Some characters only need one episode to become unforgettable. Chrissy Cunningham from Stranger Things is one of them. She appears in the very first episode of season four and is gone before the credits roll, yet years later fans still quote her, cosplay her, and debate how much more her story could have been.
In this guide, we cover who Chrissy is, why her short arc mattered so much, and exactly how to recreate her iconic Hawkins High cheerleader look, plus couples and group costume ideas built around her world.
Who Is Chrissy in Stranger Things?
Chrissy Cunningham is the head cheerleader at Hawkins High School in the spring of 1986. On the surface, she has the perfect high school life. She is popular, friendly to almost everyone, and dating Jason Carver, the star of the Hawkins Tigers basketball team.
She is played by Grace Van Dien, an American actress known for Greenhouse Academy and The Village. Van Dien has said she connected with Chrissy because she related to the character's hidden struggles, and that understanding shows on screen. Chrissy is warm and bubbly, but there is something fragile behind the smile from the very first scene.
Chrissy's Story in Season 4
Chrissy appears in Chapter One: The Hellfire Club, the season four premiere released in May 2022. Behind her popular image, she is quietly dealing with pressure at home and personal struggles she keeps hidden from her friends.
That hidden pain makes her the first target of Vecna, the season's villain, who preys on people carrying trauma. Chrissy begins hearing a ticking grandfather clock and seeing disturbing visions that nobody else can see. Looking for something to calm her nerves, she arranges to meet Eddie Munson, leader of the Hellfire Club, the school's Dungeons & Dragons group.
The unlikely pair share a genuinely sweet moment. Eddie, the school's resident outcast, turns out to be kind and patient with her. Then, inside Eddie's trailer, Vecna claims Chrissy as his first victim of the season.
Her death sets the entire season in motion. The town assumes Eddie is responsible, Jason leads a manhunt to find him, and the main group of kids begins to uncover the real threat. In just one episode, Chrissy becomes the spark for one of the show's biggest storylines.
Why Fans Still Love Chrissy
Chrissy should have been a one-episode character, but she became much more than that. A few reasons stand out:
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"Chrissy, wake up!" Eddie's panicked plea in the trailer turned into one of the show's most quoted memes. Netflix itself has used the phrase in promotional posts.
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The Chrissy and Eddie connection. Fans loved the brief friendship between the cheerleader and the metalhead so much that "Hellcheer" became a popular fan nickname for the pair.
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A character with depth. In a few short scenes, Chrissy goes from "popular girl" stereotype to someone viewers genuinely feel for.
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An instantly recognizable look. Her green Hawkins High uniform, high ponytail, and big 80s bangs made her one of the easiest and most popular Stranger Things costumes.
The creators have even said they regretted writing her out so early, which tells you how much of an impression she made.
Chrissy's Style Breakdown
Chrissy's wardrobe is pure 1986 small-town America: preppy, sporty and spirited.
The Hawkins High Cheer Uniform
This is her signature look. The uniform is green with orange and white trim, with "HHS" and a megaphone graphic on the front, paired with a matching pleated skirt. It is bright, team-spirited, and instantly recognizable to any fan.
Hair: The High Ponytail
Chrissy's hair is as much a part of the costume as the uniform. She wears her blonde hair in a high ponytail with the ends curled, soft feathered bangs in front, and a green scrunchie holding it all together. Volume is your friend here; this is the 80s.
Off-Duty Chrissy
Outside of practice, Chrissy's style stays preppy: soft knit sweaters and sweater vests, collared tops, and light, fresh colors. Think classic 80s high school girl next door.
How to Make a Chrissy Stranger Things Costume
You can put together a convincing Chrissy Cunningham costume in an afternoon. Here is the step-by-step version.
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Get the uniform. Look for a green sleeveless cheer top and pleated skirt with orange and white trim. If you are crafting your own, add "HHS" and a simple megaphone graphic to the front with iron-on letters.
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Add the scrunchie. A large green scrunchie is non-negotiable.
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Style the hair. Pull your hair into a high ponytail, curl the ends with a large barrel curling iron, and tease or curl your bangs for that 80s lift. If your hair is dark or short, a blonde ponytail extension or wig does the trick.
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Pick the shoes. Clean white sneakers and white crew socks keep it authentic.
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Keep makeup fresh. Pink cheeks, soft pink lips, and light mascara. Chrissy's look is bright and youthful, not heavy.
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Finish with props. Green and gold or green and orange pom-poms make every photo better.
Add a Varsity Jacket for Cold Nights
Halloween night is chilly in a lot of places, and a sleeveless cheer top is not built for it. The perfect layer is something Chrissy's classmates would wear on the bleachers: a Hawkins High letterman jacket.
Our Stranger Things Hawkins Bomber Lettermen Varsity Wool Jacket is inspired by the school's own apparel, with a premium wool blend body, faux leather sleeves and the letter H patch on the front. Throw it over the uniform and you get a warmer, more "game night" version of the costume. It also works year-round with jeans and a tee, so it will not sit in the closet after October.
Couples and Group Costume Ideas from Chrissy's World
Chrissy's story connects to some of season four's biggest characters, which makes her a great anchor for group costumes.
Chrissy and Eddie Munson
The "Hellcheer" couples costume is a fan favorite. Eddie's look is easy to build: a Hellfire Club tee, a black leather jacket topped with a denim vest covered in metal band patches, ripped black jeans, a chain wallet, and long, curly dark hair. For the leather layer, a clean black biker like our Men's Classic Slim Fit Moto Style Black Biker Real Leather Jacket gives you the right rock-and-roll base to wear under a patched vest.
Chrissy and Jason Carver
For the "official" high school couple, pair Chrissy's uniform with a Hawkins Tigers basketball letterman look for Jason: a varsity jacket, a white tee, jeans, and a very confident attitude. The Hawkins varsity jacket works perfectly here too.
The Hawkins High Group
Going as a big group? Mix and match:
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Two or three friends as the Hawkins High cheer squad.
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One as Jason in a letterman jacket.
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One as Eddie in leather, denim, and patches.
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One as Steve Harrington in a classic 80s bomber. Our Steve Harrington Stranger Things 5 Classic Bomber Suede Leather Jacket nails his retro look.
You can find every Hawkins-inspired piece in one place in our Stranger Things jackets collection.
Chrissy Costume Checklist
|
Item |
What to look for |
Tip |
|---|---|---|
|
Cheer top |
Green, sleeveless, orange and white trim, "HHS" megaphone graphic |
Iron-on letters work for DIY versions |
|
Skirt |
Green pleated skirt with trim |
Look for a knee-skimming length |
|
Hair |
High ponytail, curled ends, feathered bangs |
Use a blonde extension if needed |
|
Scrunchie |
Large and green |
The detail fans notice first |
|
Shoes |
White sneakers and white socks |
Keep them clean and bright |
|
Outer layer |
Hawkins High varsity jacket |
Keeps you warm and on theme |
FAQs About Chrissy from Stranger Things
Who plays Chrissy in Stranger Things?
Chrissy Cunningham is played by Grace Van Dien, who appears as a guest star in season four.
What episode does Chrissy appear in?
Chrissy appears in season four, episode one, Chapter One: The Hellfire Club, released in May 2022. Her story drives the rest of the season.
Why did Vecna target Chrissy?
Vecna targets people who are carrying hidden pain and trauma. Chrissy was secretly struggling with pressure at home, which made her his first victim of the season.
What colors is Chrissy's cheerleader uniform?
The Hawkins High cheer uniform is green with orange and white trim, with "HHS" and a megaphone on the front, paired with a pleated skirt and a green scrunchie.
Who was Chrissy's boyfriend?
Chrissy was dating Jason Carver, captain of the Hawkins High basketball team, played by Mason Dye.
What can I wear over a Chrissy costume when it is cold?
A Hawkins High letterman jacket is the most on-theme option. Our Stranger Things Hawkins varsity jacket keeps you warm without breaking the look.
Final Thoughts
Chrissy Stranger Things fans know she deserved more screen time, and the love for her character has only grown. Her look is bright, simple, and recognizable: a green Hawkins High uniform, a high curled ponytail and a big green scrunchie. Add a letterman jacket, grab a friend to play Eddie or Jason, and you have one of the most crowd-pleasing costumes from the entire series.
Explore the full Stranger Things collection to find your Hawkins-ready layer.
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