Few haircuts have inspired this much buzz (not to mention copy cats). We would even argue that "The Rachel" helped make "Friends" the phenomenon it was. While it looks dated now, it's still a generally flattering cut.
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Worst: Miranda Hobbes from "Sex and the City"
Note: We're referring to her look from the early seasons only, when it seemed they had decided to make Miranda "the frumpy one." She alternated between a lifeless bob and this swept-back number, neither of which did anything for her pretty face. Luckily, they changed course later on and let Miranda's beauty show through.
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Best: Wilhelmina Slater from "Ugly Betty"
We would expect nothing less from the Editor-in-Chief of "Mode." Wilhelmina's style is always impeccable, and we love this voluminous half-updo.
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Worst: Betty Suarez from "Ugly Betty"
OK, OK, we know that she's supposed to look ugly, and this one length cut with too-heavy bangs certainly has helped her live up to the show's name.
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Best: Joan Holloway from "Mad Men"
While we could take or leave her '60s updos, we're head over heels for her bold red hair color. If you'd like to take the plunge and go red like Joan, check out this guide for help.
TV characters' hairstyles run the gamut from runway-worthy 'dos to downright scary catastrophes. Some of them perfectly fit their characters -- like Ugly Betty's blah cut or Joan Holloway's perfect French twist -- and some of them left us wondering what the stylists on the show were thinking.
Whether it's a sci-fi elaborate updo or a simple girl-next-door ponytail, TV characters' hairstyles inspire us to try out new looks on ourselves, or give us perspective on horrible hairstyles we shouldn't attempt trying. All the styles on this list caught our eye because they were either ideally suited for their characters, gorgeous looks we'd like to steal, or tragic numbers that made us embarrassed for the characters -- and the stars that had to wear them.
Check out our picks for the best and worst TV character hairstyles, but please note: we're only referring to the character's style, not the actress who plays her. And even though plenty of reality stars may seem like characters as well, we decided to keep this list narrowed down to fictional TV characters. So sorry Kate of "John and Kate Plus Eight," you'll just have to wait until our story on the best and worst reality star hairstyles comes out. Stay tuned!
