Walking past her on the New York sidewalk even her biggest fans might not look twice. But despite the messy windswept hair and rolled up ripped jeans this is Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker.

Like her alter ego Carrie Bradshaw the actress is rarely seen without perfect make-up and a sky high pair of heels.

But as she chatted on the phone yesterday the 43-year-old showed she can also carry off the dressed down look.

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A walk in the city: In New York today Sarah Jessica Parker was virtually unrecognisable as her red carpet self

Sarah Jessica has recently had to deal with reports that her 11-year marriage to Matthew Broderick is in trouble, after rumours that he had an affair with a younger woman.

It was reported that Broderick had a series of late-night liaisons with a woman of 25 while his wife was away filming the Sex And The City movie.

Reports said he met the woman in a bar in New York last November and told her his marriage was 'not good'.

United: Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, who are rarely pictured together in public, at a New York restaurant last month

He and Sarah Jessica usually go to extreme lengths to ensure they are not pictured together, but have recently been seen dining out as they put on a public display of unity.

Broderick, 46, is especially private. He even chose to stay away from the world premiere of the Sex And The City film in London.

The pair are reported to be trying to save their marriage for the sake of their son, five-year-old James Wilkie.