Keeping The Fashion Faith

Patricia Field put stylists on the map. Prior to her turn on "Sex and the City," were you ever able to name the wardrobe stylist for any other TV show? For that matter, were you able to name a stylist, period? We didn't think so.

The appeal in Field's work came from her artistic approach. She didn't simply take pretty garments, edit them down and throw them onto characters. Rather, she took pretty garments, downright ugly garments, circus-worthy accessories and dust-laden vintage and found a way to make them all play nice together. That's what made her "Sex and the City" wardrobe choices, particularly Carrie Bradshaw's, so outstanding. They made us tilt our head and take a minute before ruling them absolutely fabulous.

Can we say the same for "Sex and the City: The Movie"? It had its moments, sure, but the majority of the film had us wondering if Field had lost her "za-za-zoo." After taking a gander at some of the "Sex and the City 2" ensembles, we aren't holding our breath for a comeback. Some of the looks tease us with a dash of the eccentric tutu days, but others exhibit about as much bravery as the cowardly lion.

Perhaps Field pulled the style reins back because of Bradshaw's age. She's no longer the unlucky-in-love sex columnist in her mid-30s. If a happy new stage in life and a good 10 more candles on the birthday cake make for predictable clothing choices, why didn't it also translate to modesty? Paparazzi captured photos of a scene in which Bradshaw sports a midriff-exposing top. Congratulations on the flat stomach. Time to work on the flat style.

We have to wonder if -- similar to Big and Carrie's wedding in the first movie -- the stylist got bigger than the actual styling. You saw the footage on the DVD's behind-the-scenes bonus features. The tents at Bryant Park haven't seen that much fashion in one place at one time. The movie set was raining designers and Field couldn't help but stand in the center of the storm, open her mouth to the sky and take it all in.

We can only hope she does so with a little more selectivity this time. Give us some more funky vintage frocks. Pair a dingy thrift store T-shirt with a sparkling Balmain jacket. More blue bird hair accessories. Less logos.

Come on, Field. You did it for six TV seasons, you can do it again. We have fashion faith in you.