Kaia Gerber Ditches Tennis Whites for a Carrie Bradshaw-Coded Fendi Baguette at US Open
Our take

The resurgence of the Fendi Baguette, particularly as styled by Kaia Gerber at the US Open, speaks volumes about the cyclical nature of fashion and the enduring power of cultural touchstones. Gerber’s choice to forgo the traditional tennis whites – a look that has seen a recent, albeit brief, revival – in favor of the '90s icon, paired with a more contemporary and subtly edgy ensemble, signals a shift away from purely athletic-inspired aesthetics toward a more layered and expressive approach to personal style. It’s a move that subtly nods to the maximalist spirit of the era while remaining undeniably modern, a sensibility we've seen explored in other recent trends, like the enduring appeal of denim shorts into fall Yes, You Can Wear Denim Shorts Into Fall and the unexpected elegance of track skirts reimagined for cooler weather Put the Track Pants Away—Coco Gauff Pulled Off a Track Skirt in Fall's Anti-Butter Color Trend. The deliberate contrast highlights a desire for individuality and a rejection of rigid style categories, a feeling many are embracing.
The Baguette’s connection to *Sex and the City* is undeniable, and Gerber’s styling cleverly leverages that association. Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic baseball game outfit, a moment of delightful sartorial incongruity, cemented the Baguette’s status as a symbol of effortlessly cool, urban chic. Bringing that visual shorthand to a contemporary setting, particularly at a sporting event, feels both playful and sophisticated. It's not simply about reviving a trend; it's about reimagining it within a new context, injecting it with a dose of Gen Z self-awareness. The choice demonstrates an understanding of the power of nostalgia, but also a refusal to be defined solely by it. The way Gerber integrated the Baguette—not as the *focus* of the look, but as an intentional and stylish accent—is particularly astute. It’s a move that resonates with the current emphasis on quiet luxury and understated elegance, where accessories serve as subtle markers of taste rather than blatant displays of wealth. Even the recent refinement of classic watches, like the OMEGA’s Speedmaster 38 mm OMEGA's Speedmaster 38 mm Just Got a Moonwatch-Inspired Makeover, highlights this trend toward understated sophistication.
This isn’t just a fleeting trend; it’s indicative of a broader cultural shift. We're seeing a move away from the loud, logo-driven aesthetics that dominated the 2010s and towards a more considered, personal approach to style. The focus is less on owning the latest "it" item and more on curating a wardrobe that reflects individual identity and values. The Baguette, with its history and inherent cool factor, fits perfectly within this narrative. It's a piece that can be styled in countless ways, adapting to different personalities and aesthetics. Its versatility is a key reason for its enduring appeal. Furthermore, the resurgence demonstrates the influence of social media and the way trends are now organically rediscovered and reinterpreted by younger generations. They're not simply replicating past styles; they're remixing them, creating something new and relevant.
Ultimately, Kaia Gerber’s choice to pair the Fendi Baguette with a contemporary look at the US Open is more than just a stylish moment; it’s a reflection of the evolving landscape of fashion. It signals a return to thoughtful curation, a celebration of individual expression, and a nuanced understanding of how to leverage the power of nostalgia without sacrificing modernity. The question now is: what other '90s icons will be reimagined and integrated into contemporary wardrobes, and how will these revivals continue to shape the future of style?
In the opening of Season 2 of Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw famously catches a baseball game (and a foul ball) at Yankee Stadium while wearing a fur coat, black dress, and heels. If Sarah Jessica Parker's character scored tickets to NYC's US Open right about now, her spectator style might've resembled Kaia Gerber's, down to the statement-making Fendi Baguette.
On August 25, five days before the official first round of games began, Gerber joined Anna Wintour, Tory Burch, Savannah Guthrie, and more to watch Roger Federer's special exhibition match during Fan Week. The US Open doesn't adhere to the same dress code as Wimbledon, so she wasn't required to wear tennis whites.
But Gerber didn't just avoid the Center Court-certified color, she ditched any semblance of the tennis-core aesthetic—think little white shirtdresses, pleated skirts, or comfort-first ballet flats—for a uniform fresh from Carrie Bradshaw's closet. The model's new stylist, Emma Jade Morrison, outfitted her in the ultimate black bodycon dress by Yana Matkivski, matching peep-toe pumps, shield sunglasses, and an animal-print Fendi Baguette bag.

The accessory is a departure for the model, who has recently been rotating between two Chanel bags: a vintage shoulder style in quilted cobalt blue and the Matthieu Blazy-era Maxi Flap. (The latter has also found fans in Kendall Jenner, Margot Robbie, and Cardi B.) It's also not a classic Baguette: Gerber opted for the pony hair, tiger-print version from the Fall 2026 collection, complete with an adjustable strap and the brand's iconic emblem in silver.
On Sex and the City—the series that made the circa-1997 purse famous—the illustrious fashion girl collected Fendi Baguettes covered in sequins, beadwork, and floral patterns. While Carrie reserved the leopard print for Dior's Saddle Bag, she did flaunt a baguette with a snakeskin finish on the series.
These days, Parker's taste in Fendi Baguettes is still evolving: Earlier this summer, the Emmy winner modeled a zebra-print bag for the Italian label's latest campaign.
Celebrities have styled leopard as a neutral for quite some time, but right now, the print has amassed its own zoo of A-list supporters. Harry Styles chose Chanel's wildest Maxi Flap from the Métiers d'Art Spring 2026 show; Sarah Pidgeon wore the same bag with jeans; Jennifer Lawrence paired a leopard Prada Galleria with the Mary Jane sneakers trend, and Zoë Kravitz, Kate Moss, and Miley Cyrus share an affinity for Saint Laurent's Le 5 à 7 Bea tote.
Animal-print purses are rare for Gerber, a bona fide minimalist. (She did, however, model a few leopard looks in a 2020 campaign for Jimmy Choo.) But if any best-seller can widen her palette of patterns, it's the Fendi Baguette, which comes in jaguar, python, lizard, and more. Judging by one of her first Baguettes—an embroidered multi-color bag that joined her collection in Dec. 2025—Gerber prefers the hero item in its boldest form.
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