Take those baggy leggings off and put that food-stained hoody in the wash because heartbreak doesn’t have to mean an aversion to glamour. Sex and the City’s costume designer Patricia Field spent six seasons perfectly exhibiting this philosophy – the a/w 2000s Dior by Galliano newspaper dress that Carrie Bradshaw wore to hijack Natasha at lunch is infamous; a version of the look sold for 15,000 euros (£12,600) in November 2022. Because dropping that much cash on a revenge dress is probably not on the cards, we’ve curated a list of the 10 best breakup-related outfits in the show to inspire you and prove that even in romantic turmoil, fashion is still fun. 

Season 3, episode 18: (Pink floral dress)

Carrie and Big meet for lunch after his split from Natasha. SJP oozed the ever-inspiring post-breakup nonchalance we all strive for in this pink number… until she fell into the pond.

Season 2, Episode 17: (Cowboy outfit)

Carrie bumps into Big and Natasha at a party in the Hamptons – dating really is the Wild West. But thanks to this low-rise skirt and cute bandeau combo, she lassoed back her man.

Season 2, Episode 18: (White dress)

Carrie spots Big and Natasha for the first time after hearing about their engagement. Wearing white in front of the bride-to-be is the ultimate power move. No notes.

Season 1, Episode 3: (Suit)

Miranda fakes being a lesbian to get invited to a couple’s work dinner party. She never sees her date again. The matching red lip and tie is giving cute and capable.

Season 4, Episode 18: (Trench coat, wig & sunglasses)

Samantha stalks Richard after a meeting to discover if he is cheating. If you can rock a pixie cut with a trench, who cares if you get dumped? You have achieved the impossible. Congrats.

Season 4, Episode 16: (Jeans & t-shirt)

Aidan fixes Carrie’s toilet as they break up for the final time. When jeans fit this perfectly, fixing ballcocks can be hot. 

Season 4, Episode 1: (Fur coat)

Samantha wants to have sex with a hot monk who rejects her for religious reasons. To be this chic and this promiscuous is criminally good.

Season 6, Episode 20: (Tool dress)

Carrie ends her relationship with artist Aleksandr Petrovsky in Paris. This princess dress is a little ugly but unnecessarily dramatic, so it deserves total respect.

Season 4, Episode 16: (blue dress)

Charlotte enquires about re-purposing her engagement ring after her divorce from Trey MacDougal. This dress would be perfect for a lunchtime bridal shower, so why not wear it to celebrate the inverse?

Season 3, Episode 17: (Red tartan shorts)

Charlotte asks to separate from Trey for the first time after kissing the gardener. Sweaty abs, tiny shorts and a strong serve? Forget about the gardener, you’re not getting dumped looking like that.