.jpg "Was Carrie Bradshaw a Wise Fashion Investor? The Verdict Is Yes")
In season 3, episode 17 of Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw does the unthinkable. Bradshaw ambushes Mr. Big’s wife, Natasha, to admit to and apologize for her affair with Big. It’s one of the most memorable scenes of the entire series not only because of the scandal but also because of her outfit: the John Galliano for Dior newspaper dress. Yes—she delivers the news while wearing newspaper couture. Although the apology didn’t go over well, the look went down in history.
Of course, Bradshaw isn’t known for her decision-making tactics in love and friendship—if she was, the show wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining. Rather, she is known for the cobalt blue Manolo Blahniks she wore to get married, the various Fendi Baguettes she carried around Soho, and many, many more outfits she wore to make a bad decision feel better. Bradshaw told us herself nearly 25 years ago: “I like my money where I can see it—hanging in my closet.”
In search of concrete answers as to whether Bradshaw’s most famous asset appreciated over time, we spoke with The RealReal’s women’s fashion & new initiatives manager, Rachel Glicksberg. “Carrie’s spending habits can be considered questionable,” she says. “Viewers see that Carrie was often criticized by her friends and partners throughout the seasons for her reckless spending, but it is Carrie who is having the last laugh, as her wardrobe has appreciated considerably, proving that she is the ultimate fashion investor.”
So, what are the items that prove Bradshaw’s shopping habits weren’t always without reason? “The reemergence of Y2K trends in the past few years, interestingly enough led by Gen Z who were mere infants in the early aughts, have certainly added value and demand to SJP’s iconic SATC items,” Glicksberg explains. “When I think of Carrie, the Fendi Baguette and Manolo Blahnik first come to mind. The average selling price of the Fendi Baguette on The RealReal doubled in 2022 from 2019, with the resale value continuing to climb steadily, going from 36% in retail price in 2018 to 52% last year.”
Of course, Sex and the City’s most widely-circulated Carrie outfits run the gamut. Among her ensembles, a handful illustrates that her taste is more than an aesthetic—it’s an investment strategy. Below, we take a closer look at some of Bradshaw’s best investments with the help of The RealReal’s expertise.
Photo: Alamy
While The RealReal reports that Gucci’s handle bags have declined in value over the past few years, their overall value has increased since Bradshaw initially carried this bag in the 2000s. A vintage, ’70s-inspired iteration of this bag, Carrie’s is both rare and unique, making it a more valuable bag to behold.
Photo: Gotham
Bradshaw wore several styles from Manolo Blahnik’s collections throughout Sex and the City. The most prevalent shoes she wears are the Chaos sandals and, of course, her wedding-day shoe: the blue Hangisi. “For Manolo Blahnik, resale value spiked in 2019 at 37% of retail value, but has since slowed, and we’re chalking that one up to work-from-home footwear preference and people opting for comfort over heels,” Glicksberg says. Despite a shift to softer soles, it’s certain that a Manolo will always reenter the trend rotation.
Photo: Alamy
Photo: Getty Images
Carrie’s go-to shoulder bag, her Fendi Baguette collection (there were several, including purple sequined and brown leather iterations), may be the most valuable portion of her wardrobe today. The bag’s steady climb in value can be attributed both to the style’s resurfacing and the cultural relevance Carrie gave this particular bag. Glicksberg expands, “This can in part be attributed to the Baguette bag’s 25th anniversary, and Sarah Jessica Parker’s exclusive collaboration with the brand ahead of And Just Like That’s launch last year.” Either way, the bag’s value has unequivocally increased since its early days with Bradshaw.
Photo: HBO Max
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