Spoilers ahead for the first two episodes of the second season of “And Just Like That.” On Thursday, Max released the highly anticipated second season of “And Just Like That,” bringing back the iconic “Sex and the City” energy with extravagant fashion, candid conversations, and steamy encounters. The leading ladies have scored invites to the Met Gala, leading to a frenzy as they prepare their outfits and secure their plus-ones. Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte each have their own dramatic storylines unfolding, including Carrie’s new love interest, Miranda’s move to California, and Charlotte’s quest to recover her daughter’s sold wardrobe. Journalists and editors from the Styles desk got together to discuss the jaw-dropping fashion and opulent lifestyles showcased in the first two episodes.
Louis Lucero II: I always wondered if this day would come, and here it is! The opening montage of glamorous nightgowns and seductive looks is a statement, especially after a season dominated by mourning attire. It’s a powerful declaration.
Madison Malone Kircher: Did you catch Carrie wearing a New York Times sweatshirt in Episode 1? It’s an oversized white sweatshirt with a subtle logo. Interestingly, it’s not available for purchase at the official company merchandise store.
LL: The New York Times, missing out on a business opportunity since 1851.
MMK: Remember the “I Love Central Park” sweatshirt in Season 1? It’s clear that the city is a character in itself.
LL: Yes, I recall. In the previous season, Carrie even flaunted an “NYC Votes” sticker on the back of her phone. The Carrie in “And Just Like That” seems eager to showcase her engagement in civic matters, whether it’s on her sleeve, sweatshirt, or phone case.
MMK: But not at the Met Gala. We definitely need to talk about the Met.
LL: I found the fictional Met Gala theme, “Veiled Beauty,” hilariously plausible.
Callie Holtermann: Lisa Todd Wexley’s striking red Valentino outfit, complete with an obstructive headpiece, provided comedic relief. It also highlights the excess and inconvenience of high fashion, and why people, both in the show and in real life, still find it worthwhile.
Vanessa Friedman: I actually found the Met Gala looks quite believable, even with their kitschiness. The gala is often known for its exaggerated themes. However, a few facts need clarification: 1) EVERYONE has to climb those stairs; 2) Anna Wintour approves every guest, so there’s no swapping plus-ones; and 3) you can’t simply “buy a table” and invite anyone you want. Attention to detail matters.
Aside from the gala, and I hate to be a downer, but I felt like the show’s creator, Darren Star, was too influenced by his own “Emily in Paris” success.
Jeremy Allen: Vanessa, I couldn’t help but think of “Emily in Paris” throughout, especially the extreme maximalism. Carrie Bradshaw used to be the queen of outrageous fashion, but now she seems almost subtle compared to the other characters’ flamboyant outfits.
Katie Van Syckle: What did you all think of Carrie reviving her Vivienne Westwood wedding dress from the 2008 “Sex and the City” movie?
VF: I thought it was a smart move, paying homage to the late Ms. Westwood and something Sarah Jessica Parker, a regular at the Met Gala, might plausibly wear in real life. Especially with that bird on her head. I recall she had quite a headdress at the actual gala honoring “China: Through the Looking Glass.”
KVS: It was interesting to see her rewear a look!
CH: The wedding dress symbolizes the resurgence of this series, although it didn’t go perfectly the first time. I’m not entirely convinced it needed to be resurrected from the closet, but it’s back, slightly overthought, with the addition of that huge teal cape.
VF: If the intention behind the rewear is sustainability, it got overshadowed by the excessive styling in the rest of the wardrobe.
LL: Besides the environmental reasons for shopping one’s closet, Carrie also made an emotional argument: “I’ve only worn it once; it’s not the best memory.”
CH: Episode 1 also had a meta-costume-design moment. How did you all feel about Che Diaz’s conversation with the costume department for their new TV show? And that blue hair!
LL: We needed a touch of tomboy! In this wild and eccentric cast, nobody else is making a case for jeans and a T-shirt.
JA: Am I the only one feeling overwhelmed by the constant excess? The necklaces keep getting bulkier, the prints more extravagant, and the cocktail rings could double as homing devices for pigeons (just like Carrie’s JW Anderson pigeon clutch).
VF: It’s the “Emily effect.”
MMK: Speaking of the pigeon clutch, it takes us to Episode 2. What were your thoughts on that?
CH: My favorite fashion moment in Episode 2 was when Lily, Charlotte’s daughter, performed a moody song resembling a mix of Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish. She expresses feeling trapped on Park Avenue while wearing an oversized beanie and a choker, ditching her demure pink Chanel dress and Steinway piano. It’s a timeless story.
VF: Parents who buy their teenagers Chanel dresses should expect them to resell them for their own purposes.
JA: And supposedly, it’s from Karl Lagerfeld’s last collection!
KVS: The Real Deal, the fictional resale platform, makes an appearance too. Just don’t confuse it with the real estate trade publication.
LL: While assisting Charlotte on her unsuccessful dress retrieval mission, Carrie sported one of her more powerful and understated outfits of the series so far: an olive green jumpsuit with military-style details.
JA: Exactly. It wasn’t all about loud prints or statement jewelry; it was about creative pairings. The Converted Closet jumpsuit, mini Fendi baguette bag, and the aforementioned pigeon clutch worked for me. There was subtlety and ridiculousness in that ensemble.
VF: Although the dress-up feels somewhat empty to me. It’s not as fun as it used to be. Maybe that’s part of the aging issue and the perennial question of dressing your age. The whole “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should” concept. I appreciate the women pushing boundaries and breaking rules, but perhaps we’re reading too much into it.
LL: You make an interesting point about dressing for your age, Vanessa. As the characters grow older and more successful, they all seem to be converging into a Carrie-esque style, but not all of them can carry off those styles as effortlessly as Ms. Bradshaw.
There’s one other recurring theme in the first two episodes: statement bags. We’ve seen bags used as barriers, dining companions, and even bags within bags.
KVS: Don’t forget the pigeon!
LL: Our beloved city mascot mustn’t be forgotten!
MMK: What do you think lies ahead as the season progresses? Any wild predictions?
LL: Hope springs eternal, but I believe we might finally hear a genuine joke from Che Diaz this season.
VF: I’m betting on more Loewe or JW Anderson. It’s avant-garde enough to be seen as fun and eccentric within this context, while still showcasing some genuine fashion knowledge.
JA: Can we imagine Miranda combing through seaweed to find the Microscopic Handbag by MSCHF?
KVS: And within that seaweed heap, our protagonists might finally discover their true selves. Well, sort of.
MMK: Now if only we could get our hands on that New York Times sweatshirt.
Reporters Vanessa Friedman, Louis Lucero II, Katie Van Syckle, Jeremy Allen, Madison Malone Kircher, and Callie Holtermann contributed to this article.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
