CLOTHES HORSE
As torrid as Carrie and Mr. Big’s love affair was, and as wild as Samantha’s sexcapades could get, nothing could upstage one “Sex and the City” character: the wardrobe. Stylist Patricia Field’s prowess turned Manolo Blahnik into a household name and flower corsages into accessory staples. While viewers watched the series finale and wept, it was unclear whether their tears fell for the end to the fabulous foursome or the loss of such forward-thinking fashion. We suspect the latter.
For every fashion maven who’s since felt a style void in their lives, we provide the latest “sneak preview” of the “Sex and the City: The Movie” film. We realize Bradshaw’s attire has a tendency to either dazzle or baffle (wait until you get a load of her — spoiler alert — Vivienne Westwood wedding gown) but this number exemplifies the genius behind the show’s costuming.
The dress’ color scheme alone, with its delicious orange and berry tones, has us licking our chops, but the accessories make it pure Carrie. Starting with her boxy clutch in Orange Crush, the former sex columnist’s look pops more than Orville Redenbacher. Even her gold cuff jumps out at us. And its large floral embellishment stays right in tune with the rosy frock.
The most impressive item adorning Carrie, however, doesn’t come as a surprise — the shoes. A nauseating number of references to her footwear fetish, coupled with dramatic shots of Jimmy Choos, Christian Louboutins and Manolo Blahniks, brought fans’ shoe awareness to new levels. Judging by the tone of these zebra print stiletto’s, we’ll assume nothing has changed on that front.
Mingling tea-time florals with racy zebra prints takes guts. But the risk pays off and manages to funk up an ensemble that could otherwise have the lead character mistaken for prim and proper Charlotte. And take a gander at the stiletto: sharp as Miranda’s tongue. (Can you tell we miss the girls?)
The movie may not come out until May ’08, but think of this as something to hold you over. In true Patricia Field fashion, we’ve selected items Carrie’s freelance position could never afford her in real life. But with a little digging and lots of creativity, you can mock this look at budget retailers, too. As Carrie would say, “Wowza!”
Contact fashion reporter Xazmin Garza at xgarza@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0477.