CULTURE
The Handbags of
Sex And The City
By Isabelle E, Nov. 29, 2021
And just like that… Sex And The City
is back!
Twenty-three years after its premiere, Sex And The City is returning to HBO with a new name (And Just Like That…), and even more exciting — a new arsenal of handbags! Before we fawn over the new styles Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda will be carrying, let’s take a look back at some of the classic bags that made the original show and movies so iconic.
Six seasons, two movies, and countless binge-watches later, HBO Max has finally answered all of our long-awaited prayers — Sex And The City is coming back! While much has changed since the show’s 1998 premiere, one thing definitely stood the test of time, the incredible fashion of Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha.
The show was single-handedly responsible for popularizing the handbags we know and still love today like the Hermès Birkin and Dior Saddle. And even though the show’s original costume designer, Patricia Field, won’t be returning to the reboot to work her magic, we know the new series will give us just as much handbag envy as the original.
We can’t wait to see what And Just Like That… has in store for the three best friends, but we’re even more excited to see what’s in store for their closets. While we wait impatiently for the December 9th premiere date, we decided to re-watch all 94 episodes and two movies — you know, for research — and reminisce on some of our favorite SATC handbag moments.
The Fendi Baguette
Carrie Bradshaw and her Fendi Baguette. Courtesy of Racked.
If there’s anything that’s synonymous with Sex And The City, besides Manolo Blahniks and Cosmopolitans, it’s the Fendi Baguette. Though the Baguette had already achieved “It” bag status, its frequent appearances on SATC were what really solidified its cult following. Carrie mostly wore the Baguette on the second season of the show, but it continued to make appearances throughout the series and even had its own mini-arc in the Los Angeles episodes.
The Dior Saddle Bag
Carrie Bradshaw and her Dior Saddle Bag. Getty Images.
While season two was all about Baguettes, the Dior Saddle took over Carrie’s wardrobe in season three. She had one around her arm in just about every scene. For that reason, and to no one’s surprise, the show was also credited with making the bag a commercial success.
The Lady Dior
Charlotte York and the Lady Dior. Photo by James Devaney/WireImage.
We already knew that Patricia Field is a genius, after all, she’s the costume designer responsible for The Devil Wears Prada and Emily in Paris, but pairing Charlotte York with a Lady Dior was simply perfection. It’s only fitting that the regal Charlotte sported a bag named after a royal, and she wears it so well we must say.
The Louis Vuitton Papillon Handbag Limited Edition Cherry Blossom Monogram
Charlotte York and her Louis Vuitton Murakami Papillon Handbag. Courtesy Pinterest.
A more unexpected choice for Charlotte York, we were stunned to see her sporting the Louis Vuitton Papillon in the limited edition Cherry Blossom Monogram print that was part of Takashi Murakami’s iconic collaboration with the brand. This bag emits a strong early ‘00s nostalgia that we are so glad is making a comeback. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that there’s some more Murakami x LV appearances in the new series.
The Judith Leiber Couture Swan Evening Bag
Carrie Bradshaw and the Judith Leiber Couture Swan Evening Bag. Courtesy of Product Placement Blog.
Whether you’re Team Aidan or Team Big, one thing we can all agree on is the collective pain we felt while watching Carrie receive this Judith Leiber bag from her boyfriend Mr. Big instead of the “I love you” she was hoping for. We’d still happily take the bag though!
The Gucci Belt Bag
Carrie Bradshaw and the Gucci Belt Bag. Courtesy of Product Placement Blog.
In our humble opinion, some of Carrie’s best looks can be found in season four, which was largely characterized by her trusty Gucci Belt Bag. Whether she was baring midriff or over a crisp white button down, the Belt Bag seamlessly fit into every look.
The Gucci Ophidia Top Handle
Carrie Bradshaw and the Gucci Ophidia Top Handle. Courtesy of Product Placement Blog.
Another beloved Gucci style, Carrie frequently toted around this Gucci Ophidia Top Handle bag. Although it is not as widely acknowledged as the Baguette and Saddle, we think the Ophidia is just as much of an emblem of Carrie and deserves more time in the spotlight after all these years.
Vintage Chanel Clutch
Miranda Hobbes with a vintage Chanel clutch. Courtesy of Product Placement Blog.
Everyone’s favorite lawyer, Miranda Hobbes, kept her handbag choices pretty low-key throughout the series, sticking mainly to larger totes and briefcases to carry all her casework. But, one bag in particular did stick out in our minds, this vintage Chanel clutch she sported in episode three season four. The subtle CC and sleek sophistication of the bag fit perfectly into Miranda’s consistently subdued yet powerful style choices.
The Louis Vuitton Motard Firebird
What kind of round-up would this be if we didnt discuss Jennifer Hudson’s Louis Vuitton bag in the first SATC film. Hudson plays Carrie’s bag-obsessed assistant, and if that wasn’t relatable enough, the character also had great taste with favorite brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. In the end, Carrie surprises her fabulous assistant with a Louis Vuitton Motard Firebird, and we couldn’t help but wonder, How do we get a job working for Ms. Bradshaw?
The Hermès Birkin
SATC’s Birkin episode. Courtesy of Pinterest.
And finally, who could forget the absolutely iconic Birkin episode when Samantha Jones uses her PR connections to score the bag, but her plans are foiled. We can’t remember if Sam actually ended up with a Birkin by the series finale, but we definitely remember when the store clerk told her the price tag was a “whopping” $4,000 — if only that price tag stood the test of time. Ultimately, we do see Carrie carrying a blue Birkin in season five to hide Sarah Jessica Parker’s very real baby bump, and again in the final season, this time in a red croc.
