The New It Girl: A Spotlight on Sabrina Carpenter’s Style

In the dynamic worlds of music and fashion, Sabrina Carpenter has unquestionably emerged as a rising star. Initially gaining recognition for her role as Maya in “Girl Meets World,” this versatile singer, actress, and model made her mark with the release of her debut album, “Eyes Wide Open,” back in 2015. However, it was her 5th album, “Emails I Can’t Send,” that propelled her into a pop sensation, boasting her highest-charting hits to date. Recent highlights include her captivating performances as the opening act for The Eras Tour across South America, Australia, and Singapore. Yet, Carpenter’s rise to stardom has not been solely attributed to her music; her unique sense of style and impactful presence in media have also played instrumental roles in capturing the attention of the public, as evidenced by her staggering 33 million Instagram followers.

Over the past couple of years, Carpenter’s fashion has undergone a complete transformation. While part of this evolution may be attributed to the magic of maturation in the public eye, it’s undeniable that her current style is the result of meticulous curation by talented stylists like Jason Bolden and Jared Ellner. Bolden, the current star of the Netflix show “Styling Hollywood,” works with celebrities like Tara Shaidi, Taraji P. Henson, Mindy Kaling, and Wiz Khalifa. Meanwhile, Ellner, a graduate of Parsons Fashion Design, has broadened his styling portfolio to include dressing stars for the red carpet, such as Emma Chamberlain, Finneas, Ben Platt, and Patti Harrison. Together, these two experts have collaborated with Carpenter to create a wardrobe that exudes a blend of dreaminess, sweetness, and chic sophistication.

A standout feature often observed in Carpenter’s style is her experimentation with various silhouettes, as shown by this stunning Aralda Vintage mermaid-like dress she chose to ring in the new year with. Notice how the gentle hues of the colour palette, a shimmering light green, contrast with the allure of the flattering silhouette, striking chain detail, and sultry makeup. By blending these elements, Carpenter effortlessly marries elegance with sweet glamour.

Carpenter is also fearless when it comes to playing around with different materials, as seen in this dreamy white Oséree lace bodycon dress. Adding to its allure is her subtly sensual pairing with black undergarments, showcasing her skillful ability to elevate her style with more mature elements. Similarly, the darling pink Poster Girl lace dress adorned with cutouts strikes a balance between revealing and sweet, thanks to its pastel hue and dazzling rhinestone embellishments.

The cutouts that she often incorporates into her wardrobe add a flattering touch to her ensembles. By introducing playful elements like the rosettes in the white Giuseppe Di Morabito two-piece set and metal details in the black Korobeynikov skintight dress, Carpenter maintains a sense of chicness that screams classic yet contemporary.

And, of course, it’s hard to overlook the flirty graphic tee that Carpenter sneaks in from time to time, which subtly reminds fans of her effortless it-girl image. One of the standout style moments that encapsulates this laid-back attitude is her recent choice of a “Jesus was a Carpenter” shirt, worn during her performance at Coachella this past weekend.

So, what can Carpenter’s style teach us? Perhaps we can learn that it’s possible to embrace a more fluid approach to fashion and move beyond rigid categories. In today’s fashion landscape, it’s easy to get caught up in trendy aesthetics like mob wife, coastal grandma, Y2K, cottagecore, and clean girl. Scrolling through Tiktok, you might find yourself asking questions like, “Do I exude clean girl energy?” or “Am I more aligned with dark academia or fairycore?” or “What do I need in my closet to give off quiet luxury?” Trying to fit into these predefined aesthetics is not only tiring but can also erase individuality and self-expression. Instead of striving for a constant vibe, we should embrace our freedom to like different things and allow our style to evolve organically on a day-to-day basis. Carpenter serves as a refreshing reminder of this ethos. She revels in blending diverse elements within her outfits, a quality that undoubtedly captures the attention of millions as a rising star.

Valerie Wong