Lyla Dejesus
In the 2008 film *Sex and the City*, Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, wears a Vivienne Westwood wedding dress for her wedding to Mr. Big. The ivory silk duchess satin and Radzimir taffeta gown features a voluminous skirt, a strapless corset with a pointed bust, and a tiered skirt. The dress, originally from Westwood's Fall/Winter 2007 collection, became an iconic fashion moment and inspired a line of bridal wear. In the film, Carrie is left at the altar by Mr. Big, leading to a memorable scene of her running through the streets of Manhattan in her wedding attire. The dress has since been referenced and reprised in subsequent iterations of the franchise, including *And Just Like That*, where Carrie wears it to the Met Gala.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Vivienne Westwood |
| Colour | Champagne |
| Style | Strapless corset gown with a pointed bust and tiered skirt |
| Accessories | Teal cape, matching gloves, sling-back heels, a bird hat, and a pin cushion on her wrist |
| Cost | $215 |
| Alternative | Black Zac Posen gown |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Carrie's wedding dress designer
The character Carrie Bradshaw's wedding dress in the 2008 film *Sex and the City* was designed by Vivienne Westwood. The gown was strapless with a corseted bodice, a pointed bust, and a cinched waist, which flowed into a drop-waist, tiered skirt. The dress was so iconic that a cocktail version of it sold out within hours in 2009.
In the film, Carrie's character is sent several dresses to choose from, but the Vivienne Westwood gown stood out among the others. In an interview with Access Hollywood in March 2023, costume designer Patricia Field revealed that she had originally wanted Carrie to wear a black bridesmaid dress designed by Zac Posen, reflecting the topsy-turvy nature of her relationship with Mr. Big. However, the Westwood gown was ultimately chosen, and it has since become one of the most memorable fashion moments from the film.
In the new series of *And Just Like That*, Carrie revisits the famous Westwood gown when she has to find a last-minute outfit for the Met Gala. She pairs the dress with a dramatic teal cape, matching gloves, and sling-back heels, giving the original bridal gown an opera ballgown feel.
It is worth noting that there are some references to a Vera Wang gown being worn by Carrie Bradshaw in *Sex and the City*. However, this appears to be based on a TikTok video in which a woman finds a Vera Wang gown at Goodwill for $18.99, which she believes to be the dress worn by Carrie in the film. This has likely led to some confusion, as the dress designed by Vivienne Westwood is consistently referenced across multiple sources as the one worn by Carrie in the film.
Guide to Dressing Elegantly for a Wedding
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The colour of the gown
The gown, designed by Vivienne Westwood, has become one of the most memorable fashion moments from "Sex and the City". In the show, Bradshaw has a unique experience in the lead-up to her wedding day. Instead of trying on various gowns, her former editor at Vogue asks her to do a photoshoot in different wedding dresses, including the iconic Westwood dress. This dress becomes even more famous when Bradshaw wears it in the iconic scene where she runs down the streets of Manhattan after being left at the altar.
The Westwood gown has had a lasting impact on fashion and popular culture. In 2018, Westwood released a collection inspired by Carrie's wedding gown to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the "Sex and the City" movie. Additionally, a woman went viral on TikTok after finding a similar gown at a thrift store for only $18.99, which was revealed to be the Vera Wang gown worn by Bradshaw in the Vogue photoshoot. This dress, officially called the Eleanor Bridal Gown, is worth roughly $7,500, showcasing the value and impact of Bradshaw's wedding look.
While the colour of the gown has been a topic of discussion, with some describing it as champagne and others as vibrant blue, it is undeniable that the Westwood dress is an iconic part of "Sex and the City". The show's impact on fashion and culture has been significant, with the revival of the gown in "And Just Like That" further emphasising its lasting influence. The transformation of the bridal gown into an opera ballgown with teal accessories showcases the versatility and timelessness of Bradshaw's wedding look.
Philippine Wedding Guest: Where to Buy Your Dress
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$19.99 $29.99
The gown's silhouette
Carrie Bradshaw's wedding dress in the 2008 Sex and the City movie is a voluminous gown designed by Vivienne Westwood. The dress is strapless, with a pointed bust and a tiered skirt. It is described as "elaborate" and "iconic", and has inspired brides worldwide. A cocktail version of the dress sold out within hours in 2009.
The dress is a modern take on a traditional bridal silhouette, with a fitted bodice and a full skirt. The pointed bust adds a unique touch, while the tiered skirt gives the dress a sense of movement and fluidity. The overall effect is one of elegance and glamour, with a touch of whimsy and romance.
The Westwood gown has become synonymous with Carrie Bradshaw and her character's unique sense of style. It is a memorable fashion moment from the Sex and the City franchise and has left a lasting impact on bridal fashion and popular culture.
John Lewis Wedding Dresses: Try Before You Buy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$60.99
The gown's price
The price of Carrie Bradshaw's wedding dress has varied depending on the version and the seller. The original floor-length Vivienne Westwood gown worn by Carrie in the 2008 Sex and the City movie can be made-to-order at the Westwood boutique in London. This costs $15,700 or more and includes custom fabric and colour options, but customers will have to wait six months. A knee-length version of the dress was sold on net-a-porter.com for $9,875, but it sold out within hours in 2009. A cocktail version of the dress also sold out within hours in 2009, though no price was given.
In the show, Carrie's character receives the Vivienne Westwood gown for free. In the narrative, her former editor at Vogue, Enid Frick, asks her to do a photoshoot for the magazine in various wedding dresses, and the Westwood dress is chosen for the shoot.
In real life, a woman bought Carrie's wedding dress from a thrift store for $18.99. The dress, an Eleanor Bridal Gown by Vera Wang, was one of several worn by Carrie in Sex and the City. The woman, Ashley Cano, bought the dress from Goodwill and later tried to resell it to pay for her divorce.
Renting a Runway Wedding Dress: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The gown's cultural impact
The Vivienne Westwood gown worn by Carrie Bradshaw in the 2008 film *Sex and the City* has had a significant cultural impact. The dress, which first appeared in Westwood's Fall/Winter 2007 collection, is considered one of the most memorable fashion moments from the *Sex and the City* franchise. The ivory ballgown, featuring a strapless corset, pointed bust, and tiered skirt, inspired brides worldwide, with a cocktail version selling out within hours in 2009.
The revival of Carrie's wedding dress in *And Just Like That* held particular significance for fans, as it allowed Carrie to repurpose the dress and replace the painful memory of being left at the altar with a new, positive memory. This act of repurposing a wedding dress resonated with many, as it demonstrated how wedding dresses could be worn again, either through upcycling or dyeing.
The impact of Carrie's wedding dress also extended beyond the fashion world, becoming a part of popular culture. The dress gained further attention when a woman shared a video on TikTok about finding the iconic gown at a Goodwill store for only $18.99. The video went viral, with many expressing their disbelief and excitement at the discovery. This viral moment showcased the enduring popularity and cultural significance of Carrie's wedding dress, even years after its first appearance.
Selling Your Wedding Dress in Sydney? Here's Where to Go
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Carrie Bradshaw wore a voluminous, ivory, Vivienne Westwood gown for her wedding to Mr. Big in the Sex and the City movie.
The dress was crafted from multiple fabrics and separated into two tiers. The top half featured a gold-backed ivory silk duchess satin, while the lower half was made of ivory silk Radzimir taffeta. It was referred to as the "cloud dress" due to its unique skirt shape.
The dress was chosen for Carrie by Vivienne Westwood herself. In the film, Carrie receives the gown along with a note from Westwood that reads, "Dear Carrie, I saw your photo from the Vogue shoot. This dress belongs to you! Love, Vivienne Westwood."
Yes, in the latest series of And Just Like That, Carrie wears the dress again to the Met Gala. She pairs it with a dramatic teal cape, matching gloves, and sling-back heels, as well as a bird fascinator.
