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Bringing Beetlejuice to Life: How to Channel Tim Burton’s Iconic Character Through Your Wardrobe

/ Post by Nina Zhao
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The wait is over! Fans of the 1988 cult classic Beetlejuice are now flocking to theaters to see the highly anticipated sequel: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Not only do Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder reprise their legendary roles as Betelgeuse and Lydia Deetz, but they are also joined by Hollywood favorite Jenna Ortega, who plays Lydia’s rebellious teenage daughter Astrid. Get your tickets now to see what ghostly happenings await the Deetz family as they return to Winter River!

This release is sure to make an impact on the fall fashion scene with its delightfully macabre aesthetics and iconic character designs. If you want to make your viewing of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice extra special by dressing up in your best black and white, keep reading to browse our selection of fun retro looks inspired by the infamous bio-exorcist himself.

Black 1960s Off-Shoulder Striped Jumpsuit

Simple and classy but with a little something extra, this gorgeous jumpsuit juxtaposes horizontal and vertical stripes in ways that flatter your shape and lengthen your silhouette. The crisscrossing off-shoulder neckline and staggered pattern also add a touch of Betelgeuse’s signature chaos to create an altogether fun yet feminine look that’s perfect for the movies.

Black 1930s Spiderweb Mesh Stripe Fishtail Dress

The first Beetlejuice film had a unique aesthetic with lots of stylish retro elements, which makes the sequel the perfect occasion to break out something inspired by the early 20th century. This piece’s slinky 1930s silhouette and sheer back panel contrast wonderfully with its bold stripe pattern as well as the creepy spider webs woven into the lace.

Black 1950s Halloween Lace Belt Dress

This piece goes in a different direction from the others on this list, trading in stripes for solid red tulle reminiscent of Lydia’s beloved wedding dress from the first Beetlejuice film. With its poofy tiered skirt, crisp shirt collar, and layered belts, it perfectly blends classic softness with modern edge for a delightfully gothic result. Not only that, but this dress also comes in a black variant if you want to go for a vibe that’s closer to, say, Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams.

2-Piece Black 1930s Striped Tie Collar Blouse & Suspender Pants

Separates are a great place to start when putting together any casual outfit, especially if you want to feel cute and comfortable at the movies. This frilly blouse makes an excellent base garment for both minimalist and highly accessorized looks thanks to its limited palette and simple pattern, and the high-waisted suspender pants add a sense of vintage refinement. These pieces are also available for individual sale if you feel drawn to one over the other, broadening the styling possibilities even further.

Black 1960s Vertical Stripe Strap Pencil Dress

Sleek, classy, and adaptable to tons of different occasions, this mid-length pencil dress plays it straight with an uncomplicated design that’s easy to accessorize depending on your needs. While the vertical stripes work to elongate your silhouette, the slight ruching at the bust adds some textural intrigue and draws attention to your curves. In other words, this piece works well both on its own and when paired with fine jewelry or those shoes you splurged on forever ago but haven’t worn yet.

2-Piece 1950s Black Solid Blouse & Suspender Skirt

There’s something undeniably whimsical about a suspender skirt that makes for a beautifully Burton-esque aesthetic. Featuring both vertical and horizontal stripes, this set includes a high-waisted skirt and a delicate black blouse with butterfly sleeves, an adorable collar bow, and pearly white buttons.

Black & White 1960s V-Neck Button Patchwork Dress

Taking a different approach to monochrome is this fun ‘60s cocktail dress with bold white accent trim. The wrap neckline flows down into a fitted pencil skirt with matching white buttons, only being interrupted by a solid black panel that nips in the waist and gives the illusion of a belt. This is a wonderfully retro piece that subtly evokes Betelgeuse and the two-toned afterlife he hails from.

Black & White 1980s Striped Contrast Jumpsuit

This unconventional jumpsuit combines femininity and funk, contrasting long vertical stripes  and black trim with an eye-catching purple collar. Topping off the look are an acid-green faux tie accent and a circular keyhole cutout that work to really bring that Beetlejuice flair—you could even imagine the titular character wearing something like this to his interdimensional wedding.

1950s Bow Collar Striped Dots Swing Dress

With its prim neck bow and button-up construction, this piece is a great analog to Betelgeuse’s quintessential two-piece suit and tie. The striped fabric is laid such that the skirt panels meet on the diagonal, forming crisp chevrons all along the side seams for a unique yet understated effect that’s sure to attract attention as the voluminous swing skirt moves with you.

1960s Off-Shoulder Wide Stripe Jumpsuit

This piece may as well be some kind of optical illusion, with clusters of stripes coming from all different directions to form a stylish, easy-to-wear jumpsuit with short sleeves and an off-shoulder wrap neckline. A black ribbon ties into a bow at the waist to accentuate your figure, giving way to a pair of roomy pant legs that fall comfortably to the mid-calf, perfectly riding the line between casual and elegant.

Black 1950s Vertical Stripes Halter Dress

We’re ending off with another warm-weather pick in the form of this gorgeous sundress! This 1950s-style piece is made with a full swing skirt and a tied halter neckline, baring just enough skin to keep you cool without going overboard into raunchy territory. You can wear it as a casual day dress or add jewelry and a pair of heels to class it up for a special occasion. Either way, you’ll feel ready to move right into the Maitlands’ towering Connecticut home.

Conclusion

Black and white stripes are available in countless different forms all throughout the fashion world, so it’s okay to feel a little overwhelmed by all the choices. While we may not be able to appear to help you if you call our name three times, we hope this article can still provide some guidance when you’re putting together your Beetlejuice-inspired ensemble. Remember that fashion is supposed to be fun—especially when you’ve got Tim Burton on the brain—so don’t be afraid to embrace your kooky, chaotic side this fall!

You can find all these pieces and so much more on the Retro Stage website.