Has there ever been a small screen queen quite like Kim Cattrall? After graduating from acting school in the early 1970s, Kim began her career on some of the decade’s most iconic television shows, including Colombo and Starsky & Hutch before making her way to the big screen in some of the 1980’s culty-est of cult comedies. In 1998, however, Kim landed the career-defining role of Sex and the City’s Samantha Jones. Across six seasons of fun sexcapades and IDGAF maxims, Kim’s Samantha became one of the show’s most beloved characters, earning the actress a legion of lifelong, die-hard fans and loads of accolades.
SATC’s Sam was bold, daring, and, well, sexy. And Kim’s IRL style can be described in much the same way. Take the lacy naked dress she wore back in 1992, before they were ubiquitous in the fashion universe. Or the crimson sequin gown she wore to fete her first SATC Golden Globe nomination. Or the turquoise shearling coat she pulled from the shows’ wardrobe department and wore to the GLAAD awards. Or the power suits, plunging gowns, and bedazzled crop tops. Here, as we look forward to Kim’s And Just Like That debut, we’re taking a look back at some of her most iconic outfits of all time.
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For a portrait session, 1987
Before Kim was Sam, she was Lassie Honeywell, Gracie Law, and Emmy Hesire. Throughout the 1980s, Kim kickstarted her acting career with a variety of now cult hits including sex comedy Porky’s, rom-com Mannequin, and a John Carpenter action flick. Here, during that late-80s run, she sits for a now-historic portrait session wearing a turquoise sequin gown.
At the CableACE Awards, 1992
Is it really any surprise that the woman who gave us Samantha Jones has been serving bold red carpet looks since the start of her career? Back in 1992, Kim joined the ranks of fashion history’s most fearless in this lace-embellished naked dress.
At the Golden Globes, 2000
Welcome to Kim’s Samantha Jones era. In 2000, the actress earned her first Golden Globes nomination for her portrayal of the beloved SATC character. In honour of the occasion, Kim arrived to the awards show in a slinky, sequinned number as red-hot as Sam, herself.
At the GLAAD Awards, 2000
If you’re a die-hard SATC fan, this shearling-trimmed coat might look a little familiar. That’s because Kim actually borrowed it from the show’s costume department. In 2000, the actress attended the GLAAD Awards wearing the same blue fur coat that Samantha would wear in the show’s season three premiere (you know the episode). While Sam wore hers with a matching (and very Sam) leopard dress (again, very Sam), Kim paired the look with a simple black halter.
At the Sex and the City season three premiere, 2000
From Samantha’s sequinned co-ords to Charlotte’s preppy twin sets, Sex and the City was the epitome of 00s fashion. Here, at the show’s season three premiere party, Kim serves up peak Y2K style in this coral sequinned dress and silver sandals.
At the SAG Awards, 2002
Every character on SATC had their style signatures. Where Carrie had flower brooches and a nameplate necklace, Sam had sequins and power suits. Here, at the 2002 SAG Awards, Kim brought the two seemingly disparate elements together in one iconic red carpet look.
At the Emmy Awards, 2003
In 2003, Kim earned nominations from all three major television awards ceremonies (the Emmys, SAGs, and Golden Globes) for her portrayal of Sam. Of the three awards, Kim ended up snagging the Golden Globe. However, of the three red carpet dresses, we think her Emmys look — a bedazzled Armani number — takes the trophy.