We never noticed this detail about Carrie Bradshaw until Sarah Jessica Parker explained the reason behind it

Carrie Bradshaw is basically synonymous with setting and breaking trends, so we’re surprised the character never dabbles in this form of expression

This detail about Carrie Bradshaw is actually quite surprising
(Image credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

That night I got to thinking… why doesn’t Carrie Bradshaw ever have a manicure?

Okay, tell a lie, it’s very possible most people haven’t spent nights wondering about the cuticles on Carrie, but as soon as actress Sarah Jessica Parker revealed her fashion-forward heroine eschews nail care, we couldn’t help but wonder why?

It’s certainly out of character for the always glamorous Sex and the City/And Just Like That protagonist, whose best looks over the years have included everything from casual daytime tutus to putting a bird in her head.

SJP's Carrie might have many, many accessories - but she's never done her nails

(Image credit: MEGA/GC Images)

Sticking with birds, fans were divided when the first look of the new season dropped and Carrie appeared to be carrying a pigeon in place of a purse. Alas, it was indeed, a JW Anderson original.

She loves taking a big swing with her aesthetics so you’d think someone who’s inspired plenty of women to dress like her and take a bold step away from following the pack would be all over things like mermaid nails or milk nails.

SJP revealed the – surprisingly practical – reason why we’ve not seen Carrie go for a mani (yet…).

Carrie Bradshaw can have a cat in her hands, but she won't have acrylics

(Image credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

“Carrie's a writer,” the actress told Glamour in an interview published June 21, “so she would have been typing originally on a proper typewriter. She would have learned typing in high school, and she was a practical writer and a necessary writer and a romantic writer.”

“It just never seemed that it was where Carrie would spend her time expressing herself.”

Makes sense. But Carrie Bradshaw typing on a typewriter? Not quite sure those timelines align – not to disagree with the queen of cosmopolitans herself.

Which could explain the other reason Carrie doesn’t do her nails – filming.

“We also don't shoot in order," Sarah Jessica added, referring to possible continuity errors. “You're moving from scene to scene, so practically speaking, it's problematic to have a nail color that's got to match every single scene. It gets in the way of speed and economy.”

Much more believable.

Carrie Bradshaw apparently avoids manicures as she's old school when it comes to writing

(Image credit: Getty)

However, if you’re personally a big lover of all things nails and always looking for inspiration for the perfect mani, you’re in luck.

Despite all the revelations to the contrary, SJP and showrunner Michael Patrick King revealed Carrie will show off a surprisingly bold manicure later in the second season.

Speaking of the scene, Michael said, “I thought, 'Wow, she's wearing nail polish!' And it's a dark nail polish, which is interesting and surprising.”

 He noted this particular instance takes place in Brooklyn and is quite noticeable since Carrie is “holding the tiniest purse she's ever held.”

“Carrie Bradshaw is spontaneous. She decides, 'I'm going to wear this or that. I'm going to wear this long slip tutu to go get coffee. And, oh, maybe I'll put on nail polish tonight.'”

Do we think Carrie will be using a gel manicure alternative to keep those fingers nice and clean for writing?

Jack Slater
Freelance writer

Jack Slater is not the Last Action Hero, but that's what comes up first when you Google him. Preferring a much more sedentary life, Jack gets his thrills by covering news, entertainment, celebrity, film and culture for woman&home, and other digital publications.

Having written for various print and online publications—ranging from national syndicates to niche magazines—Jack has written about nearly everything there is to write about, covering LGBTQ+ news, celebrity features, TV and film scoops, reviewing the latest theatre shows lighting up London’s West End and the most pressing of SEO based stories.