If you were watching “;Sex and the City”; for the first time and wanted a shortcut to understanding the four main characters, all you'd have to do is look at their clothes.

The women in the series, and now feature films, might be baffled by the opposite sex, but one thing about which they're certain is their individual fashion sense.

Carrie represents the heart of the series, as the Everywoman (though in a TV reality of designer clothes) in her quest for love and success. Her style embodies an adventurous and eclectic high-low mix of boho glamour, suited to the go-anywhere, do-anything life of a magazine writer.

Then there's Samantha, the sexy femme fatale, who favors cleavage-baring, curve-hugging styles with a certain “;Dynasty”;-era vibe, reflecting the hotshot PR woman's sense of power and entitlement, whether over money or other women's men.

Samantha's opposite, Charlotte, is the prissy Upper East Side good girl and former ballerina whose sophisticated, buttoned-up sensibility is reflected in a closet full of feminine A-line and structured dresses, crisp blouses and skirts, a contemporary Jackie O. vibe.

As the pragmatic lawyer of the group, Miranda cares the least about clothes, so her wardrobe draws a clear line between the professional dress of her work life and the slouchy chic of her casual life revolving around a young son.

While their different dress styles would seem to indicate shopping for distinct designers and stores, those with a strong sense of style could just as easily walk into the one store and find something to add to their existing wardrobe.

I always advise those uncertain about clothes shopping to find one or two designers whose work they admire. Backed by the strength of the designers' vision, aesthetic and even color preferences over multiple seasons, you'd be less inclined to be led astray by those errant pieces that just don't seem to go with anything else in your closet.

But that is not to say you can't incorporate dozens of designers and brands into your own particular style. To prove the point, I headed to Club Monaco, known for its clean, modern and international urban style, with stylist Crystal Pancipanci of Panci Style, to give models Shana Peete, Brigitte Patton, Jessica Hoffman and Giselle Pineda the “;Sex and the City”; style of the four main characters.

Patton, who played our Samantha, will soon debut in “;Hawaii HI-Lights,”; with co-hosts Nicole Fox and Big Koa of Hot 93.9. The new TV show, set to debut at 10:30 p.m. on KITV/ABC, will focus on fashion, events, local travel and adventure.

For those accustomed to seeing Patton on local runways, the series will show her more rugged side.

“;You'll see me in Chuck Taylors, hang-gliding on the North Shore, taking off the heels and getting my feet dirty with other sports.”;

But in true Samantha fashion, she says she has to keep a shred of femininity, and for her that means “;I always keep my lashes on, even when I sky-dive.”;

“;Living Local TV”; and Panci Style will present makeover results of a different sort during the “;Friends in the City”; movie premiere and cancer benefit taking place tonight at the Honolulu Design Center and Ward 16 Theatres.

Their mission was to find women in need of drastic changes in their lives and to help them achieve a higher sense of self-esteem. That started with a “;Glam Goddess”; makeover. The reveal will take place tonight, but the winner's transformation journey will be featured on an episode of “;Living Local TV,”; set to air at 5:30 p.m. June 20 on KHON2.

The “;Friends in the City”; series of events — themed “;Honolulu Chic to Abu Dhabi Sheik,”; in line with the characters' adventures in the Middle East — spans three days, beginning with tonight's movie premiere at Ward Theatres, a party from 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at Cole Haan Ala Moana, and “;Girlfriends Gala”; dinner and cancer survivor award ceremony at Stage restaurant starting 5 p.m. Saturday.

The event supports Hawaii's Life Foundation, a local HIV/AIDS organization; 25 locally nominated cancer Warriors; the American Cancer Society; and Hope Lodge in Baltimore.