The "So Bad It May Be Good" Fashion of 'And Just Like That' and 'Emily in Paris'

We’ve all heard the phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” – and that certainly rings true when it comes to fashion. A prime example of this? Say bonjour to Emily in Paris and, of course, the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That.

But first, let’s backtrack to the beginning. Sex and the City hit the scene in 1998, a time commonly known for minimalism, and costume designer Patricia Field styled lead Carrie Bradshaw au contraire to embody a loud, “anything goes” approach to dressing. From her iconic pink tulle skirt and nameplate necklace to overdressing for just about every occasion, it’s undeniable that she was the avant of anti-fashion style; and yet, to many, her looks were still covetable.

Now, polarizing fashion is still at play; And Just Like That and Emily in Paris showcase costume design that we just can’t look away from – and as much as we resist, may actually be influencing our buying decisions.

Read on for the not-so-stylish style decisions that are unexpectedly growing on shoppers.

Overtly Feminine Frocks

Both leading ladies are known for donning feminine frocks at every chance they get. As previously mentioned, Carrie Bradshaw is nearly synonymous with her tulle skirt, and in this season of Emily in Paris, one of her most iconic looks was the Rotate Birger Christensen mini-dress at her birthday party. Complete with a giant pink bow, the strapless dress is certainly statement-making. Looking at the StyleSage data from December of 2020 to 2021, both apparel and accessories with bows have seen an 150% increase in sold-out product.

Over-the-Top Accessories

Nothing completes a look-at-me outfit quite like an extra accessory... or 2...or 3. On Sex and the City, And Just Like That, and Emily in Paris, accessories have played a leading role in taking a look from averagely everyday to worthy of these whimsical leading ladies. You can, of course, spot nameplate necklaces, berets, oversized sunnies, and the ever-trendy kerchief. In fact, the sold-out rate of the kerchief has gone up 65% from December 2020 to 2021.

Punchy Prints + Pop Colors

Even if the items themselves aren't anything out of the ordinary, you can count on any wardrobe staple to be taken up a notch in bright hues and a dose of print (typically mixed with each other, of course). Both Emily and Carrie's most notable looks are known for their vibrant hues in pinks, greens, turquoise and yellows. Looking at the data, we can see that bright hues have seen a 95% increase in sold-out rate from December 2020 to 2021.

With our current state of the world, it's no surprise that we all may be looking towards fashion for an extra glimmer of fun. If you're interested in reading more about these styling cues, discover our posts on "dopamine dressing" and streaming's impact on fashion.