Fashion
7 Times Carrie Bradshaw Wore This Early-'00s Handbag Trend
It's not a bag — "it's a Baguette," said Carrie Bradshaw, clutching her sequin-spangled shoulder bag in season 3 of Sex And The City. This moment solidified a series-long love affair between Carrie Bradshaw and Fendi's Baguette Bag, whose shoulder-hugging, Ff-buckled impetus has been carefully documented ever since. The piece served as the finishing touch on hundreds of Bradshaw's looks on the show, practically inviting an avalanche of shoulder bags to follow through the aughts. Time and time again, Sarah Jessica Parker's character proved that the allure of the shoulder pouch could truly withstand anything — heartbreaks, career turmoil, even a mugging — making it the staple accessory that every modern woman lusted after.
Just last year, Fendi gave the companionship a second life, casting SJP — and the same electric purple pouch from 20 years prior — as the stars of the Baguette Bag's relaunch campaign. Of course, fashion fans the world over rejoiced, and readopted the piece with great haste. Since then, there's been a serious uptick of shoulder bag silhouettes this season — with models from Staud, JW Pei, and The Row occupying much of the middle-market real estate. So, getting the bag for yourself has never been easier — and Bradshaw has tons of looks worth sourcing inspiration from when styling it.
Ahead, browse the 7 times Bradshaw toted the shoulder bag — and shop the countless styles on offer, Fendi and otherwise, to get the look.
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PHOTO: HBO
Sequin-Covered
The sequin baguette bag deserves the first close look — which Bradshaw styled with big hair and a merlot-colored giraffe print wrap dress. While the Fendi version is near-impossible to find in that color-way, their marigold iteration is still in stock, as is Paco Rabanne's purple star-sequined bag.
Floral Embroidered
The embroidery trend is just about one of the oldest in the book, being repeatedly spotted throughout textiles as far back as the history books go — so, it's no surprise that Fendi decided to channel the aesthetic through their burlap bag. The floral motif has been making the rounds in a big way lately, with embellished beaded looks from Staud and Loewe.
Two-Toned
Through the early '00s, the tan leather strap provided the perfect contrast for purses of all hues — specifically, the ecru shade, which never left Bradshaw's person through the second season. Parisa Wang offers the 2020 version of the look, below.
Ivory
With summer and winter whites both in style, a blanched purse is your new best friend — and the below styles from JW Pei and Fendi are sure to become your wear-everywhere bag.
Scarlet
To make any red lip pop, an equally-bold accessory is crucial — and a fiery shoulder bag could be just the thing to do the trick. Fendi's iteration reconciles cherry reds with an orange-pink hue, as does Loewe's
Classic Brown Leather
Tan leather can be found in every woman's wardrobe — it's the go-to texture that truly never trends out. Fendi still has the same color-way on their site — or, for a budget-friendly and equally chic option, shop Hobo's shoulder bag.
Glittering Gold
The ideal day-to-night bag boasts the neutral hues that work best by day, and add a little sparkle to transition seamlessly into evening wear. Bradshaw's favorite Fendi does both. A vintage version just like Bradshaw's is available on Modesens now.
