Since first debuting on Netflix in 2016, “Stranger Things”‘s foothold in the nostalgic medium has helped shape flashbacks over the past few years as a retro style renaissance, particularly in the fashion world. Initially, Eleven’s pink dress, bloody nose, and angry facial expression quickly cemented her status as one of pop culture’s most beloved creepy children.
However, the character’s stylistic evolution mimics relevant parts of growing up. Because while fighting a supernatural entity trying to devour your town isn’t exactly a normal ritual, a shopping montage definitely is.
hospital clothes
When the audience first sees Eleven, her clothes represent a lack of identity. Due to the lack of color, shape, design, and association with hospital gowns, the audience knows that Eleven is not as socially capable as the other members who have been introduced.
What continues to establish Eleven as “the other” is her shaved hairstyle. Set in the eighties, El’s boisterous style contrasts with the hairstyles of the time. Her short hair helps to visually distinguish her when she is near the other actors.
pink dress and trench coat
The iconic pink dress and blonde wig of the first season are more in line with the trendy style of other characters. El then thought the outfit was “beautiful” and “nice.” Because of his positive association with the costume, Al begins to view himself negatively once the emotional stress of disguise begins to set in.
Once El begins to embrace her powers and use them to protect her friends, she balances her good intentions with herself. This is where her pink dress, trench coat, and short hair come together to make the visual most associated with the character and the show.
Hopper’s clothes
As season two begins, Elle’s fashion is largely dictated by her surrogate father, Hopper. Her clothes are mostly “old clothes” with few styles. The outfits were oversized and baggy, reminiscent of her first appearance. The soft colors help her disappear in the isolation of the woods.
This further exacerbates her frustration at being hidden, forcing her to revert even more to the way she was when she was first discovered. Even her attempt to join the boys in a Ghostbusters Halloween costume reflected these frustrations, as she ensured no one would see her in the bedsheet ghost costume.
punk phase
After Al escapes Hopper and meets her “sister,” her style is influenced by the older girl’s group of friends. Slicked back hair, dark makeup, lots of bracelets and dark colors are all aspects of the old gang influence on El.This new style allowed Eleven to have a rebellious phase, although her new behavior seemed to go against her personality (e.g. stranger things Fans can testify).
While the episode was poorly received, fans loved seeing the departure from the character’s style. More importantly, viewers watch Al realize that this version of himself is no more true to his identity than Hopper’s, and then go home.
snowball dress
The snowball dance at the end of season 2 is one of fans’ favorite moments stranger things, this dress is part of the reason. It blends Eleven’s identity with the people who helped shape her into who she is now.
Her slicked-back hair, dramatic makeup, and bracelets harken back to her first attempts to find her identity outside of Hawkins, while the dress’s muted color scheme and slightly looser fit are more in keeping with her resemblance to Hawkins. A style worn with Perth. Beautiful and practical style makes Eleven a member of this group.
Jumpsuits
Season 3 stranger things Witness the development of Eleven and Max’s friendship. Eleven’s experience with female friendships thus far has been lacking or tainted by jealousy. When Max and Eleven go to the mall for some retail therapy, it’s Eleven’s first chance to try it herself.
It’s also the first time she’s had someone supporting her without a hidden agenda or threats of city-wide destruction. When Eleven picked out a one-piece, the dark undertones made the bright pattern of the one-piece stand out, and for the first time Al felt like she could do it.
yellow shirt
Although jumpsuits are Eleven’s most popular outfit, she wore a bright yellow shirt with a black geometric pattern, black pants and suspenders to most of her major events this season.
While the outfit is more like Elle’s jumpsuit, it’s rooted in her identity as Hopper’s surrogate daughter. Even when Hopper fights the Mind Flayer with Al at the Star Court Mall, he’s wearing a brighter shirt he bought for his date with Joyce – a clear sign that Al is not only favored by those around him influence, and in turn she began to influence herself. to influence them.
Hopper’s Flannel
After Al loses her surrogate father, she returns to a style more similar to what she had at the beginning of the season to express her grief. This included wearing Hopper’s old flannels as she packed her bags and moved the Byers family to California.
As she wears the comfort of Hopper’s old clothes, she ties it around her waist and interprets his style with her own, as she can have her own style without the power. She even wore the blue headband that Hopper gave her as a bracelet when she left Hawkins.
joyce inspired hairstyle
Fans are hoping to see El continue to grow and distance herself from her origins in the upcoming fourth season, and the first look at Eleven hints that her style is influenced by the surrogate mother-daughter relationship she develops with Joyce The impact of relationships. Elle’s hair is longer than her hair on the show, and the style is reminiscent of Joyce’s.
Eleven’s fashion choices in the trailer also suggest she’s sticking to “Hopper” choices, favoring grunge comfort over shoulder-padded fashion. You can take the girl out of Hawkins, but you can’t take Hawkins out of the girl.