STYLE EVOLUTION

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Best Red Carpet Looks from the ’80s to Today

by Carolyn Twersky
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Sarah Jessica Parker attends the "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Costume Institute Gala
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Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate Sarah Jessica Parker from her iconic character, Carrie Bradshaw. Though Parker found her Mr. Big years ago in Matthew Broderick, both she and Bradshaw have that discerning eye for fashion and when Parker steps out on a red carpet, all eyes turn to her to see what she’s wearing. Luckily, the actress never disappoints. From her many appearances at the Met Gala to the top award shows, Parker always impresses. You can usually expect Parker in a voluminous gown and odds are, there may be a headpiece to seal the look, but every once in a while, she turns something out that’s totally unexpected. Below, take a moment to scroll through some of Parker’s best red carpet looks from the ‘80s until now.

2024: Plaza Suite Gala Performance

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Parker went all in on sequins for a 2024 Gala Performance of Plaza Suite in London.

2023: NYC Ballet Fall Fashion Gala

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The actress looked like a high fashion princess at the 2023 Fall Fashion Gala in a tulle Carolina Herrera gown paired with mismatched Manolo heels and a giant hair ribbon.

2023: Good+Foundation Benefit

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Another statement shoe moment, this time in fuchsia, at a 2023 benefit.

2023: The Daily Front Row Awards

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Parker dazzled in lavender lace at the 2023 Daily Front Row Awards. Of course, the actress topped off her look with eye-catching neon heels and a matching clutch.

2022: Met Gala

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Parker wore a striking Christopher John Rogers gown that she paired with a Phillip Treacy hat for the 2022 Met Gala. The dress paid homage to Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, the first Black female fashion designer in the White House.

2022: Plaza Suite Opening Night

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The actress opted for a whimsical pink Prabal Gurung gown complete with a sheer tulle overlay for the opening night of her Broadway revival of Plaza Suite.

2021: And Just Like That... Premiere

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Parker certainly channeled the spirit of Carrie with this Oscar de la Renta number. She wore the gown, which featured embroidery and a cape, to the season one premiere of And Just Like That...

2019: New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala

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Parker wore a pink, voluminous Zac Posen gown to the New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala in 2019.

2018: Met Gala

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Parker wore a golden Dolce & Gabbana dress with a nativity scene headpiece to the 2018 Met Gala.

2017: Golden Globes

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Parker wore a Vera Wang fall 2017 bridal gown with a Princess Leia-inspired hairstyle to the 2017 Golden Globe Awards.

2016: Met Gala

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Parker wore a white Monse set to the 2016 Met Gala themed “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.”

2016: Parsons Benefit

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Parker wore a plastic, studded Valentino fall 2014 dress over a navy crewneck to the 2016 Parsons Benefit on May 23, 2016 in New York City.

2015: Met Gala

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Parker designed her black one-shoulder dress in collaboration with H&M and paired it with a Philip Treacy headpiece for the 2015 Met Gala.

2014: Met Gala

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Parker wore a signed, black and white Oscar de la Renta gown to the 2014 Met Gala.

2013: Met Gala

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Parker wore a printed Giles Deacon gown with thigh-high plaid Christian Louboutin boots and a Philip Treacy-designed mohawk head piece to the 2013 Met Gala themed "PUNK: Chaos to Couture."

2012: Met Gala

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Wearing a long-sleeved, silk taffeta floral print gown from the Valentino spring 2012 collection, Parker attended "Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

2011: Cannes Film Festival

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Wearing Elie Saab long-sleeved floral print gown, Parker attended the Wu Xia premiere during the Cannes Film Festival.

2011: Met Gala

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Parker wore an Alexander McQueen fall 2005 beaded dress to the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty."

2010: Met Gala

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Parker wore a nude pleated Halston Heritage dress to the Costume Institute Gala Benefit to celebrate the opening of the "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity."

2009: Academy Awards

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Parker wore an ice blue, belted Dior gown to the Academy Awards in 2009.

2007: Golden Globe Awards

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Parker wore a L’Wren Scott sleeveless dress and Christian Louboutin clutch to the Golden Globe Awards in 2007.

2006: Met Gala

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Wearing a tartan and tulle Alexander McQueen dress, Parker attended “AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion” with the late designer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

2006: Golden Globe Awards

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Wearing a black strapless Rochas and Bottega Veneta clutch, Parker attended the Golden Globe Awards.

2003: Golden Globe Awards

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Parker wore a black corset and pants by Jorgen Simonsen to the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California on January 19, 2003.

2001: Golden Globe Awards

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Parker wore a strapless pink dress with a floral appliqué to the the Golden Globe Awards.

2000: Emmy Awards

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Parker wore a pink feathered Oscar de la Renta dress to the 52nd Annual Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California.

1997: VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards

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Parker wore her pale pink “naked dress” to VH1’s Vogue Fashion Awards in 1997.

1991: For the Boys Premiere

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Parker wore a colorful Rifat Ozbek cropped jacket and red velvet Christian Lacroix pants to the For the Boys premiere.

1987: Slam Dance Premiere

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Parker wore black pants, a black bra top, and a black jacket to the Slam Dance premiere in Hollywood, California.

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