If anyone asks you what the most iconic movie about fashion is and your answer is not The Devil Wears Prada, then you’re wrong. Anne Hathaway stars as the wide-eyed, aspiring journalist Andy Sachs, who gets a job as the second assistant for Runway Magazine’s overbearing editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep. Andy goes on a journey of self-determination as she gets berated by Miranda’s first assistant, Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), and learns the ropes from the magazine’s art director, Nigel Kipling (Stanley Tucci). It has tons of memorable fashion quotes (Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking), a (very necessary) makeover montage and a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of Paris Fashion Week. What more can you want?
Even though The Devil Wears Prada came out way back in 2006, its lasting impact on pop culture is still remembered to this day, so much so that a sequel has finally been announced, set to be released in May 2026 with the original cast reprising their roles.
Being the quintessential fashion movie, The Devil Wears Prada illustrates just how important the clothes we put on our backs truly are. Miranda Priestly’s iconic monologue on cerulean blue might even be most people’s first lesson in the intricacies of the fashion industry. The movie’s Oscar-nominated wardrobe was curated by Patricia Field, who also styled the equally iconic costumes for Sex and the City and, later, Emily in Paris.
The cast lauded Field for her impeccable costume choices, crediting her with helping them fully develop their characters. From Andy’s chic Chanel tweed cap and layered necklaces to Emily’s edgier Vivienne Westwood pieces, Field perfectly aligned each character’s wardrobe with their personality and story arc. This attention to detail makes the film not only an exciting depiction of the fashion industry but also one of the most enduring and stylish movies of the Y2K era.
So, what are you waiting for? Gird your loins and prepare to welcome The Devil Wears Prada 2 by taking a walk back through the fabulous costumes of the original film. That’s all.
Yes, the Chanel boots
Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs in "The Devil Wears Prada"
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox via IMDb
No 2000s movie is complete without a makeover, and Andy Sachs’ is arguably the most satisfying of them all. Originally cynical about the superficial value of fashion, she resists the idea of dressing up to fit into Runway. But once she starts taking her job more seriously, Andy enlists the help of Nigel, who performs fashion wizardry on her. She throws out her “lumpy blue sweater” for a black tweed blazer, a green Fendi handbag and a pair of Chanel boots (much to Emily’s shock and jealousy), strutting into the office like a supermodel. She has officially crossed over to the dark side.
A million girls would kill for that outfit
Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs in "The Devil Wears Prada"
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox via IMDb
Andy takes her newfound appreciation for fashion for a spin. In a classic montage sequence set to Madonna’s “Vogue”, Andy turns the streets of New York into her own runway as she goes to work. The first outfit we see is a double-breasted emerald coat from Prada, lined with cheetah prints around the collar and wrists. Paired with white gloves, a Kate Spade satchel and sunglasses, it’s certainly an outfit that guarantees to make heads turn and jaws drop.
Hang that up, don’t just fling it anywhere
Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in "The Devil Wears Prada"
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox via IMDb
Miranda Priestly, being the editor of Runway, of course, loves to make a statement with her clothes. A relentless and tyrannical boss, she rules over the magazine with her pantsuits, oversized sunglasses and body-length fur coats that she dumps on the desks of her assistants every morning. The outfit she steps out of Runway in at the end of the film might be her best. The dark green double-breasted coat, black leather bag, silk scarf and round tinted sunglasses make her look elegant and assertive, but also intimidating. It’s no wonder why everybody wants to be her.
The Emily who should’ve gone to Paris
Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton in "The Devil Wears Prada"
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox via IMDb
You will never catch Emily at a hideous skirt convention. Even when her leg is in a cast, she does not arrive to work with anything short of fabulous. One of her better looks is when she pretends to begrudgingly accept Andy’s clothes from Paris. She wears a black and white plaid jacket, accessorising with a purple belt and an alligator Hermes Collier de Chien bracelet. The cherry on top is her signature auburn hair and frosted blue eyeshadow.
The finale
Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs in "The Devil Wears Prada"
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox via IMDb
Andy eventually decides that she will not subscribe to the backstabbing and competition of the fashion industry, and leaves Runway. She interviews at a respected newspaper, and wears a brown leather jacket with matching boots and jeans. It’s not the most high-fashion thing she’s worn in the movie, but it’s a considerable step up from her frumpy college-core sweaters and skirts, showing how far she’s come. She may not have stayed at Miranda’s side, but at least she left with a more mature wardrobe.
Editor
Matt ChauCredit
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox via IMDb
