Halloween 2022: Stranger Things Costumes
Back in May of this year, The Duffer Brothers presented us with the fourth season of one of my favorite shows: Stranger Things. I count myself lucky enough to have stumbled upon the show the day the first season premiered and immediately was hooked. It’s such a good show, and if you haven’t watched any of it and you’re a fan of spooky things… definitely give it a watch!
Since the newest season came out this year, my sibling suggested that I do a Stranger Things Series for one of my Halloween Series, and I immediately jumped at the idea.
These costumes are perfect for Halloween - not only is it once again topical; but a lot of these ensembles are most likely already in your closet, and can be worn time and time again outside of a themed setting. Plus, there’s so many different characters to choose from, and a lot of them have many different recognizable looks! I’ve separated out a load of options to gather inspiration from across the seasons for you, and I can’t wait to hear all about which you’d pick.
*warning: if you haven’t watched any Stranger Things and want to, there may be some spoilers ahead!
Eleven
011. El. Jane. However you like to refer to her, she’s one thing for sure: a certified badass.
Her two most recognizable looks are the iconic pink dress, wig, and eggos from season one, and her bitchin’ look from season two.
For me, the black outfit was easier to create (and let’s face it, more fun makeup-wise!). So I borrowed my husband’s black blazer, did up my makeup complete with a lipstick-made bloody nose, and slicked my hair back into a tucked-in ponytail.
Of course, if you’re looking for the Easiest (and one of the newest) El looks, there’s her beginning-of-season-four outfit when she gets arrested by Lenora Hills PD.
For this costume, you need: a thermal undershirt, a graphic tee, white jeans, and an oversized flannel with rolled up sleeves over it all. If you want to (or have them), you can add clip on bangs!
One of my favorite Eleven looks is one from the Mall Battle in season three. The bright and graphic button down with suspenders is such a great 80s look, and the fact that the bottoms are just cuffed blue jeans makes it easy, stylish, and so comfortable. Of course, don’t forget to add the signature bloody nose!
Pro Tip: if you don’t have special effects blood on hand, or you’re going to a party where you don’t want a drippy sticky face - create your bloody nose with Limecrime’s Liquid Lipstick. It’s so easy to apply & control! It starts liquid, so you can control the look, but dries matte for all-night stay. I combined colors Red Velvet (one of my go-to lipcolors & lipsticks) and Wicked for the most realistic coloring.
The Adults
Joyce & Hopper. The two most constant and iconic adults in the series. While they may not win ‘best mom’ or ‘best dad’ awards all of the time; they cerainly are realistic and fully fledged out characters, and I for one am so happy they’ve finally found eachother.
Joyce’s style hasn’t really changed between seasons, so I went with her most recognizable look from Season One. All you need is a pair of jeans, a striped shirt, an army green jacket, a prop hatchet and, of course, christmas lights for Will to communicate with! If you have clip on or real bangs, it definitely adds to the character’s recognizability.
Jim Hopper has had quite a few looks thorughout the life of the show. Of course, the most iconic is his Sheriff’s uniform, but in the name of ease, I chose Hop’s end of season four look, which only involved a tucked-in flannel, baseball hat, and jeans. However, I definitely recommend using this costume only if you’re traveling in a group of Stranger Things characters, as if could be a little hard to distinguish.
The Kids
I know, I’m missing quite a few here- there’s also Mike, Lucas and Erica from the core group of kids.
I personally chose just to feature the three below because:
Mike’s style is very similar to Will & Dustin’s, so I didn’t think it was necessary to include a completely different outfit
I’m caucasian, and Lucas & Erica are not. I know I could emenate Lucas & Erica’s styles, but I will not be white washing those amazing characters.
Will dresses like… pretty much every other tween/teen in the 80s, so I went with his most recognizable season one look: flannel with rolled up sleeves, converse, jeans, and a puffy vest over it all! If you have a bike to use for a prop, definitely do so!
Dustin is the only boy of the group that isn’t afraid of some bright colors and accent pieces. For Dusty, opt for those trusty converse, a fun colored pair of shorts, bright tee, and colored shirt! If you’re going for summer Dustin, stuff your pockets full of Three Muskateers bars to lure Dart.
Oh, Max. You made us all fall in love with Kate Bush again. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t actively keeping my eye out for a blue and yellow wind breaker.
However, I went with and earlier season Max’s look - if only for the excuse to break out my husband’s skateboard as the perfect prop. Mad Max’s look is very simpe: you need some patterned or colored vans, a colorful striped tee, high waisted jean shorts with a thin belt, and a skateboard.
Fun fact: I’ve never skateboarded before (I’m a little scared of it), but I attempted my first roll on our driveway and didn’t fall! I definitely won’t be doing any tricks ever, but it might be a fun to learn how to move around.
The Teens
Ah, Steve Harrington. His hair remains beautifully quaffed, but the man gets better every season!
I went with a classic babysitter Steve look: his clubmaster raybans, a plain tee, jeans, chucks, To give a more recognizable nod to his character, I added a bucket and yellow cleaning gloves for when he’s out with Dustin luring demidogs.
A big key to being Steve is the confidence, the stance, and of course, the facal expressions of exasperation when dealing with all of his kids or clumsy best friend.
What do Freddie Mercury and Robin have in common? Queer fashion icons.
Yes, most of what Robin wears is simply 80s tomboy, but wow, does she wear it well!
This look is more of a play on her video employee uniform, made more everyday Robin. All you need are: vans or chucks, straight leg jeans, a blazer with rolled up sleeves, a tucked in button down with the sleeves rolled up lower than the blazer’s, a loose tie, and that amazing shaggy bob with bangs.
Of course, you can go for the classic Ahoy Robin for more recognizability, but I bet this look is already in your closet!
Jonathan’s looks haven’t changed all that much over the seasons, so I stuck with a classic from season one. Early Jonathan rocks jeans and flannels layered with t-shirts and a jean jacket, and never goes far without his precious film camera.
Pro Tip: if your costume isn’t as distinguishable on its own, add a prop that speaks to the character! Since Jonathan’s look could be easily an every-day outfit, adding the camera helps to point to the fact that it’s the elder Byers brother.
Of course I had to include fan favorite Barbara. For a classic Barb, you need a big blouse (preferrably with a large collar) tucked into high waisted jeans, clear glasses, an updo, and a stack of schoolbooks. Having red hair is definitely a bonus for dressing as this character!
#JusticeForBarb
THE! MOST! METAL! I did not expect Eddie to make me love him, but boy did I love this character.
To rock out with the perfect Eddie Munson costume, you need: a pair of jeans, chucks, a band tee, long curly or wavy hair with bangs, a jean jacket (bonus points if you have a leather jacket with a jean vest over top in true Eddie fashion!), and if you have one: a guitar.
Fun fact: the band tee I’m wearing is the only one I own, which is from the My Chemical Romance concert I went to this past year. I feel like Eddie would approve.
Nancy
Since Nancy Wheeler is my favorite character in the show, of course I had to give her multiple looks! It actually surprised me that I had every element of every Nancy ensemble already in my closet. Clearly, I need to channel my inner Nance more often in my every day life.
One of my favorite Nancy looks comes from season one. It’s her iconic battle look. I’ve named it ‘I can aim better than you’ for that amazing scene where Jonathan gives her the bat to start off with, but she shows she’s a much better shot than him.
For this costume, the more accurate you can get the better! I’ve linked every actual piece here.
You need: converse, jeans, a red plaid buttondown underneath a teal sweater, with a sherpa lined maroon corduroy jacket. Now pull that hair in a pony, grab a bat (because we’re not promoting or handling weapons for Halloween), and get ready to fight the Demogorgon.
One thing I love about Nancy’s fashion is that while she’s never afraid to go bold and so very femme 80s, she always has the classic jeans and patterned sweater in her back pocket. I wanted to showcase my most ‘busy’/Nancy-esque sweater that I can absolutely see her wearing to a study session or while researching a newspaper article.
Of course, I had to higlight another badass Nancy moment and look: her season four trapped in the Upside Down Look. I definitely whooped aloud when she jumped in after Steve, zero hesitation.
For this ensemble, you need a cowl neck striped sweater belted at the waist, cream colored flowy pants (if they’re long enough to be tucked into the boots, do that! My pants were a little too cropped for that), and heeled boots. I decided to add the ‘battling bats’ oar prop for more recognizability and fun!
Nancy’s season 4 opening outfit was amazing. No notes. While it might not be the most recognizable without the correct colors and ‘Emerson’ t-shirt, I had to do my best to pay homage to it.
The key elements to this look are: a midi skirt, any tucked-in shirt of your choosing, a belted element, and an open long sleeved cardigan. For shoes, I opted for loafers, but kitten heels would also be appropriate. Bonus points for waggling car kets, a cross-body bag, or journalist notebook!
I had so much fun making this Stranger Things Series - it was such a blast, and I will definitely be giving more of a nod to 80s fashion in my future looks, even outside of Halloween Season.
Who would you dress as from Stranger Things? Let me know in the comments below! And as always, feel free to follow along for all of the fun on instagram by following @sarah.kowalchuk, or on tiktok @sarah.kowalchuk as well!
xx, Sarah
