I Just Binged Stranger Things—Suddenly I Want to Wear These '80s Trends Again

Even in its fourth season, Stranger Things has as much of a pull on the media as it did when it first came out and took the entertainment world by storm. Right now, my social media feed continues to be filled with either songs from the show (Kate Bush is top tier) or outfit videos inspired by the '80s ensembles seen on the show. We've been talking about '90s and early-2000s fashion quite a bit on Who What Wear, but watching Stranger Things made me realize the '80s deserve more attention.

The majority of my focus on the show stayed on the characters' suspenseful adventures, although I couldn't help but be intrigued by each character's technicolored ensembles. Whether it's Steve Harrington's double-denim and Nike moments or Nancy Wheeler's exaggerated collars, I wouldn't mind adding a few '80s-inspired trends to my wardrobe. There are a lot of trends I wouldn't bring back (I'm looking at you, acid-wash denim and puffy bangs), but I've listed five below that I'm planning on wearing again in 2022.

While you wait for Part 2 of the show to air, (It comes to Netflix on July 2) keep scrolling and get your own '80s style dose.

Double Denim

stranger-things-trends-300398-1655161125219-main

(Image credit: Netflix)

While I won't be copying the acid-wash aspect of the denim look above, I'm inputting a mental note to wear a simple double-denim look next time I'm going out. Instead of pairing the denim pieces with punchy colors, I'd stick to a more simple look with a crisp white T-shirt and black accessories. 

Punchy Hues

stranger-things-trends-300398-1655161144746-main

(Image credit: Netflix)

Saturated shades are the trend WWW editors can't stop talking about, and among all the color possibilities, the punchy neon hues that were extremely popular during the '80s have been catching my eye.

Multicolored Stripes

stranger-things-trends-300398-1655161207760-main

(Image credit: Netflix)

It is the '80s I'm talking about here, so one colorful trend wouldn't be just enough. I consistently saw T-shirts with colorful stripes on the show, but I'm also interested in seeing the print on button-downs for a 2022 upgrade.

Boxy Blazers

stranger-things-trends-300398-1655161111360-main

(Image credit: Netflix)

I often like thrifting my blazers because I love to find ones that have strong shoulders. It may not be everyone's favorite, but I love the strong touch it adds to the structure of a blazer.

Graphic T-Shirts

stranger-things-trends-300398-1655161134899-main

(Image credit: Netflix)

Graphic tees became widely loved in the '80s with people wearing everything from Coca-Cola to Mickey Mouse on their chests. Although I have quite a bit of a collection of graphic tops, seeing characters like Dustin and Eddie rock theirs reminded me to give mine a little bit more love. Not only are they cooler than your average T-shirt, but they also show a bit of your personality.

Exaggerated Collars

stranger-things-trends-300398-1655161255060-main

(Image credit: Netflix)

A collared poplin top is a must-have for the summertime, and after I finished the latest Stranger Things episode, I hit purchase on a Ganni top that's been sitting in my cart for days.

Next, We're Calling It: This Grandpa-Inspired Print Trend Will Be Huge This Summer

Explore More:
Associate Fashion Editor

After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, Yusra Siddiqui found her way to the team after graduating with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, Nylon, and Allure. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest social media trends, and diving deep into all things Gen Z-related.