The clothes are like another character in the show. They help make it real.-- Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) to People Magazine.
Think Carrie would look glam sipping Cosmopolitans wearing mere-mortal styles like jeans and clogs?
Costume designer Patricia Field doesn't think so.
Her deft styling hand has turned the characters of HBO's "Sex and the City" into small-screen fashion icons and has sparked trends ranging from high-end designer bags to fabric flowers (and she brought Manolo to the masses, which is no small feat).
Each of the four characters has had a distinct style carefully developed for her:
- Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is fearlessly fashionable: her style ranges from uptown chic to whimsy to sex kitten. Stilettos are a staple, and Field mixes designer with flea market finds for Carrie's unique look.
- Samantha (Kim Cattrall) wears sexy styles that exude confidence. She is a Woman (with a capital "W") and the message comes across loud and clear through strong styles and bold color.
- Charlotte (Kristin Davis) has a sweet, preppy style that is always accompanied by the proper bag and shoes. Bows, cute prints and feminine styles play up the kind nature of her character.
- Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) looks like a very well-dressed career gal with chic corporate suits and androgynous styles.
The show has been enormously influential on fashion. Here, a look at some of the trends the show has trumpeted over the years:
- Stilettos
- Must-have designer bags
- Great coats
- The bob
- Flower pins
- Initial necklaces
- Designer wedding chic
Get the look
Face facts: you are never going to look as fabulous as Carrie and Company do every minute of their lives.
Even Carrie's seemingly thrown-together ensembles are the creation of a very talented costuming team, which selects up to 50 outfits for each show.
You can, however, add some of the glamorous girlie looks to your wardrobe with these tips:
Mix high and low
What this means is simply learning to mix flea market finds with designer or wear high-end fashions in unexpected ways.
For example, the SATC characters wear designer duds out of context (Miranda once wore Jean Paul Gaultier for pajamas) or in a new way (Carrie wore a Chanel top backward with a kerchief). Try this yourself by pairing a simple white tank with a luxe jacket; wear stilettos with jeans; mix a modern top with a vintage skirt.
It's all in the shoes
Toss the Birkenstocks and opt for sky-high mules, sandals and pumps (the more expensive, the better). Comfort is not the key here: long legs are the point. If you have the legs for it, go bare-legged. Otherwise, try super-sheer pantyhose. And of course, a perfect pedicure is required.
