Carrie Bradshaw's fashion in Sex and the City reboot has fans worried and confused

Photos of the Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That, have showcased Carrie Bradshaw's evolving style

Carrie Bradshaw's fashion in Sex and the City reboot has fans worried and confused
(Image credit: James Devaney/GC Images/Getty)

Carrie Bradshaw's fashion on the upcoming Sex and the City reboot has attracted almost as much attention as the plot itself, but unfortunately for Sarah Jessica Parker's style squad, the reviews haven't exactly been five-star. 

The New York newspaper columnist and her three best friends have long been credited for shaping the fashion trends of the late 90s and early 00s, having wowed viewers with their enviable—and seemingly budgetless—walk-in closets for a glorious six seasons of unmissable TV. 

From Carrie's mammoth collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes to Charlotte's infinite rack of preppy dresses, the beloved quartet never failed to make a statement when it came to their outfits. The show's legendary costume designer Patricia Field, who was also the mastermind behind The Devil Wears Prada's looks, was widely acclaimed for her experimental nature and creative genius on the series, winning several prestigious accolades—including an Emmy Award in 2003. 


NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristin Davis filming on location for "Sex And The City 2" on the streets of Manhattan on September 8, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/WireImage)

(Image credit: James Devaney/WireImage/Getty)

With such a lofty track record, it's not surprising that fans have been obsessed with the fashion of HBO's upcoming Sex and the City reboot. The cleverly named And Just Like That will see the iconic cast—minus Samantha Jones—reunite for ten episodes of juicy relationship drama, sidesplitting laughter, and of course, showstopping costume design—much to the delight of its cult following. 

Since filming began in Manhattan last spring, viewers of the original show have been treated to plenty of sneaks peeks of what's to come on its spin-off—including a front-row seat to the characters' impressive compilation of outfits. (If you're already feeling inspired, you can shop the exact looks from the Sex and the City reboot here.) 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 20: Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Sarah Jessica Parker seen on the set of "And Just Like That..." the follow up series to "Sex and the City" in SoHo on July 20, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)

(Image credit: James Devaney/GC Images/Getty)

Sarah Jessica Parker has been spotted on location as Carrie Bradshaw multiple times over the past few weeks, debuting her first look (a gingham skirt, white t-shirt, duster coat, and chunky black heels) back in July. The following day, she was snapped in a fuschia Carolina Herrera dress she wore in the Sex and the City movie—proving she's not afraid to don the same garment twice. 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 09: Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon are seen on set filming the new Sex and the City movie titled 'And Just Like That' on July 09, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

(Image credit: Gotham/GC Images/Getty)

Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) have also preserved much of their signature styles, stepping onto the Big Apple pavements in an array of bold ensembles. Fans went wild when photos of Miranda emerged wearing a halter neck red jumpsuit, suggesting she's just as strong-minded and passionate as ever before. Viewers have also welcomed Charlotte's outfits, which, with their feminine silhouettes and floral patterns, fall right in line with the romantic mom-of-two's pristine aesthetic. 

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 12: Kristin Davis is seen at the film set of 'And Just Like That...' TV Series on July 12, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

(Image credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty)

However, not everybody is pleased with the characters' style evolution over the past decade. A number of fans have taken issue with Carrie's 2021 fashion, questioning the costume designer's approach and grieving for the protagonist's previous outfits. 

Efforts to appeal to the original fanbase by resurrecting the writer's famous tutu in the And Just Like That seem to have failed, with many viewers unimpressed by the recreation. In the released photos, Carrie can be seen wearing a maxi-length version of the ballerina mini skirt worn in Sex and the City's opening credits. She modernized the look with a multi-colored striped top, white boots, and purple sequined Fendi bag—or baguette, as the daring fashionista would say. 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 27: Sarah Jessica Parker seen on the set of "And Just Like That..." the follow up series to "Sex and the City" on August 27, 2021 in Clinton Hill neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)

(Image credit: James Devaney/GC Images/Getty)

Despite the nod to her old-school style, fans found themselves struggling to identify with the new Carrie. 

"This is a horrible fake-copy of Carrie Bradshaw 😞" one disappointed person said. 

"The outfit looks a bit out of place, maybe the top being smaller would be more comfortable," another fan chimed in. 

Some viewers were so jolted by Carrie's eclectic outfit that they believe—or hope—that it's related to the storyline.  

"I’m going to assume Carrie is going through something in the plot…🙁🤐," another fan wrote. 

Others have blamed the style change on the absence of Patricia Field, who was unable to return to the show due to scheduling conflicts with her work on Season Two of Emily in Paris. 

"As nice as it is that Carrie wears vintage from her own closet… Where is Patricia Field? 😢" asked one person. 

This isn't the first time And Just Like That has been criticized for its fashion choices. Fans weren't too happy when Carrie emerged in a Forever 21 dress last month, implying an uncharacteristic shift in her longstanding loyalty to designer and vintage brands. 

Luckily, it looks like these concerns aren't enough to deter viewers from tuning in. 

"I’m just not sure what’s going on with her wardrobe yet… I’ll definitely be tuning in, but I’m not really feeling most of her outfits," one person wrote. 

The Sex and the City release date has yet to be confirmed, but with production in full swing, it's likely to hit screens in late 2021. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.

Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.