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    Watch: The look of (500) Days of Summer

    We just got back from watching Marc Webb's (500) Days of Summer, a movie I've been waiting to see for a good five months.  Funny how one can look forward to a movie so much.  It has some of my favorite things all in one--Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, and the City of Los Angeles.  Webb, a first-time director, makes downtown LA look downright magical.  He brings out the LA I love even though I haven't actually visited a lot of the locations he used.  But that's a story for another blog post.

    What I really want to talk about is the film's style and the yumdellishous clothes Zooey gets to wear throughout..  It reminded me how much I enjoyed costuming for theatrical productions.  Garry commented that this looked like a movie "made by hipsters, for hipsters."  It's kind of true, but it's still noteworthy.  Costume designer Hope Hanafin dresses Joe's character Tom in mostly Old Man Chic--sweater vests and puce-colored cardigans over a tie and button down shirt, funky corduroys, messenger bags.  Zooey's character Summer gets to wear a parade of 50s-inspired secretary blouses, ruffle-paneled dresses and flouncy high-waisted skirts.

    I really like the individual pieces of clothing, especially the cool navy dress she wears in picture 6 above, but I think Hanafin may have overdid it with the period style--it veers into "old fashioned" more often than I'd like... I think part of what makes vintage clothing wearable is mixing it up with more modern elements. Accessories, something unexpected, like pairing it with modern jewelry, adds some freshness to vintage pieces and keeps a look grounded in the here-and-now.  Still, it was a very well done movie and lots of fun to watch all the outfits.

    Update: Check out this exclusive MTV interview with Hope Hanafin on her vision for costuming (500) Days of Summer.

    Another update: Found some bags that look a lot like the one Joseph Gordon-Levitt carries throughout the film.  Check them out here.
    Tags » Best of Wearability Movies & TV Style Vintage
    • 19 July 2009
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    • 30 Comments
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    almost 3 years ago Maggie Cheung responded:
    Maggie Cheung
    ooo la la, i love the clothes! really want to check out this movie now.
    almost 3 years ago Stephanie Lim responded:
    Stephanie Lim
    I was a tad disappointed w/ the movie but it was definitely well shot, well acted, well written and well dressed.  Plus the soundtrack is bomb.
    almost 3 years ago gtan responded:
    gtan
    I like old man chic, but I will basically look way too nerdy. /me cannot pull it off.
    almost 3 years ago Stephanie Lim responded:
    Stephanie Lim
    I like that "old man chic" is actually a thing!
    almost 3 years ago Aldo Puente responded:
    hey i really liked toms shoes in the movie the blue ones with a white stripe or something similar , does anyone know what shoes are those? thanks in advance
    almost 3 years ago Stan responded:
    love the clothes, loved the movie, what kind of messenger bag (brand) was that?
    almost 3 years ago Kendall responded:
    i loved the dress she wore to the wedding! I can't find a full picture of it ANYWHERE though!
    almost 3 years ago Stephanie Lim responded:
    Stephanie Lim
    Aw I guess we'll just have to wait until the dvd comes out and then do a screen capture! =)  It was definitely a lovely, diaphanous dress though.
    over 2 years ago Ryan responded:
    I love all the clothes Joseph Gordon-Levitt were's especially the suite from the party scene. I want it!
    over 2 years ago Laura responded:
    The clothes were darling for both characters. I was really inspired by Zooey's especially. I plan on doing a project to make handmade recreations of the looks that she wears in the film for a blog project. Who knows, maybe I'll sell them on my etsy when it's all over.
    over 2 years ago Anna responded:
    Laura... Please do! I need 6 of the wedding day dresses for my bridesmaids!
    over 2 years ago Stephanie Lim responded:
    Stephanie Lim
    @Laura that sounds like an awesome project! Can you share with us the link to your blog?
    over 2 years ago (Facebook) responded:
    I really love Zooey's style, not only in the film, were the costume designer did and excellent job, but also her personal style, she is really feminine and cute, very inspiring.

    my favourites are the party dress and the orange skirt! I already bougth some fabric to make one skirt for myself :)

    great blog!!

    over 2 years ago Stephanie Lim responded:
    Stephanie Lim
    @Constanza Thanks! I agree; I saw Zooey on an episode of Conan once and she was so adorable in a bright flirty red dress. Oh, to have her presence/confidence...
    about 2 years ago Edin responded:
    What were the shoes Tom was wearing and messenger bag?
    about 2 years ago Stephanie Lim responded:
    Stephanie Lim
    Hey everyone who was wondering about Tom's messenger bag - I'm not sure exactly where the costume designer got it, but I found some bags that look really similar:
    • Classic canvas bag from Amazon
    • Departure shoulder bag from Army Surplus
    • Raw Edge vintage shoulder bag from Army Surplus
    • Hawkeye canvas bag from eBags
    • Sunwashed canvas messenger bag from LL Bean
    • Classic shoulder bag from the Army Nave store
    about 2 years ago Edin responded:
    Thanks, you know anything about tom's shoes? I know they are Pumas but which kind?
    almost 2 years ago Keegan responded:
    Do you know what name brands tom is wearing for his button downs, cardigans, and ties please send me an email if you know the brands or the where I can find them.
    almost 2 years ago Keegan responded:
    oh yeah my email is hall793@gmail.com
    almost 2 years ago yas323 liked this post.
    almost 2 years ago Hannah responded:
    there is a black shirt that he wears in the full length trailer at aprx. 1:53 seconds into the clip with lines across it that make mountain forms in the middle. I know ive seen this design before, but i have no idea where. its like dejavou. I WANT THIS T SHIRT!!!
    email me if you know- halexisb@yahoo.com
    almost 2 years ago Joshua responded:
    Anon delivers....

    http://trackosaurusrex.bigcartel.com/product/ride-hills

    almost 2 years ago (Facebook) responded:
    i used this hipster style for a recent wedding i planed for (i am a wedding planner). It was a hit, as everything turned out chic and elegant. The bridesmaids wore dresses like in the penultimate image. I also love to watch this movie in my holiday summer days.
    almost 2 years ago Josh responded:
    Joshua -
    The shirt that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is wearing, is from a band called "Joy Division". The image is from an edition of "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Astronomy", and was originally drawn with black lines on a white background.
    almost 2 years ago hannah responded:
    Thank you josh!!!!!!
    what more do you know about "the cambridge encyclopedia of astronomy?"/ how did you find these out??
    it sounds extremely interesting
    almost 2 years ago Stephanie Lim responded:
    Stephanie Lim
    What's funny is, that Joy Division t-shirt always reminds me of the map of Bilbo Baggins' journey in The Hobbit. Am I just a big fat nerd?
    almost 2 years ago (Facebook) responded:
    I was a tad disappointed w/ the movie but it was definitely well shot, well acted, well written and well dressed. Plus the soundtrack is bomb.Theme Wedding Planner
    over 1 year ago Marty responded:
    Can someone please help me! i really wanna know where i can find the cardigan JGL is wearing in the elevator scene and also the messenger bag in this scene! plz help me! :) please email me if you know! atte93_kif@msn.com
    about 1 year ago hola responded:
    aquí encontré el bolso de tom's

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Classic-Messenger-HW-Shoulder-Bag-Jack-Bag-24-/16...

    about 1 month ago ravemoti1976 responded:
    ravemoti1976
    This will not really work, I suppose this way.
    see that | Vardenafil | check here

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