Meryl Streep channels 'The Devil Wears Prada' in custom cerulean J.Crew sweater

Streep's sweater was a nod to her character Miranda Priestly’s monologue dissecting significance of blue in fashion

Meryl Streep has once again proven her lasting influence on fashion, sparking a shopping frenzy after stepping out in a cerulean blue sweater inspired by her iconic role in The Devil Wears Prada.

Streep wore a custom-made J.Crew cashmere sweater during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, instantly reigniting interest in the now-legendary “cerulean” moment from the film. The look served as a nostalgic callback to her character Miranda Priestly’s famous monologue dissecting the significance of the color blue in fashion.

The sweater, designed specifically for Streep by J.Crew’s creative director Olympia Gayot, was crafted to closely resemble the original knit worn by Anne Hathaway’s character Andy Sachs—though this version featured a more elevated, luxurious cashmere finish.

Gayot emphasized the cultural weight behind recreating such an iconic piece, noting, “Meryl made cerulean a cultural thesis, so the bar was high,” while also calling the original monologue “so smart and funny.”

The moment quickly went viral, not just for its fashion appeal but for its deeper pop culture resonance. In the original film, Streep’s character famously explains that a seemingly simple blue sweater is actually the result of years of decisions made by designers and industry leaders, turning “cerulean” into one of cinema’s most memorable fashion references.

While Streep’s exact sweater was custom-made and not directly available for purchase, the buzz has led to a surge in demand for similar cerulean knits from J.Crew and other brands. Retailers are already capitalizing on the renewed interest, offering comparable styles that echo the same cable-knit texture and vibrant blue hue.

The resurgence also comes as excitement builds for the upcoming sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, with both Streep and Hathaway revisiting their beloved roles. Streep’s fashion choice is being seen as part of a larger trend of “method dressing,” where actors channel their characters’ iconic looks during press appearances.

Two decades after the film’s release, the cerulean sweater remains more than just a wardrobe piece, it’s a symbol of fashion’s trickle-down effect and a reminder of how a single scene can shape style trends for years to come.