25 Black TV icons whose fashion game was always on point

Sandra Clark – 227

What we know: First things first. It’s pronounced “Sahhhhhn-dra” not the plain ol’ way Sandra. She is the fabulous and outrageous downstairs neighbor to the Jenkins family in the ’80s sitcom 227. She was silly and unapologetic about her lifestyle, which often butted up against the conservative Mary.

Sandra was mostly single throughout the series, and her dating antics were often the comedic B and C plots of each half hour. Long before Kramer was doing his thing, Sandra pretty much invented the unexpected and signature entrance to a neighbor’s apartment.

What we see: Sexy elegance.  She was glamorous, there’s no doubt about it, but she also dressed like she was proud to be a woman. Form-fitting dresses, plunging necklines, and very tight silhouette were staples in her wardrobe.

She was giving us fourth wave feminism when Ally McBeal still had braces. She was smart and savvy, but she didn’t mind a little bit of cleavage… well, a lot of cleavage. And she dared you to take her less seriously for it.

How to take it all in: It’s a real shame that 227 (and Jackée Harry, for that matter) doesn’t get more love from modern audiences. It’s among a handful of television series featuring an all-Black cast, yet it’s almost impossible to find on streaming services. You can find a handful of episodes on YouTube, and I suggest you do so immediately.