Ever wonder why it’s impossible to separate Sarah Jessica Parker from Carrie Bradshaw, her character on “Sex and the City”? It’s because the actress, who turns 50 on Wednesday, is just as intelligent, amorous and stylish as the clotheshorse columnist she played.
Here’s a half-century’s worth of stellar looks that prove it, ranked in descending order of fabulousness, spanning her 25-year-plus career. Be prepared for feminine silhouettes, statement accessories and plenty of Oscar de la Renta.
Happy birthday, SJP! This one’s for you, kid.
1 of 67
Where: Costume Institute Gala for the “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” exhibition in NYC (May 2014)
Why we love it: Not everyone was a fan, and that’s OK — love it or hate it, the woman knows how to make an impression.Startraks
Where: BAFTA Awards in London (February 2013)
Why we love it: She looks just as great in a jumpsuit as she does in a flouncy dress.Getty Images
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Where: Cindy Chao’s “The Art Jewel” event in Beijing, China (April 2013)
Why we love it: A chartreuse fit-and-flare screams bygone-era refinement.Getty Images
Where: En route to the “Late Show with David Letterman” in NYC (September 2011)
Why we love it: Pink and red is an A+ combo.INFphoto.com
Where: “Sex and the City 2” premiere in London (May 2010)
Why we love it: It’s as unapologetically over-the-top as the movie itself.Getty Images
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Where: Louis Vuitton Fall 2012 fashion show in Paris (March 2012)
Why we love it: Nothing like a little peek-a-boo bra action to keep things from getting too primPacificCoastNews.com
Where: “I Don’t Know How She Does It” screening in Moscow (August 2011)
Why we love it: This is right out of a Russian fable. How do you write “chic” in Cyrillic?Getty Images
Where: Valentino’s 45th Anniversary Celebration in Rome (July 2007)
Why we love it: Black chiffon goddess gown — it’s amore.Getty Images
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Where: Opening night for Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” in NYC (October 2005)
Why we love it: This just embodies that fantasized idea of a New York evening on the town. Bonus points for the bejeweled collar necklace.Everett Collection
Where: Tate Americas Foundation artists dinner (May 2013)
Why we love it: Attention Brooklyn thrift-bin shoppers: This is how you do vintage.PatrickMcmullan.com
Where: ShoWest Awards ceremony in Las Vegas (March 2010)
Why we love it: Dark fairy.Getty Images
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Where: UNICEF Snowflake Ball in NYC (November 2011)
Why we love it: Good fairy.FilmMagic
Where: “The Commons Of Pensacola” opening night afterparty (November 2013)
Why we love it: Head-to-toe metallic is a danger zone, but this was done nicely and with SJP’s feminine touch.Getty Images
Where: The 19th Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood party in Los Angeles (October 2012)
Why we love it: Sweet and sleek.PatrickMcmullan.com
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Where: Maison Martin Margiela for H&M event in NYC (October 2012)
Why we love it: Forward-thinking and fabulous.Getty Images
Where: Costume Institute Gala for the “ Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” exhibition in NYC (May 2012)
Why we love it: Finally, proof you can wear gold cuffs over the long sleeves of your Valentino gown.WireImage
Where: “Louis Vuitton — Marc Jacobs: The Exhibition” in Paris (March 2012)
Why we love it: It’s a pastoral page from SJP’s fantasy playbook.Getty Images
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Where: Barneys window unveiling in NYC (November 2012)
Why we love it: The only thing better than a sense of style is a sense of humor.Startraks
Why we love it: She clearly had fringe on lock a long time ago. And those boots!WireImage
Where: Serpentine Gallery summer party in London (June 2013)
Why we love it: We’ll assume she went dancing later that night, because in layers of shimmering fringe, you’d be a fool not to.Getty Images
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Where: The 62nd Bambi Media Awards in Postdam, Germany (Nov. 2010)
Why we love it: Can’t fault a tea-length dress with ’70s flair.Getty Images
Where: The 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles (January 2004)
Why we love it: High-low is hit-or-miss, which makes this whimsical win all the more special.Startraks
Where: The “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” musical premiere in London (June 2013)
Why we love it: Add a colorblock bag to sequin stripes and you’ve got graphic magic.WireImage
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Where: Diane von Fürstenberg Spring 2013 fashion show in NYC (September 2012)
Why we love it: She’s the DVF woman incarnate — confident and unafraid of printsSplash News
Where: amfAR Gala in NYC (February 2012)
Why we love it: Pink gown, moto jacket, white gloves — it’s a Carrie move if we’ve ever seen one.FilmMagic
Where: The School of American Ballet’s Winter Ball (March 2009)
Why we love it: The sexy/sophisticated mash-up is standard, but emerald python print? That’s something we hadn’t seen before.Getty Images
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Where: The 55th Annual Emmy Awards in Los Angeles (September 2003)
Why we love it: Sly use of a confectionery creation to show off super-toned arms.WireImage
Where: “Sex and the City” premiere in NYC (May 2008)
Why we love it: Poetry in the form of paper-thin, silver, fan-pleated taffeta.Startraks
Where: “The Family Stone” screening in NYC (December 2005)
Why we love it: A gorgeous silhouette and an exercise in simplicity.Everett Collection
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Where: CFDA Awards in NYC (June 2003)
Why we love it: Sometimes, it’s best to go fully nude.Handout
Why we love it: Column gowns can be boring, but not when treated with signature SJP sparkle.WireImage
Where: Costume Institute Gala for the “American Women” exhibition in NYC (May 2010)
Why we love it: SJP really only has two prerequisites — that it be elegant, and something she can twirl in.Startraks
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Where: CLIO Image Awards in NYC (May 2014)
Why we love it: SJP is never ever afraid to mix and match patterns.WireImage
Where: CFDA Awards in NYC (June 2010)
Why we love it: So good it’s giving us butterflies.PatrickMcMullan.com
Why we love it: Big hair and bustiers have always been a part of the equation. WireImage
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Where: “For The Boys” premiere in Los Angeles (Nov. 1990)
Why we love it: What did we tell you!Getty Images
Where: amfAR Gala in NYC (June 2014)
Why we love it: A midsummer night’s dream.Invision
Why we love it: Behold the forever-relevant wardrobe.WireImage
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Where: The 81st Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles (February 2009)
Why we love it: Radiant gown, radiant hair. Plus, the forearm bangle really sets things off.Startraks
Where: New York City Ballet Spring Gala (May 2004)
Why we love it: Kelly-green ruffles sound nauseating, but on Ms. Parker they translate into full-on uptown splendor.UPI Photo
Where: Tiffany & Co. Blue Book Ball in NYC (April 2013)
Why we love it: SJP practically invented the “Oh,-I-just-threw-a-jacket-over-this-gown” technique; this is its best incarnation.Startraks
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Where: New York City Ballet Fall Gala (Sept. 2012)
Why we love it: Call us when you find something more eye-catchingly romantic and graceful.Reuters
Why we love it: A little slip dress goes a very long way.WireImage
Where: Costume Institute Gala for the “AngloMania” exhibition in NYC (May 2006)
Why we love it: Of the approximately 8 billion McQueen dresses she’s worn, this one is not only the best/most “Braveheart,” but also the most meaningful, as her date that night was the designer himself.Getty Images
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Where: The 82nd Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles (March 2010)
Why we love it: C’est parfait.Getty Images
Why we love it: No explanation necessary.Wireimage
Where: New York City Ballet Fall Gala (September 2014)
Why we love it: SJP typically sticks to old-guard designers, so this mythic grace moment from a relative newbie was a lovely surprise.Startraks
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Where: The 57th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles (January 2000)
Why we love it: Ladies and gentlemen, SJP on Old Hollywood glamour.Getty Images
Where: Costume Institute Gala for the “Punk: Chaos to Couture” exhibition in NYC (May 2013)
Why we love it: The mohawk, hello! Besides, this is probably the best example ever of how to bring your personal style to a party theme.Getty Images
Where: The 52nd Annual Emmy Awards (September 2000)
Why we love it: This is the red-carpet version of Carrie Bradshaw’s opening-credits tutu ensemble, designed by Oscar, donned at the height of the show’s popularity — what’s more number one worthy than that?Getty Images
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