How Sex & the City Impacted the Fashion Industry

Image Courtesy: Strike Magazine Tallahassee

The hit show, Sex & The City, loved by many and known by all, was not just popular for its storyline. This all-female cast consisted of four women completely unique in their own ways but have one thing in common, a love for fashion. Every episode the core four: Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes, Charlotte York, and Samantha Jones were constantly dressed to the nines. Always dressing in outfits unique to their own style but always making sure to include luxurious accessories from designer bags, hats, and of course shoes. These are four women in their thirties who are trying to navigate their love lives while focusing on their respective careers and are doing it fashionably.

This show and its four characters changed the fashion industry and are still affecting the trends to this day, over a decade after the tv show premiered. These characters brought street fashion to life and made these designer brands seem more accessible to everyone watching the show at home. Carrie Bradshaw’s deep love for shoes put many designers on the average person’s radar. Manolo Blahnik was no doubt Carrie’s favorite shoe designer and her love for these shoes is seen throughout the seasons which skyrocketed his sales and popularity. Carrie is also responsible for starting the trend of long tutu skirts which she is seen wearing while wandering the streets of New York City in the opening credits. Another trend started by Carrie Bradshaw that is still around to this day is the baguette bags which spiked after she searched for the Fendi baguette bag in an episode of the series. In every episode, there was always a casual mention of luxury designer items, brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Fendi were some of the show's favorites.

Image Courtesy: Elle

Not only did these four characters impact the fashion industry they also impacted their viewers' wardrobes forever. Each of these women had their own distinct personality and none of them dressed like the others. Throughout the series, each character’s style evolved as they went through different seasons of life but one thing remained constant, they never conform to societal trends. These women were constantly stepping outside of trends and making their own fashion rules. Carrie always included a designer handbag or Manolo shoes in her outfits no matter the occasion and loved her fur coats. Her character inspired a lot of the trends that came about from this series and her outfits appealed most to viewers. Miranda, the corporate lawyer, had a more distinct businesswoman style; she could always be spotted in a sharp blazer or oversized clothing. Miranda’s character showed women that outfits typically tailored toward men could also be worn by a woman. On the other hand, Charlotte’s style was a perfect combination of elegance and femininity. She incorporated the color pink in almost every outfit she wore, always had timeless accessories, and her style appealed to women who wanted a timeless look. Samantha, the other professional businesswoman in the group, was the boldest of the four. Her style consisted of power suits, bold colors, and head-turning prints; and her style was as unapologetic as her personality was.

Image Courtesy: SHEmazing!

All the characters on this show explored their way through the fashion industry and developed their own style, never playing it safe with their outfits. Sex and the City inspired women to be their truest selves and taught their viewers although you cannot control the narrative you can control your style.

Strike Out,

Writer: Meagan Planas

Editor: Racquel Gluckstern

Graphic Designer: Laura Pellini

Tallahassee