Did Carrie Bradshaw Actually Predict The Ultimate 2021 Party Look?

3, 2, 1... Happy New... oh who can be bothered?! For all our nuances, people can be divided into two distinct camps: those who actually like New Year’s Eve (amateurs) and the rest of us (sensible). But after the rotten year we’ve all had, who isn’t excited about slamming the door shut on 2021, and giving 2022 a big warm welcome (if I could, I would snog 2021, no intros or niceties needed).

Still, there is a party spirit in the air and, as far as we know, parties are still on – a marked (and welcome) change from last year's festive period. But with growing concern over the number of Omicron cases in the UK, a lot of us are understandably feeling worried about socialising in big groups. So, how to dress for such an uncertain time?

There is one woman you need on your New Year 2022 moodboard: Carrie Bradshaw. I would like to draw your attention to one scene only, and it’s not from the hit show’s six seasons that made Sarah Jessica Parker into a style icon, nor is it from _And Just Like That...,_the new show dropping episodes every Thursday. It's actually from the Sex and the City movie (the first one, the second one is best not talked about).

It’s New Year’s Eve and Carrie, heartbroken, is in bed asleep long before midnight. She is woken by a phone call from Miranda, also at home alone – she and Steve currently separated. ‘I thought that one of the perks of having a family was that you didn’t have to spend New Year’s Eve alone with Chinese food,’ says Miranda down the phone to Carrie. ‘I am alone with Chinese food’. That sounds pretty ideal to me, to be honest.

Carrie decides to show Miranda she is not alone, and makes an impromptu dash to see her. Sweet – and if you like to do the whole ‘watch with multiple Cosmos’ immersive viewing thing, the folky rendition of Auld Lang Syne playing in the background will get you weepy, even if you thought you were all teared out after thatPeloton moment.

But we’re not here to discuss that. Rather, it’s Carrie’s last minute outfit – the ultimate high/low look – you need to pay attention to. Basically, it’s sleepwear (see also, montage Samantha who is cosily coupled up with Smith in matching sequin robes), which might be all any of us can muster the energy to wear this year. If that is you, there are plenty of zhuzhed up PJs around that can easily double as party gear, from 16 Arlington, Rixo and Ganni to Olivia von Halle’s printed silk and Sleeper’s ‘Party Pyjamas’ (also feather trimmed – do you spot a theme?) that all say ‘early night’ and ‘up all night’ in equal measure.

Of course this is Carrie who would never ‘just’ do pyjamas, and while practicality has never been high on her list of sartorial priorities (never forget she wore a belt around a bare midriff), winter in New York does demand layers. So she chucks an ultra-glam fur coat (perfect if you need to make a last minute dash to Tesco for more Champagne, just make sure yours in faux – the fur, not the bubbles), leather gloves (a big trend at the moment), white stiletto ankle boots, a string of pearls and a diamante bag and hat (AKA the ultimate Zoom accessory if your events do go virtual and very similar to the one Mel B wore in theGoodbyevideo, which is also worth a rewatch).

Carrie's New Year look makes an impact but could realistically have taken thirty seconds to throw together - assuming you have a sparkly hat to hand that is. Personally, I’m all for going hard on the sparkles this year – if you can’t at New Year when can you? A touch of decadence is much needed right now. Heartbreak Carrie knew that, of course, long before we did. In fact, the only thing missing to make this the peak 2021 party ensemble is a mask.

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