The Devil Wears Prada: The Wardrobe

This week’s wardrobe recap is on a movie which has been frequently requested by readers – The Devil Wears Prada, starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt.

It goes without saying that this movie was a feast of fashion – sometimes a little over the top, and sometimes costumey – but never dull. I included some of my favorite outfits from throughout the film, largely from Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep’s characters. Enjoy!

One of the first opening scenes – Emily Blunt meeting Anne Hathaway – “Annie” for the first time.

To me, the most interesting part of this look and the most wearable was Emily Blunt did with that lovely chain belt. I love this silver twisted belt from Saint Laurent – I think its very versatile. You can find a much more affordable version (under $50) from Natasha Couture.

Next, our first shot of Meryl Streep/Miranda Priestly getting out of her car. I believe the red satin pumps are past season Prada – this is this season’s version, in red suede.

Next, some of our first looks at Miranda. I love her green ring here, which one could easily make a signature piece.

I also thought the deep purple color really flattered her skin tone. Purple doesn’t seem to be a huge color this season, but I did find this Temperley Sweater and an Equipment cashmere pullover (choose the color Cabernet).

This is one of my favorite looks on Miranda in the whole movie. I love the gold beaded jacket and her gold chains. This is the kind of item which is hard to find at a “cheaper” price, but I did find one from Saylor for under $250. And this one from Theysken’s Theory is 70% off! 

Next, a more professional look from Emily Blunt. You can easily achieve this with a black blazer that has a high/low cut – my favorite is the Helmut Lang Tux jacket!

Some quick shots of Miranda so you can see more of her jewelry choices, mostly gold. I’m not sure how I feel about those earrings. I think it would have been better with just the earrings, or the layered necklaces.

Annie in one of the most famous looks from this movie – this Chanel double breasted jacket (worn with Chanel thigh high boots, of course). The original is almost ten years old now (and proof that a good Chanel jacket can last forever), but how about trying this J.Crew navy schoolboy blazer instead, and pairing it with some long gold necklaces?

Another pretty look – love the mini dress with the long coat on top, pretty boots and big necklaces. Very wearable. These Jimmy Choo boots are very similar, and tops on my wishlist – so, so pretty! I love them.

Another head to toe Chanel look. You can find a very, very similar dress here from Cynthia Steffe for under $200 – and then just layer a long statement necklace over it! Voila.

Miranda in a classic trench outfit. I feel like I always recommend the same Burberry trench – but that’s because it’s a classic, too.

And, next in a snakeskin jacket. Roberto Cavalli has a version (for a little over a cool $7,000).

Loved this mix of pearls, gold, and silver tones all in one look. Lots of different items but doesn’t look over the top, although I would probably wear only the hoop earrings or the necklace.

One of my favorite looks from the movie – this grecian Calvin Klein dress. You could really achieve this look though by belting any sleeveless jersey dress. I like this dress from Felicity & Coco (now under $50 too), plus this Ralph Lauren prong belt (also under $50).

Next, Anne in a pretty blouse top. This one from Joie is one of my favorite short sleeved “pretty blouses” right now, and comes in a nice array of colors.

Back to Miranda, with a (pretty daring!) low cut blouse under a pinstriped jacket. If you work in a more formal setting, I think a pinstriped jacket can be a classic item. Both Armani ($1600) and J.Crew ($250) – usually less with a code – have very nice options.

Both Anne and Emily – I like the dotted top here, though I’d probably find it more wearable in a blouse format, like this navy J.Crew version.

All three of the ladies here – I loved Anne’s gown the most, just thought it was flattering and would be to many different figures. This jersey ruched version by Tadashi Shoji is a wonderful option ($200) which I tried to purchase for myself, but so far I’ve been out of luck on my size. A classic black gown.

Such a cute fun look! I think it’s another all Chanel. I love the little newsboy cap. Why not try the men’s version from J.Crew in a size small/medium?

I think this is a very pretty look on Miranda. I love the cowl sweater – looks comfortable yet very flattering and a little sexy on her. I think this look could easily be achieved with layering a camisole under one of this season’s nice cashmere ponchos, like this one from Eileen Fisher.

Anne looking pretty in a silk butterfly top. I think this original top was from either Blumarine or Anna Molinari – I remember trying to look for it when the movie came out, to little success.

Remember this scene, when Stanley Tucci tells Anne that she finally knows how to dress? I loved her little fitted peplum jacket in this scene. I think this draped peplum jacket from none other than Rick Owens is a modern day, cooler version – exquisite!

I just wanted to include this outfit, even though I never got a good shot – remember how nicely the skirt moved? Alas, I think only tall waify types can achieve this kind of perfection.

Anne and Meryl in the back of the car…Meryl in her big chinchilla, of course.

One of my favorite looks on Emily Blunt in the movie – this cool plaid jacket, paired with an alligator Hermes Collier de Chien bracelet. This is a really cool plaid jacket from Haute Hippie and I’d love to wear this paired with one of my CDC bracelets.

And finally, one more parting shot of Miranda Priestly – furs around her collar and a hint of an Hermes scarf tied around her neck, of course.

Whew! This was one of my longest wardrobe recaps so far…not surprising given the amount of sheer material in this movie. Lessons learned?

1. Pick the right Chanel (or replace with whatever brand, if you will) jacket and it’ll last you for years and years. What struck me going through this movie is how much I still loved (and wanted) basically all of Anne Hathaway’s Chanel items. They all looked fun and current and seriously, this movie is almost ten years old! Sometimes (well, for me it’s all the time) it’s hard to fork over the moola for a Chanel jacket…come on, the prices can get crazy! But I think as long as you really love the piece and you’ve thought it through, it can last you for a very long time.

2. Don’t over accessorize. Even though I enjoyed a lot of the fashion in The Devil Wears Prada, I did feel at times that there was a little too much jewelry going on. All if it looked great on the screen, but in “real life” I think some of the looks would verge on the edge of costumey. It can sometimes be difficult to wear big earrings, and a necklace, and rings, and bracelets. Next time if you’re worried like looking like a Christmas tree…try taking off one piece before you go out. I liked the simple statement of the single CDC bracelet on Emily Blunt in one of the last scenes.

3. Don’t just think about how the clothes look, think about how they’ll move, too. One of the hardest part of these wardrobe recaps is capturing how great some of these clothes look when they move. It’s impossible. I did my best but you would really have to see the movie to see how beautifully some of these coats, jackets, skirts and dresses move – it’s part of what makes the outfits so great. It’s a lesson though to always check how your clothes move…after all, you’re not a still picture either! A gown that photographs beautifully is one thing but it’s another to find one that also looks amazing when you walk across the floor.