GUEST COLUMN: 6 Killer Fashion Advice Tips From "The Devil Wears Prada"

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6 Killer Fashion Advice Tips From The Devil Wears Prada

by Kevin Gardner

When asked to think of a contemporary movie that centers around the world of fashion, The Devil Wears Prada should pop into your mind. This iconic film is just that good. It’s funny. It’s stylish. It has a star-studded cast. It’s more than 15 years old, and it’s still serving up fashion advice to today’s audiences that anyone can abide by and look their best, no matter the current trends. It can do no wrong. 

A few pieces of advice from The Devil Wears Prada stand out above the rest, however. Let’s take a look at the timeless styling tips you can apply to your own approach to fashion. 

1. Build Your Outfit Around Your Shoes

Shoes help you to, literally, walk the walk when it comes to your own style. In this movie, and in the world of fashion itself, shoes reign supreme. A good pair of shoes can take your look from “just rolled out of bed” to “headed to conquer the world.” Your shoes should be the center of gravity that the rest of your outfit simply orbits, whether you pair an Aran sweater or a black blazer with a pair of heels or some combat boots with a floral dress and a leather jacket. 

2. Accessorize With Intention

Throughout the course of The Devil Wears Prada, Andy’s looks evolve to include a host of killer accessories–with the help of Nigel, of course. Andy’s accessories are always impeccably chosen for each look, from a collection of layered necklaces to a matching hat and purse combination. Accessories help to transform Andy from a bland, blah journalist into the fashion-forward icon we know and love today. Accessories are powerful. You can dress your look up or down with the addition of a few mindful pieces. 

3. Consider Fashion a Form of Art

At first, Andy is bewildered at the frivolity of fashion. After a scene with Nigel near the beginning of the film, she, along with audience members, comes to realize the importance of fashion as a form of art and expression. Your look is the way you present yourself to the world, and it’s something you typically curate with a specific image in mind. How you dress yourself should be an act of creativity, and it should always make you feel proud to be yourself. 

4. You Can’t Go Wrong With Monochrome

If you’ve seen the movie, you know how powerful a good monochromatic look can be–namely the all-white getup Andy sports on the streets of New York. A look that utilizes separates in the same hue, tone or texture is truly timeless. In fact, a monochromatic look is arguably as chic as it gets. Not yet convinced? The fashion maven Miranda Priestly herself dons more than a few head-to-toe black outfits on several occasions throughout The Devil Wears Prada. 

5. Try Versatile Looks

One of the wonderful things about nearly all the outfits in this movie, save but a few, is that they could take you from an early morning meeting to a hot date at night without a single wardrobe change. Somehow, the vast majority of the looks are professional and stylish without feeling too overdone or stuffy, which makes for a great look to wear out to dinner at the end of a long day of work. 

6. Make the Best of What You Have

Over the course of the film, Andy goes from blandly dressed journalist to Vogue-inspired fashionista to middle-of-the-road trendsetter. If there’s anything to take away from this film when it comes to fashion, it’s that the best look is the one that helps you to feel the most like a version of you that you like. What looks and feels good for one person may not work for another. 

The Main Takeaway

Fashion trends come and go, so it’s important to always wear what makes you feel comfortable, happy and confident–no matter what even the top fashion gurus in the industry say.