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. Eight 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
Michael Stars Wren Ribbed Midi 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.
Price: $98
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
Aritzia Pacino Vest Crepette™ and The Effortless Pant™
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 vest set looks gorj on every shape, nipping the waist with lots of elongating space in the leg.
Price: $118 for the vest, $148 for the pants
The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens The Icon Shirt in Stripe
The pink stripe button-down is what turns it from a cute suit set to an ingenious moment in fashion history.
Price: $145
Vesuvio Napoli Ascot
And then, of course, comes the pièce de résistance. Take the leap. It’s $17!
Price: $15
Image: HBO
3. ThE FLORAL DRESS
ASTR The Label Nissa Floral Ruffle Midi 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: $95
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
Anthropologie Somerset 100% Linen Pull-On 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: $90
Susan Shaw Stone Heart Toggle Necklace
Against your bare chest, you’ll be startled by how good this looks.
Price: $136
Image: HBO
5. ThE BLUE DRESS
Norma Kamali Diana Gown
When we saw this dress, 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: $226
H&M Double-Breasted Blazer
Going-out outerwear is hard. But leave it to SATC to show us that an oversized white blazer is the answer. It works over so, so many dresses.
Price: $50
Image: HBO
6. ThE WHITE DRESS
Quince 100% Washable Silk Slip Dress
Speaking of silky white things, this immediately left a stunning, slip dress-sized hole in our hearts. This one is real, WASHABLE silk.
Price: $90
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: $100
Image: HBO
7. This PINK SKIRT & TANK
Abercrombie Bra-Free Seamless Fabric 90s Cami
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 and fits like a dream. Buy all colors quickly and accordingly.
Price: $22
Edikted Riki Sheer Sequin Maxi Skirt
If you’re going all in, and we absolutely think you should, we recommend this skirt.
Price: $50
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: $75
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: $220
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: $15
4th And Reckless x REVOLVE Sorcha Pants
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: $82
NewZenro Elegant Feather Flower Large Brooch
Probably the most famous brooch in the past quarter of a century.
Price: $12
10. THE PERFECT GOING-OUT TOP
Image: HBO
Marcella Cabrini Top
All the elegance and allure of Charlotte herself.
Price: $78
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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