10 Wardrobe Essentials to Achieve Carrie Bradshaw Style

Controversial? Yes. Unstylish? Never. Carrie Bradshaw may be one of the most polarizing characters of all time, but she is also one of the most fashionable. From bumping into Mr. Big's twenty-something girlfriend Natasha in a restaurant wearing John Galliano's famous newspaper dress from Dior's Fall/Winter 2000 collection to getting dumped at the altar in Vivienne Westwood's signature off-the-shoulder shape, characterized by a corseted waist and wide gown, the journalist played by actress Sarah Jessica Parker makes sure to dress to impress. While she may have lost some eccentric luxury items (she was robbed of a pair of Manolos pink suede strappy sandals and of a sequined Fendi baguette) and time with even more eccentric men, the fictional columnist from Darren Star's Sex and The City has rewritten the rules of fashion, styling, and, for some, life. From enjoying NYC nightlife with after-work cosmopolitans and friends to affording a Manhattan apartment and various designer items, the character had a lifestyle that many could only dream of. Her habits and insights into life, love, and sex became the mantra for women in the late '90s and early 2000s. And now on Netflix, probably for the next generation. And Bradshaw’s memo will also resonate in fashion terms. With her innovative and bold styling, aligned with her volatile meets unconventional dressing spirit, Gen Z will end up captivated. So, here are 10 wardrobe essentials to achieve this New Yorker's style.

Tutu Skirts

Here's how we first met Carrie: walking the streets of Manhattan in a white tutu with a pale pink tank top and strappy sandals, she was splashed by a vehicle for the show's opening sequence. This memorable tutu skirt became a symbol of the series and even inspired a similar garment to be featured in the sequel And Just Like That. While Patricia Field, Sex and The City's costume designer, revealed that she sourced the tutu from a showroom bin and bought it for just $5, the piece symbolizes great value to fashionistas and fans worldwide. Now, as ballerina core grows more popular than ever, it seems right to adopt the garment while honoring the forever fashion icon.

Fur Coats 

Carrie Bradshaw was no stranger to fur coats. Her iconic vintage beige fur coat debuted in the second episode of season one. And just like that, it became one of her many signature pieces. Later in the show, she reuses the clothing various times, and embraces a variety of other coats, proving that versatile items are indeed forever. 

Mini Bags 

In addition to an extensive Dior saddle bag collection, Carrie Bradshaw was a loyal follower of Fendi baguettes. Regardless of the brand or label, she demonstrated the power of a mini bag. And its potential is more than just about style. A legend ahead of her time, she couldn’t help but make us wonder about overconsumption, carrying only the basics, and a conscious approach to fashion - in Carrie's own way. 

Colorful Heels 

When one talks about Carrie Bradshaw and fashion, her great taste in shoes can’t be forgotten. She is forever known as the woman who exclaimed "Hello, lover!" to a pair of bright Christian Loubouten, and for her statement that she would have to live in her own shoes if she could not afford the apartment she was renting. In these instances and almost every episode, Bradshaw shows that an outfit can always be improved with a pair of colorful heels. 

Hats And Berets 

From season 2, episode 17, where Bradshaw sees Mr Big and his girlfriend Natasha at the Hamptons while wearing a cowboy hat, to donning berets when she moved to Paris with artist Aleksandr Petrovski, Bradshaw always knew how to make the best use of accessories. Be it a baker boy hat or a flap cap, the character elevated her outfits in fresh ways. With the recent release of Beyoncé's new album, Cowboy Carter, leading to a revival of Western fashion, wearing a cowboy hat might be just the thing. But with summer approaching, the return of any kind of hat in general seems definite.

Printed Dresses

Less is never more for Carrie Bradshaw. A lover of extravagance, she appreciated fine printed goods - mostly when they were dresses. No matter the occasion, whether it was stalking Mr Big's ex-wife in the iconic John Galliano newsprint gown from Christian Dior's Fall/Winter 2000, or falling into Central Park pond water with her now-divorced ex in the floral midi dress from Richard Tyler's Resort 2001, Carrie always made sure to dress for the moment. And it's always worked. She even wore a floral tube Dolce e Gabbana dress that was later worn by model Heidi Klum in a charity fashion event.

Bold Rings

While it's safe to say that Carrie loves a good necklace - whether it's a pearl one or her iconic little chain with her name on it - she's also a fan of rings. Casually sipping a Martini and chatting with her close friends, Carrie Bradshaw shows the audience the renowned Dior rings that spell out "D-I-O-R". Also, in the sequel of the show, the main character wore a baroque pearl ring, a gold-plated ring from the jewelry designer neighbor made in real life by label Pacharee, and her and Big's Cartier wedding bands. 

Bandanas

Fresh, creative, and perfect for summer, the lead character from Darren Star’s series offers a great accessory option for enriching your look in a more sleek and soft way. In the show, she has been seen with a turquoise bandana while wearing a Chanel blouse, and a silk pastel headscarf in season 5 while walking in the city’s streets. Whether in the city or the country, in the mountains or on the beach, bandanas are ideal for elevating your outfit and making you look even more chic.

Gloves

Rain or shine, Carrie Bradshaw has debunked the idea that gloves are only for winter. Whether wearing leather gloves in the cold or lace gloves in spring, she shows that gloves are more versatile than most people think. 

Flower buttons/pins

While one might think that florals for spring are a cliché, Carrie Bradshaw might see things differently. For her, florals are great for spring - but so for all other seasons. As an excessive fashionista at heart, she has never turned down an accessory - mainly one in a floral shape. When meeting Aidan in his furniture store to talk, she not only accessorized her look with a Dior saddlebag but also a purple floral brooch for a couture touch. In further seasons, she maintains the floral lemma for a daring flair to her outfits.