I watched Sex and the City. But when I say I watched it, I really mean that I tolerated every episode of every season of the show (and two of the worst movies to ever be made) and put up with mostly irritating characters and storylines so I could droll over and covet all of the fashion. Yes, even the tutus. Because my love affair with Carrie Bradshaw and her city of New York had little to do with Carrie Bradshaw, but instead with her closet, I decided that I’d give the prequel—The CW‘s The Carrie Diaries—a shot.
But, we have all seen Star Wars Episode I, II, and III. And so we know how horribly disastrous a prequel can actually be.
(Meesa wanna know where yousa bought your shoes? UGGGGGH.)
But yes, Carrie Bradshaw—of the giant mass of curly blonde hair and slight shoe addiction—was once a teenager living in suburban Connecticut with her adorkable dad and dark-make-up wearing sister Dorit. (Wait. Was Dorit a name in the 80s?) She once had a group of friends who wore peplums and neon and giant hoop earrings and a best guy friend who mooned over photos of Rob Lowe and questioned his own sexuality (Carrie always had a gay friend!) She once loved an emotionally questionable good-looking man (Carrie always had a Mr. Big!) She once had friends who talked a lot about sex. (Carrie always discussed sex in restaurant booths!) She once loved visiting New York City and working at Century 21 and dressing up as Princess Diana for a costume party.
GASP! I might prefer the teenage version of Carrie. She’s funny, she’s adorable, and she wears just about everything I wore as a teenager. Her wardrobe is fairly easy to re-create. But, just make sure that you stay on the good side of “slight homage to the great 1980s.” You don’t want people thinking you are on your way to a Material Girl costume party. Hint: lay low on the excessive blue eyeliner.
How to dress like the 1980s version of Carrie Bradshaw:
1. Mix patterns. Wear stripes with polka dots. Wear checks with paisley. Pair alphabet letters with, erm, horses. The sky’s the limit really. 
2. Neon, neon everywhere. Blind your friends with hot pink, fuchsia, turquoise, neon yellow. Important 2013 tip: Add only one statement piece of neon to your everyday wardrobe. Use a pop of color on your feet, buy a super loud blazer, wear a bright green scarf. Less is probably more in the 21st century. Not everyone has their Ray Bans on indoors. 
3. Patterned sweaters. Hearts, lips, dots, stripes. Extra points if they are long (mid-thigh) and are worn with leggings and combat boots. 
4. When in doubt, look at old pictures of yourself. When I remember what I looked like at 13, it was all pleather puffer jackets and drop-waisted patterned dresses and pleated denim skirts and rainbow striped belts. I can’t even begin to tell you how many pleasted denim skirts were in my late 80s wardrobe. I’m kicking myself a little bit for not keeping those skirts.
Here are some great Carrie Bradshaw-esque wardrobe choices for your closet. Some of the pieces here are the actual pieces that show up in the show, including the Target puffer jacket that I may be adding—as we speak—to my personal closet.
1. Mossimo Women’s Retro Puffer Jacket, $27.98, Target
2. Mulberry Pleated Denim Skirt, $174, TheOutnet
3. Bold Peaked Lapel Blazer, $29.80, Forever21
4. Alex Woo Letter Necklace, $158, Bloomingdale’s
5. Yasmin Stripe Pullover Sweater, $106.99, PiperLime
6. Heart Pattern Sweater, $22.80, Forever21
7. Paige Verdugo Ultra Skinny Jeans, $66.99, 6pm.com
Want more ways to Dress Like Your Television? Check out how to dress like Jess from New Girl, Zoey from Hart of Dixie, Mindy from The Mindy Project, Emily from Revenge, Annie from Community, and Trudy from Mad Men.
About Ali Martell
