Top 5 Classic TV Fashion Icons

The good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between.

Classic television shows brought us a whole world of fashions: the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between. Through it all, certain characters stood out for their unique senses of style. These are the top five fashion icons of classic TV.

#1: Mary Richards, The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Mary bundled up in a sheepskin coat and go-go boots to head outside with Phyllis (Cloris Leachman)

Mary Tyler Moore took America by storm with her popular sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and her production company, MTM Enterprises, which produced many more popular shows over the years. Her pioneering character, Mary Richards, was a young single woman with a successful career as associate producer of a TV news show. The audiences of the ‘70s had never seen a show based around a strong, smart, independent, female character, and it made her a role model for women everywhere.

On top of everything Mary stood for, she also happened to be a fashion icon. From her many cute coats in the opening credits to the stylish professional dresses and suits she wore to work, and even her unique hairstyle, Mary set the trends for women in the ‘70s, and her iconic looks still inspire the fashion world today.

Clockwise from top-left: Mary taking a walk in cute red peacoat, Mary running errands in a sporty yellow two-piece, Mary posing in some of her casual workwear, Mary wearing a badass belted dress for a night out with Rhoda (Valerie Harper)

#2: Al Calavicci, Quantum Leap

Al posing in a sleek suit and skinny tie

While it was developed in the ‘80s, the story of Quantum Leap began in the imagined future world of 1995. Al Calavicci (Dean Stockwell), the project observer who appeared to Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) in the form of a hologram that only he could see and hear, dressed for the present as he followed Sam through the past. His futuristic looks combined bold colors, shiny metallics, translucent plastics, and illuminated accessories. The fashions of the actual ‘90s couldn’t even come close to Al’s individual style.

Clockwise from top-left: Al sporting a flashy outfit in bright shades of orange, Al consulting Ziggy in a silver metallic jacket and killer red shades, Al keeping an eye on Sam while wearing an amazing purple and metallic jacket, Al chilling in a shiny copper jacket

#3: Venus Flytrap, WKRP in Cincinnati

Venus posing in a sharp suit and matching hat

To make it as a radio deejay, an ordinary schoolteacher and Vietnam vet named Gordon Simms (Tim Reid) created the persona of Venus Flytrap, a hip and abundantly stylish character who plays a gong and calls his audience “my children.” He assembled his wardrobe of matching colors, varied textures, and eye-catching hats to blend in with the rock n’ roll crowd at WKRP, but instead it made him stand out as a fashion icon among the casual jeans and T-shirts of his peers.

Clockwise from top-left: Venus at work in a stylish jacket and hat set, Venus is ready for the cold Cincinnati weather in his fur coat and velvet hat, Venus in a professional yet fashionable suit for an interview with the head of a rival radio station (Terry Kiser), Venus wearing a mixed-texture jacket while hanging out with Herb (Frank Bonner) and Les (Richard Sanders)

#4: Mrs. Brown, My Favorite Martian

Pamela Britton as Lorelei

Mrs. Lorelei Brown (Pamela Britton) always donned simple, stylish dresses, skirts, and blouses whether she was snooping on her neighbor, Tim O’Hara (Bill Bixby), and his weird “Uncle Martin” (Ray Walston), baking endless brownies, or attending a meeting of one of her many community groups. Her timeless style was appealing even in black and white, but when the show converted to color in season three, her fabulous wardrobe really shined.

Clockwise from top-left: Mrs. Brown is ready for a date in her stunning pink gown and mink stole, Mrs. Brown wearing a chic V-neck dress at a party with Tim and Martin, Mrs. Brown sitting pretty in a sundress with Angela (Ann Marshall), Martin (Ray Walston), and Tim (Bill Bixby), Mrs. Brown in a casual outfit for shooting the breeze with Martin and Tim

#5: Clarissa Darling, Clarissa Explains It All

Melissa Joan Hart as Clarissa

In the ‘90s, there was no one I idolized more than Clarissa Darling (Melissa Joan Hart). Everything about her was super cool: her room, her computer, her pet alligator, and her best friend Sam who always climbed through her window. On Clarissa Explains It All, Clarissa explained everything ‘90s kids needed to know about life, school, dating, and annoying little brothers, but what spoke to me the most was her wardrobe. Her edgy looks pushed the fashion envelope with quirky jackets and hats, funky socks and stockings, and chunky statement jewelry.

Clockwise from top-left: Clarissa wearing a funky look and side ponytail while hanging out in her room, Clarissa showing off her room while dressed in bright colors and retro shoes, Clarissa explaining it all while wearing a floral hat and animal print dress, Clarissa posing in a mixed-pattern outfit