While Sex and the City may have peaked before our time, there’s still something so comforting about staying with a glass of vino to watch an entire season (or five) of this classic series.Check out 10 Lessons In Love we learned from the ladies who took on the 90’s with fashion, finesse, and some seriously hysterical storylines.
1. Like it or not, Mr. Big is not always Mr. Perfect
“Because, dear friend, you and I are like that red wall. It’s a good idea in theory, but somehow it doesn’t quite work.” -Carrie
There comes a point in almost every girl’s life where she must accept that simply because a guy seems perfect for her, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to be great to her (or even anywhere close). Exhibit A; Mr. Big. From the dawn of Sex and the City, Carrie and Big had an undeniable chemistry that was only rivaled by Big’s undeniable commitment issues. And alas, after a decade of fights, break-ups, make-ups and move-ins, Big truly became the one that never really got away. So when you do find your Big (or perhaps you’ve already found him), remember to proceed with caution — and keep your girls close by.
2. A Post-it note break-up is the worst type of break-up
The pre-cell phone era’s equivalent of a text message break-up, SATC brought to light the seemingly obvious concept that ending a relationship with a sentence short enough to fit on a post-it note is quite possibly the worst thing you can do to someone, ever. Take a look at the cringe-worthy clip of Carrie first discovering her Post-it fate here.
3. Every girl needs a Stanford
“Monogamy is on its way out again. It had a brief comeback in the nineties, but as the millennium approaches, everyone’s leaving their options open.” -Stanford
Flamboyant, fabulous and a total morale booster; Stanford provided comic relief and perspective even for Carrie’s stickiest situations. Now, more importantly, where does one find a sassy Stanford of their own to tote around?!
4. Breaking up with a girl is considered a declaration of war against her entire group of girlfriends
“I CURSE THE DAY YOU WERE BORN!” -Charlotte, to Big, in true best friend fashion
If there’s one thing we learned in the moments after Carrie’s almost-wedding in the first SATC movie, it’s that four disapproving side glances is always more effective than one when it comes to encountering lovers turned enemies. You mess with the bull, you get the horns (all of the horns).
5. It’s okay to love your shoes more than most people
“Men I may not know, but shoes, shoes I know.” – Carrie
If there’s one thing we love more than Carrie Bradshaw, it would have to be her shoe collection. From bright colors to gorgeous decals and styles from all of the major designers, Carrie managed to make even god-awful 90’s shoe trends look ridiculously chic. More importantly, Carrie paved the way for shoe addicts everywhere — and for that, we salute her. Make sure to check out Carrie’s hysterical and very understandable “shoe shaming” incident from Season 6 below.
6. Cougin’ ain’t easy
“I am so sick of these people with their children. I’m telling you, they’re everywhere!” -Samantha
We must admit that aside from Carrie and Big, Samantha and Smith were definitely our favorite SATC couple. However, from Samantha’s hysterical do-it-yourself debacle early on in the relationship to their tragic but inevitable break-up, be sure to always keep in mind that life as a cougar comes with its own, unique set of challenges.
7. Follow your dreams
“When I first moved to New York and I was totally broke, sometimes I bought Vogue instead of dinner. I found it fed me more.” -Carrie
While the lifestyles of Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte may seem a little, ahem, “unrealistic” to the average person, we prefer to feel inspired by their courage to chase their love and career dreams without settling for anything less (Of course, Carrie probably didn’t have student loans and parents to think about.) Regardless, these gals were the first to make it okay for women to go after what they want, and for that we are forever indebted to them and their incredible wardrobes.
8. It’s okay to channel your inner Samantha Jones every once in a while
While we will admit that the most outrageous character of the SATC foursome did tend to go a bit overboard with her “endeavors” from time to time, there’s certain points in every collegiette’s life where she may need to ultilize the “Samantha mindset.” This being said, the next time you need to work a room, kill a presentation or approach a hottie at the bar, just ask yourself one question; What Would Samantha Do? #WWSD?
9. But remember, it’s all about your girls
“Maybe our girlfriends are our soulmates, and guys are just people to have fun with. ” -Carrie
Sure, guys are fun, but at the end of the day- it’s your girls who have your back. Through break-ups, divorces, cancer and babies, the SATC girls never missed a beat; and that’s what we call true friendship.
10. And most importantly, never settle for anything less than butterflies.
“But the thing is this, after a while, you just want to be with the one that makes you laugh. Know what I mean?” -Big