If you’re on Instagram and don’t yet follow @everyoutfitonsatc, we can’t really be friends. Sounds serious, but I stand by it — the sardonic account started by Lauren Garroni and Chelsea Fairless has some of the best critical fashion writing around today, even though it only tackles outfits worn by Carrie and the gang, and typically caps out at two sentences peppered with emoji. It explores the camp that Sex and the City fans appreciate in hindsight, and pokes holes in the pseudo-intellectualizing of really boring Carrie-isms that we love to hate on today. Like, how come Carrie is a sex columnist, but can’t seem to wrap her head around the idea of bisexuality? Or how come she can wear head-to-toe Chanel, but can’t afford a down payment?
Says Fairless, "When you look at her character objectively, she really is a deeply delusional human being. But, I don't think that there is anything problematic about her fashion sense. I'd rather look like Carrie at her most fashion victim-y than Taylor Swift."
Nearly 20 years after it first aired, Sex and City is now shorthand for fashion -fashion, for better or worse. And whether you only harbor a passing interest in fashion, an academic one, or a borderline-obsessive one, you can’t ever escape the Carrie conversation; you can literally talk about anything through an SATC lens. In the spirit of the show's applicable-to-everything-ness, we’ve asked Garroni and Fairless to “dress” the cast in contemporary labels and trends.
Though many of their ideas are outdated now (“I couldn’t help but wonder: Are men just women with balls? ”), Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha’s fashion-forwardness is not. "Carrie Bradshaw was the first contemporary character on TV that not only mixed high and low fashion, but exalted Chanel as highly as she did her cheap-o hoop earrings," Garroni says. "She’s inspiring because her style is relatable and aspirational at the same time, which can be frustrating. Vintage bodysuits I can buy. Versace Couture, I just have to lust over."
Here’s what they came up with.
Carrie Bradshaw In Gucci
"Like every other fashionista, Carrie lives and breathes Alessandro Michele’s romantic new vision for Gucci. Unlike most of us, though, Carrie literally lives and breaths the new Gucci collection — head-to-heeled toe. The sheer pink top gives her yet another excuse to show the world her bra, and the towering platforms are a refreshing change from the Manolos of yesteryear."
Miranda Hobbes In Balenciaga
"Miranda’s look has always [walked] the line between upscale and awkward, so it’s no surprise that she would be at home in Demna Gvasalia’s cocoon-shaped off-the-shoulder Balenciaga puffer coat. The embellished pumps add a shock of glamour to her tragically pedestrian Brooklyn existence."
Samantha Jones In Saint Laurent
"No one does a spangly, Reagan-era thot look quite like Samantha. Between the exaggerated proportions and ostentatious accessories, Hedi Slimane’s final collection for Saint Laurent was practically made for her."
Charlotte York In Dolce & Gabbana
"Charlotte is the Queen of UES Basic, so this floral Dolce & Gabbana dress perfectly suits her Uptown Mommy lifestyle. Which no doubt includes reading Goop newsletters, taking Barre classes, and posting too many pictures of her kids on Instagram."
Stanford Blatch In Walter Van Beirendonck
"Stanford Blatch never shied away from expressing his queer identity through fashion. And neither did Antwerp’s favorite bear, Walter van Beirendonck. This cosmic pairing of unlikely fashion soulmates is heartwarming as fuck."
Steve Brady In Courreges
"No one gives a shit what Steve wears. Even Steve doesn’t give a shit what Steve wears. But this faux-blue collar Courreges ensemble would actually look surprisingly chill on him."
Bunny MacDougal in Chanel
"Some bitches never change. And Bunny is a ride or die chick when it comes to Chanel. She’s loves a good pink Chanel tweed suit as much as she (presumably) loves hating minorities and throwing back gimlets at the country club."
Aidan Shaw In Vetements
"In 2016, fashion has finally and unfortunately come around to see Aidan’s way of Dadbod dressing. The instantly iconic Vetements/Levi's collab really speaks to his Canadian-tuxedo ways, but knowing him, he’ll ruin the look by adding a puka shell necklace. #FuckingAidan."
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