show "Sex and the City" onto Netflix US, the series from the late nineties and early 2000s is experiencing a comeback in 2024. Because of this, the show's iconic glitz and glamour are captivating a new audience: Gen Z and Alpha. Whilst the show delved into many topics over its six-season run, the fashion—masterfully curated by stylist Patricia Field—arguably remains the most timeless topic of conversation surrounding the TV series that stands today. The two new generations are taking to social media to share their fresh takes on the hit series and its unforgettable fashion.
"I'm thinking balls are to men, what purses are to women. It's just a little bag but we'd feel naked in public without it." - Carrie, S4E10
The question stands though - why was the fashion of Sex and the City so influential in the first place? The show mirrored and ignited trends tied to the '90s and early 2000s, famous examples including slip dresses and mules (Hello Manolo!). Vogue even dubs fashion as the 5th character of SATC, highlighting its integral role within the show’s storytelling. The show’s influence, I believe, is attributed to the fact that each character had a distinct style. Each viewer could find a piece of themselves—or their aspirational selves— simply through the choice in costuming for each respective character. Whether it was Carrie’s eclectic glam, Miranda’s professional chic, Charlotte’s classic elegance, or Samantha’s bold statements, the fashion choices were meticulously and purposefully crafted to resonate deeply with the audience. With the comeback of the original "Sex and the City" series in 2024, Carrie's especially iconic looks are popping up all over social media. Leading the charge is the sequin Fendi Baguette, a piece that has become synonymous with Carrie's character—who could forget the moment when Carrie gets mugged (Robber: “Give me your bag”; Carrie: “It’s a baguette”).
The nostalgia surrounding the show has reignited interest in embellished bags, reminiscent of the early 2000s, after a long period of the LBB (little black bag) as the dominant accessory. Purse-wearers are increasingly embracing metallic accents, sequins, varying fabrics, and textures, signalling a shift in fashion sensibilities. No longer seen merely as a necessity for holding one's personal items, the purse is being utilised as an important part of curating an interesting outfit, hence also reflecting a broader movement towards self-expression and creativity in fashion.
Sex and The City, HBO
Season 3 Episode 7, Sex and The City, HBO
Sourced from https://www.scannedfashionworld.com/2019/10/campaign-fendi-fw-1999.html
Unknown, sourced from Pinterest: https://pin.it/5rrj1pGxf
Coral Sky, coralsky.g. (Unkown) [Story]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/coralsky.g/
Nigel Barker, 2012, in Lynn Yaeger Collect Call | Pamella DeVos’s Fendi Baguettes, The New York Times Style Magazine, New York, 2012, 8
Unknown, sourced from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/175358979234454775/
Unknown, sourced from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/24629129206504308/
Unknown, sourced from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/5136987069135286/
