The Carrie Bradshaw Style Formula
Models:
Olivia Kolsky
Deana Mancuso
If you know who Carrie Bradshaw is, I can almost guarantee you associate her with fashion. The lead character in the hit 90s/early 2000s TV show Sex and the City, her influence in the fashion industry is so substantial that she's the reason the shoe brand Manolo Blahnik is known today.
Her iconic and memorable style is as prevalent to a new generation of viewers as it was twenty years ago when the show first aired. Carrie’s style is known for being experimental and daring, whether she’s wearing a tutu casually or mixing and matching shoes. However, she also sticks to elements within her style, such as her “Carrie” necklace, which she is never seen without, giving her a signature look.
If you want to learn how to adapt Carrie’s style for yourself, whether you are a fan of hers or want to become more experimental within your own style, continue reading...
To start, let’s discuss the importance of having signature pieces. Carrie’s include her high heels (specifically her Manolos), the flowers embellishing her tops and jackets, and her gold “Carrie” necklace.
When curating your style and trying to find those certain elements that speak to you, I encourage you to create a visual narrative about yourself with what you’re wearing. For example, if you’re someone who has an “old soul,” try experimenting with vintage pieces and silhouettes. Consider yourself someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously? Add some fun patterns and colors to your wardrobe.
Whether you have pieces that are signature to you or not, it is incredibly important to accessorize. Carrie was always accessorized and willing to experiment with anything from a flower on her blouse to a pom-pom in her hair to wearing a newsboy cap. Luckily, the category of accessories is broad and diverse. Jewelry is an easy place to start; you can experiment with chunkier jewelry or layering necklaces, even mixing metals. If you want something that makes more of an impact, shoes and hats quickly transform an outfit.
And when in doubt, add a fun purse.
Since I’ve mentioned Carrie’s love of footwear, I want to highlight a style tip that may be obvious but still rings true: shoes make or break the outfit. Carrie lived in heels and was only seen in sneakers when she dressed athletically. She even proclaimed that she had a “substance abuse problem...expensive footwear.”
When shopping for heels, I look for qualities that set them apart. I found the black open-toed heels photographed at a thrift store and fell in love with the gem-studded back of the heel.
If you’re not much of a heels person, boots are always an easy alternative for the fall/winter season, as are sandals for the spring/summer. Last summer, Jeffrey Campbell had a fantastic assortment of fashion-forward and sleek sandals. Prioritize comfort? There are plenty of sneakers out on the market that elevate an outfit. Adidas is leading the game with its famous sambas silhouette, but Target even has some stylish and affordable options.
Diving into what makes Carrie’s style a class of its own, she teaches us the importance of experimenting. Don’t be afraid to mix different patterns and textures, wear thrifted or vintage pieces (which she did numerous times throughout the show), and add unexpected elements. Carrie wore a fur jacket to a baseball game, belted a men’s button-up and fashioned it into a dress, and wore a Vivienne Westwood mini skirt complete with a bustle to a dinner date. See the outfits below, with the bright green purse against the dark neutrals, or the shiny gold heels paired with the loud and colorful midi skirt. Your style will constantly be engaging as long as you try new things.
