Get Zooey Deschanel’s “(500) Days of Summer” Look

Ask us to join you for a Zooey Deschanel movie, and we’ll never turn you down. After all, she is the supreme object of our fashion affection. So, when we heard talk of the to-die-for vintage wardrobe that she would be sporting in her latest romance to hit theaters, “(500) Days of Summer,” we had butterflies.

While we were completely taken with the perfectly melancholy love story between Summer (Zooey Deschanel) and Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) on the big screen, we were admittedly, albeit happily, distracted by the enchanting fashion parade that unfolded before us. With her mix of opaque tights, vintage pieces and schoolgirl-esque accessories, Summer was a vision of retro goodness. We, much like Tom’s character, couldn’t take our eyes off of her.

So, we left the theater thinking about past loves gone awry—but mostly obsessing about how we could recreate Summer’s look at home. When we found this movie poster, we immediately set to shopping online. And when we happened upon an interview with the film’s costume designer, Hope Hanafin, we realized just how doable it was. (P.S. How amazingly endearing is Joseph Gordon-Levitt in that shot? We could cast starry-eyed glances his way for hours on end.)

Hanafin says much of Zooey’s wardrobe for the film is a mix of new, vintage and affordable pieces. (Love a woman who truly speaks our language!) Hanafin described her process for outfitting Zooey this way: “Though I have great respect for these romantic comedies where secretaries are wearing Prada, I wanted ['500 Days'] to be kind of the anti-‘Sex and the City.’ So, Zooey’s wearing clothes that her character really could afford, things are also repeated. Her clothes are a mix of things from [places like] Old Navy, GAP, BCBG and then there’s a lot of vintage.”

Oh, a lady after our own hearts. Further proof that you don’t have to starve—or skip out on a mortgage payment—to have a closet brimming with fashionable, vintage loveliness. In recreating this look, we set out with a few rules in mind:

1.) Stick to a blue-centric palette. Hanafin says the film’s director, Marc Webb, wanted Zooey’s character to be in blue throughout the movie to set her apart—and to draw attention to Zooey’s entrancing baby blues. Should you wear head-to-toe blue? Not necessarily. Just a hint here and there will do the trick.

2.) Opt for affordable pieces with a vintage twist. Remember, thrift shops and secondhand stores are your friends. Not to mention, there are oodles of wallet-friendly shopping sprees to be had at vintage-driven stores online. Our love of ModCloth, the purveyor of all things gorgeously retro, is downright insatiable.

3.) Top off your look with sweet feminine touches. We heart the ruffles that line this blue cap-sleeved top we found at ModCloth. In the film, we loved that Zooey’s locks were often adorned with satin bows—such a girlie-without-being-too-precious touch. Not a fan of headgear? Incorporate bows elsewhere. The cap-toe flats that we found and instantly fell in love with on Piperlime have tiny bows that ooze the same sweet effect.

So, without further ado, we’ve compiled the shopping list that will help you nab Summer’s “(500) Days of Summer” style. And, if you just can’t get enough of Zooey’s charm (who can, really?), we’ve added a link to “Volume One,” the debut album from She & Him. Her vocals, along with her banjo and piano skills, are just as charming and warm as we imagine Zooey to be.

1.) “Volume 1,” She & Him, $15.29, borders.com.
2.) A Ruffle in Time Top, ModCloth, $42.99, modcloth.com.
3.) Buttons Flat, AK Anne Klein, $69, piperlime.com.
4.) Women’s Dress-Like Shorts, Aryn K, $47.20, 80spurple.com.
5.) Black Fancy Double-Bow Barrette Two-Pack, Torrid, $6, torrid.com.
6.) Houndstooth Sweater Tights, Hue, $15.90, nordstrom.com.