Heather Chandler Costume
Rule Westerberg High in Heather Chandler's iconic red blazer and pleated skirt.
Heather Chandler is the ruthless, ultra-popular leader of the Westerberg High clique in the 1988 cult classic film Heathers and its popular musical adaptation. Dressing as Heather Chandler is a favorite for fans of 80s cinema and musical theater, instantly recognized by her bold red color scheme. The look consists of a structured red blazer, a pleated plaid skirt, and her signature red hair scrunchie.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $40–90
Try it on
See yourself as Heather Chandler
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What you need for a Heather Chandler costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Heather Chandler costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Red blazer
A structured, double-breasted red blazer with gold buttons, ideally featuring 1980s-style padded shoulders.
DIY: Thrift a vintage red blazer and sew on gold metallic buttons.
White collared shirt
A crisp white long-sleeve button-down shirt or a white blouse with a ruffled collar.
Gray pleated skirt
A pleated mini skirt in gray, charcoal, or a subtle gray plaid pattern.
Red scrunchie
A large, bright red satin or velvet hair scrunchie worn high on the head.
DIY: Tie a strip of red satin fabric around a standard hair tie.
White knee-high socks
Opaque white knee-high socks pulled up to just below the knee.
Black Mary Jane shoes
Classic black leather or patent leather Mary Jane flats or low-heeled pumps.
DIY: Any black loafers or flat dress shoes will work.
Red croquet mallet
A vintage-style wooden croquet mallet with a red stripe, used as her signature prop.
DIY: Paint the ends of a toy mallet or a cardboard tube red.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Heather Chandler costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white collared button-down shirt and tuck it neatly into the gray pleated skirt.
- 2
Layer the structured red blazer over the white shirt, leaving the collar of the shirt visible over the lapels.
- 3
Pull on the white knee-high socks, ensuring they are pulled straight and even on both legs.
- 4
Step into the black Mary Jane shoes.
- 5
Style your hair into a high, side-swept ponytail or half-up style, securing it prominently with the large red scrunchie.
- 6
Carry the wooden croquet mallet in one hand to complete the iconic Westerberg High look.
Makeup & hair
Style hair into voluminous, feathered 80s waves, pulled back into a high side-ponytail with the red scrunchie. Keep makeup classic with neutral eyeshadow, defined brows, and a bold, matte red lipstick to match the blazer.
Heather Chandler for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Veronica Sawyer in her signature blue blazer, or J.D. in a black trench coat carrying a slushie cup.
- group
- Form the full Heathers trio with Heather Duke in green and Heather McNamara in yellow, all carrying matching croquet mallets.
- kids
- A scaled-down version featuring a red cardigan, gray skirt, white socks, and a red hair bow.
- Plus size
- Look for a stretch-knit red blazer and an elastic-waist pleated gray skirt for maximum comfort.
- pet
- A red dog bandana paired with a tiny red hair bow.
Tips
- Thrift stores are excellent sources for authentic 1980s blazers with period-accurate shoulder pads.
- If carrying a real wooden croquet mallet is too heavy for a party, a lightweight plastic toy version painted to look like wood is a great alternative.
- Keep a red pen or vintage-style notebook handy as an extra high school prop.
Heather Chandler costume FAQ
- What color is Heather Chandler's signature outfit?
- Heather Chandler's signature color is red, representing power and leadership. Her outfit features a red blazer, red scrunchie, and red lipstick.
- What props do I need for a Heather Chandler costume?
- The most iconic prop is a wooden croquet mallet (with a red stripe). You can also carry a red cup or a vintage high school notebook.
- How do I style my hair like Heather Chandler?
- Create big, feathered 80s volume using hairspray or a curling iron, then pull the top half or the entire ponytail up high and secure it with a prominent red scrunchie.
Did you know? In both the 1988 film and the musical adaptation, the color red is passed down to whichever character takes over as the leader of the clique after Heather Chandler's departure.