Cue the sweaters and pumpkin spiced lattes: This week marked the official beginning of fall, and cozy season always involves cuddling up to your favorite autumnal rom-coms (or, in preparation for Halloween, your favorite spooky films). There’s something about this time of year, though, that always makes me re-watch some of my favorite fashion movies as well: I’m talking 13 Going on 30, The Devil Wears Prada, or maybe even Confessions of a Shopaholic.
The minute I feel even the slightest cool-crisp in the air, I pop on a good fashion movie: It’s the perfect thing to watch for the fall dressing inspiration alone. I mean, Miranda Priestly’s coats in The Devil Wears Prada? Sickening. In the journey of re-watching some of these beloved flicks, however, I’ve noticed a disturbing through-line: Why do I always seem to side with the villains?
No, I’m not talking about Nate, Andy’s moping boyfriend in The Devil Wears Prada (a true villain). I’m talking about the main antagonists who we are supposed to be rooting against. Take Miranda Priestly or Emily Charlton in the classic 2006 flick (and, more recently, the 2026 sequel): I would argue that they are simply two fashion divas who are doing their jobs. Allow me to explain.
Justice for Emily. who quite simply was just doing her job. (And looked fierce doing it.)
Photo: Courtesy of Everett Collection
Sure, Miranda and Emily are not the most warm-and-cuddly individuals. But does that mean they are evil personified? No! They are good at what they do (if not extremely type-A), and better yet, dressed impeccably while doing it. Sorry they don’t have time to babysit Andy whilst absolutely slaying their 9-to-5 wardrobe. I mean, Emily even goes out of her way to teach Andy the ropes when she joins Runway—only for Andy to backstab her and go to Paris in her place, after she gets hit by car, no less. Who’s the real villain there?
Ditto for Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Betty—the only person with any real taste working for Mode. God forbid—like. Miranda—that she has high standards, and demands more from her employees. Is making her assistant, Marc, do her Botox himself a little insane? Why, yes. But is that not what we want from a fashion magazine creative director? Anyone with a creative mind should be a little unhinged! Plus, Daniel Meade only got the top job because of nepotism: Wilhelmina earned her right to be a little jaded.
