History Main / ChangingClothesIsAFreeAction

* Jin of ''Webcomic/WapsiSquare'' is able to do this to both herself and Monica through some creative use of teleportation.

* Averted and {{lampshade|Hanging}}d in ''Webcomic/{{Concerned}}''.
-->'''Frohman:''' Well, my boss got naked and quit, which I guess means I get an automatic promotion to...\\
''[next panel, Frohman is now wearing the Combine Elite armor]''\\
'''Frohman: ''FROHMAN ELITE!''''' Glad I waited until I was fully in uniform to finish that sentence, even though it took several minutes to get dressed.

* ''Webcomic/AwfulHospital'': The {{Mega Microbe|s}} Dr. Phage's only article of clothing is a bow tie that has a different pattern each panel. {{Justified|Trope}} since reality and perception are mutually subjective in TheMultiverse of the setting, so it's entirely possible that he's wearing the archetypal ''idea'' of a bow tie rather than any single piece of cloth.
* Katia Managan of ''Webcomic/{{Prequel}}'' has the ability to change clothes virtually instantly. It's a spoof of the PlayerCharacter having the same ability in the [[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion source material]], as she may ''or may not'' become said PC. When she buys a new outfit and puts it on, the shopkeeper points out that it's very weird to change clothing in public, even when it's done really fast.
* ''Webcomic/SkinHorse'': Tip's clothes suddenly change [[http://skin-horse.com/comic/the-office-protocol/ between]] [[http://skin-horse.com/comic/to-incorporate/ strips]]. {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d by Tigerlily Jones.
-->'''Tigerlily''': Hold a tic. Weren't you in a different outfit?\\
'''Tip''': A '''plaid''' outfit. [[AgentPeacock I'm incapable of clashing with my surroundings]].

* In real life it isn't, according to ''Website/{{Cracked}}'''s [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-video-game-strategies-that-are-way-less-useful-in-reality/ 5 Video Game Strategies that Are Way Less Useful in Reality]].

* The ''VideoGame/EpicBattleFantasy'' series averts this - swapping a character's equipment during battle will take up their turn.

* In ''VideoGame/BreathOfFireDragonQuarter'', most of your combat actions cost points called AP, so that, for example, walking closer to a foe may leave you without enough AP to attack it. Yet strangely, using items -- including ''changing your armor'' -- cost no points.

* In ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'', at first it seems like this would be subverted by Destroyman, who has to [[NoPeekingRequest ask Travis to turn around so he can change]]. However, this is only so [[{{Jerkass}} Destroyman]] can [[CombatPragmatist get a cheap shot at him]], as he has somehow managed to change from a mailman uniform to head-to-toe spandex in about the space of a second.
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel II'', Rean is talking to various opponents during a truce period, and some of them change from casual outfits to their combat outfits between cuts during the conversation. Most obvious with Duvalie, who is wearing a different dress at the end of the conversation than she was at the start of it.

* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', you can't change your clothes in combat, although you can swap out any hand-held item. It avoids the trope entirely on that part, as swapping weapons causes a global cooldown (meaning no abilities can be used for around one second). However, somewhat of a running gag is the fact that you can switch equipment (or more likely, remove it) while falling to avoid it being damaged when you crash into the ground.
* In ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'', Booker [=DeWitt=] can pause to change his gear at any point, letting him go from gaining invincibility from eating food to setting mooks on fire with melee attacks.
* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' doesn't have combat or stat related gear, but a character can still have up to 10 different costumes (and can give those costumes different colors depending on whether or not they're in Supergroup Mode), all of which are available at the click of a button. They even recently added different emotes you could use while changing your costume (such as a huge lightning bolt, a puff of smoke, spinning in place, and more). To top it all off beyond ridiculous levels, you can even buy a booster pack that allows your costume slots to have different sizes and even GENDERS.
* Throughout ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series, bringing up the menu pauses the game world. Here, you can change clothes, switch weapons, ready spells, gulp down food/potions, read a book, etc. all while the game world is frozen around you. The only thing you can't do is change weapons mid-swing.
* ''VideoGame/SkullGirls'': Eliza's winning animation has her going into a sarcophagus and suddenly coming out with some fabulous outfit, often either a PimpedOutDress or a {{stripperiffic}} bathing suit. She also changes to a bathing suit for her crouching hard kick. Justified, as her clothes are made of blood, and therefore as malleable as the rest of her.
* In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'', Snake can change his camo instantly whenever he wants. This gets kind of silly when he runs around a corner while soldiers are chasing him, ducks into some grass, then switches into green camo to become hidden before the soldiers catch up. It's even more insane when some boss battles virtually ''require'' you to constantly swap between outfits in mid-gunfight.
* In the ''Franchise/BaldursGate'' games, the essential time to change clothes is "not actually in combat". Imoen can use stealth and then pull on a suit of mail fast enough that she doesn't actually stop hiding. Minsc can do it with ''plate mail''. And he's a) the size of a house and b) [[LargeHam the largest ham in video game history]].
* In ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' while armor can't be changed while in combat, other clothing can. This allows players to swap out the incredibly useful belts of bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage resistance at a moment's notice, so one can always be highly resistant to whatever weapon is attacking them a the time. In ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights2'', one must not be in combat when they want to change their wardrobe.
* ''VideoGame/DungeonsAndDragonsOnline'', as another ''D&D'' game, also follows suit. Weapons, clothing, and robes/outfits can be changed with only a tiny amount of lag time, but swapping armor takes a prohibitive few seconds and can be interrupted by getting hit. There is a feat that permits faster armor changing, but it's almost definitely a [[UselessUsefulNonCombatAbilities Useless Useful Non-Combat Ability.]]
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'', Link has three different tunics and three different pairs of shoes, which he can mix and match freely. Changing clothes does not happen in realtime; the player pauses, selects the new clothes, then unpauses, resulting in an instantaneous change. This is especially useful when, say, the moment after you jump into a pool in the Water Temple, you still haven't changed into your iron boots yet. You'll be wearing them before you hit the water. If you had changed into them beforehand, of course, you couldn't have jumped at all.
** Due to the inconvenience of pausing and unpausing the game to fiddle with a menu just to swap your footwear (and the fact that you only have one different pair of boots to put on anyway), the iron boots have been made into a button-assignable item in later games (as well as the 3DS remake ''Ocarina of Time 3D''), meaning that a mere press of their button will cause the boots to appear and disappear from Link's feet. Clothes are still changed in a menu.
** Similar to the ''Ocarina of Time'' example above, Link in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' can change into his myriad of outfits instantaneously from the pause menu. This can lead to situations like changing Link's clothes while he's clinging to a sheer cliff hundreds of feet up, or most egregiously, changing into his female disguise right in front of the guards to Gerudo Town.
* The largely-ignored Capcom game ''VideoGame/BeatDownFistsOfVengeance'' for the Platform/{{P|layStation2}}S2 actually requires you to change clothes in order to lower the levels of the "enemy detection meters", one for gang members and one for police (they usually run independently of each other). Of course, buying clothes costs money, but changing clothes (either at the clothing store or in the closet of your home-base bar) is free. Ironically, simply changing to a different COLOR of the same outfit will still lower your detection meters despite looking almost exactly the same as the outfit you just changed out of.

* In the original ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' games, 4 action points (2 with the proper Perk) buys you unlimited inventory time: using medicine, swapping or reloading weapons, even switching armour.
** ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'' and ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' allow the player to switch apparel like clothes or armor instantly, but changing weapons triggers the "ready weapon" animation.
** ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 4}}'' makes it so you can't change out of clothes or your power armor while in your PoweredArmor. Everything else is played straight, though. Low on health? Go into your inventory, eat a few steaks, some ancient food and down a fifth of whiskey while the deathclaw that was about to eat you watches.
* In ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' you change into certain outfits by twirling. How this really works makes no sense when in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonHeartGoldAndSoulSilver HeartGold and SoulSilver]]'' you [[spoiler:dress up as a Rocket grunt]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Torchlight}}'' conveniently pauses the game if the viewport is obscured by windows such as inventory screens, allowing you to switch gear for you and your pet.
* ''VideoGame/TheSims'' has this. You change clothes by spinning around. Shy Sims (or well, the ones not too much exhibitionistic) will not usually change in front of other Sims, though. Also, considering the spinning goes for a few seconds which in-game are closer to minutes, it isn't that bad. They don't have to visit their dresser to do it though.
* ''VideoGame/UrbanDead'', where even talking uses up AP allows survivors to change clothes for free whenever they're in buildings that allow it.
* ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' features no hot-swap weapon feature; instead you go to your inventory to equip any weapon (as well as arrange items, weapons, ammo, etc). Opening up said inventory causes the world to stop dead in its tracks.

* In-between ''VideoGame/GoldenSun1'' and ''[[VideoGame/GoldenSunTheLostAge The Lost Age]]'', Felix manages to change his cape and pants. [[spoiler:IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN.]]

* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
** ''VideoGame/Persona2'': Jun can summon his costume on command, rather than ducking into a room to change.
** ''VideoGame/Persona3'' has alternate costumes for most of the party members, which can be accessed while on the battlefield. Although the characters usually complain about [[AwesomeButImpractical how hard they are to move in]], or [[{{Stripperiffic}} how embarrassing they are to wear]], but never do they complain about apparently having to change into them in front of their friends.
** ''VideoGame/Persona4ArenaUltimax'': One of Yukari's victory poses has her helmet magically appear out of nowhere, she twirls her bow and then stays still for the camera, just long enough for it to capture her stance.
* Humorously done in the ''VideoGame/DisneysMagicalQuest'' series. Since Mickey's abilities are based on his current outfit, he can change outfits at any time to switch abilities. When this happens, all movement on the screen stops while Mickey summons a curtain around him while he changes. Once he's done changing, the curtain disappears and the action resumes. This means that Mickey Mouse literally stops time just to change into a firefighter's outfit.

* ''VideoGame/AdventureQuestWorlds'' allows you to switch armor, weapons, gear and even ''classes'' this way, but only when you're out of combat.
** Played straight in ''VideoGame/AdventureQuest'', though, where you can change armor, weapons, and shields as many times as your want during combat (as long as it's your turn, though), while changing pets, drinking potions, or using items wastes a turn.
* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'':
** Played straight in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoViceCity'', where collecting a clothing pick-up - sometimes ''in the street'' - near-instantly changes Tommy Verceti's clothes. Stops the cops recognising you too, even if you're in plain view of one when you make the change, at least provided you only have one or two wanted stars.
** Averted by contrast in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas''. CJ must go into a changing room in a clothes shop, or into his wardrobe at home, to change clothes, and it does take a little time.
* Also averted in the ''VideoGame/SaintsRow'' games. Shopping or changing clothes while your Notoriety meter is filled and enemies are attacking will yank you out of the previous interface and back into the game to deal with the threat.
* ''VideoGame/{{Solatorobo}}'' allows you to customize your MiniMecha Dahak at any point you like, including the middle of a boss fight. Even the BigBad will wait patiently as you swap in your revive parts seconds before he kills you, then wait again as you put your attack parts back in place once your health is restored.
* ''VideoGame/{{Valis}} II'' (except in the Turbo CD version) allowed Yuko to change into a different costume while the game was paused.
* Equipment can be generally changed on the fly in the ''VideoGame/TalesOf'' series, even in the middle of battles. This is especially useful during the [[MonsterArena arena gauntlets]], where your constantly changing opponents may warrant the use of equipment that's effective against certain enemies or provides resistance to certain elements and/or status ailments.
* Technically applies to the ''VideoGame/RollerCoasterTycoon'' series as well, since you can change your employees' uniform colors (and, in the case of your entertainers, their entire costumes) while the game is paused.
* Happens in ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' for both the player characters and the animal villagers, where they spin around with accompanying sparkles and a sound effect.
* In ''VideoGame/TimeSplittersFuturePerfect'', there is a scene where Cortez switches into an odd, futuristic lab coat-type thing just by walking into a closet. One might think that this was just a convenient time skip so the player doesn't have to wait, but the entire wardrobe swap happens while another character is talking and takes no more than a sentence.
* In ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam'', while you can't switch gear mid battle, you can switch badges whenever you like in your turn.
* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' ''forces'' you to invoke this during the Human Noble prologue as [[spoiler:you wake up completely undressed with one of Arl Howe's goons taking aim at you with a crossbow]] and have to equip your armor and weapon ''immediately''.
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfKyrandia, Book Two: Hand of Fate'', Zanthia has a magical wardrobe gem that allows her to change clothes instantly. She finds lots of excuses to use this over the course of the game.

* In ''VideoGame/LoveNikkiDressUpQueen'', Nikki gets challenged to fashion battles half a dozen times a day, even by people who are running off to job interviews, in the middle of gym class, or ''actively encouraging'' her to run after a thief.
--> '''Innocent Passerby''': Humph! You don't know what you're doing! Hurry and put on running gear, so you can catch the bad guy!
--> *commence fashion battle*

* In ''Videogame/LANoire'' you can change clothes from the pause menu at any time, even right in the middle of a shootout or fistfight, or while driving. Since [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman some of the suits give you buffs]] (shoot more accurately, carry more ammunition, punch harder, take more damage before getting knocked down), this comes in handy.
* ''VideoGame/CocoppaDolls'': Everyone would do the Fashion Check anywhere and anytime when there’s a [=CocoDoll=] nearby. Justified, since they need the Tokimeki that bad.

* ''VideoGame/MyChildLebensborn'' averts the trope. Changing the child's clothing or using the comb to change their hairstyle uses up a time unit, so neither should be done if there is a more urgent task to take care of.
* In ''VideoGame/HorizonZeroDawn'', Aloy can change between her assortment of very complex outfits instantly, as with her HyperspaceArsenal, from the menu. This allows such situations as seeing that a machine is about to lob fireballs for you and quickly changing to fire-resistant clothing in preparation.

* In ''Film/SherlockJr'', Creator/BusterKeaton performs an on-camera quick change that involves literally jumping through a hoop.

* Justified/played straight with the eponymous heroine of ''Film/{{Barbarella}}'' who not only spends the movie going through an UnlimitedWardrobe, but gets put into dozens of situations that justify the wardrobe change.
* Parodied in ''Film/{{Sky High|2005}}'' when the superhero students' studies include doing this... to get into their gym clothes. One of the teachers has this as a RunningGag: he'll change his clothes in seconds at the drop of a hat, even if he spilled just a drop of punch on his tux.
* Played for laughs in ''Film/DuckSoup''. After Firefly becomes a general, his outfit changes between EVERY scene. Even when he's under attack barricaded in a small house.

* Film/{{Beetlejuice}} can switch costumes in the blink of an eye -- one of the perks of being a poltergeist/ghost/bioexorcist.

* ''Film/Supergirl1984'': The titular heroine walks behind a tree and emerges with a school uniform and different-coloured hair.
* Creator/CindyCrawford is shown changing her shirt in ''Film/FairGame1995'' [[GoingCommando and she isn't wearing a bra]].
* PlayedForLaughs and used realistically in ''Film/TheMaskOfZorro''. When Zorro and Elena are sword-fighting, they both simultaneously realize "Hey, the other person actually knows what the hell they're doing with that thing," they both simultaneously pause, admire each other, take a step back, remove their movement restricting clothing (his hat and cape, her robe), and resume their fight, all in the space of ten seconds.
* Another humorous example occurs in ''Film/BlazingSaddles'', when Lili von Schtupp pulls a curtain shut for an instant and re-emerges wearing something "more comfortable", which is an outfit just as elaborate as the one she was previously wearing.
* ''Film/MenInBlack3''. How does Agent J don his black shades when his hands are tied behind his back? Simple: cut away, cut back, and he's wearing them.
* In ''Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld'', at one point, Scott goes into the bathroom to change, and walks out half a second later, before the Series/{{Seinfeld}} laugh track has finished. Given that he appears to live in a video game, this may be justified. He also empties his bladder in a second at one point.
* ''Film/{{Hellzapoppin}}'' is a plotless ZanyCartoon of a movie - in an early scene, the starring comedy team of Olsen and Johnson walk through a series of rooms, and through each door are in different outlandish costumes.
* ''Film/CasinoRoyale1967'' doesn't even pretend to logic or continuity - early on, David Niven's Bond is visited by a host of intelligence heads, and while talking with them goes through no less than three costume changes. Later on, Peter Sellers's Bond leaves the casino in a tuxedo and is suddenly in full formula racing gear to give chase to the bad guys.
* In ''Film/DemolitionMan'', Simon Phoenix changes from something that looks like a cross between scrubs and prison fatigues to a pair of overalls and a bright orange mesh shirt (...it was TheNineties) between scenes with no explanation ''while on the run from the cops''. [[FanWank Maybe it was part of his cryo-conditioning?]]
* In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'' when his party is crashed by the Joker, Batman manages to change into his costume (including his eyeliner) and get back in the space of a couple of minutes. It's a lot more enjoyable to watch that scene if you imagine Bruce Wayne hurriedly applying his makeup while the Joker threatens Rachel.
* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
** In ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'', Black Widow manages to go from a modest business outfit into her usual SpyCatsuit after a scene transition, even though she and her associates were rushing to board a rescue chopper during the same cutaway and probably couldn't take the extra time to let her run to her locker and change. She's just ''that'' good, folks.
** In ''Film/AntMan1'', some ants bring the Ant-Man suit to Scott Lang's jail cell and signal that he has ten seconds before the guard comes back. Scott manages to put on the majority of the suit (unitard, boots, belt, gloves) in six seconds, spends four seconds fiddling with the helmet, and shrinks down right as the guard walks by his cell.

* PlayedForLaughs in the third ''[[Film/TheNakedGun Naked Gun]]'' movie. Jane, having [[ReadyForLovemaking dressed up for a sexy night]] with her husband, storms into the bedroom after an argument with him -- and then storms back out not five seconds later in full traveling clothes.
* Also played for laughs in ''Film/TommyBoy'', when Richard enters an airplane toilet to change and emerges in another outfit within three seconds. Tommy is briefly flabbergasted as to how Richard did it.
* Played straight and exaggerated for comedy in ''Film/ModestyBlaise''. Modesty is a master of disguise and quick clothes changes, but here she doesn't just change her entire outfit, as well as her hairstyle and hair colour, from scene to scene (whether she'd realistically have the possibility or not) but quite often the change takes place between cuts within a scene. In at least one case there isn't even a cut; her hair just instantly blinks from blonde to dark while we're watching.

* ''Series/CSIMiami'''s Calleigh Duquesne definitely fits this trope. Although to be fair, the hottest chick on any TV series is likely to have an UnlimitedWardrobe, if a [[FanService Fanservicey]] one.
* Creator/SuzyEddieIzzard {{lampshade|Hanging}}s this in her show ''Sexie'', when she talks about how there are no transvestite superheroes because they would take twenty minutes to change.
* The ''Series/MythBusters'' took a look at this one when they did their episode on superhero myths. They discovered that it is indeed possible to change clothes in a phone booth, but not easy; Kari was the only one to pull it off in under a minute.
* One episode of ''Series/{{Psych}}'' has a character who manages to change his clothes into a more elaborate get up in about twenty seconds. Immediately {{lampshade|Hanging}}d.

* Parodied in ''Series/TheGoodies'' who just walk through the Quick-Change Cabinet (an invention of Graeme) that changes their clothes into whatever costume is required.
* Parodied in an early episode of ''Series/LoisAndClark''. Clark Kent sprints into a bathroom stall to change into his costume only to smash his foot through the door as he struggles to put his boots on.
* Subverted in ''Series/TheGreatestAmericanHero'' when Ralph sees a crime and hides to take off his street clothes to use his super suit. Unfortunately, he can't change fast enough and the bad guys are getting away, leaving him yelling, "Wait, I'm not done!" Fortunately, his girlfriend manages to delay the crooks long enough for Ralph to swing into action.
* Played for laughs in ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'' where the Janitor switches into his white coat in a matter of seconds, in the episode where he acts as Chief of Medicine while Kelso's gone. The weird and funny thing is how the characters literally see him change through his clothes, with the camera cutting to their bewildered faces while so. This is a recurring ability of the Janitor's, also done when he was given a blue uniform to replace his grey one. He also shows the ability to change rather quickly (and don a fake mustache) in an attempt to convince JD and Turk that he has a twin brother. At one point he also has to jump out a window and on to the roof of an ambulance to get into position. They still don't fall for it.

* An {{Expy}} of Lady Gaga does this repeatedly on an episode of ''Series/ANTFarm''. In the [[TheTeaser Cold Opening]] alone, she changes outfits 3 times, each one equally outlandish.
* ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' Season 11 features this, not just predictably and justifiably with Superman, but also with Nightwing. In the span of one panel that couldn't have taken more than 5 seconds, she goes from her underwear to full costume (including mask and ''lipstick'').
* One episode of ''Series/{{The Avengers|1960s}}'' had a villain who changed outfits every time he was off camera. This gets really ridiculous in the fight scene at the end of the episode, where the focus changed from him to the hero and back every ten seconds or so for the entire thing.
* In the Creator/MrT TV series ''TAndT'', T plays a private eye who dresses in a suit. OncePerEpisode he has to go "street" to get the 4-1-1 on the situation of the week. He always takes the time to go to the boxing gym and change into his streetwear (which is more like the Mr. T we know).
* On ''Series/WhoWantsToBeASuperhero'', of course. One challenge started with the contestants having to find a place to hide, change into their costumes without being seen and re-emerge within a certain time frame. Of course, none were "actual" superheroes so it wasn't instant, but some were actually quite clever and quick. Gladiator even [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower shoved some port-a-poties around]] to hide where he got changed. Unfortunately, two contestants missed the "without being seen" angle, one changing in a small nook that was completely open to view, one [[TooDumbToLive putting her costume parts on over her civvies right in the middle of the public square]].
* On an episode of ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'', Ted and Marshall head over to Barney's (who's supposed to be out) to watch ''Franchise/StarWars''. Barney opens the door to their knock, disheveled, out of breath, and sweaty. When they explain why they're there, Barney closes the door, and opens it less than one second later, suited up and looking dapper. In that time, he not only got dressed, but stashed the girl (Robin) in the Stormtrooper suit.

* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' has "[[MusicalEpisode Once More, with Feeling]]" (Season 6, Episode 7). Sweet the dancing demon can change his suit color at eye-blinking speed, and being cool at that. In the following episode, Willow also uses magic to change her wardrobe.

* Played with, along with everything else, in the 200th episode of ''Series/StargateSG1''. Early in the episode, Mitchell claims that the next trip through the gate will be his 200th; moments later, after the team is in completely different clothes, Teal'c says "I have been reflecting while changing into our gear...", which [[LampshadeHanging hangs a lampshade]] on this trope. Later, Harriman, the gate technician, is invited on a mission with SG-1. He leaves the command room, disappears for a split second while walking down the hallway, and comes into the gate room wearing the same outfit as the rest of the team.
* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'':
** In the episode "[[Recap/SupernaturalS02E22AllHellBreaksLoosePartTwo All Hells Breaks Loose, Part Two]]" (S02, E22), Jake is able to find a whole new outfit while camping outside an abandoned ghost town. He has exchanged his ACU for a black hooded sweatshirt, tan jacket, jeans, and brown boots. He also has found a tent somehow.
** In the season eight episode "[[Recap/SupernaturalS08E07ALittleSliceOfKevin A Little Slice of Kevin]]" (S08, E07), Castiel walks into a motel bathroom covered in dirt, unshaven, and still wearing [[spoiler:his mental patient scrubs]] under his trench coat. In approximately twenty seconds he walks back out, shaved and immaculate in a suit and tie again. Justified as his angelic abilities give him rather vaguely specified control over his outfit and hygiene.
* ''Series/{{Wonder Woman|1975}}'': Despite the spinning, thunderclap, and lights, Wonder Woman's transformation generally took no plot time and was strangely unnoticed even in public areas.

* ''Series/TheProfessionals''. Played for laughs in "Blood Sports" when Bodie and Doyle have to interrupt their cricket game to rush off on their latest assignment. As Doyle DrivesLikeCrazy we see Bodie in the backseat getting thrown back-and-forth as he tries to change out of his cricket whites.

* High-speed costume changes are a cornerstone of superheroes, to the point that ''TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds'' has a feat that makes changing costume a free action. The Feat comes in two ranks, the second allowing a hero to change to ''any'' costume in a free action.
* In the sidebar example power "Instant Change" in the ''TabletopGame/HEROSystem'' Fifth Edition book, it recommends that the power (which allows a hero to instantly go from street clothes to his superhero outfit) function as a Zero Phase Action (essentially a free action) instead of the Half Phase action that it should, according to the rest of the rules, take.
** Even without Instant Change, a half-phase action to change outfits corresponds to a few seconds of real time.
*** A segment, on which you take your phase, is supposedly one second long. So, depending on how you interpret it, a costume change could take anywhere from 6 seconds (normal humans get one phase per turn, 12 seconds/segments) down to half a second for the very fastest characters (who get phases every segment), or for everyone if you assume that your entire action takes place in a segment and the rest of the time you're standing around looking dumb. For gameplay purposes, the latter interpretation is less realistic but makes the bookkeeping of what-happens-when a '''lot''' easier.
* ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}} Supers'' has the perk Skintight, which makes your super-suit fit so well, you can wear it under your normal clothes and no one will notice.

* Played with in ''TabletopGame/{{Continuum}}''. Spanners have the ability to teleport and travel through time, and can selectively choose what comes with them. This leads to the main rulebook and only splatbook having, between them roughly a chapter on the mechanics of using this trick (and a series of mannequins) to perform quick changes.

* ''ComicBook/LadyDeath'': This is explicitly a power of Lady Death according to WordofGod, allowing her to [[RefugeInAudacity change her lingerie between comic panels]].

* In all the ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' titles for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, (and probably most of the others since ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight Symphony of the Night]]'') all equipment can be changed in the pause menu instantaneously. To top it off, the pause menu can be accessed any time, so the player can, if he's so inclined, change armor, switch weapons, and eat a plate of spaghetti all in mid-double-jump during a boss fight.

* ''VideoGame/SkullGirls'': Eliza's winning animation has her going into a sarcophagus and suddenly coming out with some fabulous outfit, often either a PimpedOutDress or a {{stripperific}} bathing suit. She also changes to a bathing suit for her crouching hard kick. Justified, as her clothes are made of blood, and therefore as malleable as the rest of her.

* The largely-ignored Capcom game ''VideoGame/BeatDownFistsOfVengeance'' for the UsefulNotes/{{P|layStation2}}S2 actually requires you to change clothes in order to lower the levels of the "enemy detection meters", one for gang members and one for police (they usually run independently of each other). Of course, buying clothes costs money, but changing clothes (either at the clothing store or in the closet of your home-base bar) is free. Ironically, simply changing to a different COLOR of the same outfit will still lower your detection meters despite looking almost exactly the same as the outfit you just changed out of.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' episode "Rollercoaster: [[MusicalEpisode The Musical!]]", Phineas manages to change from his normal clothes to a tuxedo and top hat just by dashing behind the tree. He then gently pushes Ferb behind the tree for the same effect.
** In the "Tree to Get Ready" episode of the same show, in a nod to ''Film/DuckSoup'', Phineas constantly changes military outfits during the treehouse battle.

* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'' does this often:

** In ''Film/AntMan1'', Scott Lang manages to put on the Antman suit--unitard, boots, belt, gloves, helmet, the whole shebang--in exactly 10 seconds (closer to 6 seconds, he wastes 4 seconds fiddling with the helmet), a flock of ants were counting down the seconds until guards arrive for him.

[[caption-width-right:350:Something he learned from ComicBook/{{Superman}}.]]

* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': [[Characters/SpiderManPeterParker Spider-Man]], during a time when he was wanted by the police after being framed for murder in ''ComicBook/{{Identity Crisis|1998}}'' and had set up four different alter egos (All with different "Superpowers" and known collectively as "The ''ComicBook/{{Slingers}}''), once did this while fighting Bloodscream and Roughhouse (two of ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}'s rogues), changing costumes so fast the two bad guys actually ''thought'' they were fighting four different guys!

** The implausibility of this trope is {{lampshade|Hanging}}d in an issue of ''[[Comicbook/XMen X-Men: First Class]]''. Comicbook/BlackWidow and Dum Dum Dugan change from their civvies into their ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} duds in the span of a single panel, while Characters/ScarletWitch [[LeaningonTheFourthWall wonders aloud how that's even possible]].

* Similarly, in ''Our House'', the Music/{{Madness}} musical, the main character switches costume near-instantly in the middle of a song, hidden for a couple of seconds at most by backing dancers with umbrellas. Particularly neat because the show tells two AlternateUniverse storylines simultaneously, ''Film/SlidingDoors'' style, and the costume change signifies a jump from one story to the other.

* In ''ComicBook/MegaManArchieComics'', Rock/Mega can switch from civilian mode to armor in an instant.
* This isn't hard for ComicBook/TheFlash to pull off, what with his SuperSpeed. He actually keeps his suit in a ring with an ejection mechanism.
* Same deal for Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}}. Spoofed (somewhat) in a ''ComicBook/SupermanBatman'' annual. Lois Lane thinks she's figured out the two heroes's identities, but then Superman uses Super {{Ventriloquism}} to distract her, then changes himself (and Batman) into pajamas via SuperSpeed and claims that they just woke up. Bruce, who isn't accustomed to the speed, gets [[VomitDiscretionShot motion sick]] (and Clark takes advantage of the situation to put him in a pink bathrobe and GoofyPrintUnderwear).
* Characters/{{Supergirl|TheCharacter}} takes advantage of her superhuman speed to change instantly. One example of her changing clothes between panels is provided in the first issue of her ''[[ComicBook/Supergirl1972 first solo book]]'', where she quickly takes off her Supergirl uniform and puts civilian clothes on as someone is opening her bedroom's door.

** [[Characters/MarvelComicsJeanGrey Jean Grey-Summers]] is able to change into multiple outfits within a matter of seconds. Due to her Phoenix powers, she can alter the molecules of her costumes at a whim. Both Jean and her KidFromTheFuture [[Characters/XMen80sMembers Rachel Summers]] have also done this with multiple other people's clothes at the same time, when the X-Men need to become inconspicuous by changing into civilian clothes. In Rachel's case, she almost collapsed from the effort because at the time she didn't have Phoenix powers, just "ordinary" telekinesis.

* The implausibility of this trope is {{lampshade|Hanging}}d in an issue of ''[[Comicbook/XMen X-Men: First Class]]''. Comicbook/BlackWidow and Dum Dum Dugan change from their civvies into their ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} duds in the span of a single panel, while Characters/ScarletWitch [[LeaningonTheFourthWall wonders aloud how that's even possible]].
* [[Characters/MarvelComicsCarolDanvers Carol Danvers]]' powers include, [[MostCommonSuperPower amongst other things]], clothes changing, usually with a single panel showing a line of energy between half-civies half-costume.
* This is explicitly a power of ComicBook/LadyDeath according to WordofGod, allowing her to [[RefugeInAudacity change her lingerie between comic panels]].
* When Steve Harmon turns into [[ComicBook/TheAwesomeSlapstick Slapstick]], his clothes disappear into an interdimensional pocket.
* This is Mortadelo's speciality in the Spanish ''ComicBook/MortadeloYFilemon'' comic books. He holds an [[HyperspaceWardrobe indeterminate number of disguises]] under his coat and can instantly put them on in between comic panels.
* The trope is justified in ''ComicBook/GreenLantern'' considering any of the Green Lanterns can simply use their power rings to instantly change their clothes into their Corps uniforms.
* [[Characters/SpiderManPeterParker Spider-Man]], during a time when he was wanted by the police ([[ContinuityLockout long story]]) and had set up four different alter egos (All with different "Superpowers" and known collectively as "The [[PunnyName Slingers]]"), once did this while fighting Bloodscream and Roughhouse (two of ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}'s rogues), changing costumes so fast the two bad guys actually ''thought'' they were fighting four different guys!
* Creator/SteveDitko's [[Characters/BatmanSupportingCast The Creeper]] had a device inserted in his body that allowed him to swap his normal appearance with that of his Creeper persona. Except it's not just that it puts his clothes (such that they are) on, they also apply makeup that's actually a part of his physiology. Goon attempted to remove his wig and yellow skin make-up, only to find that impossible because apparently, the device saved that costume as an entire physical state of his body.
* There's a reason ''ComicBook/TheAtom'' is usually seen around a foot or so tall at most. His costume is made of "white dwarf molecules" that are invisible (and somehow intangible) when stretched thin enough to cover his normal size, but become visible when he shrinks, hiding his normal clothing underneath (though this explanation poses problems of its own, since his costume is the same skintight spandex that most of his peers wear, leading one to wonder how his ''full size'' trademark brown suit fits under it).
* Characters/{{Wonder Woman|TheCharacter}}, especially in the Golden Age when she actually had a secret identity, could change from her Diana Prince USAAF uniform to her Wonder Woman suit and back again essentially instantaneously even within the same panel due to her super-speed.
** ''ComicBook/WonderWoman2006'': Diana picks up a secret identity again, and rather than relying on her super-speed she can now change costumes instantaneously using magic, which handily allows her to not have to worry about hiding away the clothing she wears in her secret identity.
* Part of the Magic of ComicBook/{{Shazam}} is that champions' superhero outfits appear automatically when they transform, and the clothes they were wearing before (along with wallets, keys, [[LongRunnerTechMarchesOn phones]] and [[DisabilityNegatingSuperpower Freddy's crutch]]) rematerialize when they transform *back*.

** [[Characters/XMenTheOriginalTeam Bobby]] even says all he has to do is ice up and put on his boots at one point. Early on (we're talking [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks really early on]]) that used to be the extent of his costume. If the ice was melted/broken by a bad guy, Bobby was in his boxers and his big yellow boots.

* Parodied in ''Series/TheGoodies'' who just walk through a cabinet (presumably an invention of Graeme) that changes their clothes into whatever costume is required.

* This is explicitly a power of ComicBook/LadyDeath according to WordOfGod, allowing her to [[RefugeInAudacity change her lingerie between comic panels]].

* Creator/SteveDitko's ComicBook/TheCreeper had a device inserted in his body that allowed him to swap his normal appearance with that of his Creeper persona. Except it's not just that it puts his clothes (such that they are) on, they also apply makeup that's actually a part of his physiology. Goon attempted to remove his wig and yellow skin make-up, only to find that impossible because apparently, the device saved that costume as an entire physical state of his body.

* Creator/EddieIzzard {{lampshade|Hanging}}s this in her show ''Sexie'', when she talks about how there are no transvestite superheroes because they would take twenty minutes to change.

** In ''VideoGame/CrisisCoreFinalFantasyVII'', there is a optional spy hunting sequence where Zack has to find Wutai spies in Midgar. When discovered, a chase would ensue and during a 1 second period where they are off camera while running, they will change from civilian clothes to full Wutai soldier Armor.

* The largely-ignored Capcom game ''VideoGame/BeatDownFistsOfVengeance'' for the UsefulNotes/{{PS2}} actually requires you to change clothes in order to lower the levels of the "enemy detection meters", one for gang members and one for police (they usually run independently of each other). Of course, buying clothes costs money, but changing clothes (either at the clothing store or in the closet of your home-base bar) is free. Ironically, simply changing to a different COLOR of the same outfit will still lower your detection meters despite looking almost exactly the same as the outfit you just changed out of.

* The Gems in ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' can easily do this because their clothes (like their bodies) are illusions that exist as a result of VoluntaryShapeshifting.
* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' does this often:

* In ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats2011'' {{Turncoat}} General Grune has a full ten seconds to complete an EvilCostumeSwitch, complete with an InsigniaRipOffRitual, FlungClothing and removal and replacement of a ''full suit of armor.'' While his enemies ''watch.'' He also finds time to tease his beard into a messier, [[BeardOfEvil more evil]] look.

* {{Justified}} in ''Literature/JessicasGhost''. Jessica can instantly change her clothes at will because she's a ghost.