Another “And Just Like That” season, another round of fashion moments to add to the annals of the “Sex and the City” history books.
While it may have been a little light in its usual shoe iconography (and certainly lighter in tone than the first season when dealing with said shoe iconography), there were still plenty of standout fashion and style moments sprinkled throughout season 2.
And as fun and frivolous as they may seem on the surface (Met Gala looks! Halloween antics!), the wardrobes of Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, Lisa, Seema, Nya, Anthony (and yes, Samantha, for 74 seconds) have helped to place the characters in new chapters of their respective lives.
Carrie, for example, becomes a sweatshirt person, donning a collection of what are likely to be highly collectible and rare vintage styles through the season. She also learns how to cook poached eggs and tries on new relationships, until she settles into a very old, comfortable one — not unlike those well-worn crewnecks . Seema’s stolen and then found Birkin represents the independence and freedom that she yearns to hold onto as she navigates new love. At the beginning of the season, Charlotte is still a doting full-time mother and wife, wearing throwback Burberry check ensembles — until she goes back to work, and the power silhouettes and black palettes take over.
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With the news that the Max series will be renewed for a third season, it’s likely that its showrunners are already brainstorming how outfit new, upcoming storylines (with more shoes, we hope).
Until then, here 10 of the most memorable fashion moments from “And Just Like That” season 2.
1. The pigeon bag
The bag that launched a hundred memes — or was it memes that launched the bag? When Sarah Jessica Parker was spotted filming the scene in which Carrie and Charlotte try to do damage control at a trendy consignment shop, the $890 JW Anderson pigeon clutch that she was carrying immediately sold out and gained a waiting list. The pigeon bag (which Anderson designed after hearing about conspiracy theories that birds are not real) continues a long storyline of Carrie’s penchant for bird fashion. And the scene was worth the wait, too: Carrie nonchalantly pulling a stick of gum out of the bird’s hollow insides as a shopgirl looks on in horror is easily one of the most meme-worthy scenes in the season.
2. Samantha’s confident return
It may have lasted all of 74 seconds, but Kim Cattrall‘s long-awaited, highly-anticipated cameo tells us everything we need to know about Samantha Jones now, through her style: She still likes to wear statement colors but tones things down with a modest (but metallic) coat. She has favorite pieces of jewelry that she pulls out over the years (those silver bangles). And she still loves a Fendi bag. She’s stayed true to herself but is also comfortable moving on to new things.
3. Carrie’s major shoe spree
Footwear fans got their fix of new Carrie shoe moments in episode 3, when the protagonist turned a corner in her grieving process by taking herself to Bergdorf Goodman for an epic shopping spree. The haul included René Caovilla’s classic crystal-encrusted Cleo heel, Loewe’s famed rose-heeled strappy sandal and Balloon heels, two pairs of Jimmy Choos (the Anise high-heeled mule in metallic turquoise and the Flaca pink velvet mule), two pairs of two pairs of Gucci heels (ankle-strap pumps in two-tone pink and then a pair of bright yellow satin mules with bar hardware on the heel), Giuseppe Zanotti crystal mules. And at least four or five other sparkly options — enough options to last until next season.
4. Lisa’s Met Gala Valentino
In episode 1, much of the gang is prepping for the Met Gala. And just like the real thing, there were plenty of Worst Dressed options: Harry’s top hat attempt (he was subsequently uninvited). Charlotte’s equally Mad Hatter getup, complete with a suffocating corset, ill-fitting bustle skirt and unnecessary fishnet veil situation. Even Seema’s Champagne goddess gown, as glam as it was supposed to be, missed the mark with an unfortunate set of bangs that made her hooded dress look like Little (Gold) Riding Hood. But Lisa’s Valentino gown is perfection, from feather headdress all the way down to her strappy sandals. Even better, the gown gets its full moment in the sun when Lisa walks across Fifth Avenue with her husband carrying the train. “It’s not crazy. It’s Valentino,” she tells him.
5. Carrie’s wedding dress and bird headpiece
When her planned Met Gala look goes awry, Carrie makes a game-time decision, pulling her Vivienne Westwood wedding gown out of the closet and unpacking the notorious bird headpiece that went with it. She keeps the cape that up-and-coming designer Smoke created for her and also adds a pair of blue satin pumps. It looks better the second time around.
6. Carrie’s Polar Vortex puffer
Winter storms are not typically sartorial high points for New Yorkers: Long black puffer coats, Uggs, Sorel boots or even Wellies for mucking through slush-filled streets are the usual fare. Not for Carrie, who braves the polar vortex in a Moncler x Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli puffer coat gown, making a blizzard look uncharacteristically inviting.
7. Lisa’s bathroom change
In the same polar vortex episode, Lisa also braves the elements in the name of her career. And while she looks equally chic trudging through the snow and wind in a black-and-white poncho, balaclava, hat, leather gloves and white boots, it’s the bathroom transformation into her wig (she carries a special case for it with her) that says the most about Lisa’s unwavering self-confidence.
8. Charlotte’s career glow-up
At the start of season 2, Charlotte is the doting wife, mother and full-time homemaker we’ve come to see her as since she married Harry Goldenblatt. But when she accepts a job offer in an art gallery later on, Charlotte goes through an important transformation, and it shows in the wardrobe she chooses. She buys a sleek black dress for her first day on the job but becomes frustrated with appearance in it, slapping on girdles and waist trainers to slim her silhouette. Once she gets on the job, she realizes it doesn’t matter and throws all but one of the undergarments away. Later on, a polka dot peplum top and smart black pencil skirt announces that Charlotte is thriving in her job — the sale of a $150,000 Alex Israel painting proves it, too.
9. Rock’s Ralph Lauren shoot
After being approached by a talent scout to join a Ralph Lauren campaign, Charlotte — in all her preppy, tweedy glory — chaperones Rock to the shoot. Harry goes incognito to tag along, too, convinced something more sinister is happening on set. It’s not, and Rock becomes a teen sensation, before deciding that modeling isn’t for them after all.
10. Miranda’s hot date night gone wrong
After her breakup with Che, Miranda decides to truly put herself out onto the dating scene. She lands a hot Valentine’s Day date, initially at a restaurant until her date suggests they meet at her apartment. Miranda sticks with her look, a one-shouldered purple gown, statement overcoat and glam jewelry and bag. It’s a memorable mismatch with her date’s kitty-litter-littered apartment, but it’s clear: Miranda comes out on top.
