Sarah Jessica Parker Just Wore the Perfect Summer Dress

last updated 26 July 2019

Sarah Jessica Parker is considered the original poster girl for New York street style thanks to her role as Carrie Bradshaw, however, this year her city outfits have rarely been documented. Yesterday though SJP was photographed walking to lunch with Michelle Obama, and the shots look like they could be promotional material for another chapter of Sex and the City.

SJP wore a printed maxi dress with a fitted shirred bodice, oversized puffy sleeves and delicate ruffles on the skirt. She then paired her breezy maxi with a pair of gold block-heel pumps with an oversized crystal buckle, gold medallion necklaces and a pair of classic aviators. Swap the shoes for sandals and this is an outfit that could be just as appropriate for the beach, as it is for lunch with the former first lady.

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Shirred dresses have become increasingly popular this summer thanks to brands like Rhode, Dôen and Sleeper, which are using it in their cult designs. If you're not exactly sure what a shirred dress is, it's when the fabric has horizontal lines of thin elastic thread stitched into it in order to draw the fabric together and create a stretchy, flattering panel that will snugly fit waists but also expand.

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Keep scrolling to shop our edit of the best shirred dresses.

Shop Shirred Dresses

Rhode

Eva Smocked Off-the-Shoulder Cotton Dress

Rhode

Harper Shirred Floral-Print Cotton Midi Dress

Dôen

Jasmine Shirred Floral-Print Cotton-Poplin Maxi Dress

Rixo

Marianne Shirred Floral-Print Crepe de Chine Midi Dress

Sleeper

Atlanta Off-the-Shoulder Shirred Gingham Linen Midi Dress

Reformation

Inka Smocked Floral-Print Crepe de Chine Midi Dress

ASOS Design

Shirred Bustier Maxi Dress in Seersucker Check Print

Next up, see our guide to the best printed dresses.

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Emma is a freelance fashion editor with over 15 years experience in industry, having worked at The Telegraph, Grazia and, most recently, British Vogue. Emma was part of the founding team of Who What Wear UK, where she worked for six years as Deputy Editor and then Editor—helping shape the team into what it is today is one of the biggest privileges of her career and she will always see herself as a Who What Wear girl, contributing to both the US and UK sites. Whether she's writing about runway trends or spotlighting emerging brands, she aims to write about fashion in a way that is democratic and doesn't promote over consumption.