Last weekend, nearly everyone was discussing Xu Jinglei's "Dula La's Promotion Diary," with reports and reviews flooding in. Those who've read both the original novel and seen the film mostly agree: while the movie is entertaining, the story feels oversimplified. The novel's gripping workplace trials have been replaced by "Sex and the City"-esque glamour and whirlwind romances.
Xu Jinglei once likened "Dula La's Promotion Diary" to a fashion magazine. Now, it seems this magazine must be a cutting-edge style publication closely collaborating with top international luxury brands.Don't believe it? Just look at what the girls in the movie wear: Gucci, Loewe, Roger Vivier, Tod's, Dior, Valentino, Moschino, Bluemarine... Not only did top luxury brands enthusiastically participate, but Xu Jinglei also brought in "Hollywood's Queen of Styling," Patricia Field, to elevate the film.You might not recognize the name Patricia Field, but she’s the one who crafted the iconic urban chic looks for Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada. In the film, Du Lala sports around 50 distinct outfits—meaning, on average, Xu delivers a sartorial surprise every two minutes.Perhaps it was this irresistible allure that swayed Xu to abandon his original plan of casting a newcomer as Dula La, opting instead to take on the role himself. After all, how could he pass up such a glamorous opportunity?
Workplace attire doesn't have to be rigidly formal
Keep interview outfits simple and clean
When attending her interview at the Fortune 500 company DB, Du Lala wore a simple dark blazer over a white shirt, projecting an image of solid reliability.As a workplace newcomer at the time, her clean, unadorned appearance left a favorable impression on the interviewers. If a newcomer insists on splurging on a designer outfit for an interview, it may instead convey a sense of being all show and no substance, or vanity—qualities that are far from desirable and could actually hurt their chances.
Powerful Bosses, Clothes Make the Man
When Rose strongly urged her subordinate Dula La to switch roles and become the Sales Director's secretary, she wore a fitted military-style jacket adorned with gold studded epaulettes and a stand-up collar. This outfit radiated an imposing, commanding presence, exuding an aura that brooked no change or doubt.This assertive ensemble effectively projected an unyielding aura, making refusal difficult. Combined with her seasoned expertise and sharp rhetoric, Rose swiftly persuaded the initially reluctant Dula La to accept the role, turning the tide.
Lift Your Spirits with Vibrant, High-Contrast Colors
After a heated argument with her boyfriend and setbacks at work, Dula La's mood plummeted.The next day, however, she made a dazzling entrance in a vibrant red Moschino ruffled dress, paired with an orange double-buckle wide belt and a purple checkered bracelet, sweeping away yesterday's gloom.When feeling down, try donning vibrant, colorful dresses and boldly experiment with contrasting colors. Let saturated, bright hues ignite your positive energy, foster an uplifting mindset, and help you regroup. Opting for subdued black or gray tones at such times may only exacerbate your negative emotions.
Internal Promotion: Geometric Accessories in Cool Tones Make a Statement
When competing for the HR manager position in her company's internal promotion, Dula took the lead. She appeared in a purple collared vest-style top, paired with a brown slim belt and light gold square earrings, projecting a mature, capable, and confident aura.During pivotal moments like internal promotions where showcasing capability matters, mature cool-toned attire conveys steadiness and trustworthiness. Geometric accessories with sharp angles project an ambitious, challenge-embracing mindset.
Shine Bright at Gatherings and Vacations
Company trips call for readiness inside and out
>Rewarded with a trip to Pattaya, Thailand, Dula La browsed flea markets in a lightweight, eye-catching Gucci top featuring interwoven black, white, and orange prints. This departure from her usual solid-color wardrobe instantly lifted spirits, her vibrant presence bringing a refreshing mood to both herself and colleagues.The key was the white bikini she'd already slipped on underneath. When she and Wang Wei sprinted to the beach to escape unscrupulous vendors, she could instantly shed her outer layer and "transform" into a sunbathing couple.For company trips to tropical shores, wearing a bikini underneath a colorful cover-up is an absolute must. Even if you don't need to pull off a "golden cicada shedding its shell" escape like Lala, you can dive into the water at stunning beaches without wasting precious time returning to the hotel to change.
Party Time: Sparkling Accessories Steal the Show
At the company pool party in Thailand, Dula dazzled in a blue sequin-and-print maxi dress, but her standout accessory was a pair of gold sequin chandelier earrings.For evening events, office ladies often opt for brightly colored dresses. To stand out among the crowd, statement accessories are key. Unlike work attire, this is the perfect time to choose dazzling gold or silver pieces that make you instantly noticeable to your partner.
Intimate Moments: Wearing His
During intimate moments at Wang Wei's home, Lala often wore a loose-fitting men's white shirt—clearly "borrowed" from her boyfriend's wardrobe.While she commands respect in the workplace, in front of her boyfriend, a woman should freely express her soft, vulnerable side. The best way to do this is to slip into his clothes while nestled in his arms.
Busy Year-End Party: Make a Sharp, Confident Entrance
The annual gathering is another prime opportunity for office ladies to showcase their graceful figures. As HR manager, Lala also had to coordinate numerous tasks during the event, so she chose a sleek Prada black dress. The unique design at the shoulders and chest, combined with premium fabric, exuded sophistication without excessive embellishments—clean, sharp, and practical for getting things done.Matching "8"-shaped drop earrings add a delicate, feminine touch to the otherwise monochromatic black ensemble.
◎Special Tip
You don't need designer labels to dress like Dula La
Watching Dula La change outfits repeatedly in the movie makes most women envious.But those high-end designer pieces come with hefty price tags. If we treated them as everyday commuter wear, our wallets would suffer. To dress as beautifully as Dula La, simply follow the styling tips above. The key to looking great lies in mastering the art of pairing.Take the white, orange, and black printed top paired with white shorts Dula wore while browsing a Thai flea market. That gorgeous top was actually a beautiful cropped dress. She cinched the waist and layered it over affordable, comfortable white shorts. The result was effortlessly chic yet relaxed, avoiding any hint of a "nouveau riche" look from head-to-toe designer labels.
Affordable accessories can also make a statement. In the film, Patricia D. paired her designer outfits with large earrings she found in Beijing for just 24 yuan. Can you tell? So looking good doesn't necessarily require designer labels. When the styling is spot-on, budget pieces can be the perfect finishing touch.Conquer Taobao—transform your look for just a few hundred yuan. The gorgeous outfits in the movie? You can find "similar" versions on Taobao. Those beautiful dresses? Endless options on Taobao—every style, pattern, and fabric imaginable. Even luxurious heavyweight silk costs only around 400-500 yuan. Buy ten pieces for the price of one designer item—talk about a steal!