You saw the Sex and the City movie (TWX) this weekend now get the look. During its six seasons on HBO, Sex and the City kept viewers hooked with a number of unanswered questions. Of course there was the question of Mr. Big’s real name, which as it turned out rather disappointingly, was "John." But something else we all wondered how on earth did Carrie afford a closet full of $800 shoes on the salary of a freelance writer? For that matter, how could she even afford the huge closet?

The truth is that fashion has become more democratic in the past few years, lead by retailers like Target (TGT), H&M and the GAP (LTD) who put a emphasis-but not a premium-on style. Even "SJP" herself has gotten in on the game, designing a line of clothes for Steve and Barry, and showing up at screenings of Sex and the City: the Movie, where people will stand in line for hours, in her own $9 dress. Add to that a styling trend towards “mixing high and low,” and frankly you have no excuse for being less than fashionable.

Of course, the web has played a pivotal role in this revolution, making style available to all from the comfort of the couch.

Here are five ways you can use the internet to emulate Carrie’s idiosyncratic style—without breaking the bank:

1. VIRTUAL SAMPLE SALES
There’s no denying Carrie had a taste for designer duds, so let’s start at the top. Two new websites, gilt.com and Hautelook.com, are pioneering the virtual sample sale, offering the same radical discounts without the ruthlessness and long lines endemic to a traditional sample sale. Both of these offer deeply discounted designer clothing for sale at a specified time, with sales typically lasting for a few days. Designers have included Carolina Herrera, Earnest Sewn, Alexander McQueen, and Chanel. Best of all, if the clothes don’t fit, you can return them—unlike most sample sales where all sales are final and the temptation to splurge on a so-called bargain can be hard to resist. Our money is on hautelook.com, because membership is open to anyone (unlike Gilt, where you have to be invited by another member), and they mix it up by selling vintage designer goods. The bad news? Just like your standard sample sale, the good stuff goes fast!
2. GO VINTAGE
Carrie (or at least show stylist, Patricia Field) also has a knack for finding one-of-a kind vintage pieces like the white, 1970s Cache dress with the downright enormous flower she sports in the upcoming film. But buying vintage can be tricky—so many stores are picked over, and many others intentionally blur the line between “vintage” and “second-hand.” Of course there’s always Ebay (EBAY). If you don’t want to weed through thousands of results, focus on virtual stores specializing in vintage apparel like Couture Allure and Indie Cult Vintage. If the Ebay process is still too arduous for you, check out posh vintage, which offers a great variety of fabulous 70s era disco dresses.
3. CUSTOM MADE FOR LESS
While the vast majority of us will never be able to afford the one-of-a-kind haute couture dresses Carrie wears on an alarmingly regular basis, a new UK-based website makes custom clothing for a reasonable price. Styleshake.com, customers design their own dress, choosing the silhouette and fabric, as long as you provide their measurements. Garments are hand-sewn and delivered to your door within a few weeks’. Dresses run about $300—more than Forever 21, for sure, but certainly a bargain compared to most custom dresses.
4. QUIRK IT UP
Carrie's style is also decidedly quirky, and she frequently mixes labels with more whimsical, youthful details, like an Eiffel Tower handbag. You, too, can get your cute on at yesstyle.com, a website that offers a comprehensive array of clothing and accessories from Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong at alarmingly reasonable prices is gaining a cult following among trendsetters. Be sure to check out their many adorable dresses, and the witty and practical bags from Japanese line Rootote.
5. REACH FOR THE TOP(SHOP)
In recent years, UK line Topshop has become the arbiter of affordable fashion overseas. IT wasn’t always this way—only a few years ago, the retailer was the epitome of cheesy “High Street” (that’s British for “mall”) fashion, but has revamped itself through an alliance with eternally-it girl, Kate Moss, and a talented team of in-house designers. Until recently, the only way for US fashionistas to access these styles was by shelling out for a plane ticket to London. However, the savvy retailer recently made their goods available for delivery in North America, and has additional plans to open up a NYC flagship store in Soho. While the weak dollar makes Topshop slightly less of a steal, their duds are still relatively affordable and, at least for now, anything but ubiquitous on American streets. We especially love their huge selection of shoes, fabulous enough for Ms. Bradshaw herself, at about a quarter of the cost of a pair of Manolos.

Related Links: