Actress Zooey Deschanel, now starring in the Fox-TV series New Girl, is something of an “it” girl. Her feminine retro look and wall of bangs have been emulated everywhere. She’s perky, quirky, and oddly conservative with her own very definite style. A young woman packaged like a girl. Herein, a salute with resources. Assume everything is short.

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Top Left to Right: Tinley Road Peter Pan Collar Blouse – Lean cut. A put together look with narrow pants or skirt. Perhaps a brooch? Flea markets and thrift shops like Zooey. Sleeveless with detailed tiered collar. Button down placket down center back. 100% Polyester. Machine wash. $39.00

Bright Side of Life Top – Great shape. Keep the direction going with an a-line skirt. Black collar and handkerchief hem. Detailed colorful animal print as if grade school kids design a leopard skin. Colorful shoes to add zip. $50.00

Dobby Peter Pan Collar Top – Sweet, prim; soft, not stiff. A go-to blouse. Off white, slightly sheer, subtle dots. Wide neck with curved collar. Cuffs on short sleeves. Pleats down the front. Buttons in the back. 100% Polyester. Machine wash. falls below the hip. Also in red. $65.00

AE Paneled Halter Top – Pin-up girl halter top from another era. Short, short, swingy skirt. Zooey occasionally shows a little (innocent) skin. 100% Polyester. Soft, silky charmeuse. Flowy fit. Paneled bodice. Sweetheart neckline. Adjustable button halter strap. Smocked back. Machine Washable. $30.00

Bottom Row: Of Two Minds-Blue Denim Wash Ruffle Skirt – Cute shape. Low flare gives the hips a nice smooth look (Zooey doesn’t have a problem there) Put-it-on-without-thinking piece. Lightweight, denim washed Woven Viscose. Banded waist with covered side zipper and hook and eye closure. Besom pockets at waist. Shirring at waist, full skirt. White contrast stitching. On sale $145.99

Daffodil Print Skirt – Cheery (not babydoll) pattern on this easy skirt with big pockets. Wear with pretty flats and a cropped cardigan. Zooey might have a bow at the side of her hair. 100% Viscose. Machine washable. $44.00

Carraville Skirt – In soft tomato red. Happy apparel. Wear as Zooey would, with crop top or something a little frilly. Elastic, gathered waist, double side pockets. Lightweight linen mix. $100.00

Cropped Cardigans

Left to Right: P.A.R.O.S.H. (Vintage Fusion) Cropped Cardigan – Zooey would have a little camisole or strappy dress beneath this. You might be more brazen. All over sequin embellishment makes it ethereal. Round neck, concealed front clasp fastening. $567.00

Cropped Sleeve Cardi - The wear-it-over-anything topper, especially cute with sundresses and white tee shirts. Hmmm, does Zooey wear tee shirts? Glitter detail at cuff. Ribbing at hem and cuff. Low v-neck. Three button closure. 100% Cotton. Other colors. On sale $39. 95

Red Valentino Cropped Wool Cardigan – Mix with a full skirt or cropped pants and look like Sandra Dee or Ann Margaret in “Bye Bye Birdie.” Where do you think Zooey gets it from? Round neck, perforated detail at the shoulders, central front button fastening. $270.00

See by Chloe Bicolour Cropped Cardigan – Flattering to blondes as well as Zooey-brunettes, this color is as girly as it gets. Add something with a little lace collar peeking out? Bright pink with chunky button-down front, round neck, ribbed collar and hem. 100% Virgin Wool. $338.00

Dark & Light

Left to Right: Clair Beauty Peter Pan Collar Lace Top – Ah, lace. Dresses up anything and anyone. Remember to add a little something else black in the ensemble so the blouse is not top heavy. Creamy beige Cotton/Polyester. Long sleeved, black collar. On sale $28.80

Peter Pan Collar Short Sleeved Blouse – Look, the website model’s even got the bangs! Cute n’simple. Good with crayon colors. Waves of horizontal stripes; definite waist, flare from waist. scoop neck with black collar. 100% Rayon. $19.50

Polo Ralph Lauren Surplice Floral Printed Top - Nothing like something transparent with a camisole beneath; you can button it up to the top and it will still exude softness. Zooey looks natural in these. Front button plaque, small spread collar, puff sleeves with button detail, tie waist belt, nipped in waist. 100% Silk Georgette. Sheer with camisole underneath. $340.00

Retro Dresses 1

Left to Right: Vanda Polka Dot Swing Dress (as in “Vanda dance?) – Do-se-do! Like something out of The Last Picture Show – small Texas town flirt. Bright blue with white piping along the bodice, near hem, and along pockets. Fold down bodice detail. Two trimmed patch pockets in the front. Center zipper at the back. Elasticized for fit and comfort. 98% Cotton/2% Spandex. Machine washable. $70.00

Dahlia Corset Dress with Striped Skirt – The model has it down. Simple hair, black flats, perhaps a retro purse. Fitted strapless sweetheart bustier; full skirt with contrast stripe design. Concealed zipper fastening at the back. On sale $71.62

Jill Sander Navy Set-V-neck Mini-Pocket Cardigan & Pleated A-Line Skirt – Charming together. A bit less obviously retro. Definitely gamine. The cardigan is red and navy striped Silk/Nylon/Polyester. Button front, long sleeves with ribbed cuffs. Fitted. The skirt is red Polyester/Silk with smooth yolk, Hem hits above the knee. $750.00

Sonia Doll Dress – Can’t find an iconic poodle skirt, how about a poodle-covered dress? Zooey might have a pink cropped sweater and/or pink flats. 1940s inspired cut. Puff sleeve, sweetheart neckline with a big blue button at the peak. Gathered empire waist, flair skirt, center back zipper. Navy blue with pink and white poodles, teapots & tea cups and Eiffel Towers. 98% Cotton/2% Elastane. $94.00

Pretty Little Prints

Left to Right: Dolce & Gabbana Floral printed Halter-Neck Dress - Sweet as Spring and twice as fresh. Pony tail time! Square neck, pearlescent buttons down front. Concealed back zipper. Four front darts for shaping. Lightly pleated skirt. Unlined. Fitted with stretch. Mid-thigh Hemline. Cotton/Elastane. $1190.00 (the other end of the spectrum)

Emily & Finn Made in the Shades Dress – Perfect for the County Fair or a date at the soda fountain. Removable halter straps secured with white buttons and a slender, pink belt boasting white polka dots. Pleated skirt and sweetheart neckline. Fully lined. Hidden back zipper. Boning at bust. “Floral Flurry” in pinks and pale greens on white. $109.99

Thread Social Strapless Floral Print Dress – Retro colors. See site for enlarged detail. Simple and flirty. Get out those colored beads! Internal boning; fully lined with snap-fastening bodysuit. Concealed hook and zipper fastening at the back. 100% Cotton. $255.00

Sun-Ripened Cover-Up by Nanette Lepore - Vintage Barbie. (Zooey’s smarter) Cherry red leaves on top, stripes along the hem and… cut-outs! She wouldn’t blush, why should you? Button closure. Lightweight Cotton/Silk. $154.00

Retro Dresses 2

Left to Right: Simply lovely color and crisp detailing. For meeting your best friend’s cousin from out of town. A white hair-band and sweater with pearlescent buttons in white, yellow or pink.

Strapless Sea Foam. With raised white flourishes. Made for petites. $85.00

Sea Line Dress – Pale and complexion flattering. Keep lipstick pink toned. Find a patent leather belt. Pleated v-shaped straps, v-back, rope-edged stripes. Back zipper closure. Side pockets. 100% Cotton. Fully lined. $158.00

See by Chloe Yellow Dress – Proper but not dull. Very young in feeling. Well, she is. Beautifully shaped skirt. Yellow daisy-patterned sleeveless dress with round-neck and two front pouch pockets. Concealed side zipped fastening. Slim-fitting top, fitted waist, pleated skirt. 50% polyester, 50% cotton. Fully lined. Short. Machine wash. $510.00

Esme and The Laneway Dress – This collar provides the perfect frame for a pretty red smile. Add an artificial flower for further femininity. Zooey has a drawer full. Pretty polka dots with a 50s inspired collar and full skirt for twirling. Cotton/Spandex. Fully lined. Elastic at back of bust provides some stretch. Hidden zipper wit hook-and-eye closure. Ties at the waist. Wide waistband. $75.00