The best fashion moments from And Just Like That…

Stuff style editor and Ensemble co-founder Zoe Walker Ahwa looks back on the 10 episodes of And Just Like That…, and nominates her favourite fashion moments.

OPINION: Every Friday night I’d finish watching the latest episode of And Just Like That… and cringe, embarrassed by how out of touch the writing seemed to be and how some characters seemed to be completely changed. And yet… I kept coming back for more.

I finished the series, I read the recaps and think pieces after each episode, and I had plenty of passionate conversations about it throughout its run. Despite its lacklustre ending, I was a fan of the original Sex and the City series, and so I really wanted to enjoy this reboot. At least we could rely on the fashion…

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* The most fashionable moments in And Just Like That

Patricia Field was the influential costume designer of the original series (and films, but we don’t talk about those), and her talent for capturing Carrie’s uniquely New York style sensibility was and still is iconic. The wardrobe and styling in the earlier seasons felt like the characters were wearing (amazing) clothes, rather than costumes; in later seasons, I think the show became a bit too self-conscious about its role as a fashion plate.

The new costume designers, Molly Rogers and Danny Santiago, certainly did an amazing job, but I do think it lacked the effortlessness of the original. But there were hints of genius, where the fashion helped define a character, hinted back to the past or was simply gorgeous. This is by no means a definitive list (there were a lot of looks) but these are some of the fashion moments that stood out for me.

The Valentino couture ball gown, episode 10

A moment. Carrie on Paris’ Pont des Art bridge, scattering Big’s ashes while wearing a voluminous neon orange Valentino couture gown. I know it’s about the symbolism and the fantasy but I couldn’t help but wonder where Carrie had been before this, alone in Paris in a ball gown and opera gloves. Fun fact, Big’s ashes were in a Swarovski encrusted Eiffel Tower bag by Timmy Woods that Carrie wore in the first film; I did think, ‘just throw the whole thing into the Seine’.

The Versace dress, episode 8

I had almost given up on SATC by its final season, unimpressed by Carrie’s change in personality with Petrovsky and disappointed by the whole ‘Big rescues Carrie in Paris’ ending. So I have less of a connection to the clothes from those final episodes, like this flouncy Versace gown which reappeared in this fashion filled episode that sees Carrie archiving her wardrobe. Despite my misgivings, it’s a divine dress. Carrie sitting there, alone, eating in a Versace gown was a (sad) fashion moment.

Carrie’s archive, season 8

The scenes with Carrie’s clothing archive in her apartment were heaven for me. Can you imagine rifling through those racks? I love how the costume designers pulled pieces from Carrie’s actual wardrobe, with plenty of fashion easter eggs throughout the series – the dirndl dress that she wore for a picnic in the park in SATC season 2, her ‘Single and Fabulous?’ poncho, the vintage Chanel booties, the corsages, the purple sequin Fendi baguette bag. The archival item I immediately noticed? The floral beaded dressing gown to Seema’s left, a regular SATC item that I was obsessed with.

Seema’s style in general

Carrie’s new real estate agent friend was the sexiest of them all, and my favourite of the new characters. Given a neutral and brown-tinted palette by the costume designers, Seema’s style felt effortless and confident; she’s 54, successful and she knows who she is and what she likes. From her introduction in episode 4 – a Valentino studded heel stamping out her cigarette as she steps out of a personal town car – to her last look of a black lingerie slip and cocktail ring while spending three days in bed with her new lover, this was a character whose look felt fully formed.

There was some chatter online after episode 6 where Carrie wore a “sari” to visit Seema’s family; it was in fact a lehenga and that’s something the script writers and costume department should have researched properly.

The smoking outfit, episode 8

I was intrigued by the role cigarettes had throughout the series. Carrie’s relationship with smoking had always been part of her character development – and ‘New York-ness’ – but times have changed; smoking sucks. But between Carrie and Seeema, And Just Like That… definitely tried to glamourise their effortless drags. Carrie’s ridiculous look for a ridiculous concept – a gingham Batsheva housedress and headscarf to walk around the block for her one smoke a day, so she wouldn’t get cigarette smoke on her clothes at home – was a nice contrast to that. She looked bonkers, but I think the look represented Carrie’s experimental approach to dressing that some of the more statement looks don’t.

Carrie’s neighbour Lisette, episode 8

They deliberately cast an actor with curly hair for this role, a reminder to Carrie of her past as a curly-haired, cool and carefree It girl. Lisette’s wardrobe was very much reflective of now; an experimental approach in sheer dresses and trousers, leotards and a statement pair of Off-White puffer boots.

Carrie’s sexy dress, episode 7

A classic New York look with the slicked back hair and strappy heels matched with her form-fitting Norma Kamali dress. Some have equated this with Carrie’s “naked dress”, worn on her first date with Big, and in her ads that appeared on the side of buses. This much more sophisticated grown up version was a hilarious contrast to Carrie and date Peter throwing up on the sidewalk post date; a hint of the dark humour of the original SATC series.

Lisa Todd Wexley’s vintage Moschino, episode 9

I wasn’t the biggest fan of LTW’s over the top wardrobe and styling (it read costume to me) but she absolutely brought a fashion-obsessed style to the series that none of the original characters could pull off. Her character loved a big ol’ accessory, but it was this look, while volunteering at the women’s shelter, that was her most stand out: a Moschino “safari essential” ensemble, based on a 1991 release by the brand. This updated version comes with a makeup and hairstyle accessory kit in all the pockets.

LTW’s mother-in-law

She only had a few appearances but she was one of the chicest characters on the show – especially in this Issey Miyake coat at LTW’s dinner party.

Also worth a mention:

– Carrie’s funeral outfit. To quote Stanny, “I’m so proud of her. With all she’s going through, pulling it together and giving us a look today, because people will be expecting it.”

– Rock’s pink suit at their they-mitzvah.

– Carrie’s sparkly gloves; a subtle reference to Covid through Fashion with a capital F.

– The shoes. So many gorgeous shoes.

And Just Like That is now available to stream on Neon and SkyGo. New episodes debut each Friday. It will begin screening weekly on SoHo from Monday, December 20.