Carrie Bradshaw
Studded belts, Sex and the City, and searching the mall
Carrie Bradshaw needs no introduction, but for those who have only seen SEX AND THE CITY in the context of social media memes, I’ll give a brief description of who she is. Sarah Jessica Parker brings Carrie to life as a fashion-obsessed, funny (often unintentionally), and introspective newspaper columnist living in New York City. She pens a weekly column called "Sex and the City," diving into the ups and downs of modern relationships, dating, and love, using her own experiences and those of her friends as inspiration. Known for her eclectic and trendsetting style, Carrie Bradshaw has become a pop culture icon (for better or worse).
The fact is, when you think of SEX AND THE CITY, you think about fashion. And that is largely credited to Pat Field. Throughout the show's run from 1998 to 2004, Field's visionary styling became a hallmark, profoundly influencing fashion trends and solidifying her reputation in the industry. Her ability to blend high fashion with accessible style brought the characters to life, and she was instrumental in making Carrie’s eclectic wardrobe a cultural phenomenon. Field's innovative approach not only earned her an Emmy but also a lasting legacy as a fashion trailblazer who redefined costume design on television.
There are many outfits that Carrie wore during the show’s 6-year run that I coveted. The one with two crop tops, the green textured skirt, and the green belt on her bare stomach is one that is in my mind at all times to this day. Actually, thinking about it now, many of my favorite looks had a belt involved. I don’t wear belts often unless it’s a necessity, but maybe I should reexamine that. Anyway, it was almost an impossible task to choose what I would focus on for this post—but ultimately, once I saw the first outfit she wore in the first SEX AND THE CITY film with the studded belt, I knew it had to be discussed.
She actually wore it twice in the film, and I was inspired by both ways, but the first look had me in a chokehold.
I think it also lined up with the first time in my life when I had money of my own and very strong opinions on how I wanted to spend it. And the first time I laid eyes on that belt, I immediately and urgently had to have it. So I searched. And scoured. And once I found it, you couldn’t tell me shit with this belt on.
I remember going to the mall to find something similar, and I was lucky to find almost an exact replica of it relatively quickly at Bakers. Bakers was a mall store that had dupes of many designer styles, and I could not get to that store fast enough. They also had a similar shoe inspired by the Dior shoes Carrie wore in the same scene—and yes, I bought those, too. I don’t have photographic proof of the shoes, but just know I had them, and I wore them to the ground.
The studded belt has a rich history in fashion. Its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century when it was initially associated with utilitarian purposes. These belts were commonly used by laborers and the military, offering both functionality and durability. The metal studs provided extra reinforcement, making the belts more resilient and long-lasting.
The transformation of studded belts into a fashion accessory began in the 1970s with the rise of punk rock culture. Bands like the Sex Pistols and The Clash made these belts a staple of their rebellious, edgy style. This association with punk rock gave studded belts a countercultural significance, and the look was all about rejecting mainstream fashion and embracing a unique, anti-establishment vibe.
In the 1980s and 1990s, studded belts were still going strong, infiltrating different music and fashion scenes. They became a key part of the heavy metal and goth looks, often paired with leather jackets and dramatic, dark outfits. Even mainstream fashion couldn't resist their allure, with designers drawing inspiration from these subcultures and street styles. This era brought a lot of diversity in stud designs—different shapes, sizes, and colors popped up everywhere.
Then came the 2000s, and studded belts were suddenly a must-have in everyone's wardrobe. Pop-punk and emo bands kept them in the spotlight, and there was a huge revival of vintage and retro styles. This was the perfect time for SEX AND THE CITY to use the accessory, and they did it masterfully. Couture designers also began incorporating studded belts into their collections, blending them with contemporary trends to create new, innovative looks.
Carrie did bring back the original belt in a 2021 episode of AND JUST LIKE THAT. One thing I’m loving about that show (the only thing, really, and yes, I will still be tuned in to every episode weekly for Season 3) is that it’s become a game of spotting old references in fashion and guest stars.
Why the outfit works: The outfit worked originally just as all of Carrie’s fashion does—she just makes it memorable. What made this such an iconic moment in the show was that, to me, it was essentially tying together different groups of people (no pun intended). Even without knowing the piece's history, it’s easy to conclude that the studded belt was initially seen as something from the emo/punk crowd and connected both that group (with a historically harder edge) and the fashion-forward subset in an instant.
Where to find similar pieces: If you’re looking for THE belt that Carrie wore, you can find it here. Co-costumer Danny Santiago originally gifted it to SJP (more on that here)—but keep in mind that this one also has the highest price tag.
Shopular / $31.44
This Amazon version is very close to the original—And with this price point, you can’t go wrong.
Punk Addict / Vegan 3 Row Studded USA Leather Belt / $46.99
This is a great vegan option for the look; the pyramid grommets are in line with the Sex and the City version, though the front and the clasp are different.
Etsy / Studded Belt for Women / $144.12
This option hits the right width, but the clasp, style of grommets, and the front of the belt have a different spin.
Have you gone through your studded belt phase yet? Let me know below—and if you’ve heard of Bakers, please comment so I can add you to my will.
xo, H
I’m now inspired to wear a studded belt to my emo festival in October…..
alright now i'm headed straight to buy a new studded belt