As I am sure everyone reading this remembers, the world stopped for a brief period in 2020. Ever since the end of the pandemic, it feels like people have been in survival mode. However, almost 5 years later, old trends are returning, and humankind is finding comfort in pop culture again. On April 1st 2024, the hit TV show SATC was added to Netflix. SATC, which premiered in 1998 and ran until 2004, consists of 94 episodes and 6 seasons. You may be wondering, what does this show have to do with anything? Here’s your answer: this TV show might be one of the sole reasons that young people are getting into fashion again. Adolescents began watching the classic show, and just like that, fashion was cool again.
The show consists of four thirty-something year old women, all with different personalities and senses of styles. The show’s plot follows the lives of these women as they juggle life in the big city, romance, friendship, and the weight of their uncertain futures. SATC did a wonderful job of making women feel seen 30 years ago, and now it is doing it’s job all over again. Personally, I really appreciate how the show makes efforts to empower women, while also helping them romanticize things that arent usually that romantic. However, the best part of the show is surely the fashion.
Main character Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, is known as a television “fashion icon” across America. Carrie’s style is sometimes eclectic, sometimes feminine. It is fresh and exciting with touches of muted pinks, blues, creams, and greens. She wears lots of heels, typically open-toed Manolo Blahniks. Carrie serves as an “expensive party girl” staple, and is known in the world of pop culture as the fashion blueprint. I have seen a lot of her style mirrored in modern staple pieces such as strappy heels, dainty floral scarves, and the occasional sleek bodycon dress.
Charlotte York, one of Carrie’s best friends, is also talked about quite a bit on social media when it comes to outfits. Charlotte is the embodiment of old money, feminine, classy, traditional, and romantic. She often implements neater pieces, sometimes with polka dots and bows included. Charlotte surely wears the most pink out of all the characters, and her hair is always done in a flowy blowout. As for 2024 media trends, bows have reappeared, usually pink, along with the iconic blown out hair. I would describe Charlotte York as the original “coquette clean girl.”
To change up the tone a little bit, we have Miranda Hobbes. Miranda is a bit of a wild card, but that isn’t a bad thing. She has a very iconic and tangible look, not to mention her head of flaming red hair. Miranda is boyish with a feminine touch. She is casual yet professional, and vintage yet fresh. Miranda often includes neutral colored dresses, pantsuits, and even overalls in her outfits. Along with this she will show up with the occasional statement top, with anything from patterns to gold or silver accents. I would say that she is mirrored quite often in modern days. Miranda represents the women who opt for more of a professional look, all while managing to make it look cute and classy.
Last but certainly not least, is Samantha Jones. Samantha’s personality perfectly suits her fashion choices. She is bold, classy, warm, and confident. Samantha often incorporates dresses or sleek skirts. She loves to use bold colors, with accessories like chunky belts or gorgeous purses. Samantha tones it down sometimes, but rarely. She is often talked about by the younger generation’s as being “fully herself,” which I think lots of young women can really appreciate. Samantha dresses like she has money, and knows exactly what she wants, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Lots of women still use similar tactics in fashion, such as belts, scarves, and bold colors.
Overall, SATC is not just a TV show. It set a precedent in fashion, which has stretched its influence all the way into modern times. Fashion is not just clothing, it is a way of self-expression. It helps people feel confident in their own skin. In a time where social media can be so rampant on unachievable beauty standards, a fun and dramatic show that teaches women how to strengthen friendships, be themselves, put together a look that makes them feel good, and focus just as much on themselves as they do others, is absolutely necessary. We finally got back our passion for fashion, and that makes a bigger difference than what one may think.
