Halloween Costume Idea: Claire from “The Breakfast Club”

Molly Ringwald was the queen of 80s teen movies – the leader of the (brat) pack in my book. She got her start acting on The Facts of Life in the late 70s and early 80s and went on to become John Hughes’ muse, starring in such hits as “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” and “Pretty in Pink.” The ultimate 80s teen icon – why not dress up as one of her movie characters this Halloween?

In “The Breakfast Club,“ she played Claire Standish, a change from the usual relatable/down to earth “every girl” character we were used to. Claire was a popular, spoiled little rich girl who ends up serving detention all day on a Saturday because she got caught skipping class so she could (naturally) go shopping.  During her time in detention Claire (the princess) learns a little something about her fellow students – a brain, an athlete, a basket case, and a criminal. The group spends the day talking, arguing, dancing and spilling their deepest, darkest secrets to each other. Once the walls start to come down, Claire is able to bust out of her snooty mold and let people in on who she really is. She treats Allison to a makeover and falls for John Bender, giving him one of her diamond earrings at the end of the film.



Claire Standish from The Breakfast Club played by Molly Ringwald

 

Claire smoking pot

Elements to the Claire Costume

To become Claire, you may be able to grab a few pieces that you already have from your closet. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A pink short-sleeve top
  • Brown bomber jacket
  • Brown boots
  • Tan/brown knee length skirt
  • Belt
  • Big-ole-rock “diamond” earrings (try your local Claire’s or any other cheapie accessory shop for these)

Elements to the Claire Costume

Check out this great Claire costume!

Accessories can include Ray-ban sunglasses, a white little neck scarf and a sushi bento box.

Claire Standish costume accessorie: Sushi bento box

Be prepared to act all snooty, give away a single earing and show off your “special skill” on Halloween night:

Halloween is on a Friday this year. Where will you be reporting at 7:00 the next morning?

Bender & Claire

Author: Lori Ferraro

Lori is a writer and actor living in Portland, OR. Her website, Drawn to the 80s, is where her 5 year old draws the greatest music hits of the 1980s. She is a blogger for The Huffington Post and her own blog, Once Upon a Product, is where she writes about important things like beauty products, music, her obsession with Mick Jagger and of course...the 80s.

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1 Comment

  1. Hi, I’m a student at World Journalism Preparatory School and I would really like to use your photo of John and Claire for our yearbook but I need your permission. Can you please email me at marcella.orlando@wjps.org as soon as possible, I would really appreciate it.

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