Since it was first released on Netflix in 2016, Stranger Things' foothold on nostalgia media has helped shaped the past few years into a flashback of vintage-style revivals, particularly in fashion. Initially, Eleven’s pink dress, bloody nose, and angry facial expressions quickly cemented her status as one of pop culture’s favorite creepy kids.
However, the character’s style evolution emulates the relatable parts of growing up. Because even though fighting a supernatural entity that’s trying to consume your town isn't exactly a normal rite of passage, having a shopping montage absolutely is.
Hospital Gown
The first time viewers see Eleven, her clothes represent the lack of identity. Between the lack of color, shape, design, and the associations made with hospital gowns that identify someone as reliant on others, viewers know that Eleven doesn't have the same socialization as the rest of the gang, who have already been introduced.
Continuing to establish Eleven as the "other" is her close-shaven haircut. Set in the eighties, the stark contrast of El's buzzed style goes against the hairstyles of the time. Her close crop helps to visually separate her when she’s near the rest of the cast.
Pink Dress And Windbreaker
Season 1’s iconic pink dress and blonde wig are more aligned with the style of the other characters’ trends. El then identifies this outfit with being “pretty” and “good.” Because of the positive association with the outfit, El sees herself negatively once the emotional duress of her disguise sets in.
Once El begins to embrace her powers and uses them to protect her friends, she strikes a balance between her idea of good and herself. This is where her pink dress, windbreaker, and short haircut come together to make the visual most often associated with the character and the show.
Hopper's Clothes
As season 2 begins, El's fashion is very much dictated by her surrogate father, Hopper. Mostly 'hand-me-downs,' there is very little shape to her clothes. Oversized and baggy, these outfits are reminiscent of her first appearance. The muted colors help her disappear while in isolation in the woods.
This further establishes her frustration at being kept in hiding, forcing her to revert more to the person she was when first discovered. Even her attempt to join the boy’s Ghostbuster group Halloween costume echoes these frustrations, as she promises no one will see her in a sheet ghost costume.
Punk Phase
After El runs away from Hopper and meets her "sister," her style is influenced by the older girl's gang of friends. Slicked back hair, dark makeup, lots of bracelets, and dark colors are all aspects of the older gang's influence on El. This new style allowed Eleven to have a rebellious phase, even though her new behavior seemed against her personality (as Stranger Things fans can attest).
While the episode wasn’t well-received, fans loved seeing the stylistic departure from the character. More importantly, viewers saw El recognize that this version of herself wasn’t any more true to her identity than Hopper’s version and go home.
Snowball Dress
The Snowball Dance that ends season 2 is one of fans' favorite moments from Stranger Things, and this dress is part of the reason why. It blends Eleven's identity with the people who have helped shaped her into the person she's becoming.
Her pinned back hairstyle, noticeable make-up, and bracelets are a callback to her first attempt at finding her identity outside of Hawkins, while the muted color scheme and slightly oversized fit of the dress are more along the lines of what she wore with Hopper. The pretty and practical style establishes Eleven as part of the group.
Romper
Season 3 of Stranger Things sees the development of Eleven and Max's friendship. Eleven's experience with female friendships had been lacking or colored by jealousy up to this point. When Max and Eleven hit the mall for retail therapy, it was Eleven’s first time having the opportunity to try things out for herself.
It’s also the first time she's had someone supporting her without a hidden agenda or the threat of citywide destruction. When Eleven picks out the romper, the dark color base makes the romper’s bright pattern stand out even more, which El feels she can do for the first time.
Yellow Shirt
Even though the romper was the most popular of Eleven's outfits, she spends the majority of the season's major events wearing a bright yellow shirt with black geometric patterns, black pants, and suspenders.
While this outfit is more like El’s romper, it has roots in her identity as Hopper's surrogate daughter. Even when Hopper joins El at the Starcourt Mall to fight the Mind Flayer, he's wearing a brighter shirt he bought for his date with Joyce - a clear sign of how El isn't just influenced by those around her, but she in turn has begun to influence them.
Hopper's Flannel
After El loses her surrogate father, she shows her grief by her reverting her style back to things more similar to what she wore she wore at the very beginning of the season. This includes wearing Hopper's old flannel as she packs up to move to California with the Byers.
While she holds onto the comfort of Hopper's hand-me-downs, she ties it at the waist, interpreting his style with her own as she comes into her own without her powers. She even wears the blue hair tie Hopper gave her as a bracelet as she leaves Hawkins behind.
Joyce-Inspired Haircut
Fans want to see El continue to grow up and away from her origins in the upcoming season 4, and the first glimpses of Eleven hint that her style has been influenced by her developing surrogate mother-daughter relationship with Joyce. El's got longer hair than she's ever had on the show, and the cut is reminiscent of Joyce's style.
Eleven’s fashion choices in the trailer show also show that she’s stuck with “Hopper-esque” choices, favoring grunge comfort instead of shoulder-pad chic. You can take the girl out of Hawkins, but not the Hawkins out of the girl.