4 Essential Fashion Lessons From Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada

I can hardly believe it, but The Devil Wears Prada was released 13 years ago in 2006. A film that came out when I was still contemplating what I wanted to do with my career, it allowed me to dream of one day working in the fashion world and what that might be like. What did a day as a fashion editor really look like, and what were the people in those roles actually wearing? While The Devil Wears Prada may offer a Hollywood version of what it’s actually like in real life, the outfits Emily Blunt wears don’t seem that far-fetched to me.

In fact, after watching the film countless times, I took away some key fashion lessons from her character that still impact me to this day. Ahead, I’m breaking down each of them and shining a light on exactly why her character’s fashion still resonates today. Go on for the four major fashion lessons I learned from Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada, and shop pieces I imagine she would be wearing today.

1. Confidence is key.

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(Image credit: Everett Collection)

The thing that always strikes me about this outfit is the confidence she exudes wearing it. Is it a look dripping with trends? Yes. And does she pull it off? Absolutely. She does because she feels so confident in her own skin and the fashion choices she's making. A great lesson for us all.

2. Suiting is the trend that will always be in style.

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(Image credit: Everett Collection)

Suiting is one of the top trends of the season. The Devil Wears Prada was filmed over a decade ago in 2006, but you would never know it looking at this outfit. Suiting with great tailoring is always a win.

3. You can never go wrong with black.

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(Image credit: Everett Collection)

No matter how many trends come and go, there is one thing that just always works: black. Whether for a fancy gala or the airport, a black outfit is always a stylish choice.

4. The classics are foolproof.

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(Image credit: Everett Collection)

While Emily isn't afraid to test out the more daring fashion trends, she also reaches for classic prints and silhouettes that look endlessly chic. Noted to add plenty more to our wardrobes, Emily.

Next, see the 13 fashion brands I wear on repeat.

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Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.