A Definitive Style Ranking of Cartoon Characters Who Don’t Wear Pants

Celebrities have informed the style of the common man since the first baroness was put on the cover of the first gossip pamphlet. Movie stars, athletes, politicians: figures in public life have always had a marked influence on the way we dress. In shouting out famed style icons, we often forget the most enduring celebrities of all: cartoon characters. It's high time we started applauding animated creatures for sartorial inspiration. Sure, blue jeans are classic, but no more classic than Mickey Mouse's red shorts and white gloves combo.

So many cartoon characters have given so much to the fashion world, from Homer Simpson's classic white shirt and blue pants to Bugs Bunny's carrot-as-accessory minimalist attire. But, no group of cartoon characters has demonstrated such a consistent, unique contribution to the fashion world as characters that don't wear any pants.

With fewer articles of clothing than you would find in a traditional arsenal, these animated fashion gods still manage to pull together some of the most creative ensembles in the game. Even the most daring member of the real world fashion avant garde would never think to go pantsless. When you don't wear pants, the rest of your ensemble falls under heavy scrutiny. Self-confidence is a must.

When some people think of style iconoclasts, you may think of any number of designers, models, and artists. Maybe you should think of Porky Pig. Here is a A Definitive Style Ranking of Cartoon Characters Who Don’t Wear Pants​.

As seen in: Yogi Bear

Signature Look: Green porkpie hat, green tie, collar

Yogi's rather pedestrian ensemble is made a bit more interesting thanks to his collar unattached to a shirt. This flourish takes a pedestrian outfit (inspired by The Honeymooners) and gives it a bit of character. Though porkpie hats have inexplicably made a comeback in the hipster community, Yogi's outfit still feels bland today. The famed picnic basket snatcher dresses better than the average bear, but not by much.

As seen in: Winnie the Pooh

Signature Look: Red shirt, sometimes a honey pot

Winnie loves honey, and apparently hates fashion. Not only can he not be bothered to wear anything more than red shirt, but the shirt he chooses does his figure no favors. If all you're going to wear is a T-shirt, that T-shirt better be doing some work. In Winnie's case, the shirt is overshadowed by his sizable belly and certainly does not compliment his plus-sized frame. The lesson here: Buy clothes that fit and cut back on honey.

As seen in: Various Disney projects

Signature Look: Schoolboy outfit and bowtie

Donald's outfit hasn't aged well. It's hard to imagine this look having a place in today's world, even tinged with a hearty dose of irony. It's even difficult to imagine that from the beginning, this look was anything but tragic. While schoolgirl chic will likely never loose its charm, the throwback schoolboy look is best relegated to the dustbin of history.

As seen in: Shrek, The Adventures of Puss in Boots

Signature Look: Cavalier hat, rapier, belt, and, of course, boots

The boots make the man, or in this case, the cat. With these stylish boots and that peacocking hat, you barely notice that this cat's belt is just for holding his sword. Yes, Puss has natural swagger, but his style compliments his inborn confidence. Puss is truly the cat's meow, but his fur can only carry him so far in terms of overall style.

As seen in: Spongebob Squarepants

Signature Look: Brown polo, Krusty Krab hat

For a struggling artist, Squidward's fashion is decidedly uncreative. His dirt brown polo is the sartorial symbol of a man beaten down by the system. When he does accessorize, it often merely means putting on his work hat to suffer the indignities of toiling away for the man. To look at Squidward is to look at a man squid who has been stifled. His dull fashion is a mirror of the inner life of this downtrodden sea creature.

The struggle is real, even under the sea.

As seen in: Futurama

Signature Look: Red paramilitary top, black belt, matching white gloves and boots

As the only human on this list, you know that Zapp Brannigan is something special. While most animated animals have the excuse that their fur or scales double as clothes, Brannigan is totally bare from his waist to his boots. The man is the definition of swagger, despite his complete incompetence. The man also knows how to accessorize. While some men add a scarf or a hat to complete an ensemble, Brannigan accessorizes with an entire being, his trusty assistant Kip.

When it comes to fashion, Brannigan understands that if you've got it you should flaunt it. He also understands that if you don't got it, you should still flaunt it. Basically, his go to move is flaunt it.

As seen in: Animaniacs

Signature Look: Blue turtleneck, oversized backwards red baseball cap

Wakko's outfit screams '90s Gap ad. His turtleneck is loose without looking frumpy. His hat manages a bit of a rakish angle, or maybe rapper Papoose, who's synonymous with the oversized fitted cap. With this ensemble, Wakko Warner hits that level of effortless cool that Brooklyn hipsters have been attempting for decades. One of the reasons for this may be that he actually puts zero effort into his appearance, but hey, there's probably limited closet space inside the WB Studio water tower.

As seen in: The Flintstones

Signature Look: orange dress, ratty blue tie

Everyone has been applauding Jaden Smith and Young Thug for subverting gender norms by wearing dresses, but nobody seems to mention that your boy Fred has been doing it since the Stone Age. Fred is clearly the most likely citizen of Bedrock to run a menswear blog on some stone tablets. His animal-print look puts Barney's brown rags to shame. Fred Flintstone is a fashion god, especially when you add in his Neanderthal dadbod and dapper club. You don't have to be a member of the Loyal Order of the Water Buffalo to see that he is a caveman clothing connoisseur.

As seen in: Looney Tunes

Signature Look: Blue coat, red bowtie, white gloves

You have to give credit where credit is due. Porky is one of the O.G. and best known pantsless cartoons. We don't call going pantsless "Donald Duckin' It" or "Winnie the Poohin' It," we call it Porky Piggin' It and with good reason. Porky's pants free look is iconic. The classic blue blazer with the red bowtie is a great example of combining a traditional look with personal style. And if there is anything that says class like a pig in gloves, then we haven't seen it.

As seen in: Rocko's Modern Life

Signature Look: Blue shirt with purple triangles, red sneakers

Rocko's shirt is fly. You know that if you happened upon this dope button-up at a thrift store that you would cop it immediately. While we can appreciate many of these looks as they appear on cartoon characters, Rocko's top is one of the few that we would immediately add into our rotation IRL. It makes sense that the wallaby living a modern life would rock only the most modern of threads.

As seen in: DuckTales

Signature Look: monochromatic shirt-hat combo

The one-color ensemble is timeless. Even gameshow host/personality/fuccboi Regis Philbin couldn't ruin the monochromatic look.

No one can fault the duck brothers for their utilitarian style, and their coordinating steez is the very definition of #squadgoals. Fine, rolling up to the function looking like a boy band isn't always the wave, but the short-brimmed baseball caps (with the curve!!!) and long sleeve tees actually look really cool.

As seen in: Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers

Signature Look: Chip: Aviator Jacket and fedora; Dale: Hawaiian Shirt

Apart, these two cultivate looks that belong in the dregs of cartoon fashion. Chip dresses like a pick-up artist and Dale looks like he's ready to down one too many margaritas at a Jimmy Buffet concert. When considered together, however, this look becomes kind of strong. Chip and Dale are the yin and the yang, the id and the ego, fire and ice. Chip is dressed in an adventurer's version of business casual while Dale looks like he is going to casually take care of business. In life and in style, they make quite a team.

As Seen In: Fritz the Cat, The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat

Signature Look: Red striped sweater

The lifestyle that Fritz led was far more exciting than his wardrobe. R. Crumb and animator Robert Bakshi both put Fritz in some exciting and even titillating situations, yet both artists left his wardrobe fairly basic. Sometimes a man (or cat's) swagger can elevate his style, and this is definitely the case with Fritz. Just don't expect that same level of luck with the anthropomorphic ladies if you try to mimic Fritz's signature form fitting sweater style.

As seen in: TaleSpin

Signature Look: Backwards blue cap, patched-up slouchy sweater

Kit Cloudkicker is so rad that even his name is awesome. Sure, there's a little parallel there to Wakko Warner's look, but he grunges it up with a patched-up oversized sweater that looks like it came straight out of a thrift store. For a show with a premise about the black bear from The Jungle Book actually being an ace pilot, Kit Cloudkicker was the kickass "kid appeal" character akin to Short-Round from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, except way less racially stereotypical. Besides, not only did he look cool, he was also known for surfing the sky. And he did it with serious style.

As seen in: Darkwing Duck

Signature Look: Double-breasted coat, cape, turtleneck, wide-brimmed hat, mask

Sometimes bold fashion moves pay off. The double-breasted purple jacket with gold buttons? Win. Complimenting it with a turquoise turtleneck? Another win. Wide-brim hat? That's a triple win. Topping it all of with a damn cape? Epic win. Your boy Darkwing has the kind of fashion game that even the most stylish among us can only dream about. Darkwing is one of those ducks who can pull anything off. Say what you will about his other super hero skills, but fashion is certainly one power he has mastered.