Sabrina Carpenter means business—she just dropped her star-studded Netflix Christmas special, A Nonsense Christmas, debuted a lead role in Versace’s latest eyewear campaign, and recently launched her new perfume, the aptly titled Me Espresso. Stepping out in New York last night (December 10), her outfit confidently recalled one of the city’s biggest fashion icons, accessorised with a little briefcase to match the ‘getting shit done’ vibe.
The ‘Taste’ singer, who was out for her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, wore a vintage Lillie Rubin set, all black with a leopard-print fur collar and cuffs. She wore sheer black pantyhose, black platform stilettos at the preferred altitude for the five-feet-to-be-exact star, and a boxy little briefcase. What’s in the case? A collector’s six-season boxset of beloved sitcom The Nanny, perhaps.
Carpenter’s look is a direct reference to an outfit seen on Fran Fine, the perennially well-dressed nanny from Flushing. While there are a few subtle differences to the jacket, they’re both from the same vintage label, Lillie Rubin. Both sets feature the dramatic leopard collar, cuffs, and buttons, with a soft peplum. Carpenter was also seen with a similar, matching beret. So far, so Fran.
It’s not the first time Carpenter has delved into Fran’s wardrobe. For September’s 2024 MTV VMAs red carpet, Carpenter and her stylist Jared Ellner picked up a show-stopping silver beaded 1991 Bob Mackie dress from the celebrity-approved fashion archive Tab Vintage. The look she wore was designed originally for Madonna to wear to perform at the Oscars, but it was also seen on the aforementioned Ms. Fine on The Nanny, too.
Sabrina Carpenter at the MTV VMAS 2024, wearing a vintage Bob Mackie dress worn by both Madonna and Fran Fine.Photo: Taylor Hill (Getty Images)