No, I disagree. Well, with the part about it all being about shoes and shopping, anyway. I like my shoes as much as the next girl, but I detest shopping. There's mentions of both in SATC, but it isn't what the show is based on. I relate more to their relationships with men (although, I never have been, or will be, as promiscuous as they are) and one another.
The characters are all very well played and I guarantee if you watch it from the start of the first series until the end of the sixth, 4get, you will warm to them.
SJP is beautiful. Not classically, but she really has something about her.