Growing up in the 1990s and 2000s, many of us dream of living incredibly slick lives as fashion editors. Dashing into fashion week with the latest style of Manolo heels, maybe we can blame this obsession on the glamorization of the Hollywood profession in film so far. While the world of fiction often has nothing to do with the trifles of real life, the clothes we see in our favorite movies are still icons forever and can be remade for any job from home look. Here, CR take a look back at some of the magazine editors’ most iconic looks in cinematography and analyze whether this outfit from the 2000s is really cool … or not.
Miranda Priestly from That The Devil Uses Prada
Miranda Priestly became one of the most iconic fictional magazine editors in cinema. Being the evil gatekeeper of the fashion industry, his style has become synonymous with cold, unattainable charm that fashion novices can’t afford – try to work in the industry for at least 20 years first! Miranda prefers a polished classic look to an eclectic street style. Her signature combination is a tailored blazer and a pencil skirt that fits the shape to conquer another day making everyone’s life at the office hell. Even though Miranda keeps up with all the latest trends, she doesn’t seem like a big fan of anything new herself. In order to fit into today’s street style, she had to adopt a more casual wardrobe option – and replace her shorts with faux fur.
Jacqueline Follet from That The Devil Uses Prada
Editor in chief of the French edition Runway magazine and major rival Miranda Priestly naturally entered our next chart. This all-too-familiar character embodies the style of the iconic French girl we hold close to and cherish CR. While watching the tension between herself and Priestley develop at a glamorous party in Paris, don’t forget to take a note to keep up with Follet’s French chic style when you go out. When Victoria Beckham was asked what fashion item to have for a charming appearance, she said: You have to have a “nice suit.” In the case of Follet, we can definitely see it working. A sleek black blazer paired with a white shirt with pleats details and a modern sparkling clutch for a classic look with a spark that speaks to personality. We can only hope that the pandemic ends soon, so we can show off a similar look while watching ballet at the Grand Opera in Paris.
Andrea Sachs from That The Devil Uses Prada
20thCentFox / Everett Collection
Andrea Sachs shows up at the office after her drab makeup was an iconic moment for a fashion film. The “yes, I’m wearing Chanel boots” moments we all experience while watching That The Devil Uses Prada. We cheered for Sachs along her bumpy road to impress the magazine “fashion cop”, and the Chanel ensemble prepared for her by fairy godmother Nigel did just that. Thigh high leather boots, tweed black jacket and sleek haircut have become the timeless modern Cinderella look. Supermodels love Gigi Hadid and Irina Shayk run daily errands in the city and enjoy quiet walks with kids in their leather pants. In other words, these Chanel leather boots are still relevant today. Likewise with a tweed jacket, like a little black dress and red lipstick, some things just never go out of style. But that green bag? I thought (after raising an eyebrow) we could leave it in the 2000s.
Though, there’s also something to be said about old Andrea, who can’t spell “Gabbana.” The blue sweater she wore over the shirt, along with the “grandma skirt” was a look that the entire editorial team found embarrassing. Perhaps, in the 2000s, this “grandma” look did become a fashion fiasco, but not today. Fashion giants like Gucci and Miu Miu put stuff from “grandma’s chest” on all the latest runways, pre-dressed Andrea will have all the chances to be a hottie. This “wake up” hairstyle is now also seen as catwalk-chic rather than lazy. Pair the whole look with sneakers and inverted glasses from Gucci, and voila!
Wilhelmina Slater from Ugly Betty
Wilhelmina Slater, creative director of MODE Fashion magazines are the divas we secretly admire when we watch Ugly Betty. Couldn’t possibly be more extra than Wilhelmina. That MODERumors in the hallway say that her baby girl vomited at Giorgio Armani in 1994 and she burned Jackie Kennedy’s gown with her assistant Marc as part of her cold revenge. While she’s planning some serious dramas to land her position as editor-in-chief, we can note her dazzling looks along the way. Described as the queen of classic story book villains, Wilhelmina leaves no room for error in her wardrobe. Her style can be described as classy and elitist, each item intending to elevate her personality above others. One of her best looks, the metallic dress, will still look away in 2021. Likewise, her white blazer paired with white biker leather gloves and a gold metallic skirt is the perfect look any fashion icon would wear to conquer the world today. Unpopular opinion: Wilhelmina will probably beat Miranda Priestley in this fashion marathon.
Jenna Rink from 13 Lasts 30
Columbia / Pinterest images
When the nerdy teenager Jenna Rink suddenly turns into a writer for her favorite fashion magazine, Calm attitude, his life suddenly turned upside down. While she may not always handle those adult responsibilities well (who did?), Her outfit always fits. While we don’t miss many of the 2000s trends, such as low-cut jeans, some items deserve a second chance. Some even went back in the 2020s. One of them is a shoulder bag. Jenna is going to make some great combinations with different shoulder bags that will now sell for thousands of dollars on vintage websites. The impromptu combination of the classic slip dress and trench that Jenna frantically created on her first day of adulthood is a true call to be “30, flirt, and thrive.” Whereas, for many people back then, the clothes were called “messy”, now nothing will blink. Who knew that 15 years later we would casually match a nightgown with a classic blazer for every occasion?
Andie Anderson from How to Lose a Man in 10 Days
Andie Anderson, guide columnist for Serenity A magazine, perhaps one of the most charismatic fiction journalists we’ve ever seen on the big screen. Whether it’s a family BBQ or a baseball game, Andie’s style is always sexy. It looks like she doesn’t spend hours in front of the mirror getting ready to date Matthew McConaughey’s character, Benjamin Barry – it all comes naturally, as a simple reflection of her radiant personality. In addition to classy office attire and casual summer tops, Andie exudes her best looks at the climax of the film. The iconic yellow silk dress Andie wore to a charity event left Benjamin (and us) completely lovelorn. This simple silhouette with a sensual low back is certainly one of those timeless classics, and many of us have tried to emulate it. The famous dress was accompanied by the more iconic Tiffany walnut diamond necklace which Lady Gaga later wore to the 2019 Oscars ceremony.
Sara Melas from Hitch
Sara Melas is one of the most underrated and underrated fictional icons. Although Melas is not a fashion reporter but a tabloid columnist, her clothes look like they came straight from a fashion magazine. The total beige elegant office look – pencil skirt, cream shirt and vest – is truly another level of office style. The same can be said of the ivory office top with black lace trim. While Sara didn’t invent the wheel, she’s sure to find the right color palette to complement her warm olive skin. Looking at it, we can definitely learn a secret or two to our own office routine.
