Emily in Paris, Netflix’s new show from Sex and the City creator, Darren Star, about an American twenty-something who lands her dream job in Paris, has some flaws. There’s the premise, in which the titular character, played by Lily Collins, a supposed social media marketing guru, lands in France with less than 50 followers to her name and somehow massively grows her Instagram audience by posting generic photos of herself around the city. (Maybe that would have worked in 2012? In 2020, not so much.) The show is lacking in diversity and is hardly an accurate portrayal of life in France’s capital. The fashion, however, led by costume designer Patricia Field (Sex and the City, Younger), will appeal to those missing Carrie Bradshaw’s over-the-top aesthetic. “For me, ‘normcore’ is a curse word,” says Field of her signature colourful, optimistic costume design. “It’s all about bringing individualism and self-confidence to women.”

Collins says her character would have grown up watching the HBO show, and there are several overt references to the character through costume design. Field paid homage to Bradshaw with Emily’s black tulle skirt in Episode 102, which mirrors the one Bradshaw wore in the series finale of Sex and the City. Emily’s cursive namesake earrings are also a nod to Bradshaw’s “Carrie” necklace. Then there’s the designer fashion, including pieces from Jean Paul Gaultier, Dior, DVF, Givenchy and Chanel – lots and lots of Chanel. “You don’t need to have designer clothes to mix things up,” says Field, also admitting she “did go a little heavy on the designer element on this show, because Emily’s in Paris, after all.”

Below, see Emily’s most Instagrammable outfits from Emily in Paris.