For this week’s installment of 10 More Movies for Fashion Inspiration, we will be looking at the 1988 black comedy Heathers.
In the film, Veronica (Winona Ryder) is the newest member of the popular clique in high school, run by three girls who are each named Heather. The Heathers run the school through manipulation and cruelty, and Veronica isn’t sure if she wants to be part of this group anymore — especially after meeting bad boy J.D. (Christian Slater). Together, J.D. and Veronica find a new way to overthrow the popular crowd.
Heathers is full of trendy schoolgirl pieces from the 1980s, including lots of preppy plaid, structured blazers, pleated skirts, and colored tights. The costume design also heavily features signature colors — each of the main characters has one color that is featured predominately in every outfit. They also know how to mix different shades of the same color in each outfit. For example, Veronica is always wearing at least one item in a shade of blue.
If you want to add some ’80s prep to your wardrobe, check out these four outfits inspired by the film. Each outfit is based on one of the four main characters and features their signature color.
Veronica Sawyer
Products: Top – NA-KD, Dress – Free People, Shoes – & Other Stories, Hat – ASOS, Necklace – Etsy
Veronica has the most eclectic style in the film, and the outfit above reflects her unique aesthetic. An off-the-shoulder sweatshirt layered under a denim pinafore looks like it was swiped right out of Veronica’s closet.
The slingback oxfords make a statement on their own, but for another pop of blue, you could totally add these opaque tights. (And if you’re color-shy, go for a neutral pair or skip them entirely.)
Throw on an ’80s-inspired hat and a monocle necklace like Veronica is always wearing, and you’ll channel her style perfectly.
Heather Chandler
Products: Blouse – H&M, Skirt – H&M, Blazer – Revolve, Shoes – Nordstrom Rack, Scrunchie – Free People
Heather Chandler is the ringleader of the Heathers and her style is ultra preppy and polished. Her signature color, red, is heavily featured in this outfit.
A pleated red skirt, tie-neck blouse, and plaid blazer have a schoolgirl vibe, while bow-topped flats are a classic, preppy touch. Throughout the film, Heather wears a red scrunchie, which acts as a symbol of power at her high school. Funny enough, scrunchies are once again trending, so grab one to complete the look.
Heather McNamara
Products: Jacket/Skirt Set – Nasty Gal, Bodysuit – Kohl’s, Shoes – Anthropologie, Watch – Macy’s
Heather McNamara is the head cheerleader at Westerburg High and her style features a lot of trendy pieces in her signature shade of yellow.
First things first, grab a fitted bodysuit; its athletic silhouette is similar to Heather M.’s cheerleader uniform. Next, bring on the yellow. This matching skirt and jacket set makes getting dressed super easy, while pointy-toe flats incorporate that prepster vibe the Heathers wear so well.
For the finishing touch, accessorize with an ’80s-style digital watch in a bright, golden hue.
Heather Duke
Products: Blazer – Topshop, Dress – Nordstrom Rack, Shoes – Nordstrom, Brooch – & Other Stories
She desperately tries to please Heather Chandler, so Heather Duke‘s style is very similar to her leader’s, but with pops of a signature green. (Yes, the color represents her envy.)
A plaid shift dress and dark green double-breasted blazer are very schoolgirl with an ’80s twist. Heather D. wears patent Mary-Jane’s with ruffled socks, but if you aren’t brave enough to rock the shoes with socks look, try sheer tights instead. Pin on a sparkling brooch with a few emerald-colored stones to complete the outfit.
Feeling inspired?
What do you think of these 1980s-inspired fashions? Do you wear a signature color? Have you ever seen Heathers? Do you think these outfits capture the look and feel of the film? Leave a comment and let us know!
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2010; it was completely updated and revamped in 2018 with new photos, outfit sets, and information.
I’m loving the skirts too!
Please click on this, not last post. Sorry
In my mind, minimalism is only owning a few things. She probably still has a lot of clothing even if she thinks she has a minimalistic fashion style. Also how does she find white clothing that isn’t see through?
Great outfit. Different!
I like the color of the top , it seems to stand out from the rest of the apparel and it seems to set off the great looking black hair , i would have been happy to see her face a bit better …………she is no doubt pretty and the clothes look great 🙂
i love love love Edie Sedgwick<3 and her big earrings. she's so inspiring.
I love the idea of a velvet dress. As so many others have said, I wouldn’t wear one that’s as tight as the ones featured, but if the skirt flared a bit I would definitely wear it. I’d love to find one in burgundy.
Yeah, I really like these. But nothing quite as tight as these, I agree with Josie, maybe a bit more a flouncy mini. Please do another article about how to wear/where to buy!!
Glad you guys are liking the post!
Elizabeth- that’s so cool that you’re in St. Augustine! Flagler’s campus is one of my favorite parts about my school =)
best post ever 😀 while i hate 80s fashion i do love the movie. and you made some nice picks for the outfits. they still have that 80s vibe but aren’t as bad as in the movie.
though i think shannen doherty and lisanne falk looked really good in the 80s attire. but the girl who played heather chandler always looked stiff in it, almost like a dressed-up doll. and veronica looked kinda lost in those huge blazers.
i started watching the x-files all over again the other day. and i noticed that’s what happened to gillian anderson, too. awful shoulder-padded blazers… which are just no good for small women. though x-files is acutally early 90s 🙂 i guess it took the shoulder pads a pretty long time to die.
I love this post! Heathers is next on my Netflix queue!
Also, I’m writing this from my friend’s family’s condo in St. Augustine- I walked through Flagler and you basically go the most beautiful school in the US!
This is one of my favorite movies of ALL TIME. Thankfully I found a chambray shirt in my mother’s wardrobe from the 80s. So trying out Veronica’s outfit this coming week.
I love the first look! So cool and chic and feminine at the same time! And very now!
Great job!
These outfits are AMAZING, but they are REALLy expensive!!!
oh man i HATED THAT MOVIE!!! but i LOVED THE FASHION!!! lol
How Very!
I love the movie Heathers and these outfits represent it perfectly. They look like they could be in the movie.
The outfits are cute, but Heather McNamara’s is my favorite.
Good Job!
These outfits are adorable! While I hate shoulder pads, everything else about this post is super cute. I haven’t seen the movie Heathers, but now I want to watch it if only for the fashion, haha.
The skirts are fabulous in particular. 🙂
I Love this movie. It’s one of the few I have 1. I sat through all the way the first time and 2. Can quote immediately. The fashion in this movie is GREAT so is your recreation of the looks.
I love this post! To me, Heathers, as well as Mean Girls, are the two ultimate high school movies that a teenage girl must see. I love Veronica’s style in the movie. Thanks so much for posting about this amazing movie!
Wow, she’s stunning. I love the outfit.
not a fan of the maxi skirt
but i love how she looks
she’s really pretty. i first saw her looks on chictopia and subbed to her blog
GO BEARS! I dig the mix of slouchy and fitted she has going on here.
im a 4th year at berkeley. ive never seen her around. that is so cool that someone is reppin` uc berkeley!
Oh my gosh. I absolutely love this.
I’m from Cal too! Loving the look…GO BEARS!
Woo! I’m from Cal too, so go Bears.
I love the look. The skirt is amazing, and I love the whole look.
YES! You brought back the “An outfit inspired by…” section! X3 ~That’s why these looks on campus are usually in my top five favorite kinds of articles on CF.
That cardigan is gorgeous too. I would’ve never have thought to par pieces and colors in that combination. How innovative. 🙂
I like everything except the cardigan, it doesn’t go with the whole “thrifty” look. It’s too heavy.