Fashion and Film

Sex and the City 2: The Looks for Less

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The fab foursome is on the way back, when Sex and the City Part Two hits theatres on May 27th.  According to Fandango, ticket sales for this one are out pacing sales for the first movie. In my opinion, this should be no surprise.  First, we love these four characters and the story of their friendship.  Second, watching them on the bigscreen in their millions of dollars (per website Shine) of designer duds is perfect escapist fare in the midst of the Great Recession.  Just as movie goers in the Depression lined up to see Garbo, Harlow and Lombard in their fabulous studio gowns and costumes, today’s movie goers want to escape into the couture fantasy of Carrie, Miranda , Samantha and  Charlotte.  As you can see from the picture above, each character has their own individual fashion style.  Here’s how I would categorize their styles:

Carrie— A mix of couture, Vintage Vogue and Boho Chic. Her style is a complete fantasy.  You won’t see the average woman dressing like Carrie Bradshaw.
Miranda-  A look that fits today’s working mother, suits and separates for women, and casual at home.  She also wears some great dresses that can go from the office to an evening out.  I would shop for Miranda at Loehmann’s.  They’ve got great lawyer suits for less, and stylish dresses.
Samantha–  A look that is body baring, and full of bling with lots of embellishments at the shoulders and on the neckline. The character goes where many fashionistas dare not tread with thigh high skirts, and cleavage baring tops.  Discreet is not a word in the Samantha Jones style vocabularly. Big earrings and studded belts are some of her favorite accessories.  Sky high heels and designer bags are also hallmarks of her style.
Charlotte- A mix of Park Avenue chic and preppy style. Charlotte has evolved from a Talbots/Lily Pulitzer look to more of a Marc Jabcobs/ Saks Fifth Avenue style.  Of all the character’s styles, her look is my personal favorite.  She reminds me of a modern day Audrey Hepburn.  I envision her wearing a lot of Milly and Tiffany jewelry.

So, if you like these styles, or just love the fantasy of them, where can you go to get the looks for less? Well, a number of places.  Carrie’s look is all about mixing and matching. Vintage stores and consignment stores are a good place to look fro Carrie Bradshaw style. For Miranda and Charlotte, look for their looks on sales at department stores, Loehmann’s and eBay.  As for Samantha, she is in a category all by herself.  Her sexy style maybe best found at boutiques stores like Fred Segal or Bergdorf’s, and of course eBay. If you’re in New York, check out Bergdorf’s windows this week to see Sex and the City style.  Click here to see the windows on the Bergdorf  5th/58th blog.

If you’re looking for their looks for less, check out People Stylewatch this week.  They have some good tips on indvidual outfits.  If you’re looking for specific outfits take a look at Kohl’s for some of the pieces that match the movie’s wardrobe.  Check out the comparisons below.  The top line of images is from the movie with Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie, the rest are images of items from Kohl’s.

Pictured: Carrie’s style picks from Kohl’s 

Following are some of the Kohl’s pieces that are doppleganger’s for Carrie’s movie wardrobe.  Fittingly, the pieces from the ELLE collection are good picks for Carrie’s look!

My Michelle Studded Dress – 48.00
ELLE Dot Ruffled Dress – $60.00, on sale for $35.99.
SO Plaid Camp Shirt – $26.00
ELLE Colorblock Mixed-Media Dress – 60.00
ELLE Aviator Sunglasses – 26.00
ELLE Novotel Shopper – $69.00
SO Hurricane Skinny Jeans – $29.99
ELLE Mariel Peep-Toe Dress Heels – $59.99
14k Gold Freshwater Cultured Pearl Floral Pendant – $99.99
SONOMA life + style Wooden Beaded Flex Bracelet – $14.00
ELLE Solid Cardigan – $44.00

For Charlotte’s look from Kohl’s check these pieces. The top line of images is from the movie with Kristin Davis as Charlotte, the rest are images of items from Kohl’s.

Pictured: Charlotte’s style picks from Kohl’s 

Charlotte’s Kohl’s Style Picks:  
Candie’s Asymmetrical Top – $38.00, on sale for $12.60!
Simply Vera Vera Wang Dress – $59.99, on sale for $34.00
AB Studio Solid Sheath Dress – $48.00,  on sale for $24.99
Apt. 9 Braided Metallic Belt – $24.00
Dana Buchman Dawson Hobo – $80.00,  on sale for $40.00
ELLE Melia Satchel – $69.00
Chaps Denim Capris – $50.00
Mootsies Tootsies Loopy Wedge Sandals – $44.99
Apt. 9 Tailee Peep-Toe Dress Heels – $49.99

For the fabulous, Samantha Jones, check these style picks. The top line of images is from the movie with Kim Catrell as Samantha, the rest are images of items from Kohl’s.

Pictured: Samantha’s style picks from Kohl’s 

Samantha’s Kohl’s Style Picks:  
Speechless Pleated Studded Strapless Dress – $68.00, on sale for $40.00
IZ Byer California Triangle Halter Dress – $68.00
IZ Byer California Halter Satin Dress – $68.00, now $44.20
AB Studio Striped Maxi Dress – $64.00
Candie’s Coco Peep-Toe High Heels – $54.99
Simply Vera Vera Wang Signature Wedge Flip-Flops – $22.00
Simply Vera Vera Wang Thyme Wedges – $69.99
Simply Vera Vera Wang Rimmed Square Sunglasses – $34.00
Simply Vera Vera Wang Chelsea Crocodile Hobo – $69.00
Candie’s Rosette Stretch Belt – $24.00
Apt. 9 Gold-Tone Hammered Drop Earrings – $16.00

For Miranda’s look from Kohl’s check these pieces. The top line of images is from the movie with  Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes, the rest are images of items from Kohl’s.

Pictured: Miranda’s style picks from Kohl’s 

Miranda’s Kohl’s Style Picks:  
AB Studio Solid Sheath Dress – $48.00,  on sale for $24.99
Apt. 9 Shift Dress on sale for $29.99
Lauren Conrad top
Apt.  Silver-Tone Beaded Bib Necklace – $32.00
1928 Brass-Tone Teardrop Earrings – $14.99
ELLE™ Mariel Peep-Toe Dress Heels – $59.99
Joe Benbasset Pin-Striped Pants – $40.00
Simply Vera Vera Wang Gold-Tone Lariat Necklace – $32.00
Apt. 9 Gold-Tone Filigree Cuff Bracelet – $20.00
Apt. 9® Silver-Tone Tapered Hoop Earrings – $14.00

If you love these looks from the movie, click here to check out the giveaway on a Kohl’s gift card to help you shop for them!
Also, check out Macy’s for some looks for less.  The new Sex and the City movie features a lot of Morrocan inspired tunics and embellished tops.  Macy’s has plenty of those for spring and summer at reasonable prices. They are also running a Sex and the City Girl’s Weekend Shopping trip.  Of course I entered!  Click here for  the details.

Pictured: Macy’s Ultimate Getaway Sweepstakes offers a girls trip to Morroco!

Do you have any Sex and the City style tips or favorites? Leave a comment and share. Also, did you already buy tickets for the premiere ? 🙂

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Since 2008, Mary Hall has been the author of The Recessionista Blog, which is read by thousands of regular readers in over 160 countries. An internationally recognized expert on the art of the living the good life for less, she has been a commentator on local, national, and international radio and TV shows. Her advice has been featured in over 2,000 media outlets, including The New York Times, Reuters, Life & Style magazine, ABC News, NBC News and now The Huffington Post, among many others.

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