Sex and the City: Carrie's best and worst looks

When Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) breezes back onto the screen in this perfect white Halston and heels, we're ready to get carried away once again.

If her dated dress and frizzy half-'do were part of Sex and the City 2's '80s flashback, then fine — unfortunately, it's not.

Harem pants and fancy footwear work on the streets of Manhattan — not in the deserts of the Middle East.

In Sex and the City 2, Carrie wears five looks by design house Halston, but this vivid orange maxi dress is the clear standout of the bunch.

We like the petticoat's nod to the tutu famously featured in Sex and the City's opening sequence, but that skirt plus those stilettos in an Abu Dhabi bazaar — really?!

Did the camera add 20 pounds — to her flower accessory? One of Carrie's trademark looks goes big for the big screen.

Carrie's iconic tutu earns itself a cameo in the first movie.

On trend, as always, the ladies go long and colorful (if clashing) with their resort wear. And they're not fierce enough to turn Carrie's heartbroken frown upside down.

Carrie attempts to pull off a dominatrix-in-winter getup.

Clearly, these ladies aren't afraid of PETA.

The only thing cuter than Carrie's sweet summer dress: Stanford (Willie Garson)!

This theatrical, runway-ready Vivienne Westwood gown didn't disappoint fans speculating if Carrie would join Big (Chris Noth) at the altar. The blue bird in her hair is another issue.

Flouncy or fitted? Carrie achieves both with one dress.

Sexy accessories give this look some zsa zsa zsu. But not enough.

Carrie turns up an '80s-inspired preppy look.

Her velvet and polka dot ensemble is pure Parisian fairy tale.

Her love life's a circus, but that's no reason to dress like a ringmaster.

Always eager to dress the part, Carrie dons her version of Sunday best.

The Paris episodes of Sex's final season highlighted Carrie at her most glamorous; this stunning black-and-white ensemble was a marvel of pattern and texture. (Bonus points for the super cute luggage.)

This overloaded outfit proves all writers need a (fashion) editor.

When dating a politician in season 3, Carrie tried Jackie O. shades on for size.

The tenty top hid SJP's pregnancy, but what's the do-rag's excuse?

That blooming pin would become a signature item for Carrie — and her fans.

Carrie's love for her muskrat coat made for a serious fur pas.

Carrie and Samantha (Kim Cattrall) showed some skin and worked some stripes.

The weird gloves distract from an otherwise cute outfit.

By this point in season 3, Carrie's love life was a hot mess — her ill-advised affair with the married Big was dooming her relationship with good guy Aidan (John Corbett) — but my, did she look good. Windswept!

We like Carrie's experimentation with patterns, but when the patterns are this boring, the combo just falls flat.

Metallic accessories made a hot summer dress even spicier.

''Ugh'' on the Uggs — and is that a bra peeking through?

We likey the gorgeous gown Carrie was originally going to wear on the runway at season 4's fashion show, before she got stuck with that tragic blazer-and-panties ensemble.

Scotland on top, Little House on the bottom, and ratty in between.

Miss Bradshaw suited up in gorgeous pinstripe for her first day at Vogue.

Looks like it's made out of spandex — and would our girl really wear synthetics?

Not so sure about the scarf, but that coat? Killer.

Again with the do-rag? And with sunglasses on top? Who is she, Bret Michaels?

Red-carpet ready in a sleek, dramatic gown.

The Phantom of the Opera meets Michael Jackson. Just plain weird.

Always a classic choice for a New York City woman: simple black.

If the show was trying to hide Parker's pregnancy, then why give her a dress that draws the eye directly to her belly?

The parasol was charmingly old-fashioned; the dress, cool and comfy-looking.

The boots, the fur, that topknot...there are no words.

Carrie's glittering gold top was perfect for the girls' season 5 trip to Atlantic City.

We like the "Carrie" nameplate necklace — but we're in love with this Big Apple bauble.

What is happening here? Is it Halloween?

Simple, but clingy enough to grab your attention.