What are the motifs in The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger?

Regret is a recurring idea. Regret can be defined as a sense of sorrow or remorse over an act, or a sense of loss for things lost. Both definitions apply in the novel The Devil Wears Prada, by Lauren Weisberger.

Andrea Sachs, the main character of the novel, suffers regret for the way she allows her position at Runway Magazine to become the total focus of her life. Though Andrea accepts the position with the intention of working for Miranda for one year and moving on to her dream job as a writer, it becomes clear as the novel progresses that Andrea is losing focus on her dream and simply existing in a world that revolves around her boss. This all-encompassing focus causes Andrea to lose touch with her friends and family. This loss of connection leads to the end of Andrea's three year relationship with her boyfriend Alex, and almost ends her friendship with her best friend Lily.