SJP's Real-Life Looks Are Better Than Her Sex and the City Outfits

It'll hardly come as a surprise when I say that I love Sex and the City. As a woman who works in journalism and fashion, it's no shockers that I love a TV programme about a fashion writer who lives in New York. Like a Monty Python fan who obsessively recites the funniest lines from The Holy Grail, there are plenty of outfits of Carrie's that I still think about and will often reference.

The pink Oscar de la Renta gown she wore to the ballet. The newspaper Dior dress. Or how about the Prada look she wore to Smith's theatre debut? All of these outfits will remain some of my favourites ever seen on screen, but there are some others that are best forgotten: Off the top of my head, there's the pinstripe suit she wore for her first day at Vogue, her confusing love of flat caps and her even more odd choice of cycling shorts (yes, I know people love them right now, but I'll never be on board).

All of this reflection on Carrie's wardrobe leads me to one conclusion: Sarah Jessica Parker's style is much better than her most famous character's. As I said, while there are plenty of Bradshaw looks I still love, in general, SJP's ensembles are far more superior. Call it age or just a love of good taste, but Sarah consistently nails it when it comes to her style.

From spectacular looks for the Met Gala to just classic jeans and a nice top outfit, SJP knows how to dress with elegance but is by no means boring. With that in mind, allow me to take you through some of her best-ever looks. "Sorry Carrie, I can't. Don't hate me."

sarah jessica parker style: in a black dress

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Style Notes: This black dress Sarah wore back in 2016 is exactly what we want to wear this season. 

sarah jessica parker style: in jeans and a blazer

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Style Notes: During the 1980s, SJP was already doing the oversized-blazer look. 

sarah jessica parker style: red dress at the ballet

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Style Notes: This is the closest you'll see SJP getting to Carrie's wardrobe. This dress, which she wore for the New York City Ballet 2018 Fall Fashion Gala, was created by Giles Couture. Instead of heaping on the accessories, she lets the dress speak for itself with minimal additions. 

sarah jessica parker style: white dress

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Style Notes: This summer, SJP was all about the chic white dress with accentuated sleeves. 

sarah jessica parker style: pink dress with feathers

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Style Notes: Again, this is similar to a Carrie dress (the tutu one, no?), but this is just that bit more grown-up thanks to the longer hem. 

sarah jessica parker style: vampire's wife dress

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Style Notes: At the 39th annual Muse Awards in 2018, Sarah wore one of our favourite brands, The Vampire's Wife.

sarah jessica parker style: the naked dress

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Style Notes: While this dress is from the show, this one gets a free pass because it's just so chic. If a little sassy. 

sarah jessica parker style: fringe jacket and cowboy boots

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Style Notes: Two of the biggest trends this season are fringed jackets and cowboy boots. The star wore them back in the '80s and looked incredible then. 

sarah jessica parker style: sequin dress

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Style Notes: This summer, the star wore a shimmering black dress to the theatre.

sarah jessica parker style: gold dress

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Style Notes: The golden dress looks incredible next to that blonde hair. 

sarah jessica parker style: white shirt and black blazer

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Style Notes: Carrie Bradshaw would never wear such a pedestrian outfit, but a classic white shirt and black blazer never go out of style. 

sarah jessica parker style: pink tights and black dress

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Style Notes: Proof that SJP still likes to experiment? These pink tights.

sarah jessica parker style: blue sequin dress

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Style Notes: Another glittery dress from SJP. This style might be in the Carrie style group, but its colour is much more subtle, which makes it ideal for SJP. 

sarah jessica parker style: snake print suit

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Style Notes: Back in 2015, Sarah knew snakeskin was super chic. We're all now just trying to catch up with her. 

sarah jessica parker style: pink dress

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Style Notes: Bubblegum pink gown, but make it fashion by adding white foam at the end. 

sarah jessica parker style: silver dress at fashion show

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Style Notes: We wouldn't expect anything less than this more directional look from SJP when attending the Narciso Rodriguez show. 

sarah jessica parker style: pink tights and velvet blazer

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Style Notes: What can we say? She loves pink tights. 

sarah jessica parker style: white and pink dress

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Style Notes: This dress she wore back in the summer is the one that suits everyone. 

sarah jessica parker style: grey dress and purple jacket

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Style Notes: There's something so wonderfully festive about this pairing of a purple velvet jacket and a grey dress.

sarah jessica parker style: chanel jacket and white shirt with skinny jeans

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Style Notes: SJP makes her Chanel jacket shine with the addition of a simple white shirt and grey skinny jeans. 

sarah jessica parker style: purple metallic dress and purple coat

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Style Notes: Last year, SJP paired a gorgeous purple metallic dress with a purple tweed coat. 

sarah jessica parker style: plus floral dress

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Style Notes: She loves a floral dress just as much as we do. 

sarah jessica parker style: double denim

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Style Notes: Perhaps one of my favourite Sarah looks is this double-denim outfit. 

sarah jessica parker style: white top and white skirt

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Style Notes: The ultimate all-white look. 

sarah jessica parker style: grey blazer and skinny jeans

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Style Notes: This is the ultimate grey coat. Wear with skinny white jeans and a statement bag. 

sarah jessica parker style: white polka dot dress and grey coat

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Style Notes: Another knockout coat worn with a chic dress. 

sarah jessica parker style: met gala outfit

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Style Notes: While there are so many Met Gala looks for us to choose from, this nativity headdress and accompanying gold dress by Dolce & Gabbana will remain one of her best ever.

Next up, the biggest autumn/winter 2019 trends you need to know.