CBS’ How I Met Your Mother is one of the most popular and well-loved sitcoms in the history of television, and fans certainly can’t enough of this hilarious and bold cast of characters. Of course, viewers of any sitcom are also pretty invested in the aesthetic and wardrobe of their favorite characters.
While most of the gang from MacClaren’s are pretty well-dressed, sometimes, they just seemed to pick certain outfits that made zero sense for the event or the day. It’s time to reflect back on those seriously impractical choices – and the outfits that just didn’t hit it off with fans.
Ted’s Famous Sweater & Tie
![How I Met Your Mother: The Characters’ 10 Most Impractical Outfit Choices, Ranked](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1FAFA7C1-77B6-4BE2-800D-5B66AB0B7F99.jpeg)
While it might not be the total definition of impractical, it still seems to defeat the purpose of either a hoodie or a button-up and tie to wear them at the same time. Sure, he wore the sweater over top, but he should probably invest in a nice dress coat.
This was certainly one of Ted’s sad and depressing moments, but fans could agree this outfit combo appeared more than once – despite being a bit counterintuitive and not making total sense.
Robin’s ‘Jacket Only’ Look
![How I Met Your Mother Robin At Barney’s](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/B4E2C1DB-3935-4EDE-984A-83F04DDE3497.jpeg)
Robin certainly has her fair share of outfits that all fans want to steal, and she’s probably also a lot of people’s sitcom crush. This fiery and stunning character is always looking amazing, but this outfit choice was certainly a bit odd.
In this moment from when she was dating Barney, she’s clearly trying to be seductive, but fans might not get the whole purpose of the winter coat and the couch lounging. Obviously, she’s still beautiful, but it’s a head-scratcher.
Barney At Halloween
![How I Met Your Mother Barney America Costume](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6FE21675-1A7B-4D7F-B034-114802EA3ABC.jpeg)
When Barney and Robin are having a peak argument about Canada and the United States, Barney makes sure to dress up as American as possible for his Halloween costume.
While it’s definitely hilarious and a pretty dashing outfit, fans might have forgotten that this is the end of October in New York – and the gang is having a roof party. It’s very rarely if ever warm at that time of year in the Big Apple.
Everything Robin Sparkles
![How I Met Your Mother Robin Sparkles](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/11B9CF8F-A3BC-4650-BF4D-0B278744D1A6.jpeg)
Honestly, for a teenage pop star from Canada, Robin Sparkles was pretty fashionable, and this is one of the most hilarious running gags throughout the series. However, it’s also funny to see the outfits she wears throughout the music videos.
Especially when she’s in space, it’s almost a joke in itself that she’s wearing a jean skirt and high heels. It’s for kids, obviously, but it still doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
The Airport Outfits
![How I Met Your Mother Barney & Quinn Airport](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/545CFC44-9F1B-4878-B561-C4F612B9DB49.jpeg)
There’s probably nothing that confuses sitcom fans more than when characters just flee to the airport on the drop of a dime. But even more so, when they’re just casually wearing super nice things that are totally uncomfortable.
In this episode, Quinn sports some big heeled boots and a blazer, while Barney, as usual, wears his iconic suit. If they were going on a business trip, it’d be one thing, but otherwise, this makes no sense for a plane ride where most people want to be comfortable.
Stripper Lily
![How I Met Your Mother Stripper Lily](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0483DF37-474F-475F-827B-940D07A2649F.jpeg)
One of the funniest running gags from this series is the doppelgängers. Lily’s doppelgänger is a stripper and it gives the gang quite the shock when they hit the strip club.
While she looks totally stunning, it’s pretty easy to see that this beautiful outfit is pretty impractical for any stripper to wear. Obviously, it’s for a sitcom, but it’s not totally rational for someone who is supposed to lose their clothes.
The Digging
![How I Met Your Mother Robin & Ted Digging](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3D8295E0-397B-47CD-BF71-47FDC342B359.jpeg)
Yes, this was a spur of the moment decision by both Ted and Robin to start digging for a lost item during the rain. It’s also one of the most iconic moments of the entire series, especially between these two characters.
Still, their stunning and fancy outfits are all for the drama. Clearly, it makes less than no sense to be covered in mud while wearing these nice outfits.
The Protest Outfit
Zoey might just have been near the bottom of everyone’s list when it came to Ted’s exes, and it’s time to also point out that it’s a bit odd to wear heeled boots to a protest.
Not only is she protesting her boyfriend’s work, but she’s dressed pretty impractically. If most people were standing outside for hours, those likely aren’t the boots that anyone would choose.
All The Suits
![How I Met Your Mother Suits](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FDBE53A6-3DCF-4578-88C7-D72246217C18.jpeg)
Barney Stinson wouldn’t be Barney Stinson if he wasn’t always wearing a suit. However, it’s probably one of the weirdest and most impractical wardrobe choices for everyday life.
Sure, he always looks dashing, but wearing a suit ALL the time is pretty impractical for parties, the streets of New York, or just about anything that involves day-to-day life. That’s not even to mention his favorite pastime, laser tag.
Lily’s Whale Costume
![How I Met Your Mother Lily Whale Costume](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/540C7CB8-F231-4A21-8FA6-DCE5C8E4C118.jpeg)
Sure, it’s Halloween, but even Lily herself discusses how horrible it is for a pregnant woman to get in and out of that spandex costume. Not to mention, she constantly has to use the bathroom.
This was a pretty cute couple’s costume for Marshall and Lily, but at the end of the day, it’s probably one of the most impractical things she ever put on throughout the series.