Nearly two decades after The Devil Wears Prada gave us a cerulean blue monologue and endlessly memed one-liners, the sequel lands on Friday.
Since the anticipated trailer emerged in November 2025, social media was immediately rife with discussion of the costumes, and focus on a pair of red Valentino Rockstuds that clatter on to the screen, worn by Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). The shoes, featuring their signature pyramid studs, were introduced by the Italian fashion house in 2010 and quickly rose to prominence among a slew of A-listers, becoming a bestseller before burning out of favour.
Online reaction was divided, with some deeming them passé or way past their saturated peak, wondering why a powerful and stylish fictional character like Priestly would ever wear those shoes in 2026. Think pieces and content creator commentary had varying theories and opinions. Some were in praise of the shoe choice, thinking it was a nod to nostalgia, a clever wink by the film-makers. It has since emerged that it was a creative move by the marketing team, with the costume designer, Molly Rogers, confirming as much to Vogue Magazine this week.
If you think these details are insignificant and wonder why people would get in a tizzy about a pair of shoes, it might be time for a rewatch of the original and Priestly’s infamous cerulean speech, where she schools Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) on how what we wear is shaped for us by the trickle-down effect of designers, magazines and, now it seems, movies.
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That theory was proved almost instantly. After the release of the sequel’s trailer, searches for Rockstud surged on second-hand sites, and Valentino, under the guise of its new creative director Alessandro Michele, has brought back the style for its 2026 pre-Fall collection.
The Rockstuds are not the only fashion item to get forensically analysed in the sequel. Thanks to paparazzi photos, there have been glimpses into some of the wardrobe, and each item has been meticulously identified. From Andy’s vintage pinstriped John Galliano suit to her Phoebe Philo T-shirt and Prada shoes, Rogers admitted Annie Hall was an inspiration for Andy’s wardrobe, so, the film is shaping up to be a feast of fashion references. Gloves by Irish designer Paula Rowan are featured in promotional photographs too.
For the 2006 release, Patricia Field, who was also responsible for Carrie Bradshaw’s tutu-tinged wardrobe in Sex and the City, was tasked with the costumes for the fictional world of Runway, the magazine. The wardrobe choices became as central to the film as they were integral to its characters. It served as a snapshot and time capsule of noughties style that still holds up to this day, thanks to the mix of heavy-hitter designers and vintage pieces used by Fields.
Andy’s style evolution and metamorphosis were central to the storyline, shifting from oversized knits and practical shoes to glossy ensembles featuring Chanel over-the-knee boots and a tweed jacket, and a rotation of “it” bags. The clothing collaborations aren’t just for the sequel: if you wanted to get the Andy pre-glow-up look, American high-street brand Old Navy has released a themed collection featuring the exact cerulean blue knit.
Each character’s costume instantly revealed their personality and presence. Priestly’s wardrobe was a lesson in assertive dressing, with oversized sunglasses, draped blouses, pinstriped suits and statement outerwear that got dumped on assistants’ desks each morning.
And who can forget Emily Charlton’s (Emily Blunt), frosted blue eyeshadow and sculptural pieces by Rick Owens and Vivienne Westwood, that reflected a fashion obsessive even when in a leg cast. Art director of Runway, Nigel (Stanley Tucci), the fashion godfather to Andy, and his collection of suits, layered and styled out to perfection, was sharp and considered.
Speaking to Vogue magazine, the sequel’s costume designer, Rogers, said: “I knew that Pat [Patricia Field] had established the characters’ DNA in the first movie, so it would just be about continuing this.” So, for the sequel, expect to see sharp shoulders aplenty for Priestly, further style evolutions for Andy, of-the-moment styles from Emily, impeccably cut tailoring for Nigel, and – of course – those Valentino shoes.
