The second series of And Just Like That, the polarizing and (most importantly) Samantha Jones-free sequel to Sex and the City, started in the perfect way: Carrie going to bed with a handsome man underneath the New York City skyline soundtracked to Elton John and Britney Spears’ “Tiny Dancer” remix, “Hold Me Closer.”
Naturally, the second season’s premiere episode got its titular requirements out of the way within the opening montage — the sex and the city — meaning the remainder of the first two episodes could focus on what really matters: the fashion.
Carrie Bradshaw is the perennial fictional fashion muse, and despite a lot changing in the 25 years since the show’s premiere — Manolos and Baguettes are still in, bare wasted belts are out — but our favorite gaggle of Cosmopolitan-sipping Manhattanites haven’t lost their sartorial prowess by any means.
In fact, we’d argue the contrary, with the older the women get, the bigger their budget grows, meaning we no longer have to endure Carrie moaning about over-drafting her credit card and are served delicious scenes of her shoe-shopping at Bergdorfs.
Sure, these ensembles are no longer the acme of style to any lovesick or luxury-obsessed 20-something comfort-watching SATC for the millionth time. It’s not to say these ensembles aren’t at all desirable either, (we’d take Carrie’s JW Anderson pigeon purse any day of the week).
Simply put, these fabulously dressed women offer a form of sartorial escapism that is so often missing from our screens.
With only two episodes out already, And Just Like That has already given us a masterclass in self-referential opulence. With the first episode following Carrie, Charlotte, Seema and Lisa Todd Wexley “Met cute” to the Met Gala, the 45-minuet long affair already delivered its fair share of memorable moments.
Case in point: Carrie reprising her (now vintage) Vivienne Westwood wedding gown, LTW’s crimson Valentino gown (special mention for her “I don’t care how long Pierpaolo makes it” train) and even Charlotte’s torn-to-shreds “veiled beauty” dress which was equal parts equestrian realness and gilded glamour.
We still have several more weeks of over-accessorized and extra-high stiletto moments to come (plus the impending arrival of Aidan Shaw!), but in the meantime, behold below the very best fashion moments from And Just Like That season 2.
