Carrie Bradshaw dresses like someone who never once asked whether a skirt was practical, and that's exactly why she makes such a good Halloween character. A dress and heels alone won't get you there, though. When I style a Carrie, I build her from four things people read at a glance: big blonde curls, a gold nameplate necklace, a shoe with some nerve and a prop that hints at her column. A faux newspaper or a tiny shoulder bag does more for a closet-built version than an expensive dress ever will. Her wardrobe runs from plain slip dresses to theatrical tulle, so there's a version below for most budgets and comfort levels. The opening-credit tutu is the one strangers name first; the later outfits are for the fans who'll catch a deep cut.
Carrie's Curls Without a Perm or a Bad Wig
Almost every look below depends on the hair, and it's where most Carrie costumes fall apart. Her curls are big and loose, a little messy at the ends, with volume at the roots. Tight, uniform ringlets look like a doll, not her.
With your own hair
Use mousse at the roots before blow-drying, then curl with a large barrel, switching direction from one section to the next so the curls don't stack into neat tubes. Let each curl cool in your hand or pinned up before you release it. Once everything is cool, break the curls apart with your fingers and finish with a light hairspray. Fine, straight hair drops a curl quickly, so I curl it a few hours ahead, pin the curls up while dressing and let them down at the last minute.
With a wig
Inexpensive curly blonde wigs are usually too shiny and too yellow. Pick one labeled heat-resistant, work a little dry shampoo through the fibers to cut the plastic shine, and only ever finger-comb it, since a brush turns synthetic curls into frizz. Pull a few strands forward around the face and trim the fringe if it sits like a helmet. Keep it well away from candles and oven doors; even heat-resistant fiber singes.
1. Carrie Bradshaw Tutu Costume
This is the look people name from across the room, so start here if recognition matters most. A fitted pale pink tank or sleeveless bodysuit goes over a short, layered white tulle skirt. I'd pick a skirt with at least three layers of tulle, because a single layer goes flat within an hour and reads as ballet class rather than a Manhattan sidewalk. Strappy metallic sandals are the faithful choice, but silver block heels survive a party far better. Wear loose, slightly undone blonde curls or a curly wig with real movement, and keep the makeup fresh with rosy cheeks and pink gloss. The nameplate necklace and a small shoulder bag go on last, and a folded newspaper or a cardboard bus ad nods to the splash from the credits.
2. Carrie Bradshaw Newspaper Dress Costume
Few Carrie outfits are as distinctive as the newspaper-print dress, which appeared in the series and came back in the second movie, so fans of either era will get it. Look for an asymmetrical midi with black-and-white newsprint graphics. If you can't find one, I'd make it from a plain white wrap dress and iron-on printed transfers. Test one transfer on a hidden seam first: polyester can shine or melt under a hot iron, so use the lowest heat that makes the transfer stick and always press through a cloth. Pointed black heels, a structured mini bag and the nameplate necklace finish it. Keep the makeup neutral with a muted rose lip so the print stays the focus, and carry a folded newspaper or fashion magazine.
3. Carrie Bradshaw Nude Slip Dress Costume
The famous 'naked dress' gets a public-friendly version here: a fully lined nude or champagne slip dress, knee length, with a neckline you won't spend the night adjusting. Hold any slip up to a window before you buy it. If you can see your hand through the skirt, everyone will see through it under party lighting too, and a smooth slip in your skin tone fixes that. Metallic strappy heels, a tiny neutral bag, tousled early-season curls and understated makeup with brown liner carry the character. Because the dress itself is so quiet, the prop has to work hard, and a mock column ad or a rolled fashion magazine explains the reference. It's one of the easiest Carries to pull together, since the base is simple and the styling does the rest.
4. Carrie Bradshaw Charcoal Mini Dress Costume
Some of Carrie's quietest outfits make the most wearable costumes, and the fitted charcoal mini is one. A straight or gently scooped neckline works. I steer people away from anything heavily embellished, because the curls and the necklace need to be the loudest things in the outfit. Add black strappy sandals, a compact top-handle bag and subtle gold jewelry. The hair is not optional on this one: define natural waves with mousse, or wear a loose spiral-curled wig. A laptop sleeve labeled with a made-up relationship column does the explaining. You'll wear the dress long after October, which is the real argument for choosing it.
5. Carrie Bradshaw White Slip Dress Costume
A white bias-cut slip dress needs no DIY at all, but it's the least forgiving fabric on this list. Bias-cut satin clings to whatever is underneath, so I'd choose an opaque ivory or bright white midi and wear smooth shapewear in your skin tone. Gold sandals, a small clutch and a fine nameplate necklace keep it Carrie. Lift the roots before you curl so you get her volume rather than flat ringlets, and go for softly bronzed skin with a rose lip. Sunglasses help at an outdoor event, and a small notebook keeps the writing career in the picture. On a cold night, throw a cropped cardigan or tailored coat over the top; the dress still shows below it.
6. Carrie Bradshaw Lake Dress Costume
A blush floral midi recalls the outfit from the scene where Carrie and Big end up in the boating pond. Look for a fitted dress with pink or peach flowers and a slightly flared hem. The flare matters more than the print, because a straight floral sheath reads as a brunch dress. Delicate strappy heels, a compact purse and the nameplate necklace follow, and the curls should stay loose and a little windblown. The prop tells the story: a small toy rowboat or a blue paper 'water' cutout clipped to your bag makes the reference without anything dripping on your host's floor. A cropped coat keeps you warm without hiding the shape, so this one suits a Halloween dinner or an indoor party.
7. Carrie Bradshaw Midriff Belt Costume
Carrie's belt-around-the-midriff outfit is a deep cut, and it gets a laugh from anyone who knows the show. Wear a lime or yellow-green low-rise midi skirt with a fitted pink top and a cropped white button-down, knotted or tucked. Then fasten a wide matching belt around the waist over a nude camisole or fitted bodysuit. I always add that layer: a belt on bare skin rubs and slides all evening, while a bodysuit gives it something to grip. Pointed heels, a small shoulder bag, loose curls and bright pink lipstick finish it, and the nameplate necklace plus a faux column help anyone who needs a hint. Fans notice the odd belt placement first, so don't let it drift down to your hips.
8. Carrie Bradshaw Boho Bandana Costume
For a colorful early-2000s Carrie, pair cropped denim pants with a billowing printed blouse and a silky headscarf. A paisley top in turquoise and red works well. When I tie the scarf, I knot it at the nape and leave the lengths free, so the curls still spill over the shoulders; a scarf that swallows all the hair turns her into a generic boho guest. Add pointed slingbacks, a small embellished bag, layered necklaces and oversized hoops, with bronzer and glossy pink lips. A notebook or compact laptop bag covers the writer side. It's more relaxed than the tutu or the formal dresses, and nearly every piece can come from a thrift store or your own closet.
9. Carrie Bradshaw Black Crop Top Costume
This going-out look is a fitted black crop top over a knee-length skirt with bold colored stripes. A slim belt bag worn at the hip pushes it firmly into early-2000s territory. Narrow-strap heels, hoops and the nameplate necklace follow, along with side-parted curls, smoky brown eyes and pink gloss. If you'd rather not show your stomach all evening, wear a fitted black bodysuit underneath. You keep the same line, and the top stops riding up every time you lift your arms. A folded newspaper or little notebook adds the character detail, and the plain top against the graphic skirt reads clearly in a crowded room.
10. Carrie Bradshaw Distressed Top Costume
Carrie's beloved distressed designer top translates well into a thrifted costume. Look for an asymmetrical or faded top in earthy colors and pair it with fitted pants or a slim midi skirt. If you distress a shirt yourself, fray only the hems and edges with a seam ripper and stop there. Holes cut into the body of a knit keep growing every time you sit down and stretch. Pointed stilettos or lower kitten heels, a small handbag, hoops and the nameplate necklace keep it looking deliberate, with slightly undone curls and glossy lips. For the prop, a handwritten 'Do not throw away' tag pinned to an empty garment bag rewards the fans who remember how attached she was to her clothes.
11. Carrie Bradshaw Green Bustle Skirt Costume
The green satin skirt with a tulle bustle is pure eccentric Carrie, and it's easier to build than it looks. Start with a green satin mini or knee-length skirt and gather matching green tulle at the back. I sew the tulle onto a separate ribbon or removable waistband that ties or snaps on, rather than pinning it straight through the satin, because safety pins leave visible holes in satin and drag the skirt out of shape under the weight. A crisp white button-down and cherry-red pumps give the outfit its contrast. Add a small shoulder bag, the nameplate necklace and simple studs, wear loose curls or a high curly ponytail, and tuck a faux newspaper under one arm.
12. Carrie Bradshaw Mini Shorts Costume
The mini-shorts look plays with proportion and still gives you a coat to hide in. Wear tailored black shorts or a fitted romper under a knee-length tan trench, then add a gray or brown newsboy cap, pointed heels and a small leather shoulder bag. Push the cap back on your head instead of pulling it low, so a few curls can frame your face. Worn too far forward, a cap flattens the whole hairstyle. Keep the makeup natural, wear the nameplate necklace and carry a small market bag filled with artificial flowers or paper produce. Opaque tights add coverage, and the trench makes this a sensible pick if your Halloween is a cold one.
13. Carrie Bradshaw White Flower Dress Costume
A crisp white dress with an oversized fabric flower is a polished Carrie that takes almost no effort. Pick a sleeveless white midi and place a large flower near one shoulder or along the neckline. Big fabric flowers are heavier than they look and droop forward on a single pin, so I anchor mine with a pin through the stem plus fashion tape behind the petals. A wide dark belt helps if the dress needs more shape. Metallic heels, a colorful mini bag and the nameplate necklace follow, with brushed-out curls and peach blush. Carrie wore exaggerated florals often, which is why that one blossom turns a plain white dress into her.
14. Carrie Bradshaw Print Mixing Costume
Carrie's print mixing makes a creative thrift-store costume. Pair a black-and-white patterned midi skirt with a colorful coat in stars or abstract ocean shapes, and wear a solid fitted top underneath so the eye has somewhere to rest. My rule when I mix prints for anyone is that the two must share at least one color. That single link is what makes a clash look deliberate instead of accidental. Pointed heels, a bright shoulder bag, layered necklaces and small hoops finish it, while soft neutral makeup lets the prints lead. Write a made-up relationship-column headline across a rolled newspaper and you're done.
15. Carrie Bradshaw Pinstripe Shorts Suit Costume
A pinstripe shorts suit gives you Carrie's menswear side with her usual short hemline. Wear tailored pinstripe shorts with a matching fitted blazer or vest and a simple white shirt, then add a gray newsboy cap, sheer tights and pointed heels or ankle boots. Check the shorts and jacket together in daylight before you commit. Two 'matching' gray pieces from different shops rarely match, and pinstripes make the difference obvious. A compact shoulder bag and the nameplate necklace bring back her feminine details, with curls loose under the cap and a softly smoky eye. A small plush dog on a leash makes a fun scene-inspired prop, or carry a folded newspaper if your hands will be full.
16. Carrie Bradshaw Flapper Dress Costume
For her book-party look, a sparkling flapper-inspired dress does the heavy lifting. Choose a knee-length slip covered in beads or small sequins, ideally in champagne or soft gold. Sequin seams scratch the inner arm all night, so I check the underarms before buying and skip anything unlined there. Add delicate metallic sandals and a compact evening bag, then tie a silky scarf over blonde waves or pin a loose low updo with curled pieces at the face. The risk with this one is looking like any 1920s party guest. That's why the nameplate necklace, modern shoes and a homemade book with Carrie's fictional column title on the cover matter so much here.
17. Carrie Bradshaw Fringe Mini Dress Costume
A fringe mini moves every time you do, which makes it a lively party Carrie. Pick a fitted dress at or above the knee with layered fringe in cream or silver, then add slim metallic sandals, a tiny shoulder bag and polished curls with lift at the roots. Rayon fringe tangles once you've danced in it. I shake it out and run my fingers through it before photos rather than trying to comb it. When the fringe is already this busy, keep jewelry to the nameplate necklace, and carry a faux book or notebook so it doesn't read as an ordinary party dress. A lined dress and lower block heels make several hours far easier.
18. Carrie Bradshaw Paris Costume
Carrie's black-and-white Paris ensemble is all contrast: a fitted striped top, a dramatic full skirt and a structured black coat, finished with white or cream pumps. The coat tends to swallow the nameplate necklace, so let it sit partly tucked but still visible at the collar rather than losing it completely. A compact handbag and oversized sunglasses suit the city mood. Hair goes into polished curls or a loose updo with curled tendrils, with soft gray shadow and muted pink lipstick. A city map or small guidebook makes a harmless travel prop. This one should feel more grown-up than her early outfits while keeping her love of volume and impractical shoes.
19. Carrie Bradshaw Polka Dot Paris Costume
The polka-dot dress from her Paris wardrobe is the easiest of those looks to find in a shop. Go for a fitted black-and-white spotted midi, a long black coat and bright white pumps. Dot size matters more than people expect: tiny dots blur into gray in photos, so pick dots big enough to see from across the room. Add a small structured bag and simple drop earrings, and style a neat bun or low updo with curled strands near the cheeks. Classic black liner and rose lipstick keep the face clean. Carry a folded map or a miniature Eiffel Tower to set the scene, and add opaque black tights on a cold night without breaking the palette.
20. Carrie Bradshaw Paris Gown Costume
For maximum drama, this is the enormous layered gown from Paris. Look for a gray or pale blue ball gown with a very full tiered skirt, or fake the shape with a tulle maxi skirt over a matching slip dress, which usually costs much less. Before you leave the house, walk up and down a staircase in it. Volume like this catches on heels and steps, and the hem has to clear the floor in the shoes you'll actually wear or you'll be treading on tulle all night. Delicate heels, a cropped neutral wrap and small sparkling earrings finish it, with loose waves and dusty-rose lipstick. Keep the prop small, like a decorative room key, because your hands will be busy with the skirt.
21. Carrie Bradshaw Mint Green Gown Costume
A soft mint gown captures the romantic side of Carrie's finale era. Choose a flowing mint or pale seafoam dress with ruffles or a gently layered skirt, and add a cropped tailored jacket if you want her mix of formal and practical. Metallic heels, a small beaded purse and soft curls pinned into a loose updo keep it graceful, with glowing skin and pink lipstick. The nameplate necklace matters most on this one. A thin gold chain can vanish against pale fabric, so I'd pick a slightly bolder chain or make sure the pendant sits on skin rather than on the dress. A folded city map or faux newspaper can come along as a second prop.
22. Carrie Bradshaw Finale Fur Coat Costume
Carrie's series-finale outfit layers several of her signatures at once. Start with a printed dress or skirt, then add a vintage-style brown faux-fur coat, patterned heels, a bright mini bag and the nameplate necklace. For the phone prop, stick pink rhinestones onto an inexpensive case with a strong craft adhesive instead of hot glue. Hot-glued gems pop off once the case gets cold outside or flexes in your hand. Wear textured curls with a side part, a little windswept, and skip extra jewelry because the coat and prints already carry plenty. Faux fur is warm enough for an outdoor Halloween event and keeps the costume animal-friendly, though it sheds, so shake it out outdoors before you put it on.
23. Carrie Bradshaw New Year’s Coat Costume
Carrie's snowy holiday ensemble turns into a warm, family-friendly costume. Wear ivory pajamas or a modest cream lounge set under a long brown faux-fur coat, then add a white knit hat, layered pearls, glittering gloves and metallic ankle boots with a safe block heel. Curl your hair first and ease the hat on afterward, pulling a few curls out at the sides; a knit hat flattens fresh curls on the crown, so those visible pieces are the ones that count. Pale makeup with rosy cheeks suggests the cold city night. A striped takeout-style box or small gift bag makes a scene prop. Skip slippers if you'll be walking outside, because boots grip wet pavement and slippers soak through in minutes.
24. Carrie Bradshaw Pink Dress Costume
Carrie's bright pink formal dress suits anyone who loves color. Choose a strapless or sleeveless tea-length dress with a full fuchsia skirt, and add a fitted black cropped jacket, slim black belt, metallic sandals and a compact black handbag. Strapless dresses slip down over an evening, so I only go strapless when the bodice has boning or a silicone grip strip inside. Smooth curls or a loose low bun, softly defined eyes and a lipstick near the dress color without matching it exactly keep it polished. The prop is the joke: a clean paper takeout bag or empty snack carton nods to the famously casual setting where she wore it, and the nameplate necklace adds one more clue.
25. Carrie Bradshaw Purple Wedding Guest Costume
For Carrie's purple wedding-guest outfit, look for a fitted violet or lavender midi with soft draping or a flared hem. A plain sheath in the same color reads as office wear. Metallic strappy heels, a small beaded clutch and delicate earrings follow, with curls swept into a loose updo and a few spirals framing the face. Lavender-gray shadow and mauve lipstick tie the face to the dress. A little wedding program printed with made-up names tells people the occasion before anyone has to ask. Add the nameplate necklace only if the neckline leaves room; a draped neck and a pendant fight each other. It's a colorful alternative to the tutu and the slips, and comfortable enough for a long public event.
26. Carrie Bradshaw Wedding Dress Costume
Carrie's dramatic wedding gown is for anyone who wants the showstopper. A strapless ivory ball gown with a structured bodice and layers of tulle gives the shape, and a secondhand prom or wedding dress gets you that volume without a couture budget. The oversized blue feather headpiece is what makes it Carrie rather than any bride. I mount feather pieces on a hair comb and anchor the comb in a sleek low bun with crossed bobby pins, because a feather piece that's only clipped in tilts forward within an hour. Add a long veil, blue pointed pumps, crystal earrings and a bouquet of white artificial flowers, plus a magazine with a homemade bridal cover. Keep the train short or pinned up so nobody steps on it.
27. Carrie Bradshaw City Hall Wedding Costume
For a quieter bridal costume, recreate the understated City Hall wedding look with an ivory skirt suit or a knee-length dress and matching cropped jacket. The bright blue pointed pumps are the piece that matters; without them, it's just a nice ivory suit. If you can't find blue pumps, you can paint an old leather pair with leather paint, as long as you remove the factory finish first and build up thin coats so it doesn't crack at the toe bend. A small cream handbag, a delicate bouquet and smooth waves or a low bun follow, with the nameplate necklace as a link to her earlier wardrobe. A decorative marriage certificate or City Hall folder sets the scene, and every separate can be worn again.
28. Carrie Bradshaw Black Tutu Costume
Carrie's darker tutu is the grown-up cousin of the opening-credit look. A black fitted bodice or sleeveless top goes over a voluminous black tulle midi skirt, with pointed metallic heels, a small sparkling handbag and a statement bracelet. For comfort I build it on a stretchy bodysuit and a tulle skirt with an elastic waistband, which means no zip to fight with in a party bathroom. Wear soft curls in a loose updo with smoky gray shadow and berry-pink lipstick, and make sure the nameplate necklace sits above the dark neckline where it shows. A clothing-rack tag or fashion magazine nods to Carrie sorting through her wardrobe. Black tulle feels more autumnal than white, so it suits a cooler party.
29. Carrie Bradshaw Blue Midi Dress Costume
From Carrie's later wardrobe, a streamlined powder-blue midi feels polished with a little play in it. Choose a fitted blue dress with long sleeves or a clean off-the-shoulder neckline and layer a coordinating longline blazer on top. Two blues side by side can quietly clash, so hold the blazer against the dress in daylight; if one leans green and the other gray, the outfit looks accidental. Pointed pumps, a tiny shoulder bag and sculptural earrings follow. The hair goes into a sleek high bun instead of her early curls, with defined brows and blue-gray shadow. Reading glasses or a laptop case point to the established writer, which makes this the Carrie for someone who wants a mature costume that isn't theatrical.
30. Carrie Bradshaw Pigeon Bag Costume
Carrie's gray jumpsuit and pigeon-shaped clutch make a quirky modern costume. Start with a relaxed gray boiler suit with a front zip and adjustable waist, then add gray socks with open-toe metallic heels, or silver pumps if you'd rather be practical. The bird is the whole costume, so put your effort there. A realistic plush pigeon with a wrist strap stitched under one wing holds up far better than one you have to clutch all night. Long loose waves, oversized sunglasses, natural makeup with muted pink lipstick and a metallic anklet keep the rest quiet. Leave the jumpsuit plain and neutral; anything busy competes with the pigeon, and the pigeon should win.
Making the Nameplate Necklace and Column Props at Home
The script nameplate necklace turns up in nearly every outfit above, and you don't need a real gold one. Costume versions are easy to find, but I like bending soft gold-tone craft wire into the name with round-nose pliers. Wire can't tear, it sits flat against the collarbone, and a jump ring at each end lets you thread it onto any fine chain. A cut-out card version painted gold works for one night, as long as you seal both sides with clear nail polish so it survives a damp hand.
For the newspaper prop, print a mock front page with a headline phrased as a question, the way her columns always began, then fold it in thirds and run clear tape along the folds. A newspaper that's been gripped for four hours otherwise starts to look like a napkin.
Heels, Tulle and the Walk Home
Carrie would never choose a sensible shoe, but you aren't Carrie at midnight on a cold sidewalk. My compromise is a block-heel version of whatever shoe the outfit calls for, gel pads under the ball of the foot and a pair of folding flats in the bag.
- Scuff the soles of new heels on concrete before the party so they don't skate on hard floors.
- Tulle crushes in a car, so ride with the layers spread across your lap rather than sitting on them.
- Satin and slip dresses show every raindrop; bring a compact umbrella or a coat long enough to cover the hem.
- Sheer nude tights barely show in photos, keep bare legs warmer in October and stop strappy sandals from rubbing.
One Outfit, Then the Necklace and the Curls
Every Carrie on this list works the same way: one outfit is the star, and a short kit of details makes the character obvious. The tutu, the newspaper dress, the Paris gown and the gray jumpsuit all lean on blonde curls, the gold nameplate necklace, a shoe with some attitude and a small prop about her column. Thrift what you can and adapt clothes you already own. And if the heels are going to ruin your night, swap them for a lower pair. Nobody at the party will miss the stiletto if the curls and the necklace are right.
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