History IconicOutfit / ComicBooks

* The ComicBook/XMen are invariably remembered, redrawn, and {{cosplay}}ed in their 90's era Creator/JimLee outfits, particularly ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}'s blue-and-yellow chest belt and his UnderwearOfPower, ComicBook/{{Rogue}}'s yellow-and-green bodysuit with headband and bomber jacket, ComicBook/{{Psylocke}}'s LeotardOfPower, ComicBook/{{Storm}}'s [[http://starsmedia.ign.com/stars/image/article/913/913621/players-wanted-lego-x-men-20080925015901471-000.jpg white uniform]], and ComicBook/{{Jubilee|MarvelComics}}'s bright yellow trench coat and pink sunglasses. That the X-Men wore these during the height of their popularity (plus the [[WesternAnimation/XMenTheAnimatedSeries '90s cartoon]] and ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom'' games) probably has something to do with it. Only Psylocke's bathing suit has survived to the present day. Also, considering that she only wore it for two issues, the costume that Rogue fashioned for herself in the Savage Land from the tattered pieces of an old costume and a yellow T-shirt (''Uncanny X-Men'' #269 and 274, again drawn by Jim Lee) is still insanely popular among cosplayers, fan-artists and people asking for sketches at comic conventions.

** Archie is associated with a sweater (usually with an "A" on it) and a bow-tie. He hasn't worn it in decades but it's his go-to "retro" outfit in most artwork.

** [[Characters/HawkeyeKateBishop Kate Bishop]]'s "original" outfit consisting of a torn purple bridesmaid dress, ComicBook/BlackWidow's belt, ComicBook/{{Mockingbird}}'s mask, and the original ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}'s bow -- ah remembered well. (This also led to her initially being referred to as "Hawkingbird") Although the second run's purple body suit with hip panels has become Kate's go-to costume (which artist David Aja noted [[https://twitter.com/davaja/status/1282701709517754369 as becoming standard in spite of being used in a single issue of the]] ''ComicBook/Hawkeye2012'' comic).

* Like Wolverine and the Riddler, ComicBook/SpiderMan also has two iconic outfits -- the classic red and blue tights and the symbiote/black costume. In fact, people actually attribute it to his moods -- if he's wearing the black costume, ''run''.
** Immediately after getting rid of the black suit, Spidey was temporarily costumeless and had to borrow one of [[ComicBook/HumanTorch Johnny Storm]]'s old uniforms, which lacked a mask so he also wore a paper bag over his head. While only appearing for the one issue, the Bombastic Bagman costume has never been forgotten. It frequently shows up as an unlockable alternate outfit in Spider-Man games and is even occasionally alluded to in the comics themselves.

* This is the reason why {{superhero}} characters wear [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience brightly colored]] {{spandex|LatexOrLeather}}. Also why most older characters are still wearing the same outfit they did decades earlier. The one time ComicBook/{{Superman}} had his outfit changed in canon is one of the most maligned moments of the 90s. And Superman's outfit was originally designed simply to be colorful and easy to draw, because comics had very limited printing capabilities in the 1940s. Whenever the comics change a character's look significantly, it likely won't stick to merchandising or adaptations. To wit; grey [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]], ComicBook/SpiderMan and his black outfit, and ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} and his bone claws. Later costume changes tend to be only minor alterations over the classic costumes, such as getting rid of the trunks-over-pants (Superman and Franchise/{{Batman}}, in fact, were the last to wear them, until the Comicbook/New52 reboot in 2011 -- and even then, Superman's trunks were brought back on ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'', because they were just that iconic) or giving them a more "sports-like" design (think sharkskin swimming suits).

* Franchise/{{Batman}}'s silhouette is so iconic he has a villain whose goal in life is just to steal his cowl. The fight for Batman's successor was even called Battle for the Cowl, and the Cowl is considered a metonynm for Batman.

** Scans_Daily has concluded that Russian fur cap that Franchise/{{Batman}} wears in ''ComicBook/SupermanRedSon'' is most likely the awesomest article of clothing in fiction. [[http://www.kingofslackers.com/comics/SexyHat.jpg It's okay if you want to touch it. That is the natural response to a hat so sexy.]]

** Franchise/{{Batman}}'s RoguesGallery has the market cornered on this trope. ComicBook/TheJoker's purple tuxedo, ComicBook/TheRiddler's green outfit with the question marks and bowler hat, ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}'s catsuit, ComicBook/ThePenguin's HighClassGlass and umbrellas... the list goes on. Speaking of The Joker, his HawaiianShirtedTourist attire from ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'', despite being seen in just a few panels of an one-shot story, is still being referenced every now and then to this day.

* ComicBook/IronMan has an iconic color scheme. His armor changes every few years, but with a few notable exceptions (the Silver Centurion, Comicbook/WarMachine and Comicbook/MarvelNOW armors), it's ''always'' red and yellow/gold ever since the late 60s. The helmet is also very consistent with its stylized eyes and mouth, with the Modular Armor being one of the few without a mouth.

** Captain Marvel's outfit is [[RedIsHeroic red]], with a lightning bolt on the chest, gold sash, and a distinctive short cape (white with gold trim) worn over the left shoulder; the visible flap and buttons disappeared after UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks, and the Comicbook/New52 added a hood, but it's mostly remained unchanged for 70 years. Interestingly, his civilian [[HenshinHero form]], Billy Batson, has this too, -- he's one of the few comic book characters who still has a LimitedWardrobe (sometimes justified by [[HomelessHero his lack of money]]), and even in adaptations he almost always wears some variant of a red shirt/sweater/jacket (sometimes with yellow embellishments) and blue jeans, which comes off as MorphicResonance.

* Like Wolverine and the Riddler, Franchise/SpiderMan also has two iconic outfits -- the classic red and blue tights and the symbiote/black costume. In fact, people actually attribute it to his moods -- if he's wearing the black costume, ''run''.

** In ''Franchise/{{Tintin}}'' : Tintin's white shirt, sky-blue sweater, brown plus fours and white socks (and trenchcoat for cold and wet weather); other main characters have unforgettable outfits: Captain Haddock, Professor Calculus, Thompson and Thomson... The orange spacesuits they wear in ''Explorers On The Moon'' are also iconic.

* Franchise/WonderWoman with her corset and star spangled panties. Her original costume had loose mid-thigh shorts (sometimes mistaken for a skirt) and DC has tried to give her pants on at least a couple of occasions. Never sticks.

** For Comicbook/JeanGrey, it's the Phoenix outfit - partly because many forget she actually exists [[NeverLiveItDown/ComicBooks outside the Phoenix Saga]] and partly because X-Men change their outfits often and Jean's have little in common - nothing like how Cyke's got the visor and always wears blue or Colossus's consistent red-and-yellow that would make for an idea of What ''A'' Jean Grey Costume Should Look Like. The Phoenix outfit is the costume that is uniquely Jean and has a very important meaning. She even wore the outfit for a while during the 90s when ''not'' in Phoenix mode. Right behind it is the [[PersonOfMassDestruction Dark Phoenix]] outfit - when Phoenix TurnsRed, [[OhCrap start running]].

** [[Characters/HawkeyeKateBishop Kate Bishop]]'s "original" outfit consisting of a torn purple bridesmaid dress, Comicbook/BlackWidow's belt, ComicBook/{{Mockingbird}}'s mask, and the original ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}'s bow -- ah remembered well. (This also led to her initially being referred to as "Hawkingbird") Although the second run's purple body suit with hip panels has become Kate's go-to costume (which artist David Aja noted [[https://twitter.com/davaja/status/1282701709517754369 as becoming standard in spite of being used in a single issue of the]] ''Comicbook/Hawkeye2012'' comic).

* ComicBook/YoungAvengers has some:

** ComicBook/KateBishop's "original" outfit consisting of a torn purple bridesmaid dress, Comicbook/BlackWidow's belt, ComicBook/{{Mockingbird}}'s mask, and the original ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}'s bow -- ah remembered well. (This also led to her initially being referred to as "Hawkingbird") Although the second run's purple body suit with hip panels has become Kate's go-to costume (which artist David Aja noted [[https://twitter.com/davaja/status/1282701709517754369 as becoming standard in spite of being used in a single issue of the]] ''Comicbook/Hawkeye2012'' comic).

* The ComicBook/XMen are invariably remembered, redrawn, and {{cosplay}}ed in their 90's era Creator/JimLee outfits, particularly ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}'s blue-and-yellow chest belt and his UnderwearOfPower, ComicBook/{{Rogue}}'s yellow-and-green bodysuit with headband and bomber jacket, ComicBook/{{Psylocke}}'s LeotardOfPower, ComicBook/{{Storm}}'s [[http://starsmedia.ign.com/stars/image/article/913/913621/players-wanted-lego-x-men-20080925015901471-000.jpg white uniform]], and ComicBook/{{Jubilee|MarvelComics}}'s bright yellow trench coat and pink sunglasses. That the X-Men wore these during the height of their popularity (plus the [[WesternAnimation/XMen '90s cartoon]] and ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom'' games) probably has something to do with it. Only Psylocke's bathing suit has survived to the present day. Also, considering that she only wore it for two issues, the costume that Rogue fashioned for herself in the Savage Land from the tattered pieces of an old costume and a yellow T-shirt (''Uncanny X-Men'' #269 and 274, again drawn by Jim Lee) is still insanely popular among cosplayers, fan-artists and people asking for sketches at comic conventions.

* This is the reason why {{superhero}} characters wear [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience brightly colored]] {{spandex|LatexOrLeather}}. Also why most older characters are still wearing the same outfit they did decades earlier. The one time ComicBook/{{Superman}} had his outfit changed in canon is one of the most maligned moments of the 90s. And Superman's outfit was originally designed simply to be colorful and easy to draw, because comics had very limited printing capabilities in the 1940s. Whenever the comics change a character's look significantly, it likely won't stick to merchandising or adaptations. To wit; grey [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk Hulk]], Franchise/SpiderMan and his black outfit, and ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} and his bone claws. Later costume changes tend to be only minor alterations over the classic costumes, such as getting rid of the trunks-over-pants (Superman and Franchise/{{Batman}}, in fact, were the last to wear them, until the Comicbook/New52 reboot in 2011 -- and even then, Superman's trunks were brought back on ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'', because they were just that iconic) or giving them a more "sports-like" design (think sharkskin swimming suits).

* ''ComicBook/IncredibleHulk'': The Hulk's most usual clothing, purple pants ([[MagicPants that resist everything!]]).

** ComicBook/{{Wiccan}}, [[http://colourmeshocked.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/hulkling__wiccan_001.jpg his cape and his (no longer worn) winged head piece.]] Everyone remembers the cape. Everyone remembers that time Wiccan worn the cape over his civilians. The Young Avengers el-jay comm has declared Wiccan/Cape to be canon and the comm's unanimously accepted OTP.

** Franchise/{{Batman}}'s RoguesGallery has the market cornered on this trope. ComicBook/TheJoker's purple tuxedo, ComicBook/TheRiddler's green outfit with the question marks and [[NiceHat bowler hat]], ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}'s catsuit, ComicBook/ThePenguin's HighClassGlass and umbrellas... the list goes on. Speaking of The Joker, his HawaiianShirtedTourist attire from ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'', despite being seen in just a few panels of an one-shot story, is still being referenced every now and then to this day.

* This is the reason why {{superhero}} characters wear [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience brightly colored]] {{spandex|LatexOrLeather}}. Also why most older characters are still wearing the same outfit they did decades earlier. The one time Franchise/{{Superman}} had his outfit changed in canon is one of the bigger DorkAge moments of the 90s. And Superman's outfit was originally designed simply to be colorful and easy to draw, because comics had very limited printing capabilities in the 1940s. Whenever the comics change a character's look significantly, it likely won't stick to merchandising or adaptations. To wit; grey [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk Hulk]], Franchise/SpiderMan and his black outfit, and ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} and his bone claws. Later costume changes tend to be only minor alterations over the classic costumes, such as getting rid of the trunks-over-pants (Superman and Franchise/{{Batman}}, in fact, were the last to wear them, until the Comicbook/New52 reboot in 2011 -- and even then, Superman's trunks were brought back on ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'', because they were just that iconic) or giving them a more "sports-like" design (think sharkskin swimming suits).

* ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'s costume has an iconic, easily and instantly recognizable look: Superman's costume minus the pants plus a blue or -- usually -- red skirt. She has worn many different outfits since ''ComicBook/TheSupergirlFromKrypton'' in 1959, but most of them are variations of her first gendered costume. Her most famous and most popular uniforms are: [[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7QQPWxg_JyM/TMKZnbDKTiI/AAAAAAAAAYE/AahjbMCBG-E/s1600/Action+Comics+252.jpg Original]], [[https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/b8/2a/da/b82adaf27eb50dfd7bc768752f2d2852.jpg "Hot pants"]], [[http://www.therobotsvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/SupergirlFlashdance2.jpg "Headband"]], [[http://photos1.blogger.com/img/165/1495/640/supergirl1.jpg Supergirl Matrix]] and [[http://media.insidepulse.com/zones/insidepulse/uploads/2013/06/Supergirl_JamalIgle.jpg Post Crisis Supergirl Kara]].
* Franchise/{{Superman}} wears the most iconic super-hero costume, but Clark Kent also has a trademark look. Whenever a story is not specifically grounded in the present day (think ''Batman the Animated Series'') Clark is usually seen wearing the fedora that used to be a standard part of his outfit in the 40's and 50's. Jimmy Olsen often wears a sweater vest and a bow tie.

** ComicBook/KateBishop's "original" outfit consisting of a torn purple bridesmaid dress, Comicbook/BlackWidow's belt, ComicBook/{{Mockingbird}}'s mask, and the original ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}'s bow -- ah remembered well. (This also led to her initially being referred to as "Hawkingbird")

* Delirium has a bunch of different hairstyles in ''ComicBook/TheSandman'', but what the fandom thinks of when they picture Delirium's hair is a style with [[MulticoloredHair multicolored]] [[FashionableAsymmetry flowing locks on one side of her head and a buzzcut on the other side]] (she appeared to have that hairstyle in her first major appearance, but closer inspection reveals the long part to be more like a mohawk that doesn't stick up. Which is why it keeps changing sides).

* Franchise/WonderWoman with her corset and [[FanNickname star spangled panties]]. Her original costume had loose mid-thigh shorts (sometimes mistaken for a skirt) and DC has tried to give her pants on at least a couple of occasions. Never sticks.

* This is the reason why {{superhero}} characters wear [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience brightly colored]] {{spandex|LatexOrLeather}}. Also why most older characters are still wearing the same outfit they did decades earlier. The one time Franchise/{{Superman}} had his outfit changed in canon is one of the bigger DorkAge moments of the 90s. And Superman's outfit was originally designed simply to be colorful and easy to draw, because comics had very limited printing capabilities in the 1940s. Whenever the comics change a character's look significantly, it likely won't stick to merchandising or adaptations. To wit; grey [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk Hulk]], Franchise/SpiderMan and his black outfit, and ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} and his bone claws. Later costume changes tend to be only minor alterations over the classic costumes, such as getting rid of the trunks-over-pants (Superman and Franchise/{{Batman}}, in fact, were the last to wear them, until the Comicbook/New52 reboot in 2011 - and even then, Superman's trunks were brought back on ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'', because they were just that iconic) or giving them a more "sports-like" design (think sharkskin swimming suits).

** ComicBook/KateBishop's "original" outfit consisting of a torn purple bridesmaid dress, Comicbook/BlackWidow's belt, ComicBook/{{Mockingbird}}'s mask, and the original ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}'s bow - ah remembered well. (This also led to her initially being referred to as "Hawkingbird")
* ComicBook/{{Zatanna}}'s tuxedo shirt, coat, tails, top hat, fishnets and thigh-high hooker boots.

* Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian can't be illustrated without the furry {{loincloth}}. You can give him a {{BFS}}, long black hair, and otherwise make him a WalkingShirtlessScene, but he's still not Conan without a furry loincloth. Note that neither the original Conan pulp stories by Creator/RobertEHoward nor the first Arnold movie nor even the Creator/FrankFrazetta paintings had him looking like this very often; the look mostly comes from Creator/MarvelComics, and the second Arnold movie bowed to this.

* This is the reason why {{superhero}} characters wear [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience brightly colored]] {{spandex|LatexOrLeather}}. Also why most older characters are still wearing the same outfit they did decades earlier. The one time Franchise/{{Superman}} had his outfit changed in canon is one of the bigger DorkAge moments of the 90s. And Superman's outfit was originally designed simply to be colorful and easy to draw, because comics had very limited printing capabilities in the 1940s. Whenever the comics change a character's look significantly, it likely won't stick to merchandising or adaptations. To wit; grey [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk Hulk]], Franchise/SpiderMan and his black outfit, and Franchise/{{Wolverine}} and his bone claws. Later costume changes tend to be only minor alterations over the classic costumes, such as getting rid of the trunks-over-pants (Superman and Franchise/{{Batman}}, in fact, were the last to wear them, until the Comicbook/New52 reboot in 2011 - and even then, Superman's trunks were brought back on ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'', because they were just that iconic) or giving them a more "sports-like" design (think sharkskin swimming suits).

* The ComicBook/XMen are invariably remembered, redrawn, and {{cosplay}}ed in their 90's era Creator/JimLee outfits, particularly ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}'s blue-and-yellow chest belt and his UnderwearOfPower, ComicBook/{{Rogue}}'s yellow-and-green bodysuit with headband and bomber jacket, ComicBook/{{Psylocke}}'s LeotardOfPower, ComicBook/{{Storm}}'s [[http://starsmedia.ign.com/stars/image/article/913/913621/players-wanted-lego-x-men-20080925015901471-000.jpg white uniform]], and ComicBook/{{Jubilee}}'s bright yellow trench coat and pink sunglasses. That the X-Men wore these during the height of their popularity (plus the [[WesternAnimation/XMen '90s cartoon]] and ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom'' games) probably has something to do with it. Only Psylocke's bathing suit has survived to the present day. Also, considering that she only wore it for two issues, the costume that Rogue fashioned for herself in the Savage Land from the tattered pieces of an old costume and a yellow T-shirt (''Uncanny X-Men'' #269 and 274, again drawn by Jim Lee) is still insanely popular among cosplayers, fan-artists and people asking for sketches at comic conventions.