I’m sure I’ll get a cease-and-desist order from the (beloved) weekly tabloid I nabbed this image from, but I couldn’t help myself. It perfectly illustrates my point about the amazing, youth-i-fying effect of wearing bright colors rather than the standard New York uniform of black, black and still more black.

Of course, a Hefty bag would look good on SJP’s still-killer-after-all-these-years bod. The mama is just hot. And I swear I’m not saying that because she’s closer to my age than a lot of you whippersnapper Momoverettes out there. I know she’s not everyone’s physical cup of tea because she’s such a skinny-minny. But personally, I’d love to look like her. Waaay back in the Nineties, I watched the original SATC in real time, and I often drag out my DVDs (although I’m still lusting after that gazillion-dollar hot pink boxed set). Each and every time I see Sarah Jessica flash in front of my eyes I think: I want her body. Now.

But right this second, I’d like to focus on the topic at hand, which is brights and how wildly flattering they can be. What I also completely love about this outfit — and it’s basically just a T-shirt and jeans or cords — is the unlikely pairing of hues that completely, utterly works. I have a top in that exact color, and hot pink cords, and I think I’ll trot them out tomorrow for a little test run.

And guess what I just found? Adorable tomato cords from Gap that are a dead ringer for the pants Mrs. Matthew Broderick is sporting at left. Feeling brave? Go for it.