Sarah Jessica Parker's 50 Most Memorable Looks Ever

By InStyle Staff
Updated Apr 12, 2018 @ 5:08 pm

Happy birthday, Sarah Jessica Parker! The style icon, who turns 49 today, has had quite the busy year. From gracing our February cover to starring on Broadway in The Commons of Pensacola, Parker somehow fit in shoe designer on her already filled-to-the-brim resume. "If I’m going to ask people for their hard-earned dollars, I’d better be making shoes I want to wear," the Sex and the City alum says of her SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker line, available at Nordstrom stores.

And in true Carrie Bradshaw fashion, Parker also took on a major role reminiscent of her SATC character this year—acting as guest editor for Nordstrom’s style blog, The Thread. Is there anything this mother of three can’t do?!

Many things have changed since Parker’s entry into Hollywood (bye-bye, big brown hair and bangs!), including her outfit choices.

Celebrate SJP’s birthday by browsing through her best style moments through the years!

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Vera Wang, 2017

Steve Granitz/Getty Images

Our favorite fashion star paid homage to Carrie Fisher with a twisted updo. But it was her Vera Wang dress that made our hearts skip a beat.

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Intimissimi Bra, 2017

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Parker somehow managed to make even an exposed bra look chic during Intimissimi's store opening in New York.

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Monse Fringe, 2017

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Go big or go home seems to be the motto. And Parker turned an evening at the New York City Ballet into a breathtaking fashion show with a twirl-worthy Monse dress.

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Dolce & Gabbana Jewel Dress, 2016

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The 53-year-old actress loves her lace. Here, she wowed in a Dolce & Gabbana dress covered in colorful gems. Her copper pumps added the perfect finishing touches to her look.

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Metallic Purple Boots, 2016

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Sarah Jessica Parker proved that shoes make the outfit by pairing a sheer black dress with head-turning purple boots (shop a similar style here for $52).

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Balck-and-White Glam, 2016

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Who says black and white has to be boring? Certainly not Parker. Here, she made the colors pop by choosing a dress with layers of lace, sequins, and satin touches. And we can't forget to mention those jewel-tone heels.

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Gingham Coat, 2015

Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com

The star upped her style game with a sleeveless coat in gingham, accessorizing her look with an olive bag and heels.

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Oscar de la Renta, 2014

David Fisher/Rex/REX USA

For the Costume Institute Gala Benefit celebrating the Charles James exhibit, the A-lister arrived dressed to the nines in an Oscar de la Renta gown and white gloves.

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Delphine Manivet, 2014

Splash News

Always one to make a statement, SJP wowed in a triple silk organdi and velvet dress with tulle illusion panels from Delphine Manivet while attending the Footwear News Achievement Awards and Hall of Fame Gala.

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Burberry, 2014

Humberto Carreno/startraksphoto.com

Parker was one of the first celebs to rock Burberry's hot-off-the-runway monogrammed blanket poncho.

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Striped Shirt and Skirt, 2014

Splash News

Proving her street style status, SJP was snapped out in N.Y.C. in a red-and-white striped top that she expertly paired with a full-buttoned chunky striped midi-length skirt.

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Maison Martin Margiela, 2013

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage
Parker paraded out a bold style statement at the amfAR New York Gala in this fuchsia silk velvet column gown and sash by Maison Martin Margiela.
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Giles, 2013

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual gala, the actress fully embodied the punk theme in a gold, paint-splattered Giles gown, that she paired with a custom Philip Treacy mohawk headpiece.

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Naeem Khan, 2013

WENN.com
Parker shimmered in a silver-gold beaded Naeem Khan fringe dress that was reminiscent of the flapper era. She styled it with bangles, layered necklaces and black pointy-toe pumps.

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Prabal Gurung, 2013

Agostini/Invision/AP

While attending the New York City Ballet Gala, the star wore a two-piece ensemble: A Prabal Gurung top and Olivier Theyskens full skirt.

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Marc Jacobs, 2013

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At the 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' press night at Theatre Royal in London, Parker lit up the red carpet in a black and gold stripe sequined Marc Jacobs dress that she paired with a Fendi baguette and black pointy-toe pumps.

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Blazer and Pants, 2013

George Pimentel/WireImage

For Target's Toronto opening, the style icon took a casual take on the menswear trend, opting for a classic black fitted blazer and white cropped pants.

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Oscar de la Renta, 2012

Gregory Pace/BEImages
For the amfAR gala, Parker topped her pink Oscar de la Renta gown with a leather Theyskens’ Theory jacket and added white gloves.
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Louis Vuitton, 2012

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Sarah Jessica Parker arrived for the Louis Vuitton runway show in a lacy LWD by the label and pointy-toe pumps.

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Erdem, 2012

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At the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, Parker took the stage in this Erdem sky-blue pastel lace design.

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Giambattista Valli, 2011

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Parker attended a Moscow ‘I Don't Know How She Does It’ press event in a scarlet Giambattista Valli gown complete with a cape and pave hoops.
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Chanel, 2011

Rex USA

While in Melbourne, Australia to promote a film, the actress wore a tweed Chanel dress and sculptured black hat by Philip Treacy, which took over 200 hours to make.

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L’Agence, 2011

Fame Pictures
In London, Parker layered a knee-length L’Agence coat with a black tee and torn denim. A python L'Wren Scott tote and nude Jean-Michel Cazabat heels completed the look.

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Antonio Berardi, 2011

API/Fame Pictures

While in Germany to promote her film 'I Don't Know How She Does It,' the actress wore Antonio Berardi on the red carpet.

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Prabal Gurung, 2011

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At an ‘I Don't Know How She Does It’ press event at London's Soho Hotel, SJP wore a rose print Prabal Gurung design and glitter platforms.

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Prabal Gurung, 2011

Roger Wong/INFphoto.com
Sarah Jessica Parker sat down with David Letterman in a vermilion Prabal Gurung cape blouse and hot pink trousers.

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Elie Saab, 2011

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Sarah Jessica Parker took our breath away in a straight-from-the-runway floral design from Elie Saab.

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Louis Vuitton, 2011

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The actress feted UNICEF at the annual Snowflake Ball in a plumed Louis Vuitton confection that she paired with the label's calf leather pumps, Fred Leighton earrings and stacked pave bangles.

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Chanel, 2010

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Parker rocked a gorgeous satin yellow Chanel Couture gown at the Oscars, which had a column shape and jeweled neckline.

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Marchesa, 2010

Steve Marcus/Landov
The actress wore a black sculpted tulle Marchesa minidress and black platform pumps at the ShoWest closing ceremony in Las Vegas.
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Halston Heritage, 2010

Gregorio T. Binuya/Everett Collection

Dressed in a LBD, polka-dot tights, and statement necklace, Sarah Jessica Parker walked the red carpet for the Empire State Pride Agenda Fall Dinner.

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Vivienne Westwood, 2010

AP

For the Japan premiere of Sex and the City 2, Sarah Jessica Parker donned a statement-making Vivienne Westwood gown, cinching her look with a Raven Kauffman "Harlow" belt. 

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Stella McCartney, 2010

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At Bravo’s Upfront Party in New York City, SJP wore a Stella McCartney blazer and lace dress, accessorized with black pumps, a metallic mesh bag and layered necklaces.
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Proenza Schouler, 2010

Fame Pictures
Parker strolled to a Central Park interview in a Proenza Schouler bubble dress topped with a pink blazer and accented with Nicholas Kirkwood sandals.

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Alexander McQueen, 2010

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For the ‘Sex and the City 2’ premiere in London, the actress wore a high-low Alexander McQueen gown with an elaborate Philip Treacy fascinator.

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Halston, 2010

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Parker wore Fred Leighton vintage jewelry and a metallic asymmetric Halston dress for her first of four outfits at the Bambi Awards in Germany.
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Alexander McQueen, 2010

Marion Curtis/Startraksphoto
The actress honored Alexander McQueen in a print gown from the late designer, complemented with Stephen Russell earrings and bracelets, and a bag, stingray diamond cuff and jade ring from VBH.

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Alexander McQueen, 2010

Fred Duval
To pay tribute to her late friend Alexander McQueen at his London memorial service, Parker donned one of his creations, a black-and-white coat dress design.

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Dior Haute Couture, 2009

Kevin Mazur/WireImage
At the Academy Awards, SJP looked ethereal in a Dior Haute Couture silver gown featuring gold accents, which she accessorized with Fred Leighton jewels.
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Nina Ricci, 2008

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Sarah Jessica Parker dazzled in a strapless silver Nina Ricci gown at the ‘Sex And The City’ premiere at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

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Vivienne Westwood, 2008

Pacific Coast News

For the jaw-dropping wedding scene in the first installment of the 'Sex and the City' movie, the film's costume designers turned to Vivienne Westwood for a larger-than-life gown. 

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Oscar de la Renta, 2004

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Pretty in pink! The always glamorous star donned a strapless Oscar de la Renta dress for the FiFi Awards.  

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Jorgen Simonsen, 2003

WireImage

For her first red carpet debut as a new mom, the actress flaunted her figure in a corset and matching trousers.

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Chanel, 2003

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For the 55th Annual Emmy Awards, Sarah Jessica Parker chose this layered, organza soft pink dress by Chanel Couture, which dazzled on the red carpet.

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Oversized Blazer, 2001

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The star nailed the menswear trend, opting for an off-white blazer, button-down, and red pumps.

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Oscar de la Renta, 2000

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Sarah Jessica Parker chose a pink, ballerina-inspired feathered dress by Oscar de la Renta for the Emmy Awards, which was completed with a floral arm band.

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Dior, 2000

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Best known for making two appearances on 'Sex and the City,' the famed Dior newspaper dress is almost as iconic as Carrie Bradshaw herself.

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Vivienne Westwood, 2000

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For the SAG Awards, the style star wore a gray Vivienne Westwood suit and matching clutch.

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White Tutu, 1998

Fame Pictures, Inc

Much like the famed Dior newspaper dress, the white tutu that Carrie Bradshaw dons in the opening sequence of Sex and the City and its first film, is a significant part of pop culture history. "I remember I bought that tutu for $5!" says series costume designer Rebecca Weinberg. "Our seamstress had to duplicate it because we knew in the sequence it was going to get wet."

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Embellished Jacket, 1991

Barry King/WireImage

In true SJP fashion, the star showed off an embellished jacket, red velvet pants, and her signature abs at the film premiere of For The Boys.

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