Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw may be the ultimate fictional fashion-icon, but Sarah Jessica Parker is the real-life style star. As SJP’s Carrie once said, “I like my money where I can see it: hanging in my closet.” So, ahead of the Sexy and the City reboot, let’s dip into the archives of the wardrobe and style evolution behind the one and only Sarah Jessica Parker.

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Sarah Jessica Parker rocks every 80’s trend in one shot in 1987
At a restaurant opening in 1987, Footloose star Sarah Jessica Parker pulled out her sunglasses at night (we’re singing it as we type it, too) – a big scrunchie, oversized tuxedo blazer and more-is-more sparkly accessories. It was go-big or go-home – and SJP nailed it. We’re starting strong, folks – because let’s be real, you’d wear this today.
Related: Zoe Kravitz style evolution.

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Sarah Jessica Parker accessorizes with Hollywood’s most notorious “bad boy” in 1988
Attending a benefit event on the arm of Hollywood’s most notorious bad-boy du jour is one way to make an entrance. The other is by rocking the decade’s best “big” hair. Seriously, can we bring that kind of wild-curl back? Sarah Jessica Parker’s mesh-overlay mini may have missed the mark, but stepping out with then-boyfriend Robert Downey Jr. – who, eye candy qualities aside, must have been a handful - has us willing to forgive the outfit. Of the relationship, which lasted from 1984 to 1991, SJP has been quoted as saying, “I believed I was the one holding him together.”

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Sarah Jessica Parker attends a film premiere in 1991
There are the wallflower types – and then there’s this. Bold, loud, trendy and proud – Sarah Jessica Parker served a lewk, if ever there was one, at the film premiere for For the Boys in 1991.
Related: Zendaya style evolution.

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Sarah Jessica Parker makes it a religious experience at a film premiere in 1992
Is it just us, or is Honeymoon in Vegas seriously underrated for it’s amazing wardrobe styling? Sarah Jessica Parker stepped out for the film’s premiere in 1992 in a long, flowy black dress and accessorized with a massive cross necklace layered over a second, smaller cross. In spite of her otherwise simple hair and makeup, and no other accessories, the look was still bold and statement-making.

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Sarah Jessica Parker rocks a white jumpsuit to the 2nd Annual MTV Movie Awards in 1993
Sarah Jessica Parker – in yet another trend-setting moment – sported a flared, white jumpsuit to the 2nd Annual MTV Movie Awards and left us all with so many questions – mostly surrounding how she a)kept it clean and b)what the heck – if anything – she wore underneath. Inquiring minds want to know!
Related: JLo’s style evolution.

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Sarah Jessica Parker in the original LBD (with combat boots!) in 1994
Attending a film premiere in 1994, Sarah Jessica Parker had us all taking notes on how to rock a little black dress when she expertly paired it with a leather jacket and combat boots.

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Sarah Jessica Parker stuns at a book launch event in 1997
For the launch of the book Cartier: Untamed, newlywed Sarah Jessica Parker went with a super-sexy snakeskin mini dress and we are still over here, picking our jaws up off the floor. We’re betting husband Matthew Broderick was a fan of this one.
Related: Celine Dion’s style evolution.

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Sarah Jessica Parker is a golden goddess at the Emmy Awards in 1999
Looking radiant in a yellow sequin-embellished dress, Sarah Jessica Parker, with one year as Carrie Bradshaw under her (designer) belt, stunned at the 51st Annual Emmy Awards. Looking very Carrie-esque, this look was a classic, and a win on the actor’s petite frame.

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Sarah Jessica Parker is pretty in pink at the Emmy Awards in 2000
Pretty in pink and serving major Carrie Bradshaw vibes, Sarah Jessica Parker stepped out in a satin-and-tulle ballerina-inspired dress for the Emmy Awards in 2000 and – love or hate it – SJP pulled it off.
Related: Harry Styles style evolution.

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Sarah Jessica Parker takes her cues from Carrie Bradshaw for the SAG Awards in 2001
Looking like she stepped right out of Carrie Bradshaw’s closet, Sarah Jessica Parker rocked a tube top and full skirt as she collected some serious hardware at the 2001 Screen Actor’s Guild Awards.

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Sarah Jessica Parker goes retro-chic for the Lincoln Center Ballet Spring Gala in 2004
In a bright green dress with ruffled tiers and a sleek retro-inspired high pony, Sarah Jessica Parker was beaming at the Lincoln Center Ballet’s Spring Gala in 2004.
Related: Jennifer Aniston’s style evolution.

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Sarah Jessica Parker arrives to the Met Gala with Alexander McQueen as her plus one in 2006
With fashion royalty on her arm, Sarah Jessica Parker donned a Scots-inspired costume for the 2006 Met Gala, designed by her plus-one, the late Alexander McQueen. The look was bold and on-theme and easily one of the best of the night.

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Sarah Jessica Parker goes big for the world premiere of the Sex and the City film in 2008
For the 2008 world premiere of the Sex and the City film, Sarah Jessica Parker pulled out all the fashion stops for the red carpet. In a stunning green dress and elaborate matching headpiece, the actress did not disappoint.
Related: Selena Gomez’ style evolution.

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Sarah Jessica Parker is all legs at a film premiere in 2009
For the 2009 premiere of her film, Did You Hear about the Morgan’s?, co-starring Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker went full-throttle for her red-carpet look in a daring strapless pink mini dress and platform pumps.

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Sarah Jessica Parker is bright and bold at a film premiere in 2010
For the much-anticipated 2010 premiere of Sex and the City 2, Sarah Jessica Parker glowed (literally) in a neon-yellow, one-shoulder gown. Easily one of our favourite looks ever from SJP, this was bold, bright and unapologetic.
Related: Angelina Jolie’s style evolution.

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Sarah Jessica Parker nails colour-blocking for television appearance in 2011
Nailing pink and red colour-blocking for an appearance on Letterman in 2011, Sarah Jessica Parker reminds us to break fashion “rules” and be bold with our style.

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Sarah Jessica Parker steals the show in Oscar de la Renta at the Met Gala in 2014
In a black-and-white gown fit for a princess (and autographed along the train by designer Oscar de la Renta), Sarah Jessica Parker wowed at the 2014 Met Gala.

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Sarah Jessica Parker has a New York moment en route to the New York Ballet Gala in 2016
Spotted on the streets of New York, Sarah Jessica Parker donned full glam in a floor-length gown before heading to the New York City Ballet’s 2016 Gala. Yes, there were red-carpet snaps, but what’s more Sex and the City than a ballgown sighting on the streets of NYC?

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Sarah Jessica Parker is our lady in red at the New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala in 2018
In a show-stopping red ballgown, Sarah Jessica Parker stole the spotlight at the 2018 New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala. It’s these mega-glam moments that have become SJP’s signature on red carpets, and she does not disappoint.
Related: Lady Gaga’s style evolution.

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Sarah Jessica Parker promotes her latest line of SJP Footwear in 2020
Times may be tough, but Sarah Jessica Parker continues to put her best foot forward, posing in a stunning purple dress in front of a window display for her latest line of SJP Footwear. Now that’s one shoe collection we would love to raid. Safe to say, the style story for this star will only get brighter, bolder and more chic in 2021.
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