Image via Complex Original
Hey Arnold! was the crown jewel of Nickelodeon's 1990's cable TV cartoon dominance. Much of this has to do with the fact that since the end of the show's run in 2004, Nickelodeon made a decisive shift in their programming in favor of low quality live-action garbage such as iCarly, although I understand this new range of shows is not intended to appeal to young men in their 20's such as myself. The Nicktoons giants of the past (Doug, Rugrats, Rocco's Modern Life) are all great examples of Nickelodeon's knack for the cartoon format, but no show from the channel ever reached the heights of Hey Arnold! in terms of animation, voice-over, storyline, humor and sheer volume of interesting characters. In fact, I would bet that most guys around my age not only wanted to watch Arnold every week, but wanted to be Arnold. He made city life seem like the most exciting thing on earth—kicking it with all different kinds of people appeared fascinating rather than frightening. So, I begged my mom for a remote control fold out couch to no avail. Hey Arnold!'s characters were so well-developed, in fact, that each time they were thrown into an unfamiliar scenario, it was completely fucking captivating and riveting to watch as a kid. Of course, since this is a cartoon we're talking about, these situations lead to a ton of bizarre behavior and even stranger wardrobes. Naturally, these moments of style were never the focus—they added humor and freshness to a show whose strong, self-aware writing always lead. With that said, because we are Four Pins, we're gonna run through these fashion moments anyway because they're all so dope.
arnoldlead2
s1e1downasfruits
Season 1, Episode 1, "Down As Fruits"
Arnold and Gerald skip out on the school play, but don't want to get caught as themselves downtown, which lead them to their first of many disguises in the shows run. Here, they go full-on poetry slam. Arnold continues to rock banana shoes from a previous, way less steezy disguise.
s1e2littlepinkbook
Season 1, Episode 2, "The Little Pink Book"
Arnold & Gerald do a science experiment and give off serious Margiela vibes.
s1e3arnoldshat
Season 1, Episode 3, "Arnold's Hat"
Early in the series it was established how important Arnold's weirdly shaped head and the even weirder tiny hat that rested upon it were to his character. That meant an entire episode dedicated to Arnold's depression following the loss of his signature headwear.
s1e8stoopkid
Season 1, Episode 8, "Stoop Kid"
Likely the most well-known non-essential character in Hey Arnold! history, Stoop Kid became the prototypical cartoon figure of badass hermits everywhere and general teenage agoraphobia.
s1e10helgasmakeover
Season 1, Episode 10, "Helga's Makeover"
Helga thought she was a bad bitch in some Louboutins.
s1e10theoldbuilding
Season 1, Episode 10, "The Old Building"
Dino Spimoni arrived to the function as any old, well-respected man should. In a double breasted suit and stepping out of the back of his own limo.
s1e46thgradegirls
Season 1, Episode 6, "6th Grade Girls"
Arnold & Gerald made the rookie mistake when courting an older woman, acting like you give a shit. Older women want younger men because they don't give a fuck about anything except fucking!
s1e9snow
Season 1, Episode 9, "Snow"
Arnold doesn't wear gloves to shovel knee-high snow because he ain't no chump.
s1e11mugged
Season 1, Episode 11, "Mugged"
I wish Arnold's Grandma were my Grandma. All mine does is talk about her childhood and make me feel bad for not calling her.
s1e11mugged2
Season 1, Episode 11, "Mugged"
Remember how Arnold went all Jet Li on some helpless fat kid because his karate skills were too wavy? I never felt bad for that kid. Arnold was just flexin'.
s1e11roughinit
Season 1, Episode 11, "Roughin' It"
Helgas dad knows just because you're camping doesn't mean you gotta be a barbarian. Wear a floral shirt and make sure your RV has at least 3 TV's. "I got more TV's in here than where I live!" *Kanye Voice*
s1e12door#16
Season 1, Episode 12, "Door 16"
Arnold and Gerald in yet another season 1 costume, this time learning 2 valuable lessons along the way: No children's sitcom is complete until they pull the ole "sitting on your buddy's shoulders in a trench coat" trick and that every man needs a bold rain jacket.
s1e5cooljerk
Season 1, Episode 5, "Cool Jerk"
Frankie J, proponent of timeless rebel style and timeless douche motorcycles.
s1e14_tutoringtorvalt
Season 1, Episode 14, "Tutoring Torvalt"
Torvolt's outfit says "I hate sleeves" and "I love America" all at once! Actually those are kind of the same thing, right?
s1e16thesewerking
Season 1, Episode 16, "The Sewer King"
The gang heads down to the sewer to find the legendary "Sewer King", and when they do, they find this really actually sad motherfucker who only has rats as friends because he was rejected by the world. Also sweet cape brah, does Tommy Ton shoot the sewers?
s1e16themagicshow
Season 1, Episode 16, "The Magic Show"
Anytime Arnold changes his outfit, said outfit is required to come with a hat. Calling bullshit that this baby top hot is capable of concealing a rabbit though, Shortman. Which, yes, is Arnold's last name. MIND. BLOWN.
s1e18arnoldschristmas
Season 1, Episode 18, "Arnold's Christmas"
Arnold and Gerald learn how much of a bitch Christmas shopping is while also learning the valuable lesson that family is more important than material items. LOL, dumb kids, amirite?
s1e21arnoldsvalentine
Season 1, Episode 21, "Arnold's Valentine"
Helga tries to convince Arnold that she's his Parisian valentine, in the process sort of just proving how maybe kinda sorta slow Arnold is.
s1e21arnoldsvalentine2
Season 1, Episode 21, "Arnold's Valentine"
At least the dude showed up in style.
s2e2mrsimmons
Season 2, Episode 2, "New Teacher"
Mr. Simmons was a big pussy, not because he's crying, but because he's wearing a sweater vest.
s2e3haroldskitty
Season 2, Episode 3, "Harold's Kitty"
Yep, pretty much how I picture all crazy cat ladies dress.
s2e4_longestmonday
Season 2, Episode 4, "Longest Monday"
In this episode where Arnold and gang are running from 5th graders trying to stuff them in trash cans, they make the fatal mistake of trusting a guy both in a super tight hoodie and with a unibrow. That's a shady 1-2 punch if I've ever heard one.
s2e5_fishing
Season 2, Episode 5, "Fishing"
Grandma's wardrobe consisted of a single dress and 300 costumes for any and all events.
s2e6ransom
Season 2, Episode 6, "Ransom"
Know which accessories suit you best and never let them go, even if they are "chocolate" stains around your mouth, hands and shirt.
s2e6ransomcurly
Season 2, Episode 6, "Ransom"
Nowadays Curly lives in Bushick and does organic shrooms on the weekends. Curly sucks.
s2e6msperfect
Season 2, Episode 6, "Ms. Perfect"
Doesn't Rhonda look good in her new outfit? She definitely thought so at the time.
s2e6msperfect2
Season 2, Episode 6, "Ms. Perfect"
That was until Lila showed up in a bespoke version, knowing full well her red hair would really pop off the blue vest. Bitch.
s2e7hookie
Season 2, Episode 7, "Hookie"
Gerald and Arnold learned that when you skip school, awesome shit happens like Carnival Day. Hey wait, my school never had Carnival Day? The fuck? Oh yeah, also, sweet jackets and beard game.
s2e10helgasboyfriend
Season 2, Episode 10, "Helga's Boyfriend"
As it turns out, Helga actually got gussied up quite a few times during show's run, this time around just to make Stinky her bitch in order to make Arnold jealous. He kind of made himself his own bitch though with that red bow tie.
s2e11haroldsbarmitzvah
Season 2, Episode 11, "Harold's Bar Mitzvah"
Harold learned the same thing I did on my Bar Mitzvah: Thom Browne rulez. Just kidding, I didn't learn shit at my Bar Mitzvah, I just got that $$$. Just kidding, I didn't get any of that either.
s2e12steelyphil
Season 2, Episode 12, "Steely Phil">/strong>
Arnold's granpa as a youngin', where dope blue suits, fedoras and Chinese checkers were the norm.
s2e13rhondasglasses
Season 2, Episode 13, "Rhonda's Glasses"
Rhonda got glasses and everyone made fun of her because I mean c'mon, those aren't even Oliver Peoples or Moscot, what else were they supposed to do?
s2e17eugenesgoesbad
Season 2, Episode 17, "Eugene Goes Bad"
Eugene thought wearing jeans and a Perfecto made him look "bad", but nah dawgs, those choices are nothing but good.
s2e17carmen
Season 2, Episode 17, "Carmen"
Arnold pioneering the cap/royalty/all red everything waves at the same time.
s2e18crabbyauthor
Season 2, Episode 18, "Crabby Author"
Before Arnold can meet his favorite author, he has to encounter an old, wise sailor who looks straight out of a Woolrich lookbook.
s2e18lorenzo
Season 2, Episode 18, "Lorezno"
Lorenzo was a rich kid with a busy schedule who just DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO BE A REAL KID AND BLAH BLAH. Dude, look at how dope your sneakers are and grow a pair.
s3e2mrhuynhgoescountry
Season 3, Episode 2, "Mr. Hynh Goes Country"
Mr. Huynh really loved "The Simple Things", but there's nothing simple about a black tuxedo jacket with blue lapels. Well done.
s3e5stinkygoeshollywood
Season 3, Episode 5, "Stinky Goes Hollywood"
Stinky became the Yahoo spokeskid, leading him to fame, fortune, and douchey sunglasses/side part.
s3e6preteenscream
Season 3, Episode 6, "Pre-Teen Scream"
Pheobe wins tickets to see her favorite pop star, a phony named Ronnie Matthews. Which makes it curious that she would think he'd be into a cowgirl or hippie outfit.
s3e6preteenscream_ronnie
Season 3, Episode 6, "Pre-Teen Scream"
Ronnie was an asshole, but I'd probably be pretentious too if I had hair like that.
s3e10arnoldbetraysiggy
Season 3, Episode 10, "Arnold Betrays Iggy"
We've been into the pajama wave as of recently, but it might be until like, F/W 2016 before we get on board with the Bunny pajamas.
s3e13thepigwar
Season 3, Episode 13, "The Pig War"
Grandpa, Arnold and Co. reenacted the great Pig War, while the real winner was clearly the old guy in colonial wears.
s3e13_thepigwar2
Season 3, Episode 13, "The Pig War"
Why have a war when you can just talk about clothes all day?
s3e19_biggino
Season 3, Episode 19, "Big Gino"
Sid is recruited by the 4th grade's resident mob boss, in the process learning the benefits of combining traditional tailoring (double breasted suit), with streetwear (snapback, sneakers).
s3e19biggino2
Season 3, Episode 19, "Big Gino"
Gino himself, on the other hand, kept his look runway ready with a grey DB, white shirt and black contrast collar.
s3e23eugenesbirthday
Season 3, Episode 23, "Eugene's Birthday"
Arnold not only had every kid's dream bedroom (homie had the penthouse with roof deck access and a skylight), but the illest interior decorations to match.
s3e26campfirelass
Season 3, Episode 26, "Campfire Lass"
This guy was just a crime fighter on a show Gerald watched. He serves no purpose to the show other than his foreshadowing line, "This was like taking candy from a baby," which is exactly what Arnold and Gerald then try to do by scamming the local Campfire Lass (Girl Scout) troop. Also, how am I NOT gonna mention a dude with an afro and killer shades?
s3e26campfirelas2s
Season 3, Episode 26, "Campfire Lass"
Campfire Lass herself, whom obviously was Scottish because THAT's not racist at all, was way too thirsty about A and G joining the troop. Plus, didn't she know Arnold already had a kilt? JK that's a long shirt Arnold wears. I ain't no amateur.
s4e1backtoschool
Season 4, Episode 1, "Back To School"
Another flashback to Grandpa's younger years where he was still the coolest guy ever.
s4e1backtoschool2
Season 4, Episode 1, "Back To School"
Grandpa goes back to Elementary School because apparently The Great Depression forced him to get a job at a very young age (one of Hey Arnolds! brilliant, if somewhat adult and melancholy themes). That in mind, no one wants to see an old man in shorts.
s4e2itgirl
Season 4, Episode 2, "It Girl"
The prototypical Fashion designer makes an appearance in this episode. Homie was dressed extremely appropriately considering this episode surrounds him finding the best looking 9 year old girl for his campaign. Sus.
s4e2itgirl2
Season 4, Episode 2, "It Girl"
Of course he chooses the most unexpected option, Helga. The country falls in love with her look, which makes 0 sense because wouldn't the fashion designer have put her in his own clothes? Maybe he was just the original Internet troll designer.
s4e10grudgematch
Season 4, Episode 10, "The Grudge Match"
Grandpa and Helga's father settle a bet over 18 holes of golf, but let's be honest, Mr. Pataki already lost as soon as he put on those knickers.
s4e10polishingrhonda
Season 4, Episode 10, "Polishing Rhonda"
Rhonda, the show's primary example of "money cannot buy you happiness or taste".
s4e11weirdcousin
Season 4, Episode 11, "Weird Cousin"
Arnold's weird cousin Arnie liked to "count things" and snorted his boogers a lot. He was the completely swagless version of Arnold.
s4e12synchronizedswimming
Season 4, Episode 12, "Synchronized Swimming"
The gang is forced into a synchronized swimming competition by their former basketball coach, while proving to young boys across the country that if you're going to do something as lame as synchronized swimming, at least make sure you wear the dopest costumes possible. Pretty sure this is head-to-toe RRL, but I'm still waiting for confirmation.
s4e14headlesscabbie
Season 4, Episode 14, "The Headless Cabbie"
Who needs a good head on their shoulders when they're arriving to the function in a horse drawn carriage?
s4e17dinochecksout
Season 4, Episode 17, "Dino Checks Out"
Dino Spimoni fakes his own death and leaves Arnold his custom-made suits. Good thing he wasn't actually dead, because everyone knows you're supposed to be buried with your bespoke suits.
s5e1monkeyman
Season 5, Episode 1, "Monkey Man"
Monkey man had the cape game on lock. Those bell bottom jeans are a different story.
s5e2mrgreenruns
Season 5, Episode 2, "Mr Green Runs"
Whether your name is Mr. Green or not, by now all red heads should know wearing green just makes you look like you're selling Lucky Charms.
s5e3sidthevampireslayer
Season 5, Episode 3, "Sid The Vampire Slayer"
Sid thought Stinky's coat made him a vampire. I just think it makes him look ready for the Spring/Summer 2014 runway.
s5e4principalsimmons
Season 5, Episode 4, "Principal Simmons"
In this episode it is revealed Mr. Simmons really loves to re-live his disco glory days. Our only regret is that this didn't happen in 2013 so we could see his rendition of "Get Lucky".
s5e5newbully
Season 5, Episode 5, "New Bully"
Ludwig showed up and immediately became the rival to the other 5th grade resident badass, Wolfgang. To this day I don't know why the writers named these two guys after famous classical composers, but anyway, sweet tank top, bro!
s5e8parentsday
Season 5, Episode 8, "Parents Day"
On parent's day, we finally learn about Arnold's deceased parents. So, you mean, his dad not only was a humanitarian, but rocked a killer set of dad jeans, a field jacket and fedora? Some people just have all the luck. Oh right, he died in a horrific plane crash. Hey, is it just me or was Hey Arnold! pretty morbid for a kid's show?
s5e6sidandgerms
Season 5, Episode 6, "Sid And Germs"
Sid becomes a hypochondriac and in the process mistakes an old-timey scuba suit for a hazmat suit.
s5e9ernieinlove
Season 5, Episode 9, "Ernie In Love"
Let this be a lesson to all shorter men out there. No lifts, no platforms, ever. Also maybe no going bald, but that one's a little harder to achieve.
s5e9summerlove
Season 5, Episode 9, "Summer Love"
Arnold and his "family" from the boarding house all head to the beach, where once again Grandpa effortlessly stunts on all the youngins.
s5e9summerinlove2
Season 5, Episode 9, "Summer Love"
Arnold then finds himself a dime piece, but can't close.
s5e10stuckinatree
Season 5, Episode 10, "Stuck In A Tree"
Arnold gets stuck in a tree with probably the 2 most annoying characters on the show, and imagines what it would be like if they never got down. Let's be honest though, Arnold would probably wear his signature outfit to the grave regardless.
s5e11rhondagoesbroke
Season 5, Episode 11, "Rhonda Goes Broke"
When Rhonda's family goes broke, she has to learn how to make her own clothes, because rich or poor, clothes are THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS.
s5e15geraldsgame
Season 5, Episode 15, "Gerald's Game"
Gerald on his King of The Nerds shit after ascending to the top of the food chain in Dungeons and Dragons. Like all kings, he goes on a major power trip but tbh, I probably would too if I had a robe and crown like this.
s5e21grandpaspackard
Season 5, Episode 21, "Grandpa's Packard"
The last Hey Arnold! episode of all time. Is anyone even still reading this shit? Shout out to all who made it through 74 slides of me talking about cartoon clothing. Oh yeah, this episode was about Grandpa's Packard at a car show or something, and it wasn't that good, but, like, old cars are Americana or whatever.