Carrie Bradshaw’s fashion on the upcoming Sex and the City reboot has attracted almost as much attention as the plot itself, but unfortunately for Sarah Jessica Parker’s style squad, the reviews haven’t exactly been five-star.
The New York newspaper columnist and her three best friends have long been credited for shaping the fashion trends of the late 90s and early 00s, having wowed viewers with their enviable—and seemingly budgetless—walk-in closets for a glorious six seasons of unmissable TV.
From Carrie’s mammoth collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes to Charlotte’s infinite rack of preppy dresses, the beloved quartet never failed to make a statement when it came to their outfits. The show’s legendary costume designer Patricia Field, who was also the mastermind behind The Devil Wears Prada’s looks, was widely acclaimed for her experimental nature and creative genius on the series, winning several prestigious accolades—including an Emmy Award in 2003.
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With such a lofty track record, it’s not surprising that fans have been obsessed with the fashion of HBO’s upcoming Sex and the City reboot. The cleverly named And Just Like That will see the iconic cast—minus Samantha Jones—reunite for ten episodes of juicy relationship drama, sidesplitting laughter, and of course, showstopping costume design—much to the delight of its cult following.
Since filming began in Manhattan last spring, viewers of the original show have been treated to plenty of sneaks peeks of what’s to come on its spin-off—including a front-row seat to the characters’ impressive compilation of outfits. (If you’re already feeling inspired, you can shop the exact looks from the Sex and the City reboot here.)
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Sarah Jessica Parker has been spotted on location as Carrie Bradshaw multiple times over the past few weeks, debuting her first look (a gingham skirt, white t-shirt, duster coat, and chunky black heels) back in July. The following day, she was snapped in a fuschia Carolina Herrera dress she wore in the Sex and the City movie—proving she’s not afraid to don the same garment twice.
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Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) have also preserved much of their signature styles, stepping onto the Big Apple pavements in an array of bold ensembles. Fans went wild when photos of Miranda emerged wearing a halter neck red jumpsuit, suggesting she’s just as strong-minded and passionate as ever before. Viewers have also welcomed Charlotte’s outfits, which, with their feminine silhouettes and floral patterns, fall right in line with the romantic mom-of-two’s pristine aesthetic.
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However, not everybody is pleased with the characters’ style evolution over the past decade. A number of fans have taken issue with Carrie’s 2021 fashion, questioning the costume designer’s approach and grieving for the protagonist’s previous outfits.
Efforts to appeal to the original fanbase by resurrecting the writer’s famous tutu in the And Just Like That seem to have failed, with many viewers unimpressed by the recreation. In the released photos, Carrie can be seen wearing a maxi-length version of the ballerina mini skirt worn in Sex and the City’s opening credits. She modernized the look with a multi-colored striped top, white boots, and purple sequined Fendi bag—or baguette, as the daring fashionista would say.
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Despite the nod to her old-school style, fans found themselves struggling to identify with the new Carrie.
“This is a horrible fake-copy of Carrie Bradshaw 😞” one disappointed person said.
“The outfit looks a bit out of place, maybe the top being smaller would be more comfortable,” another fan chimed in.
Some viewers were so jolted by Carrie’s eclectic outfit that they believe—or hope—that it’s related to the storyline.
“I’m going to assume Carrie is going through something in the plot…🙁🤐,” another fan wrote.
Others have blamed the style change on the absence of Patricia Field, who was unable to return to the show due to scheduling conflicts with her work on Season Two of Emily in Paris.
“As nice as it is that Carrie wears vintage from her own closet… Where is Patricia Field? 😢” asked one person.
This isn’t the first time And Just Like That has been criticized for its fashion choices. Fans weren’t too happy when Carrie emerged in a Forever 21 dress last month, implying an uncharacteristic shift in her longstanding loyalty to designer and vintage brands.
Luckily, it looks like these concerns aren’t enough to deter viewers from tuning in.
“I’m just not sure what’s going on with her wardrobe yet… I’ll definitely be tuning in, but I’m not really feeling most of her outfits,” one person wrote.
The Sex and the City release date has yet to be confirmed, but with production in full swing, it’s likely to hit screens in late 2021.
