“THESE PRODUCTS ARE NO LONGER BEING SOLD”

Trends may come and go but the one constant in British fashion and life is eccentricity. Kate Moss’s ability to throw on a fedora hat and a leather jacket over anything – whether it’s a ballgown or a pair of jeans – is what has made her a style icon. Other Brits on the fashion radar who love to mix and match include Alexa Chung, Agyness Deyn and Daisy Lowe – all of whom flounce around London in a haze of florals, leather, and tie-dye, and yet, it works. But the Queen of mixing and matching can be found on the other side of the pond – the inimitable Ms. Carrie Bradshaw, thanks to super-stylist Patricia Field. Who would have thought that a logo-emblazoned chiffon blouse would work with printed trousers? A statement coat with a gingham skirt and pearls never looked so fabulous. Capes and mannish suits and cocktail gloves and costume jewellery…and corsages, oh, the corsages. The new movie won’t disappoint; Carrie looks as wonderfully bizarre as ever in knee-high socks and cardigan dresses, evening gowns and oversized patent bags, and lashings of clashing floral prints.

At the Spring/Summer shows, designers took a leaf out of Ms. B’s book and mixed it up. Mismatching patterns fought for attention at Dries Van Noten and Prada – Miuccia added patterned tights and forties-style t-bar heels, and black eyeshadow added a rock n’ roll edge. At Betsey Johnson, models looked as though they had raided the dress-up box, as they strolled out in frou-frou prom dresses, larger-than-life hair bows, and punky fish-net socks. Carrie never forgets to accessorise with statement pieces, such as the Timmy Woods Eiffel Tower purse she totes in the film – she’d love Viktor and Rolf’s violin-shaped necklace.

If you’re a Brit, you can at least pretend to be a single gal in New York by heading to the UK high street, and picking up some unique pieces. Topshop’s flower-print cocktail dress (£50/$97) is perfect for sipping Cosmos at Bungalow. Carrie doesn’t do minimal when it comes to accessories: think Office’s wacky Eiffel Tower necklace (£15/$29) or Warehouse’s quirky zig zag belt (£28/$54). Mimic Manolo Blahnik with these super-strappy ‘lattice’ sandals from Faith (£38/$74), and throw on a clashing jacket, like this one, £14 ($27), from British online vintage haven, I Heart Cheeky Chops (psst, they ship internationally!), because, as Pat Field knows, vintage is a Budget Fashionista’s best friend.

Images courtesy of elleuk.com and tfs