Maya Hawke’s Fashion Evolution: From Stranger Things Star to Red-Carpet Style Icon

Stranger Things is a cultural phenomenon that hardly needs an introduction. Since its debut in 2016, the hit Netflix series has captivated global audiences with its nostalgic 1980s setting, heartfelt storytelling, and supernatural suspense — becoming one of the most defining shows of the streaming era.

As anticipation builds for its final season arriving in late 2025, the series continues to dominate fan discussions and fashion conversations alike. Beyond its gripping storylines and eerie atmosphere, Stranger Things owes much of its enduring appeal to its cast — a mix of breakout newcomers and established stars who bring the Upside Down to life both on screen and on the red carpet.

From the beginning, the ensemble has inspired admiration and style fascination in equal measure, with each new season introducing characters whose personalities — and wardrobes — evolve alongside the show’s expanding universe.

The cast of the science fiction horror drama television series Stranger Things: Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink, Finn Wolfhard, and Noah Schnapp (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)

New Faces and Fan Favorites: Maya Hawke’s Breakout as Robin Buckley and Rising Style Star

The fourth season of Stranger Things was no exception to the show’s tradition of introducing fresh faces and fan-favorite performances. New cast members such as Jamie Campbell Bower (Henry/Vecna), Joseph Quinn (Eddie Munson), Grace Van Dien (Chrissy Cunningham), Tom Wlaschiha (Dmitri Antonov), and Eduardo Franco (Argyle) expanded the series’ universe and gave the show new energy.

But it was Maya Hawke’s portrayal of Robin Buckley—introduced in the third season as Steve Harrington’s co-worker at Scoops Ahoy—that truly stood out. Her quick wit, offbeat humor, and relatable awkwardness made Robin an instant favorite among viewers.

Just as memorable was her style: Robin’s Converse-clad, androgynous fashion became a defining element of her character, perfectly contrasting with Hawke’s sophisticated, red-carpet elegance.

Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley) wears her now-iconic blue-and-white Scoops Ahoy uniform paired with personalized red Converse sneakers while crouching alongside Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), and Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson) in Stranger Things Season 3 (Credit: Netflix)

Before her quirky Scoops Ahoy days became pop-culture legend, Maya Hawke showcased her refined fashion sense at the Stranger Things Season 3 world premiere, opting for a sleek and minimalist red-carpet look.

Maya Hawke wears a tailored black Emporio Armani suit with a keyhole blouse and strappy black pumps at the Stranger Things Season 3 world premiere in Santa Monica on June 28, 2019 (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto

Maya Hawke’s breakout as Robin Buckley quickly turned her into both a pop-culture icon and a rising fashion figure. On the show, Robin’s wardrobe channels a blend of rebellion and intelligence—an aesthetic that costume designer Amy Parris built around the idea of a brilliant misfit who doesn’t conform to feminine stereotypes.

Her outfits evolved across seasons: from the now-iconic Scoops Ahoy uniform in Season 3—complete with red Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars personalized by Hawke with hand-drawn doodles—to Season 4’s more mature, layered looks featuring oversized blazers, clashing prints, and thrift-store finds that capture Robin’s free-spirited individuality.

Maya Hawke wears Robin Buckley’s iconic Scoops Ahoy sailor uniform and custom-scribbled red Converse sneakers—personalized with doodles like “boobs”—in Stranger Things Season 3, a look crafted in collaboration with costume designer Amy Parris to subtly reflect the character’s identity and rebellious edge (Credit: Netflix)

Standing 5 ft 8½ in (174 cm) tall and wearing a U.S. shoe size 11, Maya Hawke effortlessly bridges comfort and couture, proving that individuality—not convention—is the ultimate fashion statement.

More Stylish Steps From the Stranger Things Universe

Maya Hawke isn’t the only one from Hawkins making a fashion statement. Her fellow cast members have also showcased distinctive shoe and red-carpet styles—from Millie Bobby Brown’s platform heels to Grace Van Dien’s elegant pumps—proving that the show’s influence extends well beyond the Upside Down.

Let’s take a look at Maya Hawke’s career up until this point and explore how she was cast as Robin Buckley in Stranger Things.

Maya Hawke’s Hollywood Origins: From Famous Parents to Breakout Star

Stranger Things has always had a gift for discovering rising talent, and few examples shine brighter than Maya Hawke.

Born in 1998 in New York City, Hawke grew up surrounded by creativity as the daughter of actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, who met on the set of Gattaca in 1997. Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, she attended several schools before enrolling at Saint Ann’s School, a Brooklyn institution known for its arts-first approach and rejection of traditional grades. This philosophy encouraged her to pursue performing.

Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke met in the mid-1990s and welcomed two children together, Maya Ray Thurman Hawke (of Stranger Things fame) and Levon Roan Thurman-Hawke (Credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock)

After briefly studying acting at Juilliard, Maya left to follow opportunities in film and modeling. Early on, she appeared in Vogue editorials and Calvin Klein campaigns, showcasing a natural poise that hinted at her future red-carpet ease.

A massive Calvin Klein billboard in SoHo, New York, featuring Maya Hawke in the brand’s “Calvins or nothing” campaign — blending minimalist allure with bold 1990s nostalgia (Credit: Rob Davis / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)

Before landing Stranger Things, Maya Hawke nearly starred in Sofia Coppola’s adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Instead, she made her screen debut as Jo March in the 2017 BBC miniseries Little Women—a role her Stranger Things co-star Winona Ryder had famously played in 1994.

After the indie drama Ladyworld (2018), Hawke found her breakout moment as Robin Buckley in Stranger Things Season 3. Her quick wit and relatable charm won fans instantly—and the fashion world soon took notice.

Since then, she’s built an eclectic résumé: appearing in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Gia Coppola’s Mainstream (2020) opposite Andrew Garfield, and Showtime’s The Good Lord Bird alongside her father, Ethan Hawke. She’s also maintained a close relationship with Netflix, starring in Fear Street: Part One (1994) and the stylish dark comedy Do Revenge, where her wardrobe drew almost as much buzz as her performance.

Most recently, Hawke appeared in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City (2023), cementing her reputation as both a versatile performer and an emerging fashion force on and off the red carpet.

How Maya Hawke Was Cast as Robin Buckley in Stranger Things

Robin Buckley made her debut in the first episode of Stranger Things Season 3, introduced as Steve Harrington’s quick-witted co-worker at the Scoops Ahoy ice-cream parlor.

By the fourth season, she had traded her sailor uniform for flannel shirts and vintage blazers, now working alongside Steve at the local Family Video store—her evolution mirroring both her growing confidence and Maya Hawke’s own creative range.

Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley in Stranger Things Season 3, holding her now-iconic “You Rule / You Suck” scoreboard while working at the Scoops Ahoy ice-cream parlor (Credit: Netflix)

Although her father, Ethan Hawke, once starred opposite Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers) in Reality Bites (1994), it was Maya’s undeniable talent—not family ties—that earned her the role.

Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley in Stranger Things Season 4, caught in a tense moment while communicating over a portable radio during one of the show’s suspenseful sequences (Credit: Netflix)

Showrunners Matt and Ross Duffer reportedly drew inspiration from her natural cadence on set, reshaping Robin’s dialogue around Hawke’s fast-talking, slightly nervous rhythm. What began as a quirk became part of the character’s charm—an authentic, human energy that helped Robin stand out in a cast already filled with fan favorites.

At the Stranger Things Season 4 premiere, she turned heads in a Dior Spring 2017 black tulle gown embroidered with celestial motifs and a bold red bat design—a look that cemented her reputation as a red-carpet risk-taker.

Maya Hawke turns heads in a whimsical black tulle gown from Dior’s Spring 2017 collection, featuring celestial embroidery and a bold red bat motif, at the Stranger Things Season 4 premiere in Brooklyn on May 14, 2022 (Credit: John Nacion / Startraksphoto)

For other events, she’s worn everything from vintage Alaïa dresses to custom Prada ensembles styled with Christian Louboutin stilettos, Piferi sandals, or sleek pointed-toe heels. Occasionally, she subverts expectations altogether—pairing a couture dress with go-go boots for a playful twist.

Stepping Out in Style: Maya Hawke’s Most Memorable Shoe Moments

Maya Hawke has consistently impressed with her fashion choices, particularly her footwear selections. Here are some of her standout shoe moments:

Maya Hawke Steps Out for Prada at Milan Fashion Week

Continuing her stylish streak, Maya Hawke made an appearance at Milan Fashion Week in a sleek yet vibrant Prada ensemble that balanced bold color with classic tailoring.

Maya Hawke added a sharp edge to her look with pointed black stiletto heels, pairing them with fire-engine red trousers, a navy knit top, and a caramel leather coat while attending Prada’s Fall/Winter 2025/2026 show at Milan Fashion Week (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

These moments highlight Maya Hawke’s evolving style and her ability to make bold fashion statements, particularly with her choice of footwear.