Image via Complex Original
You already know Saved by the Bell as one of the best teen sitcoms ever and a '90s pop cultural landmark. But even though that rep is solidified, there's one other claim to greatness that isn't awarded as often—it was one of the most stylish shows of its time too. And now, still, for that matter. Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) was an OG influencer in hustling and macking, but of course, all those get-rich-quick schemes like friendship bracelets were needed to fund his insatiable quest to be the flyest motherfucker out.
It wasn't just him, though. His homies, meathead jock AC Slater (Mario Lopez) and yes, even sidekick/resident nerd Screech (Dustin Diamond) were pretty fresh in their own right. Don't even try and front like you didn't idolize these dudes growing up. Take a trip down memory lane for a reminder why. And no, we did not factor in the inferior prequel or sequels shows. No Miss Bliss, no College Years, only the real deal. (And no ladies either for obvious reasons although yes, Lisa Turtle especially did swag out on the regular.) Click through for The Most Stylish Moments From Saved by the Bell.
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"Screech's Woman" (Season 1, Episode 5)
The series established very early on that it wasn't playing any games when just five episodes in they let Belding, a character defined by his archetypal swaglessness, ditch the proper suit look and stunt on them briefly with the Dad-approved cozy cardigan.
"Aloha Slater" (Season 1, Episode 6)
When Slater's dad threatens to uproot him to Hawaii, a lavish going away party complete with Kelly and Jessie in faux grass-skirts is thrown in his honor. As the man of the hour, sticking to theme is basic sure, but effective nonetheless.
"Zack's War" (Season 2, Episode 2)
Wow, who remembers this Very Special Episode, which used the fictional Bayside, Calif. setting to lay in some subtext on real-life gang violence, as evidenced by the opposing teams outfitted in extreme hues of red or blue? Just kidding, of course Saved by the Bell barely addressed drugs, let alone any type of violence. This is just another one of the silly rivalries the crew found themselves in, with notably fresh color-blocked cozywear.
"House Party" (Season 2, Episode 5)
Screech's parents are away, and sure, there are house parties to be had later. But first order of business is sliding across the floors and swagging out with the homies in early prototypes of Kanye's shutter shades.
"Rockumentary" (Season 3, Episode 22)
Zack goes full proto-Bieber in the classic "Zack Attack" band episode, particularly after the inevitable "fuck you guys, I'm going solo" moment, when the industry jump-off convinces him to switch the style up.
"Driver's Education" (Season 2, Episode 4)
Floral print and white pants—it wasn't often that Screech succsesfully toed the line between fearlessly loud and eyesore, but when he did, he won.
"The Fabulous Belding Boys" (Season 2, Episode 16)
Moments like this kind of explain Dustin Diamond's inner rage towards this character, his cast members, and this show overall. It wasn't enough for Screech to be a virginal nerd, the costume department clearly scoured the bowels of all salvation army stores and carnivals for dude's wardrobe, which only became wilder and more inexplicable as the seasons went on. Yes, it resulted in Screech retroactively coming off as the fearless Lord of the Style Risk, but it was definitely inadvertent.
"Cream for a Day" (Season 1, Episode 8)
A$AP Mob will refer to this image when they get tired of hockey jerseys.
"The Friendship Business" (Season 1, Episode 11)
Never has a still image summed up all the reasons why a show is awesome as this screenshot from the gang's friendship bracelet commercial. This right here is Saved By the Bell in all its earnest, ridiculous glory.
"No Hope With Dope" (Season 3, Episode 21)
"Am I flossing at full potential, or will I pull more hoes if I go harder?"
"The Friendship Business" (Season 1, Episode 11)
No clue who these three are, and they never appear again, but this does prove that it wasn't just Zack—Bayside High in general had its style priorities in line. The early '90s surfer vibes are what gave rise to Stussy's flourishment, as well as streetwear in general.
"House Party" (Season 2, Episode 5)
Even with the stress of replacing an Elvis statue before his parents return weighing on him, Screech still found time to show out, because one cannot come underdressed to one's own house party.
"Glee Club" (Season 2, Episode 18)
"Zack, I've seen the future—and it doesn't look good for Lisa. As for your high-top Cons and my wild prints? We good."
"The Aftermath" (Season 3, Episode 3)
If you're going to make a mature, over-it appearance at your girl's birthday after she dropped you like fifth period gym for a new guy, this is how you do it. Sweater so cold Kelly better get the damn Theraflu.
"Rockumentary" (Season 3, Episode 22)
Before the inevitable ego implosion, "Zack Attack" had the coordinated-band fresh code on lock. It would honestly not surprise anyone to see this paneled black-and-white look killing it in the streets in 2014.
"My Boyfriend's Back" (Season 3, Episode 8)
Of course the multi-episode arc that saw the group working at a summer beach resort ony really allowed Zack to flourish out of uniform.
"The Fabulous Belding Boys" (Season 2, Episode 16)
Behold Slater in his natural pose exercising his right to bare arms.
"The Wicked Stepbrother" (Season 3, Episode 13)
If it weren't for his aggressive pushing-up on Lisa, general douchey attitude, and you know, the episode title, it'd still be clear Jessie's stepbrother was the new resident enemy. He quickly learned though that you can't come to town aiming at Zack's neck as Bayside's resident lord without consequences.
"King of the Hill" (Season 1, Episode 15)
Camo pants with suspenders, a loud-print shirt and the piru chucks? If Screech's outfits didn't become more adventurous for the worse later on, he may have given Zack serious contention for the throne.
"Fake I.D.s" (Season 3, Episode 9)
As the title so clearly explains, this one features the guys copping fakes so they can take a break from being shit on by the Bayside queens and mack older women. Mature women call for mature fits, and Zack and Slater rise to the occassion. Screech, not so much.
"The Fabulous Belding Boys" (Season 2, Episode 16)
Ever the opportunist, Zack turns a moment of betrayal into a chance to post up like he's posing for a rugged lookbook.
"Beauty and the Screech" (Season 1, Episode 10)
In a time when Kelly's affections were unspoken for, this episode finds Zack and Slater under pressure that Screech is about to slide through their split vote standoff and scoop her up with the trusty tutor game. As improbable as that is, you can't blame them for worrying when young Powers is stunting like he just stepped out of a streetwear lookbook. Definitely Screech's finest moment. Alas, it still wasn't enough to bag.
"The Fabulous Belding Boys" (Season 2, Episode 16)
If swag determined authority then Z-Morr would over-qualify for Bayside principal, it's only right that he gets to lamp in what should be his throne while Belding's away.
"1-900-Crushed" (Season 2, Episode 11)
This is one of the first images that come to mind when you think back on this classic series, and for good reason: the guys are flossing so hard in a rap dream sequence that's so amazingly basic and cheesy (rope chains! Kangols!) that the clip was a mainstay in the show's opening credits.
"Dancing to the Max" (Season 1, Episode 1)
No warm-up here. As soon as Zachary Morris stole the spotlight from Miss Bliss he didn't waste any time shooting the lights out. Three point swag-basket to put Slater on notice, Kelly under pressure, and NBC suits at ease.