By Jaz Hook
Influencers creating Sex and the City fashion trends, including How to dress like Carrie Bradshaw, are taking over TikTok and Instagram.
Created by Darren Starr and based on the book by Candace Bushnell, the television show Sex and The City follows the lives of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte; a group of girlfriends living in New York City. The seductive world of sex, cosmopolitans, Manolo Blahniks, Vogue, situationships and six-foot men in finance had everyone in a trance.
Marina Riekkinen is a TikTok creator with 40,000 followers and 2.7 million likes. She joined the current trend with her Outfits inspired by Carrie Bradshaw video on TikTok.
“I’ve always had a thing for 2000s shows,” said Riekkinen. “Fashion was such a big deal back then when I started watching the show, I noticed that I share some similar features with Carrie and even have a few similar clothing pieces. That gave me the idea to recreate the styles with my own twist.”
What undoubtedly put Sex and the City on the map was the daring fashion. Costume designer Patricia Field was inspired by the iconic Betty Page, and the fact she was an “intelligent and empowered sex symbol”, when creating the looks for the show.
The iconic opening sequence showcases the tutu Field found in a $5 bin in midtown New York, which she and Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie) had to convince creator Darren Starr to use. This fashion choice set the tone for the whole show.
Field’s choices for the characters’ outfits defined their personalities, especially Bradshaw’s, which redefined style for an entire generation and continued to influence fashion for generations to come.
Beyond fashion, Sex and the City has influenced how women view relationships, love, sexuality, and career choices.
“So many of the experiences are universal for women,” Riekkinen said.
“All the characters have influenced me in some way, it’s relatable even after 20 years.”
The show’s approach paved the way for open discussions for women; whether through style or conversations about women’s lives, Sex and the City’s legacy continues to shape trends and attitudes today.
Featured image: Bright, bold and blingy are fashion watchwords for Sex and the City. Photo: Antonio Manfredonioccflickr/CC/flickr
