Best 80s Fashion Moments in the Series, Ranked

When Stranger Things premiered back in July 2016, there was no way we could have predicted the smash hit it would become. So much so that, nowadays, as we await the fifth and final season of this production created and produced by the Duffer Brothers, the Netflix original series is on everyone’s lips, and continues to garner fans around the world, who take to social media to discuss their theories and expectations for the series finale. Stranger Things is set in the 80s, in a small town called Hawkins that is suddenly embroiled in a series of supernatural events that must be solved by a group of children with a handful of adult allies. The cast features Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink and Joe Keery, among many other supporting stars who have joined season by season.

When the events of a series take place in an earlier time period, filmmakers have an added challenge in production: to research every last detail of that period so that the setting is accurate. From the sets to the costumes and makeup, down to the best music the characters listen to and the activities they do, the attention to detail is what makes the atmosphere totally convincing.

The Stranger Things crew has done a wonderful job conveying the essence of their chosen period, spanning 1983-1986, earning a slew of major award nominations for it. The most praised have been their costume designers and the makeup and hairstyle departments, who have managed to give each character their own identity with iconic clothing, accessories, and hairstyles indicative of the time period. Their work has been nominated for Costume Designers Guild Awards, Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards, and Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, among many others. This article will go over some of the best 80s fashion moments in Stranger Thingsranked.

10 A Trend-filled Ice Skating Rink

At the end of season three, Joyce (Ryder) moved with Will (Schnapp), Jonathan (Heaton), and Eleven (Bobby Brown) to a small town in California called Lenora Hills, and when Mike paid a visit to his girlfriend and best friend, they all decided to spend some time at an ice skating rink. Many of the trends of that time can be seen at the rink, from spandex jumpsuits and tights to knee-high stockings, geometric prints, bright patterns, and sporty shorts, among many other features that can be spotted with close attention.

Related: Stranger Things 4: Why Eddie Munson’s Story Should Have Turned Out Differently

9 Eleven’s Prom Dress

Closing season two of Stranger Thingsall the characters attended The Snowball, an annual dance held at Hawkins Middle School. It was Eleven’s first ball ever, but her outfit was on-point, showcasing two of the biggest trends at the time: a dress with puffy sleeves and a colorful belt marking her waist.

8 Graphic T-shirts Everywhere

The 80s served as a platform for the rise of a trend that is still relevant to this day: graphic T-shirts. Even though they had already been around for a couple of years, this was the era in which they came to prominence. This can also be seen in several characters in Stranger Thingssuch as Dustin’s (Matarazzo) many outfits throughout the seasons, and Eddie Munson’s (Joseph Quinn) iconic outfit featuring the Hellfire Club T-shirt.

7 Steve’s Sunglasses

In terms of accessories, sunglasses were one of the most popular ones in the 80s, especially Ray-Ban sunglasses. There were two hit models that were everyone’s favorites: the Wayfarers and Aviator-style sunglasses. Bearing this in mind, it’s no wonder that someone as popular as Steve Harrington (Keery) was during the first season of the series owned a pair of these trendy sunglasses.

6 Nancy, Robin, and Their Fancy Lace Shirts

Nancy Wheeler’s (Dyer) style is quite reminiscent of many trends of the era, as we’ve seen her in preppy outfits and coats with prominent shoulder pads, among many other outfits. Perhaps that’s why season four’s scene in which she lent Robin some of her clothes to visit Victor Creel in jail was so hilarious. During that scene, both girls were in lace-trimmed blouses, a hot trend of that over-the-top decade.

Related: Stranger Things Writers Will Resist Adding Any New Characters to Season 5

5 Billy: Denim on Denim

Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) was introduced in season two as Max’s (Sink) stepbrother, and he quickly became one of Hawkins’ biggest heartthrobs. Among all the trends that brought Billy’s character to life, two stand out among the rest: his stylish hairstyle and his denim-on-denim combos, a fashion trend that became popular all over again in the last few years.

4 Hairstyles: The Bigger, The Better

To keep up with the outlandish outfits and accessories of the time, hairstyles were also adapted, and became bulky and flamboyant. The bigger and bolder the hairstyle, the more popular the wearer, and among the most popular hairstyles were mullets. A few characters from Stranger Things with voluminous hairstyles are Billy Hargrove, Nancy Wheeler, Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, and Dustin Henderson, each with different, yet completely iconic styles.

3 Eleven: Scrunchie & Suspenders

Eleven is one of the characters whose style was notoriously changing from season to season, possibly due to the short amount of time she lived freely and in society. From seasons two to three, her gloomy style became colorful, bright, and fun, showcasing some of the most exciting trends of the time in her outfits. Among her most memorable outfits of the season was the one with the blue shirt, matching suspenders, and a striking yellow scrunchie holding back her hair.

2 Mrs. Wheeler, a Fashion Icon

Karen Wheeler (portrayed by Cara Buono) may be a supporting character in Stranger Thingsbut she manages to steal the audience’s attention whenever she appears on-screen. Her style is the absolute epitome of 80s trends, and she is a woman who clearly spends time on her personal image and loves fashion. One of the many examples of this is a scene in season three at the swimming pool, where Mrs. Wheeler was featured wearing a swimsuit, necklace, and earrings that were era-appropriate, not to mention her vibrant makeup, voluminous hairstyle, and, to top it off, a pair of heels.

1 Neon Colors and Vibrant Prints

Bright colors and prints are one of the most memorable trends of the 80s, and have been reproduced over the years, filling fashion stores all around the world. This trend can be seen heavily throughout every season of Stranger Thingsbut especially in season three, with Eleven wearing them the most. As a matter of fact, her black jumpsuit with colorful patterns — considered, per Seventeen, to be one of the highlights of the season — is a vintage garment from the 80s that was purchased for the show.