by The Candidly Team

The full spectacle of fashion in SATC was obviously always fun to watch. But there was only one character whose clothes we consistently wanted to physically put on our bodies. And that, of course, was Charlotte.

Not just because they were wildly pretty, which they were. But the way the genius that is Patricia Fields dressed Charlotte showed a much deeper understanding of what will look great on women for all of time.

Things like:

Perfectly tailored silhouettes that are incredible on curves
Prints that are light and fresh and don’t make us look 100-years-old
Waist-nipping, femine tops
Skirts with just the right amount of fullness for those of us with bigger bottoms
Feminine yet sophisticated details like sleek headbands and subtle bows

Charlotte was prim but dripping with style, and nothing was a trend, which is why we can go back and look at all of the clothes you’re about to see below and STILL want to wear every single outfit even though SATC premiered TWENTY SIX years ago.

But enough words. Let’s get to the clothes.

1. The Ralph LaureN Sweater

Nothing has ever made jeans look more polished or made us type into Google faster than this sweater. And we finally, finally found it!

Buy on RALPH LAUREN

2. THE SEA OF A-LINE MIDI SKIRTS

So rarely was Charlotte seen in pants, and yet, we hardly missed them, because her skirt collection seemed the stuff of myths. Just wearing a skirt instead of pants immediately makes you look “styled.” Not to mention few things are more flattering than a good A-line midi. It makes all waists look smaller and gives those of us with bigger hips and butts some slimming coverage and nice lines. And for those of us who are more straight and flat on the bottom, it makes us look like we have curves.

Buy on hILL HOUSE

buy on FREE PEOPLE

3. THE LIZ TAYLOR PINK DRESS

What was more uplifting in all seasons of SATC than seeing a depressed Charlotte, fresh off the Elizabeth Taylor E True Hollywood Story, peel herself off the couch, put together this look, and high tail it to Brady’s birthday party? We don’t love to admit it but an amazing outfit can change your mood. And not to sound like a broken record here, but that feeling is almost always all about the fit.

BUY ON MACY’S

BUY ON QUAY

4. THE PERFECTLY TAILORED BUTTON-DOWN

If we have any hope of achieving a chic capsule wardrobe, we have to own a perfectly fitting white button-down that frames our silhouette jusssst so. But we also need enough space to be able to hail a cab with the full mobility of our arms. Enter this shirt.

buy on THE SHIRT

5. The FLATTERING FIT-AND-FLARE DRESS

The real genius of a fit and flare dress, in addition to the fact that it’s timeless, is that you don’t feel like you’re in a shapeless muumuu but you also don’t feel like you’re in something skintight that makes you want to skip the bread and bury every bulge under some sad piece of outerwear. Charlotte looked comfortable in every single one of her dresses, and that is our entire goal as well.

Buy On BODEN

buy on HILL HOUSE

6. tHE TANK THAT FRAMES YOU BEAUTIFULLY

The neckline is a big deal in all costuming because it’s probably the best part of all of our bodies no matter what shape or size we come in. So while a tank may sound obvious or unimportant, owning one with the exact right shape is game-changing and allows us to create looks like the above.

Buy on NEGATIVE

7. THE STRIKING BLACK HALTER DRESS

We all remember Charlotte sashaying into a wedding wowing bystanders by looking 5x better than the bride. Emily Post manners aside, isn’t that reaction all we really want from an occasion dress?

BUY ON SHOPBOP

8. The Chic, Pin-Up One Piece

Ok, this was from the movie, and we know the movies were NOT the show. But this suit deserves some credit. Classic but in a pop of color that excites.

buy on J. CREW

9. The SLEEK PENCIL SKIRT

Of course, not everything has to flare out to create a gorgeous silhouette, and no one understood that better than Charlotte who seemed to source all the best-fitting pencil skirts in all of Manhattan/ the world. Although, this next one we found, and we’re telling you, it’s magic.

Buy on ANTHROPOLOGIE

10. The FITTED TEE

This one is another staple that becomes something more than a staple by molding to our natural curves in the most flattering way. By wearing a tee that’s fitted, we can go looser on the bottom and get a balance that gives us our best proportions - top to bottom.

11. THE CLASSIC JEAN JACKET (AND BONUS BUCKET HAT)

Nothing is more effortlessly classic than a jean jacket. And it’s especially useful in balancing with skirts and dresses and all the more formal(ish) things we want to wear in daytime without looking too dressed up. Especially with the sun hat - sort of genius.

buy on J. CREW

buy on GIGI PIP

12. THE SEXY “WIFE” NIGHTIE

We act like dressing sexy was for Samantha and Carrie, but Charlotte’s looks, though more subtle and realistic, fell wildly into the realm of being sexy. There was just some elegance behind it. Her incredible collection of nighties was a testament to that.

buy on MONTELLE

BONUS: THE ACCESSORIES

If anything was understated in all the SATC wardrobe, it was Charlotte’s accessories. Each thing was subtle and yet elevated her entire look to the point where we were googling silk headbands and searching every mall for a bow pendant. And ooooh, our search has ended.

buy on aNTHROPOLOGIE

buy on MADE BY MARY

buy on MEJURI

Images: Sex And The City HBO

At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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