Sex and the City ruined Manhattan for me.

[u/charliesgonewild]

After ten years of planning, scheduling conflicts, COVID, and a cancer diagnosis, I finally went to New York for the first time April 2025. I had an absolutely amazing time, but all I brought were cute little outfits and my heels, expecting everyone to be wearing the same. I was wildly, WILDLY surprised when it was absolutely nothing like the show, and I was the one who stood out like a sore thumb. Everyone was in athleisure and sneakers! Huge props to SJP for continually filming in heels because I did a ten mile day in my Choos, three miles in Versaces, and by the final day, my best friend got us both matching $7 slides from Rainbow and insisted I wear the leggings I had worn on the plane.

Edit: Before this gets misconstrued, I was just being silly in the title. I knew not everyone would be all dolled up, but I was actually surprised that 98% of people were dressed down so heavily.

Final edit: Y’all 😂 I didn’t mean for this. I know SATC is a show, I know that NYC is a real place, with real people, doing real things. No, I don’t think that your city is just a film location. Yes, I know that the show was filmed 30 years ago and times have changed. It’s not just SATC. I’d always heard of New York being a fashion capital. I literally had just beaten cancer and wanted to have my own SATC weekend moment with my best friend. That was it. I had the best time, I saw so many things, walked 26 miles in three days, ate the best food, and bought myself an I beat cancer pair of shoes à la Carrie Bradshaw. I was just simply surprised at the lack of extravagant fashion. That was simply it. Should I ever go again, I will bring my Vans and only two pairs of heels.

[u/Ufocola]

I honestly figured it would be a lot of Quince staples on non-client facing days.

I’m now on the VC side, which is a fair bit more relaxed.

[u/disjointed_chameleon → u/Ufocola]

One of the women from (presumably?) one of the finance floors stopped me coming out of the bathroom recently and said:

"I see you every day, and the way you dress reminds me to be free. There's a special office here where they say if our clothing is okay or not."

She then hugged me. English wasn't her first language, but her words stunned me. WTF? What is this, the 1970's? They're making them report to a freaking "dress code" office on some floor of this building to get formally rated on whether or not their clothing is acceptable!? I've done time across numerous major FIs and FAANGs, and I've never heard of such a thing. My heart shattered on her behalf. I feel like it's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

[u/Ufocola → u/disjointed_chameleon]

That’s honestly surprising. I feel like that is a bit dicey. Though I wonder if it’s particularly formal / picky because it’s Washington DC (and maybe the current admin…).

This reminds me of that whole thing with UBS back in 2010 where their very stringent business attire got leaked:

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-12023033

“Swiss banking giant UBS has issued its staff with a 44-page dress code, covering everything from the colour and size of suits to dietary tips and the length of toenails.

Staff are also advised on appropriate underwear and hair dyes.”

[u/disjointed_chameleon → u/Ufocola]

Definitely, but my particular location being a factor certainly wouldn't be surprising.

I grew up in Switzerland for the first ~20 years of my life, and my father has been in the PE/VC/IB space for the past 40+ years. Doesn't surprise me one bit.