Carrie Bradshaw Looks That Will Never Go Out of Style
“I like my money where I can see it--hanging in my closet.” -Carrie Bradshaw
by MAYA CAMPOS ★ JULY 16, 2021
Few fictional fashion icon characters' wardrobes have been able to endure the test of time quite like that of Carrie Bradshaw. When Sex and the City first aired nearly two decades ago, the stylish sex columnist’s wardrobe was one to die for and inspired fans to start wearing crop tops, nameplate necklaces, strappy little heels, and unexpected outfit choices. It’s no surprise the amazing wardrobe of Carrie Bradshaw is admired today just as it was when the show first aired.
The Little Black Dress
A simple yet classic look. Every girl needs the perfect little black dress in their closet. This dress is so versatile in that it pairs with any heel, sneaker, or boot as well as any of your favorite accessories. There are so many styles and ways to wear your little black dress, from a sexy silk slip with heels to a square cut tight dress with an oversized blazer for a daytime brunch. This ultra-flattering, sleek dress fit Carrie perfectly and contrasted with some of her maximalist looks.
Floral Midi Dress
Despite the fact this dress got completely soaked after Carrie took a surprise dip in the Central Park pond with Mr. Big, you can never go wrong with a floral midi like this one. The subtle print and the flouncy hem and delicate flutter sleeves are giving us: light, feminine, and breezy. The colors are flattering and light, and the off-the-shoulder and asymmetrical pattern gives the whole fit a hot, modern feel without going over the top. This silhouette hugging dress is still in style today and can be worn as a classic summer look with a pair of strappy sandals or mules.
The Belted Boyfriend Shirt
After her unplanned dip in the pond with Big, Carrie of course makes the most of an outfit disaster. Only Carrie could take the tragedy of her ruined dress as an opportunity to make all of the Upper East Side aware of her impeccable fashion sense. She throws on one of her ex’s boxy button-down shirts and pairs it with a leather belt to give the whole look some shape and structure. The use of the belt to highlight her waist? Absolutely genius. This is easily one of her most iconic outfit moments and proves again just how stylish Carrie is without even trying. Of course, we all know the ex-boyfriend shirt is wildly popular and can go with just about anything, from a pair of baggy or loose-fitting jeans to wearing it like Carrie did.
The Naked Dress
You can’t talk about Carrie Bradshaw’s style without talking about the naked dress. It’s minimal, sexy, and sultry. The illusion of nudity embodied the entire 90’s era of sexually liberated, confident women, which is what Sex and The City was all about. The iconic dress Carrie wore on her first official date with Big is still the perfect date night dress for a hot summer night in the city. It achieves the perfect minimal “cool girl” effortless look that you can easily wear with a pair of your favorite boots or heels.
Sparkly Slip + White Tank
Carrie is always known to add a little sparkle to her outfits, no matter what she’s wearing. In this case, it’s actually sparkles. This classic late 90’s look with a basic white tank top and sparkly slip is still on trend today. Her white tank top subdues the glitzy glam of the skirt and makes for a girly daytime summer look. Her glittery skirt can be taken from a stylish daytime look to a chic night out. Wearing a staple white tank top is a great way to go when the summer heat becomes unbearable, and paired with the low-rise light pink barbie-like midi skirt, this look totally withstands the test of time. Even if sparkle isn’t your thing, you can still recreate this iconic look with a solid-colored midi skirt and some chunky platform sandals.
The Little White Dress
So maybe you’re not totally on board with the whole naked mini dress. Totally understandable. Good thing Carrie has pretty much worn every piece of clothing under the sun. This white flowy slip dress hits on similar notes of simplicity while still maintaining a sexy look. This is the perfect lightweight summer slip to pair with mules just like Carrie did in the ’90s. You can adhere to the same styling rules and opt for minimal delicate jewelry to compliment the simplicity of the outfit.
A Tube Top with Cargo Pants
For the summer days when the heat is unbearable, Carrie’s classic tube top and cargo pants is the perfect easy look to throw on. Utility pants are on trend and come in the form of cargo pants, skater boy Dickies, and baggy jeans. Tube tops are o a classic summer go-to when the heat rises and you just wish you could be in a bathing suit. Carrie proves that less can be more in certain situations, and opts for a simple statement necklace and earth tones. You can pair this look with a pair of chunky platform flip flops or 90’s sandals to complete the outfit.
From the moment she stepped on screen, women everywhere were inspired by Ms. Carrie Bradshaw. The woman could truly pull off anything with sass and confidence--not only did Carrie take fashion to the next level, she single-handedly transformed brands simply by wearing them. So next time you’re feeling a lack of fashion inspo, look no further than Carrie’s closet. Her late 90s-early 2000s look is still on trend today almost two decades later. Without Carrie Bradshaw, we might not be as courageous with our fashion choices as we are today.