How to dress like Carrie Bradshaw according to a style expert

The ultimate guide on how to dress like Carrie Bradshaw, complete with five outfits you'll want to buy immediately

composite of three images showing how to dress like carrie bradshaw and her best outfits
(Image credit: Getty)

A style icon to the masses, if you've ever wondered how to dress like Carrie Bradshaw, you've come to the right place. With a new season of 'And Just Like That', Carrie's exceptional fashion choices are back on our radar and we've compiled a guide of how to copy her looks.

Carrie Bradshaw has been a fashion force to be reckoned with ever since she first stepped onto our screens back in 1999. Setting the latest fashion trends rather than following them, Carrie Bradshaw's closet has long dictated what will rise in popularity, with many of her favorite designer shoes and bags still much revered after their time on the show.

The show's original series was masterfully sourced and styled by costume designer Patricia Field, with Carrie Bradshaw's clothing becoming one of the defining features of Sex and the City, influencing a generation. Today, the show's costume department is headed up by Molly Rogers and Danny Santiago, and Carrie's wardrobe is no less iconic. While Carrie might be too eclectic to exercise an over 50s capsule wardrobe, watching the star's style mature, continues to serve as a new source of inspiration to shoppers everywhere. 

How to dress like Carrie Bradshaw

Selecting just a handful of Carrie Bradshaw's best fashion moments is no easy task, but there are a few looks that stand out in our minds, as pivotal ensembles that made us want to learn how to dress like Carrie Bradshaw. 

Effortlessly mixing colors, textures, prints and styles, Carrie's outfits are a masterclass in fashion-forward dressing, and even no, Carrie's looks remain ground-breaking. Our fashion experts have scoured the internet to bring you the ultimate guide on how to dress like Carrie Bradshaw.

1. Carrie's Timeless Tulle Skirt

Carrie Bradshaw's Tulle Skirt

(Image credit: Getty)

Carrie Bradshaw's Tulle Skirt

Reasons to buy

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Makes a statement
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Perfect for teaming with a variety of tops
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Dress up or down
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Wear in all seasons

When we think of how to dress like Carrie Bradshaw, the first thing that comes to mind is a statement tulle skirt. Her iconic short tutu, which Carrie is seen wearing in the Sex and the City opening credits, became a defining piece that has been frequently revisited by the character throughout the years - and even cropped up in the first season of And Just Like That with a more mature restyle. Carrie, an over-50s fashion icon is a stark reminder that favorite statement pieces can live on your closet with some clever restyling.

Despite the belief that you need to be brave to wear a tutu, this voluminous skirt is surprisingly versatile. From what to wear to a wedding to how to wear ruffles, a tulle skirt can be styled with hundreds of different essentials to create a show-stopping look that works every time. Dress it down with a sweater or tee and pair of trainers for a smart casual outfit idea, or dress it up with a silky camisole or blouse.


2. Carrie's Floral Midi Dress

carrie bradshaw wearing a sheer floral midi dress

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Carrie Bradshaw's Floral Midi Dress

Reasons to buy

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Perfect for summer
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Playful and fun silhouette
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Will never go out of style
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Easy to accessorize

Fans of SATC will remember this iconic dress - or rather, they will remember when it got soaked through as Carrie fell into the boating pond at Central Park. Made by designer Richard Tyler for his Resort collection in 2001, it is a true vintage piece that is just as lust-worthy today as it was when Carrie first sported it, thanks to the timelessness of floral prints.

From what to wear to Wimbledon to wedding guest dresses, this is a style that will take you through all summer occasions. We love the asymmetric cut and ruffled hem that sets this apart from all the other best midi dresses out there, whilst the semi-sheer texture keeps things light and soft. 


3. Carrie's Pant Suit

carrie bradshaw wearing a white waistcoat pink shirt and tailored pants on the street

(Image credit: Getty)

Carrie Bradshaw's Pant Suit

Reasons to buy

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Monochromatic color palette
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Easy to mix and match with other staple items
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A necessity in any capsule wardrobe
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Timeless investment pieces

A pant suit has become the back bone of many occasion and workwear wardrobes, offering a polished finish when you need it most. If you really want to learn how to dress like Carrie Bradshaw, forget everything you know about classical styling and experiment with layering different patterns and textures. A fantastic alternative to the best cocktail dresses, this white ensemble solves the problem of what to wear to the races with items you will get wear out of for years to come.

Tuxedos for women can be worn so many different ways, and we're obsessed with this waistcoat outfit that is just the right balance of modern and timeless. But the key to a Carrie-approved ensemble is well-fitted pants that stop just at the right part of the ankle. To ensure you get the look, make friends with your local tailor, they can term the simplest item into a wardrobe staple that exudes Stealth Wealth. Ankle grazing pants give the opportunity to show off footwear, something we're sure Carrie would approve of, and also echo the slender fit of a tailored pant. 


4. Carrie's Naked Dress

sarah jessica parker wearing the naked dress on a red carpet

(Image credit: Getty)

Carrie Bradshaw's Naked Dress

Reasons to buy

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A truly iconic piece
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Surprisingly easy to style
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Will never date
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One for true SATC fans

It has been 26 years since Carrie Bradshaw first wore the 'naked dress', and it is still one of the most talked about outfits from SATC. Featured in season 1 episode 6, the mini dress is a point of huge discussion between the characters, and it caused the same stir with viewers. Sarah Jessica Parker loved the piece so much that she opted to wear it to the 1997 VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards, and the slip dress silhouette remains a key '90s fashion trend that is still much loved today.

Although this seems like quite a daring choice, there are so many ways you can channel this 'barely there' look without feeling too exposed or out of your comfort zone, and nailing how to wear a slip dress will unlock a whole new level in your wardrobe. Start by considering what to wear over a dress and also think about how you can incorporate neutral fleshy tones into your wardrobe through other means, such as with accessories or outerwear. 


5. Carrie's Rainbow Dress

carrie bradshaw on the street wearing a rainbow midi dress

(Image credit: Getty)

Carrie Bradshaw's Rainbow Dress

Reasons to buy

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Can be dressed up or down
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Provides ample layering opportunities
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Range of colors to match all manner of accessories to
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Comfortable and chic

This outfit from season 1 of And Just Like That immediately caught our eye, and we've been thinking about it ever since. Not only did it see the reunion of Carrie and her beloved Fendi baguette bag (if you really want to know how to dress like Carrie Bradshaw, a designer handbag is essential), but it also saw Carrie continuing to experiment with color in her wardrobe.

Yellow and blue are some of the biggest fashion color trends 2023, and this look finds a way to bring them together harmoniously. If there's one lesson we've learned from Carrie over the years. that contrary to the famous Chanel quote about removing the last accessory you put on, when it comes to Carrie Bradshaw's style, more is more - so don't be afraid to layer different bright hues and sparkly accessories. 

Amelia Yeomans
Senior writer

Amelia joined woman&home in 2022 after graduating with an MA in Magazine Journalism from City University and is now a senior writer. She began building her career as a lifestyle journalist after completing a fashion journalism course at the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design in 2019, writing for a variety of titles including OK! magazine, New! magazine and Notion on topics such as sustainable fashion and entertainment. She specialises in fashion and beauty content, covering everything from product reviews and nail art trends to reporting on fashion weeks and the best-dressed celebrities at red carpet events. With a keen eye for lifestyle trends, she is always on the lookout for the latest products and brands to hit the market.