"Sex and the City" has problematic scenes in nearly every episode. There was the time Carrie faked a “Bronx” accent when speaking to a person of color at Samantha’s rooftop party.
Or the time a woman of color got in a fight with Samantha for dating her brother, even though Samantha is white.
Acknowledging the problematic scenes in this series, and choosing to set them aside can be tough, but when you look at the whole of things, there are still important things to note: in its 6-year, 94-episode, 2-movie lifespan, "Sex and the City" has taught us things across the board. Dating lessons, friendship etiquette, and fashion. These four New York women claim to know all about fashion, but are they really? Some of the most important lessons I’ve pulled out of Sex and the City are what not to wear; here are five of the worst outfits I’ve seen – but trust me, there are plenty more I could’ve mentioned.
1. Cowboy Carrie.
The episode is called “Twenty-Something Girls vs Thirty-Something Women,” and Carrie and the girls discuss throughout the scenes the pros and cons of being in your 20s vs your 30s.
Let’s be honest here, Carrie is known for experimenting in new and different ways. That being said, no one – of any age – should be caught in this outfit. The diagonal stripes? The cheetah print? A red, straw cowboy hat? Carrie, it’s obvious to us that you were trying to act like a 20-Something girl – and it backfired.
2. Bandanna'd Bradshaw.
In season 3, Carrie was out shopping with Samantha at some point, nothing out of the ordinary… right? Let’s look at this ruffled-chiffon mess. Are you headed to homecoming after shopping, Carrie? As if wearing an outdated wannabe prom dress wasn’t bad enough, she paired it with a bold blue bandanna and a gaudy statement necklace. If a picture speaks a thousand words, all 1,000 of this one are cringe-y middle school memories.
3. The Chanel Mix Up.
Season 3 is full of bad outfits; just take a look at this colorful mess. This Chanel top wouldn’t be bad on its own, paired with some slim black trousers it would be the statement blouse it was meant to be. Paired with tie-dye capris? Not so much.
4. The Pilot.
It’s amazing that the pilot and opening credits didn’t scare away the world-wide fan base, because this tutu combo is bad. Maybe the producers were trying to convey her youth in this ensemble, but they went a little too far. When I’m looking for a chronicle about life in the city and sexual encounters, I don’t want the image of a 2-year old’s birthday party in my head – these two things are too juxtaposed.
5. Kimono No-No.
Can you say cultural appropriation? Kimonos have been appropriated into mainstream fashion aesthetics since the early 2000s, so it’s no surprise that Carrie Bradshaw debuted one in season 1. Just because it’s mainstream doesn’t make it appropriate, Carrie. And the girl-ish pattern doesn’t further your character’s depth in any way. All in all, the kimono is a no-go.
