10 Outfits Inspired By The Very Best Sex And The City Clothes That Are Actually Affordable
And just like that, we’re too old and tired to pun.
Images: HBO
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by The Candidly Team
Ask any woman over 35 to name her top 5 Carrie Bradshaw outfits, and poof, she can rattle them off like sibling names.
We can’t help but wax nostalgic about ours when hiding our faces from the cringiest bits of And Just Like That.
And sure, some of those outfits were spectacle. Some were skin-baring to the point only SJP’s tiny, toned legs and tum could possibly pull them off. And pretty much all of them were so deeply unaffordable we never truly felt we could recreate them without a lottery win.
But some of them, the best of them, were not only inspired but actually attainable.
We had way, way too much fun recreating 10 of our most favorite SATC looks on a budget. Nine out of 10 of them were Carrie’s (though overall, we were sure we were a Charlotte).
And if we missed anything, please comment or DM us here. Like SATC, we do love ourselves a sequel.
Image: HBO
1. THE LITTLE TEE DRESS
Melrose and Market Leith Ruched Body-Con Sleeveless Dress
Imagine your favorite, perfect, fitted tank turned itself into a dress that molds your upper body and shows off miles of leg. For us curvier gals, ruching is the only way to wear tight things with any sort of confidence. It conceals lumps and bumps, while letting our silhouette shine through. More than 2k 5-star reviews tell us this dupe is the exact fit we’ve been looking for.
Price: $30
Halston Polarized Stainless Steel Aviator Sunglasses
Your cool factor increases by 72% every time you slip these on. No need to splurge when the shape is this universal and classic.
Price: $50
Image: HBO
2. ThE SUMMERY SUIT
Vila linen touch cropped tailored vest and tailored wide leg pants
Ugh, the tailoring. Luckily we’re living through a real vest moment where we can recreate this iconic look without a trip to Ralph Lauren (where Carrie got hers). This creamy vest set looks gorj on every shape, nipping the waist with lots of elongating space in the leg. And the linen is perfect for summer.
Price: $51 for the vest, $65 for the pants
Gap 100% Linen Oversized Shirt
The pink stripe button-down is what turns it from a cute suit set to an ingenious moment in fashion history. And this one’s on sale at Gap as we speak.
Price: $63
Vesuvio Napoli Ascot
And then, of course, comes the pièce de résistance. Take the leap. It’s $17!
Price: $17
Image: HBO
3. ThE FLORAL DRESS
ASTR The Label Kitura Cold Shoulder Maxi Dress
This look was all about the flow and florals, both supremely feminine. Everything moves and sort of brushes off to show a hint of shoulder, a peek of knee. It’s such a sophisticated way to show allure (and skin!). The one brand mimicking all this at a wildly affordable price is ASTR The Label. We chose two dresses that most remind us of Carrie’s, but you should really peruse their whole selection, because so many have this effect.
Price: $109
ASTR The Label Wilder Pleated Tiered Maxi Dress
The ruffles. The tiers. It’s selling out fast so be swift.
Price: $198
Image: HBO
4.ThE “CARRIE TUBE”
Free People The Carrie Tube
Literally named the “Carrie Tube.” And that lady does look magnificent in a tube top. But here’s a little secret. So will you. Yes, even if your arms are thick. Even if your chest is small. Even if your shoulders are broad, because tube tops are flattering. They hold you in like shapewear, and they balance out a bigger bottom to give you more of an hourglass. It so happens that both brown and butter yellow are in fashion right now, so we jumped on the opportunity to recreate this exact look, all from Free People coincidentally.
Price: $30
Free People Quinn Pants
We’ve loved these pants for a long time. They feel like pajamas but have so much style to them, especially in this color.
Price: $50
Sccollection Bacio Mini Glass Heart Necklace
Against your bare chest, you’ll be startled by how good this looks.
Price: $138
Image: HBO
5. ThE BLUE DRESS
Norma Kamali Diana Gown
Admittedly, this one comes from the reboot And Just Like That. When we saw it, then tried it on, then bought it, we loved it so much, we wrote a whole article about it, which you can read HERE. The ruching is made for curves, but gives us that elongated, sleek look we dream of getting from a fitted party dress. And guess what? The exact dress she wore in the show is still available. And it’s not some insane 4 digit price.
Price: $215
Susana Monaco One Shoulder Ruched Midi Dress
That said, for those not looking to spend over $200, this dress is pretty darn close and pretty darn incredible in its own right. It was also over $200, but happens to be on sale for $80!
Price: $80
Show Me Your Mumu Felix Blazer
Going-out outerwear is hard. But leave it to SATC to show us that a silky white blazer is the answer. It works over so, so many dresses.
Price: $125
Image: HBO
6. ThE WHITE DRESS
Rumored Market Midi Dress
Speaking of silky white things, this immediately left a stunning, slip dress-sized hole in our hearts. It took us over two decades, but by God, we think we’ve found it!
Price: $118
Mango Beaded Handbag
Mixing textures and setting classic pieces against artful, original ones was part of the secret SATC sauce that elevates everything. This funky, beaded bag does just the trick.
Price: $80
Image: HBO
7. This PINK SKIRT & TANK
J.Crew Stretch cotton shelf-bra tank top
Sometimes it’s the simplest things, the mix of high and low, the sequined skirts and tank tops that have the biggest impact where style is concerned. Side note: this tank has a built-in bra shelf and fits like a dream. Buy all colors quickly and accordingly.
Price: $34.50
Edikted Riki Sheer Sequin Maxi Skirt
If you’re going all in, and we absolutely think you should, we recommend this skirt.
Price: $63
Wilfred
Twirl Pleated Skirt
And if you’re more of a fan of her tulle and tutu looks, this is the most wearable, grown-up version of the opening credits skirt.
Price: $150
Image: HBO
8. THE BLACK BRIDESMAID DRESS
Norma Kamali Halter Wrap Gown
This. This was the exact moment we wanted to be Charlotte York. This Norma Kamali dress is unbelievably flattering and is gorgeous for many more occasions than a wedding.
Price: $185
Image: HBO
9. ThE FLOWER PIN LOOK
Artfish Women's Sleeveless Tank Top
This look is so effective but it actually comprises 3 very simple elements. It starts with this tank - another one we own in every color, it’s so damn flattering.
Price: $19
SPANXsupersmooth™ Stretch Twill
Wide Leg Pant Wide-Leg Pant
Pink pants are a smart way to turn simple outfits into completely put-together looks, and when the pants fit with this kind of smoothing, flattering magic, it makes getting dressed wildly easy.
Price: $109
NewZenro Elegant Feather Flower Large Brooch
Probably the most famous brooch in the past quarter of a century.
Price: $12
Image: HBO
10. THE TULLE DRESS
Reformation Esmarie Dress
Admittedly, it’s not dirt cheap, but we haven’t found a tulle dress this whimsical yet wearable since this skirt sashayed its way across our screen years ago. So when we found this one, we had to share.
Price: $348
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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