If you worked on a TV series as fashion-forward and as clothes-centric as “Sex and The City”, then it can’t be helped that some of that fabulous style will rub off on your personal taste as well. Take the show’s main star Sarah Jessica Parker for example, whose off-cam candid style has over the years become as enviable as Carrie Bradshaw’s, her “Sex and The City” persona:

Sarah Jessica Parker’s cool and breezy attire for a publicity event

Sarah Jessica Parker’s “walk-kid-to-school” outfit

The first picture is from the launch of Sarah Jessica Parker’s new show “Work of Art: The Next Great Artist”, held at the Paley Center for Media in NYC on April 8. She wore a cool and breezy flowing silver dress for the red carpet publicity event, pairing it with blue Nicholas Kirkwood heels and a giant gold heart pendant.

Paparazzi caught Sarah Jessica Parker again the very next day, this time without the glamour and on full mom-duty. The unusually warm New York weather called for a floral tank top, grey jeans and open toe sandals, a simple and comfortable getup for Sarah Jessica to bring her 7-year old son James Wilkie to school.

These two events – a red carpet photo op and walking your kid to school – couldn’t be more different from each other, could they? But Sarah Jessica Parker looks so effortlessly stylish in both of them, not even minding that her pictures will show her using the same bag:

Close-up of Sarah Jessica Parker’s chain strap envelope cross body bag

I love it when celebrities use clothes more than once like regular people, especially a style icon like Sarah Jessica Parker.

The bag is very striking, a gorgeous snakeskin-textured black material folded into an envelope clutch and set off by a long silver chain strap. I would use a cross body bag like this for both a formal and a casual event too as the not-too-big yet not-too-small dimension works for both types of occasions.

I went looking for chain strap cross body bags that could go from day to night like SJP’s and these are 3 of what I found:

Felix Rey Bow Mini Messenger Bag, $175.00

Rebecca Minkoff Heartbeat Bag, $495.00

Charlie My Love Mini Studded Cheyenne Bag, $300.00

Purchase these bags through Shopbop.com.

A crossbody bag is a versatile piece of accessory. The numerous crossbody sightings on celebrities are a testament to the popularity and usefulness of this bag. If you’re a crossbody junkie, then I’m sure you know what I mean. For the newbies who are just starting to love this kind of bag, here are top 5 places where you can wear your crossbody:

1. School

This is probably the most popular place to wear a crossbody bag. Even TV shows such as Gossip Girl and Vampire Diaries use crossbody bags as props for cast. For crossbody spottings in movies, try watching “Jennifer’s Body” and you’ll see that Amanda Seyfried’s school girl character sported several crossbody bags. For school, a bigger crossbody bag is most ideal for your books and laptop.  This way, you enjoy the benefit of having both hands free to carry whatever – like that tray of food when eating in the cafeteria, a few more books or school materials, or  your boyfriend’s hand while walking in campus.

Serena Van Der Woodsen (Gossip Girl) and Elena Gilbert (Vampire Diaries) sporting crossbody bags

2. Mall / Grocery Store (Shopping or doing errands)

It’s no secret that a lot of the celebrities spotted sporting this bag were out shopping or doing errands. It’s the perfect accessory if you’re off to do such tasks since it allows both hands free to carry the purchases you’ve accumulated.

Hilary Duff out shopping with a crossbody bag

3. Beach

Going to the beach doesn’t mean you have to leave your cell and bills. What if you need to call someone? What if someone needs to call you? What if you want some ice cream to cool yourself? The crossbody purse will solve your problems. Carry a big one if you want to bring along your towel and other beach essentials. But if you’re just out for a stroll on the shores, a mini crossbody will do.

Denise Richards and model in crossbody bags

4. Club / Party

I’m sure all of you girls go clubbing or partying. I know I do. And I hate bringing my big bag. It’s too bulky, plus I have to worry about it getting stolen if I leave it on the table. So I use a mini crossbody, which I tag along wherever I go.

Leighton Meester ready to party with her mini crossbody

5. Airport / Travel

Just like school and going to the mall, wearing a crossbody bag to the airport (or when you travel) is the most logical thing to do since it allows both your hands free to carry the other things you need to bring. And if you’re already in that foreign place you call your vacation, scouring the market or shopping district will still require you to wear a crossbody so you’re hands can be free to carry the purchases you’ve made.

Michelle Trachtenberg in a crossbody

Katy Perry and Russell Brand exploring the streets of Jaipur, India

So there you have it, five (5) places to wear that crossbody bag. Don’t limit yourself to the five though, if you find an appropriate opportunity to wear that crossbody purse you have in your closet, feel free to do so. Just remember, wear the right crossbody for the right occasion.

To give you an idea, here are a few crossbody selections and where you can possibly use them:

Fossil Montreal Crossbody

The Sak Silver Lake Flap

These two (2) selections are great for school or traveling because of its spacious interior and outer pockets

Jessica Simpson Jimmy Crossbody

A perfect companion when you’re out shopping or doing errands. Not too big, nor too small.

Liz Claiborne Vivien Small Crossbody

Lucky Brand Desert Rose Crossbody

Head to the beach with these two (2) lovely and colorful crossbody options from Liz Claiborne and Lucky Brand.

Betseyville Zsa Zsa Crossbody

Liz Claiborne Crossbody – Glazed P

Head to the club with any of these mini crossbody purses. Not going to the club but need a small purse to fit your cell phone and a few bills? These will do as well.