I Created Carrie Bradshaw's Under-$100 Capsule Wardrobe for Fall
First of all, who doesn't need a little Carrie Bradshaw in their lives (and wardrobes)? Whether she's flaunting her insane designer handbag collection or wearing an actual bird on her head (see the first movie), there's really nothing she can't pull off in her signature "Oh, this old thing?" style. It may have been 20 years since Sex and the City first aired, but the show is still one we watch reruns of just for its witty commentary and truly iconic fashion. It only takes one look at the viral Instagram account @everyoutfitonsatc—which does exactly what it suggests: chronicle every noteworthy fashion moment from the show—to remember Carrie's best (and occasionally cringe-worthy) outfits.
Although everyone had a field day with the show's summer style, it's Carrie's fall outfits are equally noteworthy but far less appreciated. Since she inadvertently predicted some of the biggest 2018 trends in the game over a decade early, so many of her fall outfits feel just as relevant today. Remember when she styled a strong-shouldered blazer or took a risk and wore a pair of cargo pants with her mules? I not only revisited her best fall looks, but I also created a Carrie capsule wardrobe of her key pieces. If Carrie herself could actually budget, she'd be all over the following under-$100 pieces.
An '80s-inspired blazer
Okay, maybe skip the capri-length leggings and ballet flats with this, but embrace a little Carrie-esque drama in this strong-shouldered blazer.
Itty-bitty shoulder bags
It was the 2000s, and no one made baguette bags look chicer than Carrie Bradshaw herself. We have a strong feeling she'd be all over this leopard-print one from Topshop.
Slim oval shades
Since Carrie Bradshaw in athleisure is shocking enough as it is, I'm simply not going to address this one-off moment and instead direct your attention toward her very chic '90s-style oval sunglasses.
Throw a newsboy cap on it
Speaking of things I'm actively not addressing, Carrie is making all sorts of contradictions in this outfit. Nonetheless, there's something in me that wants to say it's all okay because she threw a very autumnal newsboy hat on top of it all, and (sue me but) it just works.
Don't hate me, but cargo pants are a thing
If you're like me, you have a lot of feelings about the return of these "ugly" pants, but if anyone could throw caution to the wind and just do it, it's Carrie. We'd probably skip the football T-shirt, though.
More hair accessories: this time a headband moment
Make like Carrie and wear this velvet piece with a bright sweater.
Get yourself a statement jacket
One of our top style lessons from the Manhattanite herself? Be bold. While Carrie wore her fair share of eccentric accessories, you can still channel her attention-grabbing style through a statement-making jacket.
Literally anything crystal-embellished
If the term "extra" had existed in Carrie's time, she'd probably have a nameplate necklace with the word that so accurately and succinctly describes her style. I mean, what better way to dress up your NYE pajama look, right?
Pearls—and loads of them
Pearl jewelry is experiencing a revival right now, meaning Carrie was way ahead of her time (but tell me something I don't know). This pretty baroque pearl necklace is the number one way to wear pearls à la Carrie but still feel current.
It bags, It bags, It bags
Her designer bag collection is obviously next-level, but to channel this particular Carrie look and not emerge broke on the other end, go for a similar (unbranded) belt bag.
Oliver Twist, but make it fashion
Under any other circumstances, this kind of aggressively historical look would feel off, but of course on Carrie, it somehow works. Take the pinstripe motif but leave the knickerbockers and suspenders to interpretations of Oliver Twist.
Next, see everything I stopped wearing when I started working full-time.
Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.
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