Fashion Inspiration: Carrie Bradshaw (Sex & The City)

Being born in the 90s, Sex & The City had been a pop culture staple of my childhood.  I remember secretly watching it when my parents were out, getting excited whenever I heard the upbeat jazz intro, and wishing I could be just like those women when I grew up.

When I got to college, and HBO GO was gaining popularity, I watched all of the seasons again with an adult perspective and I still idolized the characters, and was inspired to take bold risks with fashion.

I connected with Carrie Bradshaw, the main character, a writer like me, cynical at times, hopeful at times, but completely true to who she was.  Even though many of her outfits were a bit outlandish, her wardrobe preserved the trends of that particular era.

Carrie in the early days:

I blame Carrie for leading me to believe that smoking was cool.

Like Carrie, I too will hog a bottle of cheap champagne myself from time to time

Long, wild hair, bold prints, youthful and sleek silhouettes, minimal makeup, and always in heels

With the Notorious BIG (see what I did there?)

True words of wisdom

In the Aidan days (forgive me if not all of these are completely accurate in my makeshift fashion timeline):

Somewhat more mature in style choices, maybe because she is with the guy she SHOULD have married?!

AA: After Aidan (The Year of Our Carrie)

New 'do, daring outfits, single woman out on the prowl

Well isn't that what we all need?

Got back together with Aiden, got dumped, started rockin' a huge bun

The Russian Cold War (plus looks from American Girl in Paris pt. 1 & 2, series finale):

This is when she got prim and proper: tea-length fit and flare dresses, tulle, more sculpted curls, a true sign of approaching 40 as a single gal in NYC.

It may have been worn nearly ten years ago, but I'd still die for that amazing Oscar DeLaRenta cocktail dress

Every girl needs a dude that will buy them designer clothes and take them to Paris.

Looks from Sex & The City, the movie, 1 & 2:

UGH flawless.

Ultimately, Carrie taught me some life lessons as well; be true to yourself, believe in love, take chances, rely less on what people think, etc.  But her fashion choices might have been what really stuck.