Carrie Bradshaw's 15-Piece Parisian Capsule Wardrobe
I’ve watched and rewatched Sex and the City more times than I can count. I grew up tuning into the show, and the life Carrie Bradshaw lived as a writer in Manhattan always captivated me. Ahead of moving to NYC to pursue my career as a fashion editor, I thought back on Carrie’s life in NYC—it had, after all, inspired me to find a similar path for myself, at least in part.
Those Paris episodes have to be the ones I’ve watched more than any others, though. I lived in Paris myself years ago, so I have a strong connection to the French capital and carefully studied each scene for the landmarks, from the streets of Saint-Germain to the hallways of Plaza Athénée. Carrie’s vision of Paris is tied up in her romantic idea of the city and the life she imagined living there, so her outfits rely heavily on iconic French fashion staples like Breton stripes and boater hats. It all comes together in a perfect wardrobe for the City of Light. Want to get the look for yourself? Ahead, shop Carrie Bradshaw’s 15-pieces Parisian capsule wardrobe.
Carrie Bradshaw leaned into iconic French fashion items when she arrived in Paris, including a boater hat and tweed jacket.
Boater Hat
Tweed Jacket
What is more Parisian than Breton stripes?
Striped Knits
Carrie really doubled down on classic Parisian fashion staples, including the polka-dot print she was spotted wearing here.
Polka Dots
White Pumps
This outfit is built around tall leather boots, which happen to be one of the biggest shoe styles we're seeing this season.
Black Coat
Corset Top
Slip Skirt
Leather Boots
This outfit is an homage to Carrie's infamous tulle skirt from the Sex and the City opening credits.
White Blazer
Tulle Skirt
Strappy Heels
Frame Bag
An off-the-shoulder top feels on brand both for the city in question and for Carrie's sense of style.
Black Top
The pièce de résistance? The Oscar de la Renta gown Carrie unboxed in her hotel room.
Fairytale Gown
Next: six pieces we're convinced Carrie Bradshaw would wear in 2018.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co., and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
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