Elements of Style: Carrie Bradshaw
And just like that. . . Carrie Bradshaw is leaving our television screens. Forever? Who knows—but for now at least, with AJLT marking its series finale on Thursday night.
What a wild ride this third and final season has been! Between the OG Sex and the City characters (Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte) and the new cast of players (team Seema!), there have certainly been tons of shenanigans to witness throughout the series. And of course, the leading ladies have sported statement fashions through it all. The show has been as much of a style spectacle as it has been a narration on dating and friendships.
Of course, Carrie’s flamboyant looks—first costume designed by Patricia Field on Sex and the City, then by the duo Molly Rogers and Danny Santiago on AJLT—steal any scene that she is in. And while Bradshaw has experimented with it all, there are a few signature pieces that define her expansive wardrobe.
From her iconic tutu (cue: the SATC opening credits), to her trustee Manolo Blahniks (“I’ve spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live?!”), Bradshaw has built a glamorous closet rife with designer labels and eccentric party-girl pieces. In our ongoing series Elements of Style, we’re breaking down the seven key components of Carrie Bradshaw’s style. Read on below.
The “Carrie” necklace
What: Her trustee gold Carrie nameplate necklace (made by the iconic Sex and the City costume designer Patricia Field).
Where: It was worn everywhere, with every single outfit in the early Sex and the City seasons.
Wear it with: Everything! From jeans and a tee, to full-on ball gowns.
Fendi Baguette
What: A classic Fendi Baguette bag. Carrie s go-to was covered in shimmering purple sequins.
Where: Carrie wore her favorite bag for casual outings—like to grab coffee or brunch with her friends—but also for dazzling nights out. (Never forget when a robber stole one from her in broad daylight.)
Wear it with: A sexy going-out top and jeans, a chic floral dress, or one of Carrie’s favorite tulle skirts.
Floral prints
What: Sprightly floral-print dresses or skirts from designers such as Richard Tyler, Betsey Johnson, or a vintage label.
Where: Grocery outings, wedding registry shopping, brunch dates, stoop hangouts.
Wear them with: Not much else—these high-impact floral prints do all of the work for an outfit.
Manolo Blahnik heels
What: Classic Manolo Blahnik heels—from stiletto sandals to the signature Hangisi pumps.
Where: All across Manhattan. Some people run errands in sneakers, Carrie runs hers in Manolos. She is so obsessed with the brand that Big even proposed to her with a pair of blue Hangisis.
Wear them with: Sleek suits, sexy slip dresses, and everything in between.
Romantic dresses
What: Flowy, ruffled, and bias-cut dresses that are both feminine and timeless.
Where: Date night—with Big, Aidan, or anyone else on her roster.
Wear them with: Manolo heels and a great bag. (Either a Dior Saddle or Fendi Baguette.)
Statement belt
What: Thick studded (or polka-dotted) belts worn overtop her beloved dresses. Often, made by Patricia Field in the original Sex and the City.
Where: Out on the streets of New York, of course. Manhattan is her runway.
Wear it with: A shirt dress or cocktail gown. Or, like that one episode, over her bare abs.
Voluminous skirts
What: Full tulle skirts that channel your inner ballerina. Long or short versions.
Where: Ideally, during an opening sequence theme song—but also, out for dinner at a cool New York restaurant.
Wear it with: A simple bodysuit or top. And heels, always heels.
