CHEAP, BUT NOT SO CHIC

The actress who made Jimmy Choo a household name is having an attack of fiscal conscience. Sarah Jessica Parker, “Sex and the City” star and style icon, has teamed up with Steve & Barry’s, the Long Island apparel retailer that made its name on college sweatshirts, to create a line called Bitten. Incredibly, none of the clothing or accessories costs more than $20.

Of course, we’re not talking silk gowns and stilettos, but 500 “everyday” items that are, truth be told, a little too ordinary to have us smitten with Bitten. Espadrille wedges, basic T-shirts and hoodies are fine -- but not as stylish as you’d expect from Parker.

The strongest items, though, are a steal for less than $20: a black shirt-dress, nautical-inspired pieces such as a red-and-white-striped racer-back tank top and slouchy wide-leg drawstring cotton pants. They’d be easy to throw on for weekend errands and keep you looking pulled together.

Bitten made its debut this month in Steve & Barry’s stores, including the newest location at the Beverly Connection. We’re just not sure Carrie Bradshaw would shop there.

-- Melissa Magsaysay