Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw may have been deemed Sex and the City’s fashion maven, but there’s something to be said about the unequivocal style of Samantha Jones. Between her affinity for the Hermès Birkin to her countless fur coats, her refined taste was always on full display. So, when news broke that Kim Cattrall would not only be reprising her role in a cameo on season 2 of the reboot, And Just Like That…, but that legendary stylist Patricia Field would be dressing her, I couldn’t help but wonder: What will she be wearing? With that in mind, I visited Field at her “gallery boutique” in New York City’s Lower East Side neighborhood to get some insight.
The mastermind behind the franchise’s most memorable looks, Field tells ELLE.com that she was pleasantly surprised by Cattrall’s return and that when the call came in about dressing the actress for the occasion, it was an easy yes, as they’re friends in real life. “[Jones] was such a popular character and, even though she was the oldest of the four women, she was the funniest in her own way, and that always inspires me,” she explains about curating Samantha’s look. “Her style is that of a woman who is confident in her sexuality. But it also includes her comedic side, her sense of humor and irony.”
From the moment we were introduced to Cattrall’s character in SATC, there’s something so effortlessly chic and playful about her style. Samantha’s looks were somehow both sophisticated and sexy, always fluctuating between high-fashion pieces and corporate-core silhouettes. But on occasion, she would sport trendier ensembles with a more downtown feel, like the plunging New York Dolls halter top outfit from season 6, episode 7. While structured suiting, like the hot-pink Emanuel Ungaro ensemble she wore in season 4, episode 7, quickly became a part of her signature aesthetic, it wasn’t unusual to see her wearing designers like Chanel and Mugler, as well as a slew of Y2K-coded accessories from Galliano’s stint at Dior.
Bold color palettes, animal prints, and sharp proportions were also a big part of the character’s aesthetic, something that Field says was intentional. “Color was very important in her look,” the stylist explains. “I never really did any neutrals. The character is much more defined with red and purple [shades].” One of the looks that stands out in Field’s mind is a red dress from the second Sex and the City movie—a custom spike detail and studded number from The Blonds NYC that she remembers Cattrall being really fond of. “I have to say, Kim’s personal style has elements of Samantha Jones in it but not 100 percent,” she adds. “She likes to get dressed up, but she also likes a casual moment as well.”
These elements were a key part of capturing the magic of Samantha Jones, and Field was keen on including them in the reboot. It’s one of the reasons why the stylist was less concerned about the brands, emerging or established, this time around and more focused on giving fans a glimpse at the character’s quintessential looks in the present day. “I wanted to bring back Samantha Jones,” she explains. “I didn’t veer off and make some other image. [There] were a few adjustments, but nothing major. I wanted to bring Samantha back because the fans were clamoring for her.”
In the end, Cattrall agreed to do a scene in a town car in AJLT’s season 2 finale and, in true Samantha Jones (a.k.a. Annabelle Bronstein from Inja) fashion, she’s as well-dressed as ever. Samantha calls Carrie to inform her that she isn’t able to join the group for the “Last Supper.” Holding true to what Field said about bringing back her key characteristics, from the waist up, she’s wearing a silver lamé trench coat layered over a red dress. But most interesting are the accessories. During the series’ six-season and two-movie run, Samantha was known for adding a little extra oomph to her ensembles. In her latest lap is a lime-green Fendi First clutch, proving that the character still loves a timeless handbag and bold color palette. The look was finished with stacks of silver cuffs and oversized rings that are quintessentially her.
There was undoubtedly a lot of hype surrounding Cattrall’s cameo, but Field is no stranger to working with the actress or on popular productions. The stylist explains how she never worries about what fans will think and that authenticity has always been the most important thing. “When it came to this special appearance of Kim, I was happy that she accepted it,” she says. “I thought she looked good. That’s my job.”
Shelby Ying Hyde is a Brooklyn-based shopping and fashion contributor BAZAAR.com, with bylines on The Zoe Report, Teen Vogue, Essence, Nylon, Elite Daily and more. Prior to entering the editorial space, she worked at luxury e-commerce giants Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi on the product editorial team, where she gained an extensive understanding of the luxury market as it pertains to shopping and engaging customers in a digital space. Follow @theshelbyying on Instagram for shopping advice, sale updates, and tips for building a well-rounded wardrobe.
