Look, we all have our comfort movies. Some people find solace in Notting Hill. Others worship at the altar of Clueless. But for the fashion-obsessed and drama-hungry among us, The Devil Wears Prada is essential viewing. And now that the sequel is officially in the works, we’ve done what any self-respecting style editor would do—we rewatched the original. Again. For research, obviously.
We’d be lying if we said we didn’t still quote it every now and then. From savage one-liners to that cerulean blue monologue that left us rethinking our entire closet, here are the moments that made The Devil Wears Prada iconic, and why we’re still obsessed nearly two decades later.
“THAT’S ALL”
Two words. That’s it. That’s the scene. Miranda’s signature sign-off is the verbal equivalent of a mic drop. It’s cold, final, and oddly satisfying. Whether it follows a devastating critique or a withering stare, it’s always the last word, and everyone knows it. Admit it: you’ve said it to yourself in the mirror at least once.
THE FAMOUS CERULEAN BLUE SWEATER
No one knew a takedown could be this chic. When Miranda Priestly, the ice queen of Runway, casually eviscerates Andy’s dismissal of fashion by explaining how her lumpy blue sweater was actually handpicked by the very industry she mocks. Cinematic gold. In a single breath (and a terrifyingly calm tone), Miranda links a Paris runway to a bargain bin knit, pulling back the velvet curtain on how fashion really works.
NIGEL’S REALITY CHECK
In what might be the most emotionally charged moment that isn’t delivered by Meryl Streep, Nigel lays it all out. Andy’s self-pity is promptly smacked down by Nigel’s own sacrifices and disappointments in an industry that’s as brutal as it is beautiful. It’s a wake-up call, a little heartbreaking, and completely human.
ANDY’S MAKEOVER
Yes, it’s the classic makeover montage, and no, we’re not mad about it. Andy gets scrubbed, styled, and draped in head-to-toe Chanel like she’s being prepped for a fashion battle. It’s glossy, it’s over-the-top, and it absolutely works. One minute she’s invisible in shapeless knits, the next she’s strutting past Emily in thigh-high boots without missing a beat. It’s not subtle, but it was never meant to be. Sometimes the fashion fairytale is the point.
PARIS POWER PLAY
By the time we get to Paris, Andy is fluent in Runway politics, and it’s here she makes her most shocking move: standing by Miranda. While everyone expected her to jump ship, she plays her cards smart and earns the respect of the “dragon” herself. It’s a power shift no one saw coming. And while she eventually walks away, it’s on her own terms.
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