Amy Parris Discusses ‘Stranger Things’ Costume Design for Final Season

The highly anticipated final season of Netflix’s acclaimed series “Stranger Things” has begun streaming, showcasing the creative vision of costume designer Amy Parris. As part of her role, Parris emphasizes that costume designers play a crucial role in storytelling. “We tell our version of the characters’ story; at times the story can be very obvious and other times it’s told subliminally through fabric type, how well clothing fits or how well the clothing is made,” she explained.

Parris’s preparation for this season reflects a thoughtful curation process. When she received the call from her agent about the opportunity to work on “Stranger Things,” her excitement was palpable. Despite the established aesthetic from previous seasons, she arrived with inspiration boards, recognizing that this season would take place during the summer and a year later in the characters’ timelines. She immersed herself in old family photos and magazines from the 1980s, aiming to present a brighter tone in contrast to the darker elements introduced in Season Four.

Costume Challenges and Character Development

As the series progresses, the visual language has shifted significantly. “Stranger Things” has evolved from the bright, neon-infused styles of earlier seasons to a more somber palette. The final season, which is being released in three parts, poses unique challenges for Parris. She noted that this season features fewer costume changes for the cast, necessitating outfits that effectively convey character development while remaining functional for the actors during the demanding shoots in Atlanta.

“This season finds less costume changes for all of the cast,” Parris remarked. “The challenge in that is making sure the outfit is something telling their story, while being pleasing to watch, comfortable for the actors to wear for all weather in Atlanta, complementary to each other as this is an ensemble cast who work together as a group and multipliable.”

The action-heavy nature of Season Five means that multiple versions of outfits were required to accommodate various scenarios, including stunts and special effects. “The final installment of ‘Stranger Things’ has a lot of action so many, many multiples were needed for all that the cast goes through this season,” Parris added.

Inspiration from Iconic 1980s Cinema

A significant aspect of the series’ allure is its rich tapestry of 1980s pop culture references. For Parris, classic films provided a foundation for the costume design in the final season. “I was looking at movies with school bullies in 1987,” she stated, citing films such as “Three O’Clock High” and “Adventures in Babysitting” as sources of inspiration for new characters and their attire.

Reflecting on her work throughout the series, Parris expressed pride in her ability to convey character evolution through clothing. She noted how characters transition from adolescence to young adulthood, with their wardrobe choices becoming more mature over time. “You’ll find a person’s disposition can be conveyed from lighter to darker colors if they are feeling angsty, like Dustin this season,” she explained. This approach allows the clothing to not only complement the characters’ narratives but also enhance their emotional journeys.

As the series nears its conclusion, Parris looks back fondly at characters such as Joseph Quinn’s Eddie Munson, whose style resonated with audiences. “I’m really happy with how he turned out because he feels so authentic to the wizard metal music dude of the ’80s that was at every high school,” she said.

The final season of “Stranger Things” continues to follow the telekinetic teenager Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, and her friends as they confront the evil entity Vecna, portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower. Part One is currently available for streaming, with Part Two set to debut on December 25, 2025, and the series finale scheduled for December 31, 2025. Each episode promises to showcase not only thrilling narratives but also the intricate costume design that has become a hallmark of the series.