“Are you wearing the…”
“The Chanel boots? Yeah, I am.”
In the 20 years since the release of the 2006 film “The Devil Wears Prada,” those 10 words have etched a place in pop culture history, transcending the film itself to become an ultra-popular internet meme.
The now-famous exchange between Runway magazine’s first assistant Emily, played by Emily Blunt, and second assistant Andy, played by Anne Hathaway, comes about when Andy — once a dowdy fashion neophyte — struts through the office in a head-to-toe Chanel look, and Emily immediately recognizes her thigh-high boots. Andy’s makeover came courtesy of Runway’s fashion expert Nigel, played by Stanley Tucci, who gave her access to the office’s closet of luxury clothing. This is a pivotal moment for Andy, as she gains confidence at work and begins to impress demanding editor in chief Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep.
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With direction from costume designer Patricia Field, footwear plays a major role in Andy’s style transformation, which is a key part of her character arc as she navigates the highs and lows of working in fashion. In honor of the long-awaited sequel “The Devil Wears Prada 2” coming out on May 1, in which Andy returns to Runway as a features editor, FN looks back at the standout shoe moments from the beloved first film.
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Andy made jaws drop when she stepped out in the aforementioned Chanel boots hailing from the brand’s fall 2005 collection, a slouchy, skin-tight style with a shaft so tall her miniskirt partially covered it. The black boots were made fiercer with a sharp, pointed toe and stiletto heel. A double-breasted Chanel jacket from the 2005 Chanel cruise collection completed the look.
Boots played an important part in Andy’s new stylish era. In one of her many multitasking moments, here she walks down the street in a pair of Christian Louboutin brown leather knee-high boots with a slight platform. The boots were paired with black tights, a Rebecca Taylor coat, a Chanel bag and an orange hat.
Andy also got into wearing glamorous heels. This look included a pair of gold Giuseppe Zanotti pumps, which accented a green coat with animal print trim.
Of course, the demanding editor in chief had her own chic footwear moments. Pictured above at the Runway office, Priestly wore black Christian Louboutin boots to accompany a furry red and black Izzy Camilleri coat.
To go with another statement coat, Andy wore a T-strap pump with an almond toe. The slender T-strap design conferred a vintage aesthetic, pairing nicely with her stark white overcoat, which was cinched with a belt. A Chanel newsboy cap and a silver Calvin Klein purse rounded out the ensemble.
At the end of the film, Andy leaves Runway and pursues a job that aligns more closely with her original journalistic vision. She reconciles with her boyfriend, Nate, played by Adrian Grenier, and even glimpses at Miranda, who left her a job recommendation. Andy’s final look is still stylish yet more toned down from previous outfits. She wears Japanese Fabric dark blue skinny jeans tucked into slouchy brown suede boots, which complement a brown Vince leather jacket layered over a black DKNY turtleneck.