Part One of the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things is now available for streaming on Netflix. As the series reaches its conclusion, costume designer Amy Parris reflects on her role in shaping the characters’ wardrobes, emphasizing the narrative significance of clothing. Parris states, “costume designers are storytellers,” a philosophy that guided her in curating the wardrobe for the ensemble cast.
The challenge of designing costumes for the fifth season involved building upon the established aesthetic of previous seasons while introducing new elements reflective of the characters’ development. Parris noted the importance of inspiration boards as she prepared for the role, stating, “I brought inspiration boards, knowing this next season would be a year further and in the summer.” She drew from a wealth of materials, including family photos and magazines from the 1980s, to capture the era’s essence.
Balancing Tone and Functionality
As the show has evolved, its visual tone has darkened, impacting the costume choices. Parris explained that this season features fewer costume changes for the cast, necessitating outfits that not only narrate their stories but also accommodate the practical demands of filming in Atlanta. “The challenge in that is making sure the outfit is something telling their story, while being pleasing to watch,” she elaborated. Given the action-packed nature of the final season, multiple outfits were created to withstand the rigors of the cast’s performances.
The final installment presents a unique opportunity for Parris to reflect on the characters’ journeys throughout the series. The wardrobe choices mirror the characters’ growth from adolescence into young adulthood. Parris highlighted how clothing styles evolve to represent shifts in personality and mood, stating, “You’ll find a person’s disposition can be conveyed from lighter to darker colors if they are feeling angsty.”
Referencing 1980s Culture
The series’ enduring appeal lies in its rich tapestry of 1980s pop culture references, which have informed Parris’s costume design. For example, she cited influences from films like “Three O’Clock High” and “Adventures in Babysitting” when designing for new characters. Parris specifically noted her work with actor Jake Connelly, who plays a new character named Derek, stating that his look drew inspiration from the classic films of the era.
Parris’s previous work on characters such as Joseph Quinn’s Eddie Munson from Season Four also informs her vision for the final season. She expressed satisfaction with how Eddie’s character resonated with viewers, noting, “He feels so authentic to the wizard metal music dude of the ’80s.” This connection to the audience is a testament to Parris’s ability to weave character narratives through costume design.
As the final season unfolds, Parris emphasizes that the clothing will play a pivotal role in conveying the emotional and narrative depth of the series. “The clothing goes through a lot,” she remarked, hinting at significant revelations in the concluding episodes. Part Two of Stranger Things is set to premiere on December 25, 2025, with the series finale scheduled for December 31, 2025.
With its blend of nostalgia, character-driven storytelling, and vibrant costume design, the final season of Stranger Things promises to deliver a memorable conclusion to the beloved series.
