How to Channel Your Inner Carrie Bradshaw on a Budget

Guest post by Jassica Mendez

Sex and the City changed the lives of an entire generation. We all watched it and pretended to be one of the main characters. However, most of us saw Carrie Bradshaw as an icon. A strong, independent woman who succeeded in life, love, and friendship despite all difficulties. But what makes Carrie stand out most is her unique fashion sense. She lives for fashion and likes to spend incredible amounts of money on clothes and shoes. She has an impressive collection of unique designer shoes that she treasures more than anything. Still, trying to be more like Carrie doesn’t have to drain your budget. Carrie Bradshaw is a lifestyle, a state of mind, and a goal to achieve. With that said, take a look at how to channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw on a budget. 

What is the Carrie Bradshaw style?

As mentioned before, Carrie’s style is her own and unique. But, if we had to describe it in one word, that word would be bold. She mixes classic with trendy, kitsch with haute couture, and she nails it every time. Why? Because she is a confident person. She is not scared to wear any form of clothing, and she carries her pieces bravely. Carrie is a trendsetter. So, if you want to bring your inner Carrie to light, you first need to work on your confidence. That is something no amount of money in the world can buy. Only you can make it happen. There are a couple of steps that you can follow, and they are mentioned further in the article. 

Love yourself first

If you want to learn how to channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw on a budget, you must learn to love yourself first. It costs nothing. We come in various packages, shapes, and sizes, and we are all beautiful. And most of all, self-love makes us fierce and unbreakable. But, some of us need some encouragement to realize that. So, give yourself time and try to be more tolerant when it comes to self-criticizing. Yes, there is no one out there that is a better critic than you. But, that doesn’t mean that you need to beat yourself up. Accept yourself as you are and learn to love even those imperfections. Look in the mirror and accept and embrace what you see. Only then can you start thinking about becoming the next Carrie Bradshaw.

Cherish your friends

Who can you trust and go to when you are heartbroken? Your friends. And, it is one of the most important lessons we have learned from Carrie Bradshaw. Our friends might very well be our soulmates. Also, true friendship is hard to come by these days, so if you have it, hold on tight to it. Respect your friends and be loyal to them. They will give you that much-needed shoulder to cry on and lift you up after you fall. They will be there in bad times, but in good ones as well. You will laugh together, go on girl’s trips, and boogie all night long. Not to mention going on shopping sprees together and borrowing clothes from each other. Therefore, make sure to cherish your friends, and you will never feel alone. 

Dress for yourself

What you decide to wear today might define who you are tomorrow. Unfortunately, this has both positive and negative consequences. Some people might appreciate your style, and some might judge it. But don’t worry too much about what others may think and dress for yourself. If you love it, wear it. Reinvent yourself constantly, and don’t be afraid to be ahead of time or a bit behind. Some clothes never get old, and some need time to be appreciated. Build a wardrobe that works for you, and wear your clothes with pride. A confident attitude is always haute couture.

Buy the shoes

Pleasures of life. That is how Carrie Bradshaw described shoes. And I am sure that we can all agree on that. I know, I know. Not everyone can afford Manolo Blahniks. But we can all afford to treat ourselves to a nice pair of shoes now and then. And if you choose them well, you can wear them forever. Therefore, consider what you can pair the shoes with before buying them. For instance, if they are yellow, you might find it hard to pair them with other pieces. Also, if they are high-heeled, they might be hard to wear all day. In conclusion, think twice before swiping that card!

Tips for buying shoes

A few tricks can help you if you want to wear shoes without getting blisters. First, always buy your shoes at the end of the day. That is the best time because your feet are swollen, and you need your shoes to be comfortable when that happens. Second, test the shoes on a hard surface. Shoe stores often have softer floors that give you the impression that the shoes are comfy. So, if possible, test them on a hard floor away from the fitting area. 

These are pretty valuable tips if you want to know how to channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw on a budget. Mainly because if you don’t spend money on the wrong shoes, you will have enough for the right ones. 

Find your inner Carrie Bradshaw in New York

Carrie and New York go hand in hand. It’s the place where she grew as a person, as well as a professional. It’s the place that gave her the love of her life and the opportunity to become a Vogue writer. So, maybe, just maybe, the New York air will do you good. Moreover, now you can rent Carrie Bradshaw’s recreated apartment and literally live in her shoes for a few days.

If you are moving to the Big Apple permanently and the sizes of apartments scare you, know that renting storage in NYC is always a great option. Just find some affordable storage that suits your needs and rent it for however much time you need.

Dress stylishly on a budget

You don’t have to spend a fortune to be stylish, trendy, or modern. You just need to find those places where you can get pretty clothes for less. Niche stores are way too expensive, and there is no guarantee that you will find something that you will like. So, look for stores with reasonable prices and enough variety. Outlets are a great idea, as are wholesale shops. You can even find them online. Or, try shopping in thrift shops. There, you can usually find bargain prices, and you might even find unique items. Plus, vintage clothing will never go out of style if you know how to wear it. Also, a chic accessory can transform any outfit from dull to outstanding. So, use scarves, hats, and belts to make your outfit glow. That’s how you channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw on a budget.