Rodrigo Otazu necklace from the movie 'Sex and the City 2'. © New Line Cinema/HBO/MovieStillsDB.com
And just like that, they have hit their 50s. The Manolos are striding out across New York sidewalks, there are Gucci and Chanel labels aplenty, and the necklaces are layered – and layered even more.
Take a step back to 1998, however, when the ground-breaking series first hit our TV screens and what we saw was a different, less embellished, story.
Spot the sautoir from season 1’s episode 2. Every sex columnist should have one. ©HBO/MovieStillsDB.com
Simple pearl earrings and diamond studs were the order of the day. Necklaces hardly featured, and when they did, they were understated, even demure. We had to wait until the second season for the “Carrie Necklace” to appear, after which it was rarely off the screen.
Where Carrie went, the necklace went (until season 6, when it was temporarily lost). It won’t take long for you to spot it in the new 10-part series.
It wasn’t until season 2 that the Carrie Necklace appeared. Found by stylist Patricia Field. ©HBO/MovieStillsDB.com
There was little layering of necklaces until the second season, too, but once established, it definitely became a Sex and the City thing.
And in season 2 the layering began in earnest. ©HBO/MovieStillsDB.com
Chunky necklaces and bold hoops were reserved for Samantha, played by Kim Cattrall. From the get-go, Samantha meant business: with men as well as with her accessories. Cattrall is not part of the And Just Like That ensemble, but viewers won’t be short of bold jewellery choices. Look out for Nicole Ari Parker (as Lisa) and her chunky Monies cable-chain necklace and copious other accessories packing a colour punch.
The Samantha look – hoops, chains and heaps of dynamism. From season 3 (far left), season 5 (centre), and season 6. ©HBO/MovieStillsDB.com
Carrie herself grew into her boldness, and as Sex and the City grew in influence, so, too, did the statement jewellery.
From the show’s third season, Carrie wears a Kenneth Jay Lane butterfly necklace on the streets of Manhattan. ©HBO/MovieStillsDB.com
Carrie’s statement long red heart necklace from season 3. ©HBO/MovieStillsDB.com
A little dash of boho in season 5. ©HBO/MovieStillsDB.com
Fred Leighton Chandelier earrings and Asscher cut diamond engagement ring – courtesy of Aidan, played by John Corbett – on a chain in season 4. ©HBO/MovieStillsDB.com
Solange Azagury Partridge Random necklace, worn by Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie) in the movie 'Sex and the City 2' (2010). © New Line Cinema/HBO/MovieStillsDB.com
We’ve grown older with them, enjoyed their fashion triumphs and disastrous love lives; we’ve even been inspired by their choices – life or fashion or jewellery or men (delete as appropriate). So, it’s time to switch on that small screen again and take a good look at what comes out of the jewellery box.
Fiona Matthias is a freelance editor, consultant and writer who, after too many decades to mention in London, now lives and works in rural North Wales. She has held senior positions in The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times, and most recently was Executive Editor, Special Projects for The Wall Street Journal, Europe, where she edited the Journal’s twice-yearly Watches & Jewelry magazine.
Fiona Matthias is a freelance editor, consultant and writer who, after too many decades to mention in London, now lives and works in rural North Wales. She has held senior positions in The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times, and most recently was Executive Editor, Special Projects for The Wall Street Journal, Europe, where she edited the Journal’s twice-yearly Watches & Jewelry magazine.
Published: Thu, Dec 09, 2021