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Few TV characters have left as strong a fashion legacy as Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. With her bold, quirky, and often unforgettable style, Carrie—played by Sarah Jessica Parker—reshaped how audiences around the world viewed fashion on television. From designer shoes to thrift store treasures, her outfits told stories that went beyond fabric. But what many fans don’t realize is that Carrie’s wardrobe didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling. Parker has been carefully preserving every piece, and on rare occasions, she even borrows from Carrie’s closet herself, blending fiction with her real-life fashion journey.
A Real-Life Carrie Moment
In an exclusive interview with People, Sarah Jessica Parker shared that every now and then, she reaches into Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic wardrobe—not for the screen, but for real-life events. Most recently, she did just that when attending a birthday party in England, selecting a memorable piece saved from her character’s fashion archive. While certainly not routine, it’s one of the few times she’s stepped into Carrie’s shoes—literally—but only when the occasion truly calls for it. She laughed, “I just did it… it’s one of the few occasions I’ve ever pulled from the archive for personal use.”
2. Careful, Thoughtful, Respectful
Parker explained she doesn’t make these choices lightly. She evaluates context, occasion, and the piece’s fragility before borrowing from the archive. “What would the circumstances and the environment be… would it be okay and safe, or would it be destroyed? I’m very judicious about that,” she said.
3. A Treasure Trove of Fashion History
Since the original series, Parker has meticulously preserved every costume and prop from Sex and the City and And Just Like That…, storing them carefully—season- and episode-labeled—in temperature-regulated closets. Her contractual foresight secured a lasting fashion legacy and practical resource for the spinoff series.
4. Dreaming of a Public Exhibit
The actress hopes her Carrie wardrobe can be shared more broadly. She’s considered organizing a public exhibit—not just to celebrate the fashion, but to highlight the artwork of costume designers like Molly Rogers, Danny Santiago, and Patricia Field. She envisions conversations about design, women in cinema, and storytelling through clothing.
5. Carrie’s Legacy Wears On
The lasting impact of Carrie Bradshaw’s fashion isn’t confined to TV screens. With pieces like the iconic tulle skirt, the newsprint Dior dress, and the Fendi Baguette bag, her wardrobe transcends nostalgia—becoming cultural artifacts. Parker’s occasional real-world homage serves as a bridge between fantasy and memory, inviting fans to remember and celebrate the style that redefined a generation.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s thoughtful curation of Carrie Bradshaw’s wardrobe has transformed it into more than just a television costume archive—it is now a living piece of cultural history. Her rare but meaningful decision to wear certain pieces in her personal life shows the powerful connection between character, costume, and real-world identity. Carrie’s fashion remains timeless, not just because of the clothes themselves, but because of how they captured imagination and independence. As Parker considers the idea of a public exhibit, fans can only dream of stepping inside the closet that once changed television and continues to inspire style worldwide.