Steve and Nancy Costume
Channel 1984 Hawkins with this iconic, retro couples costume look.
In Season 2 of Stranger Things, Steve Harrington and Nancy Wheeler attend a high school Halloween party dressed as Joel and Lana from the 1983 film Risky Business. This meta couples costume is a favorite for fans because it combines 1980s nostalgia with a specific, memorable moment from the show. The look consists of classic preppy pieces, dark sunglasses, and retro hairstyles.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $40–90
Try it on
See yourself as Steve and Nancy
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Steve and Nancy costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Steve and Nancy costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Steve's Gray Blazer
A classic gray, single-breasted suit jacket or blazer worn over a black shirt.
DIY: Borrow a gray suit jacket from a friend or find one at a local thrift store.
Steve's Black Button-Down Shirt
A simple black long-sleeve dress shirt, worn unbuttoned at the collar.
DIY: Use any plain black collared shirt you already own.
Steve's Sunglasses
Classic black Wayfarer-style sunglasses to channel Tom Cruise's iconic look.
Nancy's White Button-Down Shirt
A crisp, oversized white long-sleeve button-down shirt with the collar popped slightly.
DIY: An oversized men's white dress shirt works perfectly for this slouchy look.
Nancy's White Pleated Skirt
A white pleated mini skirt or tennis skirt to match the monochrome Lana aesthetic.
DIY: Any white A-line or tennis skirt will fit the silhouette.
Nancy's Red Ribbon Tie
A thin red ribbon tied in a loose bow around the collar of the white shirt.
DIY: Cut a strip of red fabric or use a red shoelace tied in a neat bow.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Steve and Nancy costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
For Steve: Put on dark trousers or jeans, tuck in the black button-down shirt, and leave the top couple of buttons undone.
- 2
Layer the gray blazer over the black shirt and push the sleeves up slightly on the forearms.
- 3
Put on the black Wayfarer sunglasses to complete Steve's 'Risky Business' look.
- 4
For Nancy: Put on the white pleated skirt and tuck in the oversized white button-down shirt.
- 5
Tie the thin red ribbon around the collar of the white shirt, letting the ends hang down as a loose bow.
- 6
Style both hairstyles with plenty of volume to capture the authentic 1980s Hawkins vibe.
Makeup & hair
Steve needs high-volume, feathered hair styled back with strong-hold gel or hairspray. Nancy should have soft, feathered 80s waves with a side part, paired with minimal, natural-looking makeup.
Steve and Nancy for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person dresses as Steve in his gray blazer and sunglasses, while the other dresses as Nancy in her white shirt, white skirt, and red ribbon tie.
- group
- Add Jonathan Byers in a vintage denim jacket and camera, or other Hawkins high students to make it a group.
- kids
- Scale down the looks with kids' sized blazers, white skirts, and retro sunglasses.
- Plus size
- Both looks rely on classic, easily adjustable basics like oversized button-downs and relaxed-fit blazers.
Tips
- Carry a red plastic party cup to reference the Hawkins high school Halloween party scene.
- Use plenty of hairspray to keep Steve's signature volume intact throughout the night.
- This is an excellent last-minute costume since most items can be found in a standard wardrobe or thrift store.
Steve and Nancy costume FAQ
- What are Steve and Nancy dressed as for Halloween in Stranger Things?
- They are dressed as Joel (Tom Cruise) and Lana (Rebecca De Mornay) from the 1983 movie 'Risky Business'.
- What does Nancy wear for her costume?
- Nancy wears an oversized white button-down shirt, a white pleated skirt, a thin red ribbon tied around her collar, and white heels.
- What does Steve wear for his costume?
- Steve wears a gray blazer over a black button-down shirt, dark pants, and black Wayfarer-style sunglasses.
Did you know? Many viewers in 2017 were initially confused by Steve and Nancy's costumes because they expected sci-fi or monster themes, but the outfits are highly accurate recreations of the iconic 1983 film 'Risky Business' which would have been a massive hit in their timeline.