Patricia Field is a crazy, wonderful genius, who also happened to have trained mastermind, Eric Daman. If you don’t know, these two were responsible for the clothing phenomena of Sex and the City and Gossip Girl, respectively. I’ll go out on a limb and say that the shows have done more for fashion than even Dior’s remarkable S/S 17 collection. So, I set out to find some of the fashion rules followed by both sex columnists and Upper East Siders.
There’s no such thing as too much
Remember “The Ick Factor” from season six of Sex and the City where Carrie chows down on a Big Mac in bubblegum pink Oscar de la Renta? Or in the second movie where she strolls along in the crowded streets of Abu Dhabi in a full skirt, Dior T-shirt, and, of course, Manolo Blahnik heels? If we look at Samantha in the series, all of her ’80s-styled power suits exceed acceptable business attire. All the characters in Gossip Girl do a little too much, too: Blair can be comically preppy, over-the-top sequined jackets are a staple for Serena, and even Dan delves slightly too deep into hipster style. Patricia Field, the woman behind all these iconic looks, has always been eccentric herself—with bright red hair and a lot of accessories, it makes sense that the characters she and Daman dress always look over-the-top.
Always cultivate a signature style
Signature items may seem to be for icons, but aren’t we all a little iconic? Carrie’s necklace, Blair’s headbands, Samantha’s huge earrings, Serena’s heeled boots: All of these give the characters a sense of stability and comfort. While aspects of the outfits can change, their unchanging accessories leave impressions of their character. Eric Daman’s real-life signature style consists ascots, button-downs, and blazers. When the stylist of Gossip Girl follows a style rule, so do I. My signature? Two rings stacked on my right ring finger: One my great grandmother’s, the other my mom’s.
Flats are cute, but heels are forever
Fashion has been shifting toward flatter footwear in an effort to allow for stylish, long-distance escapades. While I love a good Oxford or ballet flat occasionally, I still stand by the pump precedent set by Bradshaw. Walking may be easier lower to the ground, but it is so much more fun four inches higher. Carrie Bradshaw is synonymous to Manolo Blahnik, and all the girls of Gossip Girl have some enviable kicks. Growing up with women traipsing around New York City with heels under their feet gave me the power to strap on my stilettos and be bold.
What did you learn about style from these fashionable shows? Let us know in the comments below, or share on social media and tag @CFashionista!
