The Quick Answer (For My Skimming Friends)
Was The Devil Wears Prada 2 worth it? B+. The story holds up, the cast still has chemistry, and the night out was unforgettable — but the wardrobe felt like a missed opportunity. Andy and Miranda’s looks didn’t evolve the way twenty years of fashion should have. More on that in a minute. First, let me tell you about the night.
There are nights you remember for the movie, and there are nights you remember for the people you were with. May 1st was the second kind.
My daughters-in-law, Kelly and Chelsea, joined me at AMC Phipps Plaza in Atlanta for an exclusive screening of The Devil Wears Prada 2, hosted by Dress for Success Atlanta and Little PINK Book. Two of my favorite women, one highly anticipated sequel, and a cause that genuinely matters — there was no version of this evening that wasn’t going to be wonderful.
And ladies, it was.
A Night Out for a Cause We Love
Before I get to the movie itself, I want to talk about the why. Dress for Success Atlanta is one of those organizations that quietly changes lives — they empower women to achieve economic independence through professional attire, career development, and a network of support. Every ticket, every silent auction bid, every specialty cocktail went toward that mission.
So yes — when you saw us sipping signature drinks and bidding on Atlanta Hawks VIP packages, we were having a wonderful time. But we were also writing checks for an organization doing real, tangible work. Dress for Success empowers women to get back into the workforce — with professional attire, career development tools, and the kind of community that reminds them they are not walking in alone. That is the kind of mission worth showing up for. And it is the kind of night out I will say yes to every single time.
The Pre-Show at Nobu Atlanta
The evening began at Nobu Atlanta with a reception that was, frankly, scrumptious. If you’ve never been, Nobu sits perched above Buckhead with that quiet, modern elegance that makes you stand a little straighter the minute you walk in.
The specialty cocktail was called The Devil — gin, lemon juice, pomegranate, simple syrup, and sparkling wine, served in a champagne flute with a tiny red pitchfork garnish. It was tart, sparkling, and dangerously easy to drink. Kelly has made something similar on Fridays with Oscar, and I’m a fan of this cocktail, so naturally, I had two. Don’t tell anyone.
The silent auction was set up around the perimeter — beautifully styled tables stacked with QR-coded bid cards, gift baskets wrapped in cellophane, and that signature event-night hum of women in great outfits leaning over to outbid each other. Kelly, Chelsea, and I made our rounds, sipped our cocktails, and laughed our way through the room. It was the best kind of pre-show.
What We Wore: Three Generations of American Classic
This is where I have to brag on my girls a little, because the three of us pulled together looks that I think captured exactly what Devil Wears Prada style is supposed to be: confident, considered, and a little bit fearless.
My Look: The Ralph Lauren Pinstripe Suit (Years Old, Still Working)
I wore a black pinstripe Ralph Lauren suit I’ve owned for years. Years. The jacket is fitted but not tight, the trousers hit just at the ankle, and the pinstripe is fine enough to read as polished rather than costume-y. Under the blazer, I layered a blush pink silk camisole with a delicate lace trim — because a power suit doesn’t have to mean buttoned-up severity. A pearl drop pendant, simple pearl studs, and pointed-toe black bow flats finished it off.
Here’s what I want you to take from this: the best pieces in your closet are the ones you can still wear ten years later. I bought this suit a long time ago, paid a fair price for it, and it has earned its keep tenfold. That is the entire philosophy of style at a certain age in one outfit.
And if a full suit feels like more commitment than your closet calls for right now, the blazer half of the equation does almost all of the work on its own. I broke down a few of my favorite summer blazer outfits over 50 — lightweight, polished, and styled three different ways with denim, dresses, and warm-weather pants. A great blazer is the single most useful piece in an over-50 closet, full stop.
Chelsea’s Look: The Monet-Print Maxi With a Black Blazer
Chelsea wore a stunning teal-and-aqua watercolor maxi dress — the print looked exactly like a Monet water lily painting come to life — and topped it with a tailored black blazer with gold buttons. The contrast of the soft, painterly dress against the structured blazer was so beautifully done. Strappy black sandals and a sleek low ponytail kept it modern.
Kelly’s Look: The Floral Embroidered Tulle Midi
Kelly wore a cream tulle midi dress with vivid floral embroidery — pinks, oranges, yellows, and greens climbing up the bodice and skirt — with a black-and-white striped grosgrain waistband for that prep-meets-romance contrast. Paired with sleek black T-strap heels and her signature dark bob, she looked like she stepped out of an editorial spread.
If you’re putting together a look for a charity gala, a milestone celebration, or any night that calls for a beautifully cut dress, I recently rounded up my favorite special occasion dresses for women over 50 — including a few Kelly is wearing in the post that would fit right in at an evening like this one.
Now, About the Movie
Okay, Grit & Glammers, settle in. Here are my honest thoughts.
The film itself: B+. The story was okay, the pacing is good, and the performances — Meryl, Anne, Emily, Stanley — are exactly the reason we all bought tickets. There were genuine sweet moments, a few unexpected emotional beats, and the dialogue still crackles. As a sequel that had no business being good twenty years later, it absolutely delivered.
But.
The Wardrobe Was a Letdown — Here’s Why
I’m going to be honest, because that’s what we do here. The wardrobe was the biggest disappointment of the night.
The original Devil Wears Prada was a fashion film. It wasn’t just that the clothes were expensive — it was that every single look told you something about the character wearing it. Andy’s transformation from the cerulean-sweater girl to the Chanel-boots-and-thigh-highs editor was one of the most satisfying style arcs ever put on screen. Miranda’s wardrobe was a fortress of power dressing — every collar, every coat, every pair of boots was deliberate.
The 2026 version? Andy and Miranda’s wardrobes did not evolve believably.
That’s my biggest critique. Twenty years of fashion have happened between these films. Andy should have grown into a confident, layered personal style — one that reads as a woman who has spent two decades inside one of the world’s most influential magazines. Instead, her looks felt safe, almost generic, as if the costume department were afraid to commit to a real point of view.
And Miranda — Miranda should have leaned harder into her power. The character is older, more legendary, more dangerous. The wardrobe should have reflected the weight of that. Instead, several of her looks felt like they were chasing trends rather than setting them. Miranda Priestly does not chase trends. Miranda Priestly is the trend.
A handful of pieces hit beautifully. But across two hours, I expected more.
Now — credit where credit is due. Emily and Nigel were the wardrobe wins of this film. Emily’s looks felt like a believable twenty-year evolution: still sharp, still a little ridiculous in the best way, but with the polish of a woman who has spent two decades climbing. Her tailoring was crisp, her color choices were confident, and every accessory felt deliberate. And Nigel — Nigel was a masterclass. Every scarf, every pocket square, every perfectly cut jacket told you exactly who that character had become. The wardrobe team clearly understood these two. I just wish that same care had extended to the leads.
Style is character. And in a Devil Wears Prada movie, the wardrobe is the second lead. This one didn’t quite show up.
Shop My Closet: Three Ralph Lauren Looks
You all know I’m a Ralph Lauren loyalist — I have been for as long as I’ve been writing this blog. The brand’s commitment to American Classic style is exactly the aesthetic I’ve built my closet around. (For the holiday version of this same styling philosophy, I went deep on what to wear to your Ralph Lauren Christmas — same heritage palette, same three-piece rule, just dressed for tartan-and-firelight season.) Here are three Ralph Lauren looks I’ve worn recently across very different occasions:
Look 1: The Movie Premiere — Pinstripe Suit + Silk Camisole
A tailored pinstripe Ralph Lauren suit (the same one I’ve owned for years and counting), styled with a blush silk camisole, pearls, and pointed-toe pumps. Perfect for premieres, charity galas, and any night where you want to look like you mean business but still feel feminine.
Look 2: The YouTube VIP Lunch — Trim Jacket + Striped Tee + Boyfriend Jeans
Cream collarless jacket with red trim and gold buttons, layered over a red-and-white Breton stripe tee with classic bootcut jeans and cap-toe ballet flats. Gold hoops and a chunky gold chain necklace. This is the outfit I reach for when I want to look pulled together without trying — French-inspired, completely effortless, total Ralph Lauren energy.
Look 3: The Casual Porch Evening — Floral Blouse + Wide-Leg Linen Pants
A red and cream floral peasant blouse with romantic bell sleeves, paired with relaxed, wide-leg linen drawstring pants and woven slide sandals. The kind of outfit that takes you from a wine-on-the-porch evening to a casual dinner without changing a thing.
Common Questions From My Grit & Glammers
Is The Devil Wears Prada 2 worth seeing in theaters?
Yes, but adjust your expectations. The story and performances are strong (B+ territory), but if you’re going for the fashion, you may leave wanting more. Best enjoyed with friends, cocktails, and zero pressure.
What should I wear to a movie premiere after 50?
Lean into structure with softness. A tailored suit with a silk or lace camisole, a midi dress with a blazer, or a beautifully cut jumpsuit will all photograph well, feel comfortable for a long evening, and let you participate fully — auction tables included.
Where can I learn more about Dress for Success Atlanta?
Visit dressforsuccessatlanta.org to donate, volunteer, or attend their next event. They do extraordinary work helping women re-enter the workforce with confidence.
What was the signature cocktail at the screening?
The Devil — gin, lemon juice, pomegranate, simple syrup, and sparkling wine, served at Nobu Atlanta with a tiny red pitchfork garnish. Easy to recreate at home.
Did the Devil Wears Prada 2 wardrobe live up to the original?
In my honest opinion, no. The story holds up, but Andy and Miranda’s wardrobes didn’t evolve believably across the twenty-year gap. The original set a very high bar, and this sequel didn’t quite clear it.
A Final Thought
Some nights you walk away thinking about the film. Other nights, you walk away thinking about the woman you sat next to. May 1st was both — but mostly the second. Watching Kelly and Chelsea laugh throughout the evening, raise a glass to a cause that matters, and own the room in their gorgeous outfits — that’s the part I’ll remember.
Style has no expiration date. Neither does a great night out with your favorite people.
If you’ve seen The Devil Wears Prada 2, tell me in the comments — did the wardrobe land for you, or were you, like me, expecting a little more? I want to hear it all.
Until next time, Grit & Glammers — keep showing up, keep saying yes, and keep wearing the suit you bought ten years ago. It still works.
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