Stranger Things Will Take Your Wardrobe to Another Dimension

Loveable metalhead Eddie Munson contains a vault of headbanging 1980s ‘fits throughout the new season. Ringleader of the Hawkins Hellfire Club, Eddie’s signature piece is a vintage denim vest replete with music memorabilia, including a Dio patch on the back, a popular American metal band from the decade, and pins from other bands like W.A.S.P. Interestingly, costume designer Amy Parris actually reached out to Dio’s estate to secure genuine vintage tees from the band!

Often paired with a classic leather jacket (another sartorial staple for metalheads), Eddie also wore a custom Hellfire Club long sleeve, torn denim jeans, and enough bling on his fingers to light up the Upside Down! 

Inspired by a young James Hetfield of Metallica, Eddie’s look was so strong even Steve Harrington had to don the denim vest! 

Surf’s up, Wheeler! Mike rides the wave of 1980s West Coast skate and surf fashion when pulling up to see Eleven and the Byers family in California, the sometimes-romantic wearing banana graphic button-ups, psychedelic print visors and rainbow-coloured sunglasses straps.

Obviously trying to impress El with his gaudy beachside getups, the roller-skating rink becomes a defacto runway for them in episode two (‘Vecna’s Curse’), with a retina-blasting mix of neon printed tees, acid wash denim jackets, jazzercise lycra and hot pants.

DJ, cue The Safaris. 

If you could bottle up California’s surf culture, Argyle’s face would be stamped on the label. 

Bringing more heat than Surfer Boy Pizza, the local teahead wears tapered trousers, rainbow tie-dye socks, and mismatched Vans Slip-Ons. His tropical sun visor (often worn backwards) is one of his signature looks, while the vintage cycling cap – peak upturned – is the stuff of West Coast fever dreams. 

Just hold the pineapple on the pizza! 

Despite being a minor character, Karen Wheeler’s outfits have taken on a life of their own throughout Stranger Things, the Midwest mum stunting looks seemingly torn straight from Jane Fonda’s fitness videos. Sporting a fresh perm, Karen’s tracksuits and headbands adopt the vibrant pastel hues emblematic of the era, however, it’s her neckwear that’s still generating plenty of chatter online, the pearl-studded vulva first making its appearance in season three (yes, you read that correctly!)

Mrs. Wheeler FTW! 

El’s ensembles reached new heights in Stranger Things season 3, the psychokinetic superstar hitting the Starcourt Mall in geometric rompers, criss-cross suspenders and her signature scrunchies. It was a mighty tough act to follow, with her look in the latest season shifting from shopping mall chic to hand-me-downs. It appears that the kid superhero struggles to acclimate to the Cali code, layering oversized shirts. Costume designer Amy Parris had initially based the look on Sarah Jessica Parker’s character from the cult-favourite 1980s sitcom, Square Pegs. 

Still, Joyce’s haircuts and Hopper’s flannelette shirts can’t stop El from saving the world!