15 Life Lessons From ‘The Devil Wears Prada’

1. Never Show Up To Meetings Unprepared.

Miranda: Why is no one reeaaaaddddy.

You can’t half-ass your way through meetings/class/important presentations. Don’t do it.

2. Always Know The Important People In Your Field.

Andy: (On the phone) Could you please spell “Gaaabaanah”?

It’s “Gabbana,” bitch. You should always know who the key, very important people are in the place you work — even if you just got started on the job. When I worked at a fashion magazine I used to see the Editor-in-Chief around all the time, and I always made sure to hold the elevator door for them, say hello and smile with my eyes.

3. You Are What You Eat.

Nigel: Corn chowder. That’s an interesting choice. You do know the main ingredient in corn chowder is cellulite.

The other day I was eating donuts for breakfast in my office when one of my colleagues came by and he was all, “YOU’RE EATING DONUTS? THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE FEEDING YOUR BODY?” Yo, can I just eat my absolutely delicious “Hot Now” Krispy Kreme donuts in peace? Anyway, I’ve always been one of those people who just eats whatever I want because, you know, it tastes good. All our lives we hear people chastise us with that saying, “You are what you eat.” I used to just roll my eyes, but as I get older I realize that it’s actually kind of true. You get out of your body exactly what you put into it. It’s not like you have to go all vegan or avoid foods cooked above 20 degrees. But watching what you eat is key to having a fulfilling mind and body.

4. But You’re Also What You Wear, So Work That Poly Blend With Caution, Everybody.

Nigel: (After Andy spills the clam chowder on her sweater) Oh nevermind. I’m sure there’s more poly blend where that came from.

People think that fashion doesn’t matter, that clothes and style are these frivolous things that have no meaning or significance in real life. But guess what? Every time you get dressed you’re sending signals to people, whether those signals are “I don’t give a shit about how I look” or “Look at me I’m fabulous.”

5. When Things Get Hard, Complaining Gets You Nowhere.

Andy: I don’t know what else I can do, because if I do something right, it’s unacknowledged, she doesn’t even say thank you. But if I do something wrong? She is vicious.

Nigel: So quit.

Nigel: What?

Andy: Quit. I can get another girl to take your job in 5 minutes.

Sometimes we find ourselves working jobs that are so difficult — maybe not necessarily intellectually difficult, but draining, taxing, or that require a skill set you haven’t honed in on yet. When I worked at a fashion magazine it was so difficult because everything went so fast and there were ALWAYS clothes to check-in and you had to be on top of all the emails from all the PR agencies and you had to know where absolutely everything was at all times. But I stuck with it anyway. I didn’t quit. Sure, we all bitch about our jobs from time to time, but sometimes working your hardest isn’t even enough to push through. It’s like, no matter how hard you push at a wall with your own strength, it’s not going to come down. But don’t complain — just work around the challenge to figure out a new way to get that wall down.

6. You’re Supposed To Know What Your Boss Wants Before They Do.

Miranda: I need 10 or 15 skirts from Calvin Klein.

Andy: What kind of skirts.

Miranda: Please bore someone else with your…questions.

I mean yeah, this situation is a little ridiculous because most bosses would tell you what they needed so you didn’t waste any time. But the lesson is that you are always supposed to be two to three steps ahead of your boss. It’s narcissistic kind of, but that’s how they’ll measure your worth as an employee! And if you want to stay employed and keep using that 40% discount at Brooks Brothers, you gotta do it.

7. Always Stay Friends With People Who Have Fabulous Jobs.

Andy: I have exciting presents for all of you!

Because you are probably going to get exclusive discounts or otherwise be showered with amazing presents and gift bags and invited to fabulous secret events that regular people don’t even know about. My best friend works in movies and he is always coming home with things he used on a movie set that are probably just going to get thrown out at the end if it’s not given away to someone.

8. Do Everything NOW.

Miranda: By all means move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.

In most industries, but in fashion especially, everything needs to be done RIGHT AWAY. And sometimes, even IMMEDIATELY isn’t fast enough.

9. Always Bring Your Best Ideas To Work.

Miranda: And this layout for the “Winter Wonderland” spread? Not wonderful yet.

When you work in a creative field, your creativity is your main source of capital. It can be draining to be coming up with new ideas all the time, but sometimes your best ideas pop out when you least expect.

10. Appearance Matters, No Matter What Anyone Says.

Nigel: I guessed an 8 and a half.

Andy: Wow, that’s very nice of you, but I don’t think I need these. Miranda hired me, she knows what I look like.

Nigel: Do you?

There are always going to be people who judge you because of what you’re wearing. Human beings are a judgmental bunch. But guess what? The primary judge should be yourself. Always put your best foot forward because you’re worth it, and you never know who’s looking at you.

11. Sometimes Your Boss Is Going To Be RIDICULOUS.

Miranda: Where’s that piece of paper I had in my hand yesterday morning?

Really?

12. But There Is No Feeling Better Than One-Upping Said Ridiculous Boss.

Miranda: One copy. What are my twins going to do with that? Share?

Andy: No no. I made two copies, and had them covered, reset and bound so that they wouldn’t look like manuscripts. This is an extra copy to have on file. You know, just in case.

Miranda: Well where are these fabulous copies? I don’t see them anywhere.

Andy: They’re with the twins, now on the train on their way to grandma’s. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Miranda: (Speechless). That’s all.

We have all had needy, demanding bosses that text us at 10 at night or ask us to do work related stuff for them on our off days. And you HAVE to do it, because it’s your job you know. So if you’re supposed to be two to three steps ahead of your boss, there’s nothing better than being way ahead of your boss so that no matter what they throw at you to make your life miserable, you’ve already done it. Can I go home now?

13. Don’t Talk Back To Very Important People.

Miranda: Emily? Emily!

Nigel: She means you.

Andy: (Runs into the room).

Miranda: There you are Emily, how many times do I have to scream your name.

Andy: Actually it’s Andy, my name’s Andy.

Miranda: (Stunned look, like wait did she just talk back to me?)

Be careful how you talk to the person who signs your paychecks.

14.You Have To Draw A Line Between Your Life And York Work.

Nate:(as Andy takes a call from Miranda) You know, in case you were wondering, the person whose calls you always take? That’s the relationship you’re in. I hope you two are very happy together.

Some of us work jobs that allow us to clock out at 5 and have the rest of the day to ourselves. But when you work in a demanding area, you don’t always get that luxury. You’re sort of always working, and sometimes that can get in the way of your personal life and the relationships that matter most to you. Either you have to draw a line between your life and your work, or eventually you’re going to have to chose between one or the other.

15. An Amazing Job Isn’t Always A Job That Makes You Happy.

Emily: A million girls would kill for this job.

To an outsider, the job you have might seem like a dream come true. You’ve landed that coveted job you’ve always wanted, or the one you thought you wanted anyway. But when you finally get that job, does it make you happy? Do you feel fulfilled? Just because a million girls would kill for that job doesn’t mean you’re necessarily one of them.