Exclusive: ‘Stranger Things’ Costume and Hair Designer Reveals Season 5 Easter Eggs

The ensemble of Stranger Things may seem effortlessly styled, but there’s a considerable amount of effort behind the actors’ looks, led by costume designer Amy Parris and hair director Sarah Hindsgaul.

This dynamic duo shared exclusive insights with Us Weekly about the creative decisions and hidden elements that shaped the characters, while also dispelling some myths ahead of the show’s Volume 2 episode premiere on Thursday, December 25.

“For me, the most challenging look to design in season five was Max in the cave,” Parris revealed to Us. “The cave outfit was a blend of various pieces she’s scavenged. It creates a narrative about her journey and what she’s discovered in the unseen moments, given that she’s been exploring Henry’s mind for quite some time.”

Parris elaborated that Max’s (Sadie Sink) attire reflects items collected from characters encountered in Henry’s memories. “Her clothing should evoke a boy’s shirt layered over a woman’s blouse, paired with some jeans from a guy and perhaps boots reminiscent of Joyce’s [Winona Ryder].” The costume designer even toyed with the notion of Max wearing boots identical to ones Joyce used in a nostalgic scene, saying, “The boots closely resemble Joyce’s from that brief 1950s moment. They could very well be her shoes.”

While evading Henry Creel (Jamie Campbell Bower) in the cave, Max mended several of her garments with pieces from the villain’s wardrobe, something Parris expressed pride in during her conversation with Us.

“It’s subtle, but the patches on her jeans come from young Henry’s closet,” Parris shared with Us. “As she explores his memories, she delves back into moments from when they were at the Creel house.”

The specific garment that Max repurposed was a brown plaid shirt worn by Henry in his youth. “She realizes he can’t wear it anymore; it’s too small, so she transforms it into patches to repair her jeans,” Parris explained. “It’s a detail that I don’t think many have caught onto yet.”

Given Max’s cave dwelling, Parris relied on Tide to keep Sink’s clothes fresh while maintaining a distressed look. “I have to make it appear unclean, yet keep it clean, which is why I appreciated working with Tide. Their liquid formula effectively maintains actor clothing,” she praised her collaboration with the brand. “It’s pleasant and fresh-smelling, keeping the brighter clothes vibrant while allowing others to look worn.”

Another character with a transformed wardrobe this season is Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo). “Dustin took on a darker tone this season as he copes with the loss of his best friend Eddie [Joseph Quinn],” Parris noted, mentioning that even his sneakers transitioned from white Reeboks to black ones. Another subtle detail that viewers might overlook is Dustin wearing “rings similar to those Eddie once had.” Parris ensured that his Hellfire shirt went from being brand new to “well-worn and faded,” signifying that he has continued wearing it since Eddie’s demise in the Upside Down.

In terms of hair, Hindsgaul revealed to Us that the character who required the most preparation this season was Will Byers (Noah Schnapp). “I started early because we anticipated his story arc for this year,” Hindsgaul shared with Us. Traditionally known for his bowl cut, this season, Hindsgaul aimed for Will to exhibit a range of emotions through his hairstyle.

Many were surprised to discover that Sink, 23, was sporting a wig during filming, as it seamlessly matched her natural hair. Hindsgaul revealed that while shooting, Sink had a shaggy mullet for her character in O’Dessa. She noted that wearing the wig posed challenges for Sink and Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler) due to the necessity of matching their own hair.

“You’ve observed these characters from a young age, making you acutely aware of their appearance,” Hindsgaul reflected. “Fans have seen them in interviews and know how their hair moves and its texture.” She added, “For this show, it’s always slightly daunting because fans can become quite upset if the details aren’t spot on. [A wig] must be executed perfectly; otherwise, they recognize it immediately.”

One of Hindsgaul’s standout hairstyles throughout the series was the shaved head wig created for Millie Bobby Brown during season 4 while she portrayed Eleven.

“When we crafted it, no one had attempted it before,” Hindsgaul recalled. “Everyone insisted it was impossible, but I believed we could make it work.”

“I was fortunate that [the writers and directors] Matt and Ross [Duffer] allocated some budget for us to develop a wig.” The Duffer brothers cautioned Hindsgaul, “If there’s anything amiss with it, we won’t use it because it will pull viewers out of the storyline.” Hindsgaul managed to flatten Brown’s hair under the wig so that the actress didn’t have to shave her head (once again) during filming.

One rumor Hindsgaul clarified for Us is that Nancy’s shaggy hair in season 5 was not an homage to Eddie’s hairstyle, despite their similarities.

“It resembles a common hairstyle from that era,” Hindsgaul admitted, noting that “Eddie’s cut was more rock and roll.”

“Nancy’s was layered to a certain extent,” she elaborated. “It’s all in the details—how you style it. Nancy’s is soft and bouncy, while Eddie’s was gritty and rugged.”

Fans can catch Volume 2 of Stranger Things on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET.