A Love Letter to Sex and the City

As if Sex and the City debuted only yesterday, so many quotes, fashion statements, and words of advice still dwell within avid fans of the beloved sitcom. The revolutionary and, for lack of a better word, the iconic show tackled topics ranging from fashion to sex to dating and parenting in a comical and heartfelt way, setting the tone for the golden age of television that followed. At any point in the show, viewers could find a way to relate to one of the characters. Whether it was Carrie Bradshaw and her unmatched sense of style, Samantha Jones and her undying love affair with men and her ego, Charlotte York and her resilient pursuit to find her Prince Charming, or Miranda Hobbes and her strong persistence towards becoming a modern-day “boss babe”, all six seasons helped you feel less alone in your disasters at love, professions, and even life. One thing is clear:

“I’m just going to say the thing you’re not supposed to say. I love you, but I love me more.” – Samantha Jones

One fact that critics of the show cannot ignore is that SATC was ahead of its time bypassing the Bechdel test with flying colors. The Bechdel test, also known as the Bechdel–Wallace test, is a measure of the representation of women in fiction. It met the test’s first two criteria easily; the show featured more than two named female characters who spoke to one another since the relationships between the four protagonists were the foundation of the entire series. The second test is that they talk about anything other than a man. Although Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte did devote a lot of time talking about sex and their love interests, the show’s storylines went beyond standard chick-flick fare. We had Samantha’s cancer plot, Miranda's post-baby loneliness, Charlotte’s struggles with fertility, and Carrie’s battle with unfair expectations as women age.

“I have this little substance abuse problem… Expensive footwear.” – Carrie Bradshaw

Another favor that Sex and the City did for the world is by introducing the idea of high-low fashion. Carrie Bradshaw might have had a taste for luxury labels, particularly her beloved heels, but she also wore a tutu in the opening credits for the show that cost the show’s costume designer $5 from a thrift store. Her signature name necklace, being comprised of cheap metal that could have been bought at Claire’s, did not cost much but was teamed with head-to-toe Dolce & Gabbana or Gucci. For each of the characters, fashion was a form of self-expression, even if it was a little obvious. For Miranda, a hard-working lawyer, it was all about power-suiting and puffer jackets. Charlotte used her clothes to express her love of tradition through timeless Audrey Hepburn-inspired dresses and predictably feminine and elegant looks. Samantha, with no shock to the SATC fan-base, wore sexy mini dresses and red heels to compliment her free spirit and habit to date (and sleep) around.

"Maybe We Can Be Each Other's Soulmates?" - Charlotte York

Finally, the last reason why Sex and the City continues to hold such a strong place in my heart is for the heartwarming humor that surrounds the girls’ relationships. There is no doubt that every viewer has been jealous of the unbreakable bond that these ladies have, which is tastefully represented through the quips and witty statements that the girls make to each other during their weekly breakfast dates. At the time of its release, it was seen as revolutionary - four women talking openly about their and sex lives with a lot of NSFW scenes shown on screen. However, what makes it still so relevant today is that Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha somehow became as real as our own friends throughout it all, from their first appearance on 6 June 1998 to the final episode (countless dates, several husbands and a baby or two later) in 2004.

Strike Out,

Concept and Director: Diane Fish

Assistant, Alessandra Cruz

Digital Team Member: Sydney Tindall

Photography: Karina Lago

Makeup: Becca Short and Abby Wright

Writer: Tabitha Labrato

Models: Gabby Grodman, Aniah Woods, Anna DeJonge, Devin Feix

Tallahassee