Thank you, Carrie, thank you, Charlotte, for awakening my inner hotstepper. Before you, and your watershed runway show-slash-TV-series Sex and the City, I had no idea that I needed -- needed! Right now! -- an $895 pair of electric-blue Mary Jane snakeskin Manolo Blahnik heels! And now that your big-screen debut is coming, I realize, with terror, that I have nothing to wear. Except for that vintage Kamali sweater, and the beaded Alberta Ferretti, and the Victor & Rolf sequined top. Other than that, I’m pretty much naked to the world. Maybe I should just stay in and drink martinis.
But then I wouldn’t get to stand in line with 40,000 other women under 40 and wag my tongue over what your wedding dress is gonna look like, Carrie! Silly me.
Until that moment, I’ll have to satisfy myself with a rapturous recap of how you all changed my life, and the lives of so many other lucky chicks around the planet. Or, at least, the ones who live near a Barney’s. Each one of you has played your part in revamping America’s closets: Carrie, with your over-the-top ruffle mania; Charlotte, all sweet and sophisticated innocence; man-eating Samantha, resplendent in stilettos that double as weapons of mass destruction; and Miranda, who always looks wonderful, despite whatever disorder she has that makes her look perpetually startled.
And that’s just the beginning:
Carrie Bradshaw
Real-life doppelganger: Some girl named Sarah Jessica Parker. We’ve never heard of her either.
Fashion influences: Patricia Field, who styled the show and has returned for the movie, cites the movie Annie Hall for some of Carrie’s menswear looks, but really, the girl is all over the place. She has veered from Harajuku schoolgirl -- wearing knee-high stockings, for example -- to massive flower brooches that would have looked dowdy on anyone over a size two.
Fashion aftershocks: You know you have a horseshoe necklace in your jewelry box. Don’t make us go in there. In exchange, we won’t bust you for having a tutu in your closet. Lastly, we really hope you got those Manolos on sale.
Fashion fan base: Any woman with an inner rebel. How else could one love someone who wears a Rebecca Taylor rainbow silk dress layered, Zara cargo pants and Christian Louboutin satin bow shoes -- at one time?
Would kill a drifter for: A pair of Dior Extreme Sandals, reported to be a centerpiece of Carrie’s wardrobe in the upcoming film.
Seriously? Carrie’s fondness for vintage prom dresses may look fabu on a size negative three frame. But for people who are no longer 15 -- or living in 1962 -- it might not be the best idea. And did we mention the tutus?
Samantha Jones
Real-life doppelganger: Kim Cattrall, with the emphasis on the C-A-T.
Fashion influences: Per Field, the 1980s night soap Dynasty, which should surprise exactly no one. Pastels, power suits, shoulder pads, nothing is too va-voom.
Fashion aftershocks: Animal prints on anything from head scarves to sunglasses. Also, dare we say cancer chic? Over-the-top scarves and other accessories -- remember the giant furry handbag that ate Manhattan? -- became a wardrobe staple for Cattrall after her character developed cancer in the show’s final season.
Fashion fan base: The sexually empowered, or those who just wish they were.
Would kill a drifter for: Gucci anything.
Seriously? Satin skirt AND satin jacket? Together? Well, Samantha would. And has.
Miranda Hobbes
Real-life doppelganger: Cynthia Nixon, who is not a man, despite the hair and makeup people who sure seemed to think she was in Season One.
Fashion influences: We’ll take a guess and say Donna Karan. If Donna Karan had an outlet store. That was in the same mall as A Pea in the Pod.
Fashion aftershocks: Viewers were often blinded by Hobbes’ brilliant red hair. Other fans tried the look themselves.
Fashion fan base: Power people. Power moms. Power women. And anyone who counts a pair of black No Excuses jeans as a symbol of hedonistic excess.
Would kill a drifter for: Carrie’s closet
Seriously? Did Miranda just show up at a basketball game in a beige dress? Yes, yes she did.
Charlotte York
Real-life doppelganger: Kristin Davis
Fashion influences: Field has said in interviews that she looked to Jackie Kennedy when dressing Charlotte. Audrey Hepburn obviously had her imprint as well, judging from Charlotte’s vintage-inspired wedding dress in Season Six.
Fashion aftershocks: Corsets have come back in a big way, thanks in part to Charlotte’s love of ruffles and swoony fantasy.
Fashion fan base: Guys loved Charlotte for her innocent romanticism, but women noticed her classic Ralph Lauren sensibility and instantly identified.
Would kill a drifter for: A real Fendi and some gossamer petticoats. Ardent viewers of Season Three will know exactly what we’re talking about.
Seriously? Jeez, Charlotte, don’t you know you shouldn’t wear heels when presenting at a dog show? You’ll break your dainty little neck running around in a circle like that.
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