Stranger Things Costume
Channel Hawkins' most powerful hero with this classic, nostalgic sci-fi look.
Since its debut, Stranger Things has captured the hearts of sci-fi and '80s nostalgia fans alike. While the series features many memorable outfits, Eleven's Season 1 look—consisting of a pink smocked dress, a blue jacket, and a box of Eggo waffles—remains the franchise's most iconic and universally recognized costume. This guide helps you recreate her classic look, with tips on how to adapt it for other fan-favorite characters.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $35–85
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See yourself as Stranger Things
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What you need for a Stranger Things costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Stranger Things costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Pink smocked dress
A light pink, long-sleeved dress featuring a smocked bodice and a white Peter Pan collar.
DIY: Use a plain pink dress and sew or fabric-glue a white felt collar to the neckline.
Blue zip-up jacket
A classic blue member's mark jacket or simple blue windbreaker worn open over the dress.
DIY: An oversized blue denim jacket or blue track jacket works perfectly.
Striped tube socks
White knee-high tube socks featuring green and yellow stripes at the top.
DIY: Buy plain white knee-high socks and use fabric markers to draw green and yellow stripes.
White canvas sneakers
Simple white lace-up canvas sneakers, slightly scuffed for a worn-in look.
DIY: Use any old white sneakers you already own.
Blonde wig
A shoulder-length, slightly messy blonde wig to mimic the disguise wig Eleven wears.
DIY: If you have short hair, you can skip the wig and go for her shaved-head look instead.
Fake blood
A small tube of stage blood or red face paint to create her signature nosebleed.
DIY: Mix a drop of red food coloring with a tiny bit of corn syrup.
Eggo waffle box
An empty, classic yellow cardboard box of Eggo waffles to carry as a prop.
DIY: Print out an Eggo logo and glue it onto a small cardboard box.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Stranger Things costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the pink smocked dress, ensuring the white collar is neatly folded down.
- 2
Pull on the white striped tube socks, pulling them up to just below your knees.
- 3
Lace up your white canvas sneakers.
- 4
Put on the blonde wig, styling it so it looks slightly unkempt and fits snugly.
- 5
Layer the blue zip-up jacket over the dress, leaving it completely unzipped.
- 6
Using a cotton swab, carefully apply a small drip of fake blood coming from your left nostril.
- 7
Tuck the empty Eggo waffle box under your arm to complete the look.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup minimal and natural. Use a small dab of fake blood or red face paint under your left nostril to simulate Eleven's psychic nosebleed. If using the blonde wig, keep it slightly messy; if going wigless, slick back short hair.
Stranger Things for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Eleven with Mike Wheeler in his '80s striped polo and beige jacket, or go as Steve and Robin in their blue Scoops Ahoy sailor uniforms.
- group
- Gather a crew to dress as the Hellfire Club with matching raglan tees, or the core kids' group with Dustin's green trucker hat and Lucas's camo headband.
- kids
- This look is highly popular for kids; look for pre-made pink Eleven dresses or simple Hellfire Club t-shirts.
- Plus size
- A stretchy pink skater dress with a separate white collar insert provides a comfortable, flexible fit.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a yellow 'Eggo Waffle' pet costume to accompany your Eleven outfit.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Stranger Things costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Stranger things dog costume
- Dress your dog in a yellow 'Eggo Waffle' pet costume to accompany your Eleven outfit.
Tips
- Scuff up your white sneakers with a little dirt or charcoal to match Eleven's rugged, on-the-run aesthetic.
- If you are attending an outdoor event, the blue jacket will keep you warm, making this a great weather-friendly costume.
- Keep the Eggo box lightweight by emptying it beforehand and taping the lid shut so it's easy to carry all night.
- For photos, strike a serious pose with your hand outstretched, fingers splayed, as if using your telekinetic powers.
Stranger Things costume FAQ
- How do I make Eleven's nosebleed look realistic?
- Use a dark red stage blood gel rather than liquid fake blood, as the gel stays in place better and won't run down your face during the night.
- What can I wear instead of the pink dress?
- You can easily opt for Eleven's Season 3 look, which features a colorful '80s geometric print romper with a yellow scrunchie and blue suspenders.
- Can I do this costume last-minute?
- Yes! A Hellfire Club t-shirt paired with denim jeans and a denim jacket is an incredibly easy, recognizable, and fast alternative.
Did you know? Eleven's iconic pink dress and blue jacket look was actually inspired by the outfit worn by the character Gertie (played by Drew Barrymore) in the 1982 classic film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.