History Main / EmbarrassingButEmpoweringOutfit

->''"Reminds me of this one group I ran with. The barbarian in our group found, and I quote: 'a pink frilly tu-tu of Strength +6', and [[RealMenWearPink he wore it with pride]] for the rest of the campaign."''

* In ''Fanfic/TheInfiniteLoops'' [[Film/StarWars Darth Vader]] commissions [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Rarity]] to create a cape capable of inspiring fear. She does so... [[TailorRevolt but decorates it with]] [[NightmareRetardant smiley bats]].

* Mikan of ''Manga/MahouShoujoNanteMouIiDesukara'' transforms into the MagicalGirl version of herself wearing... a swimsuit. It doesn't particularly reveal much, but she '''hates''' it.

* Mikan of ''MahouShoujoNanteMouIiDesukara'' transforms into the MagicalGirl version of herself wearing... a swimsuit. It doesn't particularly reveal much, but she '''hates''' it.

* Mikan of ''Mahou Shoujo Nante Mou Ii Desukara'' ("I've Had It with Being a Magical Girl") transforms into the MagicalGirl version of herself wearing... a swimsuit. It doesn't particularly reveal much, but she '''hates''' it.

'''Squidward:''' [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar I can think of ten good reasons.]]

* ''Anime/ProjectAKo'': B-ko Daitoukuji's battle armor, [[ChainmailBikini Akagiyama 23]] enhances her physical abilities to match A-ko's. However, [[{{Stripperiffic}} it's skimpy]] and comes with a visor.
** When A-ko and the other students first see it, they burst out laughing at her. Then the fight began. Let's just say A-ko's laughter [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICiNsGCwvBA was short lived.]] Later in the film, it's revealed that it also has a built-in jet pack which enables B-ko to fly; which she uses during her attempt to rescue C-ko from Captain Napolipolita. B-ko was able to manuever effortlessly through [[MacrossMissileMassacre a non-stop missile barrage.]]
** However, the visor's function doesn't become clear until the fourth movie: Final. It [[spoiler: allows B-ko to breath in outer space. Seen when she flies A-ko into space, to get C-ko back, at 11.5 G's!]] Taken UpToEleven and subverted when her '''father''' steals the design and wears one, and '''she's''' the one embarrassed by it.

* ''Anime/ProjectAKo'': B-ko Daitoukuji's battle armor, [[ChainmailBikini Akagiyama 23]] enhances her physical abilities to match A-ko's. However, [[{{Stripperiffic}} it's skimpy]] and comes with a visor. When A-ko and the other students first see it, they burst out laughing at her. Then the fight began. Let's just say A-ko's laughter [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICiNsGCwvBA was short lived.]] Later in the film, it's revealed that it also has a built-in jet pack which enables B-ko to fly; which she uses during her attempt to rescue C-ko from Captain Napolipolita. B-ko was able to manuever effortlessly through [[MacrossMissileMassacre a non-stop missile barrage.]]\\\
However, the visor's function doesn't become clear until the fourth movie: Final. It [[spoiler: allows B-ko to breath in outer space. Seen when she flies A-ko into space, to get C-ko back, at 11.5 G's!]] Taken UpToEleven and subverted when her '''father''' steals the design and wears one, and '''she's''' the one embarrassed by it.

->''Reminds me of this one group I ran with. The barbarian in our group found, and I quote: "a pink frilly tu-tu of Strength +6", and [[RealMenWearPink he wore it with pride]] for the rest of the campaign.''

A character has an [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman outfit that grants them immense power]] but there's one major problem. The outfit looks ridiculous and its powers can't be accessed without wearing it. Despite the benefits, the character is usually hesitant or refuses to wear the outfit all together.

* In ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' Gilgamesh Wulfenbach acquires a hat so impressive that no one who sees it can doubt who he is (well, except that one guy). It's [[BiggerIsBetter huge]], [[PurpleIsPowerful purple]], [[IncendiaryExponent on fire]], and has "[[FunetikAksent Gilgemesh Wulfenbash: Schmott Guy]]!" written on it. The moment he's done using it to establish his identity, he orders it taken away and never spoken of again.

* This is the entire premise of ''WesternAnimation/SheZow'', which involves a kid by the name of Guy who is destined to become a superhero through a costume that unfortunately was made for a girl.

* In the ''Webcomic/{{Xkcd}}'' strip titled [[http://www.xkcd.com/1065/ shoes]] a character is rewarded shoes that make their wearer immortal. He can't decide whether or not to wear the shoes since they have creepy individual toes.

->''Reminds me of this one group I ran with. The barbarian in our group found, and I quote: "a pink frilly tu-tu of Strength +6", and he wore it with pride for the rest of the campaign.''

* ''Anime/ProjectAko'': B-ko Daitoukuji's battle armor, [[ChainmailBikini Akagiyama 23]] enhances her physical abilities to match A-ko's. However, [[{{Stripperiffic}} it's skimpy]] and comes with a visor. When A-ko and the other students first see it, they burst out laughing at her. Then the fight began. Let's just say A-ko's laughter [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICiNsGCwvBA was short lived.]] Later in the film, it's revealed that it also has a built-in jet pack which enables B-ko to fly; which she uses during her attempt to rescue C-ko from Captain Napolipolita. B-ko was able to manuever effortlessly through [[MacrossMissileMassacre a non-stop missile barrage.]]\\\

* ''LightNovel/IsThisAZombie'': The costume worn by MagicGirl Haruna contains lots of ruffles and bows. This isn't so embarrassing for her, but when she accidentally passes on her powers, costume included, to the zombie Ayumu (pictured above), he is not so amused by the outfit. Unfortunately, in order to activate his powers, the pink bow-covered costume is included.
** Also when he uses his own LimitBreak abilities while wearing it, ''the costume proceeds to get even girlier''. Complete with commentary on his rising cuteness from whoever's on the sidelines.

* In ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'' it is stated that superpowers come from costumes, and that is the only reason that the heroes would wear them.

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[[caption-width-right:241:It looks like that [[WholesomeCrossdresser he]] doesn't think much of his [[PinkIsForSissies new battle attire]]...]]

[[caption-width-right:241:It looks like that [[WholesomeCrossdresser he]] [[PinkIsForSissies doesn't think much of his new battle attire...]]]]

* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' has the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX7z4iGBm6M Amazing Headband of Justice]]. It's not its looks that make it embarrassing; it's the incantation you have to say to make it work.

* In ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' Gilgamesh Wulfenbach acquires a hat so impressive that no one who sees it can doubt who he is. It's huge, purple, on fire, and has "Gilgemesh Wulfenbash: Schmott Guy!" written on it. The moment he's done using it to establish his identity, he orders it taken away and never spoken of again.
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* ''Webcomic/LsEmpire'' has Geminiman's Virus mode. It's more of a cosmetic change than an outfit, but the effect is still the same.

** In [[VideoGameRemake Persona 3 FES]] you can actually see [[http://imgur.com/0uRG04y what it looks like]]. Meanwhile, in ''Persona 3 Portable'', the item was renamed to "Battle Panties".

-->-- '''[=KillItWithFire=]''', a comment on ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'''s forum

* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'':
** Haley has a pair of magical [[SprintShoes Boots of Speed]], but considers them a fashion disaster because they're lime green, and refuses to wear them until she can get them dyed brown to match her armor.
** A comment on the comic's forum:
--->'''[=KillItWithFire=]:''' Reminds me of this one group I ran with. The barbarian in our group found, and I quote: "a pink frilly tu-tu of Strength +6", [[RealMenWearPink and he wore it with]] [[DoubleEntendre pride]] for the rest of the campaign.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{SpongeBob SquarePants}}'' it is stated that superpowers come from costumes, and that is the only reason that the heroes would wear them.

->'' Reminds me of this one group I ran with. The barbarian in our group found, and I quote: "a pink frilly tu-tu of Strength +6", and he wore it with pride for the rest of the campaign.

[[caption-width-right:241:Something tells me that [[WholesomeCrossdresser he]] [[PinkIsForSissies doesn't think much of his new battle attire...]]]]

->'''Haley:''' ... so the Boots of Speed were totally powerful, but they were, like, lime green.\\
'''Vaarsuvius:''' Indeed. A most grave conundrum you faced.
-->-- ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'', [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0003.html strip #3]]