After nearly three years of anticipation, the fourth season of Stranger Things dropped on Netflix with a rush of rolling red clouds, questionable bowl cuts and D&D mischief. The released episodes only comprised season four’s “volume one,” however, with the remaining volume set to debut on July 1, 2022. So as you blast Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” enjoy this list of outfits inspired by Stranger Things to tide you over until July.
Important Note: While this article contains only minor spoilers of Stranger Things, if you are totally spoiler-averse, we recommend watching Stranger Things 4 before reading further.
Set in the fictitious town of Hawkins, Indiana, Stranger Things takes place in the mid 80s. The first season occurs in the fall of ’83 and each subsequent season jumps to the next year. While demogoron-infested suburbias may not be true to the decade, Stranger Things does stick to 80s culture and style trends. Which means big, Farrah-Fawcett-sprayed hair and high-waisted jeans make frequent appearances on screen. Colorful accessories (think scrunchies and plastic sunglasses) pop up during the summer-set season three. Since our protagonists are navigating both The Upside Down and adolescence, their styles gets more daring as the show progresses.
Though this list does not include every character, we hope these are some of the easiest outfits inspired by stranger things to create with items already in your closet.
Out of all of the Stranger Things characters, Eleven’s style perhaps transitions most significantly between each season. While in season one, the Hawkins band meets Eleven as a lab-subject escapee, still wearing a hospital gown, by season four, Eleven starts to piece her own wardrobe together.
To channel Eleven’s “bitchin'” season two look, start off with your favorite black, high-wasted jeans. Eleven pairs these with a puffy-sleeved black jacket, but you can opt for any black statement outwear you have in your closet–a faux leather jacket could work well. Next, grab your black eyeliner and apply it below the bottom lashes to achieve that 80s punk vibe. Eleven wears high-top white Converse, but any white or black sneaker would finish off the look well.
After Eleven goes shopping for the first time in season three, she starts to include include bright, patterned fabrics into her wardrobe. After all, with Max as your shopping partner, who wouldn’t go through a fashion evolution? To mimic El’s season three style, start with any pair of high-waisted jeans, and if you want to fully embrace the 80s look, add a pair of suspenders. Next, choose your favorite patterned button-down (the bolder the better) and tuck it into your pants. Tie your hair back with a scrunchie or place one on your wrist, and you’re ready to save your friends from alternate-dimension monsters.
For perhaps one of the simplest outfits inspired by Stranger Things, try Eleven’s school presentation look. The timeless combination of jeans, a graphic t-shirt and a flannel reflects Eleven’s more subdued style in season four but also emulates other decades such as 90s grunge or even 2022 trends.
Lovable Hawkins brainiac Dustin Henderson loves a good pun, and his fashion sense does not shy away from goofiness either. Dustin typically wears khakis, a cap, his headset and bright graphic tees (which often allude to his love of science).
For a Dustin-inspired outfit, pair high waisted khakis with a graphic crop top or t-shirt. Put on your Henderson “Thinking Cap” with a dual-colored trucker hat. Dustin also knows how to layer, so grab a denim jacket for the cooler months.
Our favorite older sister Nancy Wheeler favors the 80s prep look. To achieve Nancy’s classic season one style, start off with a bright turtleneck. Add a cable-knit or argyle (no, not the season four character) sweater to build layers. Finally, find any pair of straight-leg pants or jeans–her dark brown pants pair well with the sweater she wears to search for the beloved Barb in the woods.
By season four, not only has Nancy’s hair doubled in volume, but her blouses have also become more puffy. For a more formal Nancy look, pair a long, A-line skirt with your favorite thrifted blouse–shoulder pads are a plus.
Hawkins’ slingshot-wielding hero Lucas Sinclair wears an orange corduroy jacket that you need for your 2022 wardrobe. Some of his other staple items–forest green t-shirts and a red bomber jacket–could be matched with tapered pants.
Tying a bandana around your ponytail or wearing a bandana headband is a way to put a modern twist on Lucas’ favorite accessory.
Stripes are an essential part of the Mad Max wardrobe, as almost every top Max wears in season three has neon bands. To recreate the iconic “Material Girl” mall scene outfit, start with a bright, striped tank top. Max typically wears paper-bag shorts (shorts with a scrunched waste) but any capris or mid-length shorts work as well. She often adds red accessories to match her vibrant hair, so find your favorite red shades and sneakers (she goes with Vans).
As the fitness trend boomed throughout the 80s, Max found inspiration in the decade’s workout garments–attire ideal for skateboarding down Old Cherry Road. She gravitates toward a red Adidas jacket, but any track jacket you have would go well with a pair of straight-leg jeans.
The Hawkins King is perhaps most famous for his voluminous hair, but some of the best outfits inspired by Stranger Things can be found in Steve’s wardrobe. His season one style features more preppy pieces, polos and collared shirts layered beneath sweaters. By later seasons, Steve achieves an effortless, cool look–think crew necks, light-washed denim jackets and of course, his iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarers.
Steve’s wardrobe is not difficult to find in 2022 stores. Any simple crew neck (we love the mustard yellow one he wears in season four) and straight-leg jeans will create an iconic Steve outfit.
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