1 costume easter egg connects Meryl Streep’s characters in The Devil Wears Prada and Mamma Mia!

Meryl Streep starred in The Devil Wears Prada As the cold and formidable Miranda Priestly, then two years later she played the spontaneous, free-spirited Donna Sheridan in Mother Mia!And though the letters couldn’t be more different, Miranda and Donna are connected by one costume detail. Miranda is the editor-in-chief of a major fashion magazine, leading the cast of The Devil Wears Prada With an iron fist and gorgeous pumps. Donna wears her signature baggy overalls while operating the charming but reliable hotel in Greece featured in Mother Mia!

Streep’s characters exist in such different worlds that it is difficult to imagine how an interaction between Miranda and Donna would be, but they are linked by one costume accent. Miranda remains stylish and chic from start to finish The Devil Wears PradaBut Donna gets a radical makeover in a dream sequence. In a fancy number in Mother Mia!Donna is wearing an accessory previously worn by Miranda Priestly The Devil Wears Prada. This is a fun easter egg that hints at Donna’s subconscious desires.

Donna Sheridan of Mamma Mia wears this accessory from The Devil Wears Prada’s Miranda Priestly

Donna borrows Miranda’s views for the dream sequence

Miranda Priestly was a fashion icon, loosely styled after Vogue editor, Anna Wintour. She makes her memorable entrance to the runway office in one of Miranda’s customary chic outfits prominently featuring a large pair of Gucci sunglasses. Miranda always looks sharp and controlled The Devil Wears Prada. This is in stark contrast to Mother Mia!Donna’s. However, despite their differences, Miranda’s sunglasses create a surprising connection between the two characters.

Donna’s world in Mother Mia! Is never just like that. Her hotel is quaint but riddled with signs of deterioration: leaky roof, rusty plumbing and overgrown vegetation, which Donna is trying to manage largely on her own. However, in one fantasy sequence, Donna imagines how nice it would be not to worry about finances, and in her fantasy, she wears Miranda Priestly’s iconic Gucci sunglasses.

What the pair of sunglasses say about Donna’s dream life in Mamma Mia!

Donna doesn’t want to be Miranda but wants that aspect of her life

Just before she breaks into “Money, Money, Money,” Donna shows her friends around the hotel where “Nothing works except [her.]“Donna pictures herself on a yacht in an exaggerated version of wealth and ease. First, Donna is in a flowing silk dress with a scarf billowing dramatically behind her, then in a chic swimsuit ensemble that features the same pair of Gucci sunglasses worn By Miranda Priestly.

Donna wearing Miranda Priestly’s sunglasses implies Donna covet Miranda’s power. in The Devil Wears PradaMiranda has the influence and reach to get what she wants. Miranda Priestly is endlessly quotable, making outrageous demands like a flight during a hurricane or advanced copies of Harry Potter. in Mother Mia!Donna can’t even get the toilets to flush for her guests. Miranda’s sunglasses symbolize Donna’s wish for the control and privilege that Miranda effortlessly wants, creating an interesting connection between two iconic Meryl Streep characters.