I Love the Spooky-Chic Fashion in Retro Slasher Movies

There’s a famous scene in 1974’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre where Pam (Teri McMinn) first walks up to Leatherface’s house and his whole murderous family. Shot from behind, we see Pam in her cute, bright red mini shorts and backless halter top, slowly walking up to the front door. Every time I watch it, I know I should be spooked—especially knowing that she’s about to get snatched up by a chainsaw-wielding psycho. Instead I think, That’s such a cute outfit.

Being distracted by the fashion in horror movies is nothing new for me, though. All month long, I’ve been marathoning classic slasher films from the ’70s and ’80s, and finding great delight in the costume design choices—especially those on the final girls. Look past all of the screams and gore, and you’ll find some seriously killer outfits, ones that designers today are obsessed with recreating and modernizing.

One of the first films I watched this month was Friday the 13th. The iconic horror film serves up plenty of delicious style moments. Though the movie is centered around a group of Camp Crystal Lake counselors who are being stalked by a hockey-mask-wearing killer, the summery attire is the real star of the show. There’s a young Kevin Bacon wearing a ringer tee and short denim cutoffs. What more could you want? The best scene in 1981’s The Burning—another camp-themed slasher—is when a group of teens go rafting and the killer pops out of a canoe. They’re all massacred while wearing cool varsity tees and big-collar shirts. Love.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Photo: Daniel Pearl, A.S.C.

More recently, I rewatched John Carpenter’s masterful 1978 film Halloween starring Jamie Lee Curtis. Playing up her girl-next-door vibe, Curtis wears flared jeans, a blue button-up shirt, and a sweater. It’s quintessentially ’70s, and we’ve seen it revived time and time again, especially on the runways at Celine. But there’s something cool and authentic about seeing bell-bottoms onscreen during the actual decade that made them popular. Even when she’s being chased by Michael Myers in that big creepy house, I kept my eyes on the chic jeans.

So, the next time you’re covering your eyes with your hands while watching an ominous slasher flick, peek through your fingers and take in some of the fashion. You may just find fall style inspiration while someone’s running for their life.

Below, even more stylish moments from retro slasher films.