Sequins, a swishy skirt, a tiny shoulder bag: Lily Collins keeps sparking Carrie Bradshaw flashbacks, and not by accident. The Emily in Paris star leans into the same high-low magic that made Sarah Jessica Parker’s New York columnist a fashion legend, mixing romance with street smarts and a wink.
The DNA matches on paper. Darren Star created both series, with Sex and the City airing from 1998 to 2004 across 94 episodes, and Emily in Paris launching in 2020. Costume icon Patricia Field shaped Carrie’s world and served as costume consultant on Emily in Paris early seasons, while Marylin Fitoussi steers the Paris wardrobe. That shared lineage is visible the second a tutu, a corsage, or a sky-high pump appears.
Lily Collins, Carrie Bradshaw vibes : the crossover that makes sense
Here is the throughline. Carrie Bradshaw’s style hinged on joy and risk. A legendary example: the white tulle tutu in the opening credits reportedly cost 5 dollars, as Patricia Field has said in interviews, yet it became a decades-long reference. Lily Collins rides the same principle, pairing luxe with playful pieces that read spontaneous, not styled by committee.
On screen, Emily leans brighter and more maximalist than Carrie ever did, but the logic mirrors the late 90s blueprint. A slip dress with a cardigan in daylight. Bare legs with sandals in months most people call winter. A rose brooch one day, polka dots the next. That push-pull keeps the look alive and endlessly screenshotable.
The timeline backs the cultural echo. Sex and the City returned in 2021 with And Just Like That…, recharging the appetite for Carrie’s codes, while Emily in Paris rolled out seasons in 2020, 2021 and 2022, landing right as nostalgia surged. Viewers connected the dots, then the outfits did the rest.
Emily in Paris styling notes that echo Sex and the City
The silhouette comes first. Volume on the bottom, sleek on top, or the reverse. Lily Collins often balances a full skirt or statement coat with a fitted knit, just like Carrie offset a tutu with a skinny tank in the original opening.
Then the accessories. Think micro shoulder bags, long pendant necklaces, flower corsages clipped to a lapel, and strappy heels around the 90 to 105 millimeter range. Manolo Blahnik may be forever linked to Carrie after the 2008 film, yet the energy matters more than the label: an elegant shoe that adds lift and a bit of drama.
Color and print seal the resemblance. Collins wears clashing brights, checks with florals, or a metallic pop by daylight. That reads bold but not costume when one element stays simple. A clean white tee under a sequin jacket. A trench over a bubble skirt. The trick stays the same across cities and years.
How to wear the Carrie Bradshaw look today without copying
Start with one hero piece. A tulle midi in a softer tone, or a satin slip, or a sculptural pump. Build around it with quiet layers you already own. The outfit should move when you walk and feel like fun at first glance. If the look turns rigid, it loses the Bradshaw spark.
Next, add one sentimental detail. Carrie elevated thrift finds and gifts, and Lily Collins often posts sentimental nods. A vintage charm necklace, a scarf from a market, or a tiny bag that holds nothing but keys. Small, almost impractical touches say fashion fantasy, not office uniform.
Weather-proof the fantasy. Carrie famously went bare-legged, but you can switch to sheer black tights, keep a wool coat handy, or swap sandals for sleek boots. The attitude stays intact. And yes, mixing gold and silver still works, as Carrie did years ago.
Context matters too. Sex and the City began in 1998, a pre-smartphone era, while Emily in Paris premiered in 2020, when street style hits Instagram within seconds. That shift explains the bolder prints and punchier colors on Emily. Camera lenses crave contrast. The throughline remains the same though: personal storytelling through clothes, edited for the city you are in.
One last nudge : keep proportions modern. Shorter hem with a long coat. Cropped jacket over a fluid dress. If the lenght stalls at mid-calf, add a shoe with lift so the line reads intentional, not heavy. The result: a Lily-meets-Carrie formula that lands today, no cosplay required.