6 Styling Hacks We’re Copying From The Devil Wears Prada 2 That Are Actually Very Easy And Replicable
The devil’s in the details.
Images: Jose Perez | Getty
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by The Candidly Team
We might sound very stupid for attempting this. After all, no one can actually replicate the fashion from The Devil Wears Prada without not only the budget but the access of one the biggest films about the biggest fashion magazine starring the biggest name in acting and employing the biggest costume designers having clothes launched at them from all the biggest fashion houses.
So what are we even doing here?
But as we, like Andy Sachs herself, have gone from our 20s to our 40s (and beyond), we’ve “learned a thing or two” about getting dressed. The main one is this - tiny little hacks and tricks and finishing touches are the key to looking styled. Sometimes, all it takes is a single statement piece:
Image: 20th Century Studios
Other times, all it takes is reconfiguring the classic, simple pieces we already own so everything is just slightly elevated and more expressive of who we are and how we like to look as we plunk around the planet doing life:
Image: 20th Century Studios
That’s what makes fashion fun - solving the little puzzle of getting dressed so we feel our very best.
We watched the movie and studied the clothes, and there were 6 “lessons” we took from it. And while we do think these tips are best read in the voice of Miranda Priestly, none of them are intimidating. In fact, they’re very easy, and they’re highly effective.
And here they are.
1. Wear More stripes and plaids
Images: 20th Century Studios
Any workwear, be it a blazer, pant, a full suit, vest, or a blouse, is made more interesting and more of a look by choosing a plaid or a stripe. These are two of the few prints that remain timeless and chic no matter the season or the decade.
Images: 20th Century Studios
With the stripes and plaids used on both Andy and Miranda, the colors nor the patterns were never loud, but each piece made a statement by the very virtue of it being a print over a solid.
The Plaid Statement Top
WHAT: Rihoas Plaid See Through Tee*
Why we love it: Andy’s sheer, plaid long-sleeve is one of those rare, exciting tops that actually match many of our bottoms.
Wear it with: THIS* pleated skirt and THESE* sandals to recreate Andy’s exact outfit or make it a more understated work/ going -out look with THESE pants and THIS* cami, which blessedly has the bra built in.
Price: $27
The White Pinstripe Suit
WHAT: The Rue Oversized Double Breasted Blazer* and The Avery Elastic-Back Trousers by Maeve*
Why we love it: Molly Rogers, the costume designer for TDWP2 said elevated menswear was a huge inspiration for Andy Sachs’s contemporary wardrobe. There’s nothing chicer than a pinstripe suit, but getting it in white instead of black makes it both classic and bold at the same time - the dream!
Wear it with: Any white button-down will work, but we prefer it with a fitted, black tee* and comfy lug-sole loafers* for a bit of non-painful height.
Price: $158 for the blazer, $90 for the pants
The Striped Button-Down
WHAT: Lauren Ralph Lauren Women's Tie-Neck Balloon-Sleeve Shirt*
Why we love it: This is the kind of feminine spin on menswear we could wear forever.
However, if you’re not a tie-neck person, this is our favorite striped, silk button down*, which reminds us very much of Miranda’s.
Wear it with: Tuck it into any long jeans or trousers in your existing closet.
Price: $125
2. Use a fitted vest as a warm-weather layering piece
Images: 20th Century Studios
The Pinstripe
WHAT: Favorite Daughter The Favorite Vest*
Why we love it: The striped vest which Andy paired with matching pants is one of our favorite, flattering, and replicable ideas from the movie. You just have to find the perfect set. And we have.
Wear it with: The matching pants* or any wide-leg jeans. You can always layer it over a button-down if the weather is on the cool side, and it will still give you that nipped, tailored look.
Use the code THECANDIDLY15 to get 15% off.
Price: $188
The Corset
WHAT: Eaves Mai Compact Suiting Top*
Why we love it: We don’t think about what a huge role layering plays in having our clothes look styled instead of schlumpy. Owning a simple black bustier-type vest gives us endless options over button-downs and tees, whilst also granting instant definition to our waists.
Wear it with: Any of THESE button-downs or THIS* perfect, white fitted tee.
Price: $142
The Dark Red
WHAT: Le Bop Simone Satin Vest*
Why we love it: Andy’s rich brown-red vest was that little bit of color that makes our clothes 17x more alluring. So, naturally, we needed to find our own.
Wear it with: We’re actually very excited by the idea of wearing it with a black maxi skirt* or over a minimalist, shirt dress* to replicate Andy’s incredible office uniform.
Price: $128
The Twist Neck
WHAT: Reformation Tate Linen Top*
Why we love it: Just one more “designed” spin on a vest that makes all our dumb jeans and sneaks suddenly look very edgy and cool.
Wear it with: Jeans and sneaks or ballet flats. This one is doing all the work for us.
Price: $168
3. “THIS NEEDS A BELT”
Images: 20th Century Studios
The Only One You Really Need
WHAT: Favorite Daughter The Jordan Belt*
Why we love it: If you own a luxe, beautiful belt, and Andy owns this exact one, you’re 93% of the way to turning all your pants and jeans and plain old, black and white tops into a polished and put together look. We also love THIS* version for a little more oomph. “They’re SO different.”
Wear it with: Everything. That’s the whole point of owning this belt.
Use the code THECANDIDLY15 to get 15% off.
Price: $108
4. WEAR oversized blazers and button-downs with midi skirts
Images: 20th Century Studios
The Skirt Suit
WHAT: Aritzia Producer Blazer* And Enterprise Skirt*
Why we love it: Miranda’s skirt suit was the kind of en vogue throwback to Working Girl we didn’t know we needed. Needless to say, we were thrilled to see Aritzia (our favorite midrange store for tailored basics) makes a spitting image of Miranda’s set.
Wear it with: THESE* surreally comfy pumps or THESE* very affordable, Italian leather ones.
Price: $28 for the tee, $128 for the skirt
The White Button-Down
WHAT: & Other Stories Cropped Oversized Cotton Shirt*
Why we love it: A white button-down is the supersuit of eternally elegant women. But get one that’s a biiiiiit cropped, and poof, no tucking, no wrinkling, and your waist will look smaller. It’s a bit of magic.
Wear it with: The below skirt or any high-waisted thing you own: jeans, trousers, shorts. You can also wear it open over a dress for a little extra coverage on spring and summer days.
Price: $99
The Pleated Midi Skirt
WHAT: Rue Sophie Panier Drawstring Waist Pleated Skirt*
Why we love it: The movement of Andy’s pleated skirt as she sprints across NYC is what we really envied. This one has all that swish, but it also has an elastic waist for supreme comfort. The fit is perfection, and it comes in three colors we want so we can rotate them in summer, because we prefer a midi skirt to shorts any day of the week.
Wear it with: Throw it on with the above button-down and minimalist, heeled sandals like THESE*. Or wear it with any fitted tee or tank you own for a lovely, hourglass effect.
Price: $198
5. Bring Back Pearls
Image: 20th Century Studios
The Pearls
WHAT: Lily & Roo Gold Large Pearl Personalised Heart Necklace*
Why we love it: Our everyday necklace (or necklace set) is such a simple, yet defining thing. In case you’re curious, our Editor-in-Chief wrote all about hers HERE. But pairing a pearl strand with a gold chain feels both original and timeless, like something we should have thought of ourselves, but we didn’t, so now, we’re copying Andy’s immediately.
Wear it with: Solo or layered with the below chain.
Price: $299
The Chain
WHAT: Lily & Roo Gold T-Bar Necklace*
Why we love it: So minimalist yet not the same as every other dainty gold chain we see out there.
Wear it with: Layered with literally any necklace you already own.
Price: $179
6. Wear more of this color dress (nope not red)
Images: 20th Century Studios
The Everyday Dress
WHAT: Z Supply Cornelia Poplin Maxi Dress*
Why we love it: Royal blue, my friends. How were we sleeping on this color? This is our casual, everyday dress of choice. The smocking is so flattering and holds everything in, so we don’t even need a bra.
Wear it with: THESE* nude flips.
Price: $128
The Out-to-Dinner Dress
WHAT: Marcella Selene Dress*
Why we love it: Wear it on weekends or out to dinner. Again, the top holds you in place, while the bottom swishes about in the most feminine way.
Wear it with: THIS* woven bag and THESE* heeled sandals. The comfort and support are excellent.
Price: $134
The Event Dress
WHAT: La Ligne Estelle Dress*
Why we love it: And for the fancy, dance-in-all-night dress, we adore this one. The color is the star but the shape is soooooo good on curves. Be prepared though, as it will get more attention and compliments than you’re possibly comfortable with.
Wear it with: THESE* platform heels that you can actually dance in all night without suffering.
Price: $450
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