While Stranger Things’ series delves into an exaggerated supernatural world for its characters, a bizarre, almost supernatural, behind-the-scenes detail from season 1 makes such important themes even better. Part of what makes Stranger Things so incredible is its realism to its time period, as the creators are careful to include genuine objects, pop culture knowledge, and clothing as they portray the 1980s. However, it wasn’t expected that supernatural-like coincidences behind the scenes of Stranger Things would also occur to uplift the apparent authenticity of its sci-fi themes.
When dealing with themes of the past or the supernatural, it’s not uncommon for films to have strange experiences on set. While The Exorcist‘s cursed set being blessed by a priest may be an extreme example, oddly coincidental details about the making of certain movies and TV shows typically relate to the themes that they’re exploring. One such story happened when making Stranger Things season 1, which made its timeline and characters feel even more supernatural in their depiction.
Ahead of Stranger Things season 1, the costume designer, Malgosia Turzanska was looking for an authentic 1980s outfit for Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), which she successfully found in an antique shop in Utah (via IMDb). Trying to find Lucas a vintage army belt, she found one in a locked cabinet, which would have a small detail on it that would make it impossible not to use. When she took it out, Stranger Things’ costume designer noticed that the belt had “Lucas” written on the backside in Sharpie, indicating the identity of the belt’s original owner. Considering the supernatural aspect of Stranger Things is defined by the idea that nothing is a coincidence, Lucas’ vintage belt being owned by another Lucas from the ‘80s makes the show’s supernatural story even more true to the time.
Not only was Stranger Things able to find an authentic belt for the era it portrays, but it also came with an oddly supernatural coincidence, as perfectly fitting for the show’s story. Considering Lucas was also the most skeptical of any weird coincidences in Hawkins during Stranger Things season 1, it’s even more apt that the costumes for his character came with the only bizarre, unexplainable backstory. Also, while most of the characters of Stranger Things have fairly common names of the era, such as Mike, Nancy, Will, Steve, and Jim, Lucas is relatively uncommon for the time, making it all the more strange that a costume piece was found for him with his same name etched on it.
As Stranger Things‘ timeline moves further through the 1980s, the costumes have become more associated with pop culture trends and even film characters. As such, it may not be as likely that another supernatural-like find for Stranger Things’ season 4 characters will happen. However, it seems that thrifting for vintage costumes for Stranger Things’ figures is still common practice by the show’s costume designers, which is exactly how Lucas’ mysterious army belt was found in season 1.
