Nobody expected Drew Barrymore to die. In 1996, she was the face on the poster. She was the A-list star. Then, twelve minutes into Scream, her character, Casey Becker, is hanging from a tree, and the entire "final girl" rulebook is tossed out the window. But before the gore, there was the outfit. It was simple. It was suburban. Honestly, it was just a sweater and some pants.
Yet, decades later, the drew barrymore scream costume is still the go-to for horror fans every October. It’s not just a costume; it’s a masterclass in visual storytelling. Costume designer Cynthia Bergstrom didn't just pick clothes off a rack. She chose a palette specifically designed to be ruined.
The Anatomy of the Casey Becker Look
If you’re trying to recreate this, you have to get the textures right. It’s not just a "white shirt."
The core piece is a cream-colored, oversized, cable-knit or ribbed sweater. Most sources and fashion historians point to it being a classic J.Crew piece from the mid-90s. It has a slight V-neck or scoop neck, and the sleeves are just a bit too long. This is crucial. When Casey is terrified, she pulls her hands into the sleeves. It’s a classic "vulnerable" trope that makes her look smaller and more defenseless.
Then you have the pants. People argue about these constantly. Some think they’re mom jeans, but they’re actually light-colored, off-white, or tan Katherine Hamnett designer twill trousers. They have a bit of a business-casual taper. Because she’s just hanging out at home making popcorn, she’s barefoot for the entire sequence. If you're wearing this to a party, maybe skip the barefoot part and grab some classic white Keds or Reebok Classics to keep that 90s suburban vibe.
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The Gear You Actually Need
- The Sweater: Off-white or cream. Ribbed or cable-knit.
- The Bottoms: High-waisted light tan or cream trousers.
- The Hair: A blonde, chin-length bob with bangs. It’s very "90s chic."
- The Prop: A cordless landline phone. Not a cell phone. A big, clunky, grey or white 90s brick phone.
Why the White Palette Matters
Why didn't they put her in black? Or a dark blue?
Bergstrom and Director of Photography Mark Irwin wanted a "non-threatening" look. Everything in that opening scene is light. The house is white. The kitchen is bright. Casey is wearing cream. When the blood finally starts spilling, the contrast is violent. You can’t hide a stab wound on a cream J.Crew sweater. The dark red corn syrup stands out in a way that feels genuinely intrusive. It’s the visual representation of innocence being slaughtered.
There's also a weirdly specific detail about the hair. The blonde bob is so symmetrical and perfect at the start of the scene. By the end, it’s matted, sweaty, and messy. That transition from "perfect suburban teen" to "horror victim" is told through the breakdown of the costume.
DIY Tips for a Screen-Accurate Look
Most people mess up the drew barrymore scream costume by going too "costumy."
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Don't buy a pre-packaged "Horror Victim" kit. It looks cheap. Instead, hit up a thrift store. Look for vintage 90s labels like Gap, J.Crew, or even L.L. Bean for the sweater. You want natural fibers if possible. Wool or a heavy cotton blend hangs differently than the shiny polyester you find at Spirit Halloween.
For the hair, if you aren't ready to chop your own, look for a "flapper" or "classic bob" wig in a pale blonde. You might need to trim the bangs yourself to get that blunt 90s look Barrymore sported. Use a little bit of texturizing spray to take away the "fake" shine of the synthetic hair.
The Phone is the Secret
You can find old Panasonic or Sony cordless phones on eBay for ten bucks. It’s the one accessory that instantly tells people who you are. Without the phone, you’re just a girl in a sweater. With the phone, you’re the girl who's about to be asked about her favorite scary movie.
Addressing the Common Misconceptions
One thing people get wrong is the "pregnant Casey" theory. There are some fan edits and weird "pregnant Casey Becker" costumes floating around social media. To be clear: Casey Becker was not pregnant in the movie. That’s a total fan invention or a confusion with other horror tropes.
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Another mistake? The shoes. As mentioned, she’s barefoot. If you see someone in a Casey Becker costume wearing combat boots, they're mixing her up with Sidney Prescott or Tatum Riley. Casey is the "at-home" victim. Her lack of shoes emphasizes her lack of preparation for a fight.
How to Win Your Costume Contest
If you want to take it to the next level, you need the "staged" blood. Don't just pour it everywhere. Focus on the chest area and the neck. In the film, the killer's first strike is a quick stab to the chest.
Try using a mixture of corn syrup, red food coloring, and a drop of blue (to make it look more like real, oxygen-depleted blood). If you really want to be "screen accurate," remember that her parents find her hanging. Some dedicated cosplayers use a harness under the sweater to simulate the look, though that’s probably overkill for a house party.
Real-World Impact
The drew barrymore scream costume changed how designers approached horror. It moved away from the "sexualized" victim in a nightgown and moved toward the "relatable" victim in everyday clothes. It made the horror feel like it could happen in your own kitchen. It's why the look still works. It's grounded. It’s boring until it’s terrifying.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Thrift: Search for "90s cream sweater" on Depop or Poshmark.
- Prop Hunt: Grab a non-functional vintage cordless phone from a garage sale or eBay.
- Wig Prep: If using a wig, steam it to remove the packaging creases before you wear it.
- Blood Test: Test your fake blood on a scrap piece of fabric first to see how it "bleeds" into the knit of the sweater.
The beauty of this costume is that it’s comfortable. You’re basically wearing pajamas. But to everyone else, you’re a walking piece of cinematic history. Just make sure you know your trivia—don't get the question about Friday the 13th wrong.