1. Emma Peel – The Avengers
She was brains, beauty, and British charm all wrapped in a catsuit. Emma Peel redefined what it meant to be a stylish woman on screen—not just fashionable, but fearlessly chic. Her wardrobe swung between mod minimalism and spy-thriller glam, with impeccable tailoring and edgy silhouettes. Whether she was karate-chopping villains or exchanging dry wit with John Steed, she made intellect look fashionable.
And let’s be real—those leather jumpsuits and sleek bob haircuts are still popping up on runways today. Peel wasn’t just eye candy; she was an icon of empowerment in stilettos. She could hold her own in a fight, outwit just about anyone, and do it all with grace. If “cool” had a face in the ‘60s, it was hers.
2. Napoleon Solo – The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Napoleon Solo was suave without trying too hard, like James Bond’s charming cousin who also knew his way around a three-piece suit. With his tailored blazers, skinny ties, and effortless confidence, he helped make international espionage look like a runway event. He was the kind of guy who could sip champagne and dismantle a bomb in the same breath.
What made his style stand out was its understated elegance. No flashy gadgets—just good taste and sharp instincts. Even the way he carried himself felt curated. Today’s gentleman spies owe more than a little to Solo’s debonair vibe. He made trench coats cool before they were a TikTok thing.
3. Laura Petrie – The Dick Van Dyke Show
Laura Petrie ditched the housewife stereotype and gave the capri pant its legendary status. Mary Tyler Moore’s portrayal turned everyday domestic life into a style moment—with ballet flats, crisp blouses, and a pixie haircut that screamed sophistication. She was effortlessly modern and showed that being fashionable didn’t mean being flashy.
Her look was relatable and aspirational at the same time. You didn’t need a red carpet—you just needed confidence and a good pair of pants. Laura’s wardrobe made TV feel current and urban, more like New York than Suburbia. Even decades later, she’s the blueprint for “classic casual with flair.”
4. Simon Templar – The Saint
If James Bond wore white linen and flirted with international art thieves on yachts, he’d basically be Simon Templar. Roger Moore played him with smooth confidence and an eyebrow that did half the acting. His look? Always tailored, often relaxed, and never out of place. That signature halo logo flashed on screen, but it was Moore’s effortless glamor that stole the show.
Templar’s style was clean but luxurious—no frills, just polish. He could charm anyone in a double-breasted blazer and make mischief feel like high society. The way he dressed said, “I don’t need to try hard—I’m already the main event.” You can still see echoes of his wardrobe in luxury menswear campaigns today.
5. Honey West – Honey West
She was America’s first female TV detective, and she made it look good. Anne Francis strutted through crime scenes in leopard print coats and black jumpsuits, with a pet ocelot named Bruce just to dial the drama up even further. Her style was bold, glamorous, and unapologetically feminine—with gadgets hidden in lipstick tubes and heels that could outrun anyone.
Honey West didn’t blend in—she owned her space. She didn’t dress like the boys to be taken seriously; she turned femininity into a power play. The show lasted only one season, but her aesthetic stuck. West was proof that strong and stylish weren’t mutually exclusive.
6. Maxwell Smart – Get Smart
Okay, hear me out—Maxwell Smart might’ve been hilariously incompetent, but his fashion game was unexpectedly tight. Don Adams wore that classic spy uniform with crisp suits, narrow lapels, and black shoes that held a literal phone. Smart was absurd and lovable, but he still had that retro cool working in his favor.
He brought mod style to a slapstick world. It was clean-cut but never stiff—like your quirky uncle who actually knows how to dress. That gray suit and skinny tie combo? Still a look. Even with all the bumbling, Max made spy chic stick in our cultural memory. Just don’t ask him to actually save the world.
