Steve’s 80s Radio Look

The trailer kicks off at Hawkins’ WSQK radio station, where Steve Harrington is instantly rocking classic 1980s hair and denim. His clean bomber jacket and high-waisted jeans evoke pure Madonna-era chic – think “Material Girl” meets Cougar Town. This scene sets the retro tone with Steve’s trusty blue van and satellite dish, and I’d give his look a solid 9/10 for total vintage vibes. It’s a reminder that Stranger Things has always banked on eighties style as inspiration. Even InStyle notes that 2025 fashion is all about “pure ’80s nostalgia”, with bold statement pieces and metallic accents flooding runways – so Steve’s throwback outfit feels right on trend.

As the radio crackles with an underground tune, we glimpse the whole crew gearing up. Lucas wears a letterman-style jacket (classic varsity), Joyce throws on a puffy quilted coat, and Dustin’s in a patched-up leather flight jacket – all of it layering weathered textures like khaki and navy. These are exactly the kinds of grungy, layered looks dominating Instagram feeds now. (Pro tip: This will surely inspire #StrangerThingsFashion fans to raid their vintage shops for trucker caps and denim vests.)

Bunker Blues: Kids on Layered Survival Mode

Inside a dim basement, a dozen younger characters huddle in a makeshift bunker. Here Erica Sinclair confidently wears an oversized flannel shirt under a faded graphic tee – basically a Gen-Z dream of grungecore style. The scene’s color palette (forest greens, burnt orange, deep burgundy) screams autumn ‘87, aligning with the current cozy-chic trend. Think Nancy’s feminist power suits filtered through thrift-shop grunge. Even without dialogue, the moment feels like a callback to The Goonies or Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and the wardrobe matches: ripped jeans, thermal layers, and combat boots all make an appearance. It’s Hawkins’ very own #FallFashion editorial.

(Incidentally, the kids’ rugged survival gear reminds me of that viral #80sAesthetic TikTok trend showing layered outwear and chunky boots. Pretty sure all those #80score posts are smiling right now.)

Eddie’s Tomb and Punk Vibes

A quick, eerie cut to Eddie Munson’s graffiti-scrawled tombstone shows Max’s boyfriend’s name etched with “BURN IN HELL” – pure heavy-metal horror aesthetic. Standing beside it is Nancy Wheeler, kneeling in a simple quilted coat and winter gloves. The dripping red paint matches the ‘80s horror vibe – like Nancy stepped out of a Robert Englund movie. I half-expect her plaid skirt and sweater to pop (though it’s mostly darkness here). This creepy tableau injects gothic punk energy: it even calls to mind the spiked arm cuffs and acid-wash denim of Slayer fans. (Nancy’s subdued outfit in this shot isn’t flashy, but it fits the vibe: practical cold-weather layers with an emo twist.)

While not a “fashion moment” per se, the tomb scene doubles as a nod to Saturday Night Fever club lighting and punk rock album art. For Halloween costume hunters, I can already see one: dark skirt, white blouse, knee socks – Grandma by day, punk rocker by night. The trailer knows fans will dissect every inch: For example, a few moments earlier Lucas and Mike are wearing thrift-store wool jackets that echo Stranger Things Season 2’s plaid mania – showing how the series’ 80s-inspired style continues to influence our own closets.

Demo-Dogs in the Kitchen: Nostalgic Nerd-Chic

Cut to what feels like a Jurassic Park homage: demodogs crash through a suburban kitchen while the kids freeze. Mike’s in a letterman cardigan (retro preppy), Lucas still has his Tiger varsity jacket, and Robin Buckley looks adorable in a pink Prince-inspired sweater with rainbow stripes. This mix of preppy and punk is classic Hawkins. Dustin – sporting a tilted trucker cap and a cartoon tee under a flannel – takes a hit from a demodog. His jaunty baseball hat and windbreaker recall his trademark geek-chic style from season 3. His bruised face doesn’t obscure the vibe: layers of kitschy prints meet 80s athletic gear.

The styling here is spot-on nerd-grunge fusion. Megaphone necklaces or Sgt. Pepper jackets? Not exactly. Instead, it’s more like Captain America’s kid brother wore eco-friendly clearance rack finds. It shows the trailer loves texture-over-silhouette: flannels, knit vests, and rolled-up sleeves – exactly the throwback trends we’re seeing pop up on mall racks this year. And the setting – a warm-wood kitchen – makes everything feel a bit retro domestic, as if straight from a Full House set. Even the demodog’s fur (mismatched black&brown) screams “raccoon-striped leg warmers,” confirming that Stranger Things still knows how to turn a horror chase into a style showcase.

Eleven & Hopper: Battle Gear Duo

We zoom into Eleven in full hero mode. She’s wearing a rugged olive-green parka over a faded flying-saucer-print sweatshirt, gym shorts, and combat boots – basically a woke John Hughes outcast. Her signature slicked-back hair (remember S4 Eleven’s mullet?) is now tied back with a black neckerchief – trending! Bandanas and scarves are a huge throwback accessory in 2025 streetwear. (It’s like Eleven just raided her 80s airport lounge lookbook, minus the pink.) Hopper stands next to her in his usual sherpa-lined army coat and giant rifle. They look like they stepped out of an Apocalypse Now fanfic.

This Upside Down raid outfit is battle-ready punk: functional, layered, and darkly cinematic. I’d give Eleven’s new ensemble a 10/10 – it’s modern 80s athletic-wear meets Netflix hero-wear. And it’s on-brand: Stranger Things has always shown “eighties style” traveling through our reality, so seeing El rock a neckerchief is like seeing Lara Croft go goth. The pairing also hints at multiplex maniacs: Eleven can levitate, but Hopper’s got the thigh pads and utility belt – a father-daughter team straight out of an action movie. Fans are already pausing, because Eleven’s coat has all the hallmarks of a “bad-ass mom” costume for next Halloween.

Dustin & Demodogs: Casual and Courageous

The next scene goes from tense to touching: Dustin Henderson, cheek bleeding, stumbles out of the Upside Down among snarling puppies. His outfit – a bright orange puffy vest over a hoodie, patched cargo pants – is both functional and iconic. That orange vest is practically “Dustin’s Official Uniform” at this point, a retro-camp look (like Boy Scouts meets punk band) that he’s owned since season 2. Hats off to the costume designer: this was likely a nod to 80s outdoors-clothing brands (think REI catalogs) that don’t feel dated.

I’d rate Dustin’s look a 8/10 – it’s classic geek chic made ready for apocalypse. And bonus nod to fans: the way the demodogs sniffing around him really evokes Terminator 2’s truck scene, with the friends banding together against impossible odds. (Ironically, Linda Hamilton showed up next wearing insane hair and more combat gear – but that’s coming up!) Dustin wiping blood on his jacket? Cue Titanic therapy moment. But his clothes are too cool for that: my money says stonewashed acid-wash prints would rise next year after this cameo.

Underwater Horror Scene: Domestic Panic

In a Blue Lagoon turn, Joyce Byers and young Holly hide underwater from a Demogorgon. Joyce’s outfit is a cozy quilted jacket and scarf – classic “mom-in-a-laundry-commercial” attire. Holly has on a neon swimsuit and swim-cap – adorable 80s PE uniform vibes. It’s strangely sweet fashion-wise: the kids’ bright stripes popped against Joyce’s earthy tones. While it’s more domestic than dramatic, it nails that Everyday Hero look – giving new meaning to “vigilante mom.”

The scene’s high concept (90’s cartoon underwater hideout) blends everyday Americana with horror. Style-wise it reminded me of Stand by Me kid chic mixed with Baywatch (only Joyce’s hair is definitely not lifeguard-level fabulous). It makes you think, “Yeah, that’s exactly what a suburban mom would wear,” which is funny because parents on TV usually don’t have an aesthetic – but Joyce does. It’ll likely inspire a retro swim party trend: Viva 80s Janet Jackson bathing suits, now with added toddler entombing.

Linda Hamilton’s Terminator-Inspired Entry

The most electric pop-culture style moment: Linda Hamilton appears with a ferocious baby-doll dress under a leather jacket, and wild teased hair that’s part Sarah Connor, part Liberace wig. She looks ready for Terminator crossed with Blade Runner. Even the trailer writer gushed, “THAT HAIR.” It’s a throwback to big 80s gym-lady glamour. We don’t know her character yet, but if she’s a military type, that outfit is chef’s kiss ’80s action hero. Score: 11/10, because Hamilton’s presence alone is style lightning (as Cinemablend notes, “THAT HAIR” is “enough to get me watching”).

Her reveal is a wink at Gen Z: seeing 80s icons wield vintage couture is its own trend. Think Billie Eilish with a ray gun. (Side note: Linda’s look might spawn an entirely new #badass80s cosplay.) It also reminds fans that Stranger Things embraces its horror roots – she could easily be the next Final Girl.

Final Shots & Villain Hints: Dark Elegance

The trailer closes with quick flashes: Eleven leaping between rooftops, Hopper and Eleven standing against the Upside Down portal flame, and Vecna’s hushed “Found you” emerging from shadow. Eleven’s final outfit (a dark hooded coat and body suit) is sleek and utilitarian – very much in line with current trends for tactical athleisure. Hopper’s wearing a grime-gray flannel shirt and military-issue pants – the ultimate “everyman hero” ensemble. Vecna himself is mostly shadow, but his mirrored-gold robes peek out; ominous enough to inspire a gold-foil streetwear throwback.

These last frames highlight how Stranger Things blends Maximalism with gloom. One moment, Eleven’s in spandex and leather (a nod to superhero finals); the next, she’s just in mom-jeans and a coat, human and approachable. This duality is very now – high-performance wear meets normalized everyday garb.

Upside Down Meets Uptown: Influencing Real Fashion

It’s no accident fans are live blogging every jacket and pair of boots. Stranger Things has always set fashion ripples – the old show sparked H&M collections and Nielsen’s bracket was that a lamp or a polyester vest sold out first. With this trailer, I predict an 80s glow-up for fall wardrobes. Already the InStyle and FashionBeans coverage reminds us that designers are overhauling polka dots, power suits, and double denim, the same elements we see on our Hawkins heroes.

Plus, Stranger style extends to Halloween: after S4, everyone was Eddie or Hellfire Club D&D demon; this time we’ll see Eleven’s bandana-cape combos and Hopper’s “dad jeans + mariner’s coat” suits. The trailer solidifies the show’s legacy as a trendsetting template – bringing industrial jackets, vintage tees, and even acid-wash moon boots back onto wish lists.

Bottom line: The Stranger Things 5 trailer is a walking moodboard of retro-chic. From Steve’s high-energy radio jacket and hair to Eleven’s punk-y layering, each character look scores high on the style meter. It’s a perfect collision of pop-culture nostalgia and current trends (80s nostalgia is so in right now). Whether you’re here for the action or the fashion, Hawkins’ final ride is serving looks as iconic as its TV legacy.

Sources: The trailer’s scenes and styling are fresh, but this analysis is inspired by industry commentary on 2025 fashion trends and Stranger Things’ history of influencing street style. These sources show how 80s and grunge aesthetics are resurfacing in real-world fashion, just as they’ve resurfaced in Hawkins’ wardrobes.