History Main / SpandexLatexOrLeather

** Actually, it would seem that the newest season, ''TokumeiSentaiGobusters,'' has finally made the switch to leather (or at least faux-leather.) There's a possibility that it is only a one-time switch (like going back to capes in ''Magiranger,'') and there's no guarantee that ''Rangers'' had anything to do with it, but the switch has helped raise ''Gobuster's'' profile (which is already suffering from ToughActToFollow after ''Gokaiger.''

** YourMileageMayVary. Some viewers thought the textured material of the new Superman suit was an interesting development that didn't exactly contradict earlier continuity.
*** Noteworthy in that Toei appears to be using the same material recently in the designs of SuperSentai costumes.

See also: NotWearingTights; HellBentForLeather. Contrast the more civilian CoatHatMask.

The reason is mostly because of the era associated with the heyday of each. Spandex, the form-fitting, brightly colored "tights", is most associated with old school Superheroes thanks to the 1930's ''{{Superman}}'' serials. The later use of spandex in the old ''{{Batman}}'' TV show with AdamWest would also give it a campy, childish association.[[hottip:* :The term "spandex" is an anachronism, as this synthetic fabric wasn't in wide use until well into the 1960s. Superman and Batman, like their TV counterparts, likely wore cotton.]] Latex, or hard rubber suits, is most remembered for TimBurton's relaunch of the ''Film/{{Batman}}'' franchise as a grim, Gothic and serious setting. JoelSchumacher attempted to shift this toward camp, but then ChristopherNolan [[TheDarkKnightSaga shifted it even farther toward the "gritty" end than Burton did]]. Lastly, leather has been used in superhero movies since the beginning of the ''Film/XMen'' film series, bringing with it a real world setting, implying these are "plausible" heroes who can and do exist in a world much like our own, behaving as real people do rather than people in tights. To each their tastes.

* On the subject of {{toku}}, ''SuperSentai''/''PowerRangers'' teams wear spandex, firmly cementing them into the campy category they've always held (though in-universe it's supposed to be some kind of special armor that just happens to ''look'' like spandex). ''KamenRider'' uses latex for its armor, [[DarkerAndEdgier appropriately enough]]. Though when ''[[MightyMorphinPowerRangers MMPR]]'' had [[Film/MightyMorphinPowerRangers The Movie]], they switched to latex armor.

** Though [[BerserkButton don't mention this]] to Dr. K from ''PowerRangersRPM''...

* ''BatmanBegins'' has a suit that is mostly made of some form of kevlar. ''TheDarkKnight'' adds ceramic plating for even more protection, and a lampshade for movie Batmans being unable to turn their heads.

The reason is mostly because of the era associated with the heyday of each. Spandex, the form-fitting, brightly colored "tights", is most associated with old school Superheroes thanks to the 1930's ''{{Superman}}'' serials. The later use of spandex in the old ''{{Batman}}'' TV show with AdamWest would also give it a campy, childish association.[[hottip:* :The term "spandex" is an anachronism, as this synthetic fabric wasn't in wide use until well into the 1960s. Superman and Batman, like their TV counterparts, likely wore cotton.]] Latex, or hard rubber suits, is most remembered for TimBurton's relaunch of the ''Film/{{Batman}}'' franchise as a grim, Gothic and serious setting. JoelSchumacher attempted to shift this toward camp, but then ChristopherNolan [[TheDarkKnightSaga shifted it even farther toward the "gritty" end than Burton did]]. Lastly, leather has been used in superhero movies since the beginning of the ''Film/XMen'' film series, bringing with it a real world setting, implying these are "plausible" heroes who can and do exist in a world much like our own, behaving as real people do rather than people in tights. To each their tastes.

[[AC:LiveActionTelevision]]
* On the subject of {{toku}}, ''SuperSentai''/''PowerRangers'' teams wear spandex, firmly cementing them into the campy category they've always held (though in-universe it's supposed to be some kind of special armor that just happens to ''look'' like spandex). ''KamenRider'' uses latex for its armor, [[DarkerAndEdgier appropriately enough]]. Though when ''[[MightyMorphinPowerRangers MMPR]]'' had [[Film/MightyMorphinPowerRangers The Movie]], they switched to latex armor.
** Rumor has it that there has been substantial pushback from the ''PowerRangers'' team toward ''SuperSentai'' in recent years to switch to leather.
** Though [[BerserkButton don't mention this]] to Dr. K from ''PowerRangersRPM''...
** Actually, in recent years, Toei has been gradually shifting towards a material more like the Superman costume from SupermanReturns. Compare the costumes from ''TokusouSentaiDekaranger'' to the ones from ''SamuraiSentaiShinkenger''. The difference is very obvious. Also, they've recently been using something that looks like a cross between pleather and mylar for EXTREMELY SHINY!! Rangers, as opposed to the old "shiny spandex" or "gold lame over padded nylon" they used for such things as [[KyoryuSentaiZyuranger Zyuranger]]'s SixthRanger's gold shoulderplate, or most of [[ChourikiSentaiOhranger King Ranger]]'s accessories. Compare those two, [[DenjiSentaiMegaranger Mega Silver]], and [[HyakujuuSentaiGaoranger Gao Silver]] to [[GoGoSentaiBoukenger Bouken Silver]] and [[SamuraiSentaiShinkenger Shinken Gold]]. MAJOR difference in materials...
* The ''[[TheFlash Flash]]'' live action TV series from 1990 used a thick suit for the Flash that may or may not have literally been latex, but was definitely similar. In-story it was based on a diving suit.
* ''{{LazyTown}}'' decided to go the spandex route, with both the hero Sportacus ''and'' the [[HarmlessVillain villain]] Robbie wearing tight outfits that [[FanService help explain]] why so many of the show's fans are adult women.
* {{Smallville}} does not have one set answer. Clark Kent used to [[NotWearingTights wear red and blue street clothes]] and is now rocking some CivvieSpandex in the form of a red leather biker jacket and jeans until he finally puts on the tights of the Superman costume. Leather seems to be the superhero outfit of choice, from the Green Arrow, to Doctor Fate, to Booster Gold. Stargirl has been the only hero seen in full spandex (save for her mask), though her mentor the Star-Spangled Kid was wearing his spandex top as part of a Civvie Spandex ensemble while on the run from Checkmate.

* On the subject of {{toku}}, ''SuperSentai''/''PowerRangers'' teams wear spandex, firmly cementing them into the campy category they've always held (though in-universe it's supposed to be some kind of special armor that just happens to ''look'' like spandex). ''KamenRider'' uses latex for its armor. Though when ''[[MightyMorphinPowerRangers MMPR]]'' had [[Film/MightyMorphinPowerRangers The Movie]], they switched to latex armor.

So, your comic book movie got greenlit, congratulations! Now comes the first big question: Spandex, Latex, or Leather? After all, SuperheroesWearTights, but which kind?

So, your comic book movie got greenlit, congratulations! Now comes the first big question: Spandex, Latex, or Leather?

* ''BatmanBegins'' has a suit that is mostly made of some form of kevlar. ''TheDarkKnight'' adds ceramic plating for even more protection.

The reason is mostly because of the era associated with they heyday of each. Spandex, the form fitting brightly colored "tights", is most associated with old school Superheroes thanks to the 1930's ''{{Superman}}'' serials. The later use of spandex in the old ''{{Batman}}'' TV show with AdamWest would also give it a campy, childish association.[[hottip:* :The term "spandex" is an anachronism, as this synthetic fabric wasn't in wide use until well into the 1960s. Superman and Batman, like their TV counterparts, likely wore cotton.]] Latex, or hard rubber suits, is most remembered for TimBurton's relaunch of the ''Film/{{Batman}}'' franchise as a grim, Gothic and serious setting. JoelSchumacher attempted to shift this toward camp, but then ChristopherNolan [[TheDarkKnightSaga shifted it even farther toward the "gritty" end than Burton did]]. Lastly, leather has been used in superhero movies since the beginning of the ''Film/XMen'' film series, bringing with it a real world setting, implying these are "plausible" heroes who can and do exist in a world much like our own, behaving as real people do rather than people in tights. To each their tastes.

The choice can actually be quite complicated because of course the actors have to wear these things. In ''X-Men'', nobody could move in the leather. There was a scene as they are approaching the Statue of Liberty and they have to climb over a brick wall that's about two foot tall. It took them several takes because [[HughJackman Jackman]], [[HalleBerry Berry]] and co could [[InsurmountableWaistHeightFence barely clamber over it]]. Likewise, it wasn't until ''BatmanBegins'' that any Batman actor could turn their head while in costume (Clooney lampshades this in a late show interview about how conversations between him and {{Arnold|Schwarzenegger}} would go), though how much of this is the latex and how much of it was costume design is unknown.

* ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'': All three, actually, and more. The 1940s-vintage heroes mostly wore Spandex or its period equivalent (rather amusing are the realistic ''canvas'', silk or cotton home-made costumes, considering that the heroes in question were ordinary people having either a bout of schizophrenia or a surfacing vigilante streak); some of those that didn't - like Silhouette - wore leather. The later Comedian preferred leather body armor, and Silk Spectre II was in latex. (Malin Akerman famously commented that her costume made her "smell like a giant condom". Please refrain from comment.) Beyond that we had [[NotWearingTights ordinary street wear]] for Rorschach (with a [[CoatHatMask special mask]] that reacted to pressure and heat), assorted varieties of body armor for almost everyone else, and a bright blue [[FullFrontalAssault birthday suit]] for Dr. Manhattan.

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* ''{{LazyTown}}'' decided to go the spandex route, with both the hero Sportacus ''and'' the villain Robbie wearing tight outfits that [[FanService help explain]] why so many of the show's fans are adult females.

* ''{{LazyTown}}'' decided to go the spandex route with both the hero Sportacus ''and'' the villain Robbie wearing tight outfits that explain why so many of the show's fans [[FanService are older women]].

* ''{{LazyTown}}'': Spandex, Camp/Kid

The reason is mostly because of the era associated with they heyday of each. Spandex, the form fitting brightly colored "tights", is most associated with old school Superheroes thanks to the 1930's ''{{Superman}}'' serials. The later use of spandex in the old ''{{Batman}}'' TV show with AdamWest would also give it a campy, childish association. [[hottip:* :The term "spandex" is an anachronism, as this synthetic fabric wasn't in wide use until well into the 1960s. Superman and Batman, like their TV counterparts, likely wore cotton.]] Latex, or hard rubber suits, is most remembered for TimBurton's relaunch of the ''Film/{{Batman}}'' franchise as a grim, Gothic and serious setting. JoelSchumacher attempted to shift this toward camp, but then ChristopherNolan [[TheDarkKnightSaga shifted it even farther toward the "gritty" end than Burton did]]. Lastly, leather has been used in superhero movies since the beginning of the ''Film/XMen'' film series, bringing with it a real world setting, implying these are "plausible" heroes who can and do exist in a world much like our own, behaving as real people do rather than people in tights. To each their tastes.

The reason is mostly because of the era associated with they heyday of each. Spandex, the form fitting brightly colored "tights", is most associated with old school Superheroes thanks to the 1930's ''{{Superman}}'' serials. The later use of spandex in the old ''{{Batman}}'' TV show with AdamWest would also give it a campy, childish association.[[hottip:* :The term "spandex" is an anachronism, as this synthetic fabric wasn't in wide use until well into the 1960s. Superman and Batman, like their TV counterparts, likely wore cotton.]] Latex, or hard rubber suits, is most remembered for TimBurton's relaunch of the ''Film/{{Batman}}'' franchise as a grim, Gothic and serious setting. JoelSchumacher attempted to shift this toward camp, but then ChristopherNolan [[TheDarkKnightSaga shifted it even farther toward the "gritty" end than Burton did]]. Lastly, leather has been used in superhero movies since the beginning of the ''Film/XMen'' film series, bringing with it a real world setting, implying these are "plausible" heroes who can and do exist in a world much like our own, behaving as real people do rather than people in tights. To each their tastes.

The reason is mostly because of the era associated with they heyday of each. Spandex, the form fitting brightly colored "tights", is most associated with old school Superheroes thanks to the 1930's ''{{Superman}}'' serials. The later use of spandex in the old ''{{Batman}}'' TV show with AdamWest would also give it a campy, childish association. Latex, or hard rubber suits, is most remembered for TimBurton's relaunch of the ''Film/{{Batman}}'' franchise as a grim, Gothic and serious setting. JoelSchumacher attempted to shift this toward camp, but then ChristopherNolan [[TheDarkKnightSaga shifted it even farther toward the "gritty" end than Burton did]]. Lastly, leather has been used in superhero movies since the beginning of the ''Film/XMen'' film series, bringing with it a real world setting, implying these are "plausible" heroes who can and do exist in a world much like our own, behaving as real people do rather than people in tights. To each their tastes.

* On the subject of {{toku}}, ''SuperSentai''/''PowerRangers'' teams wear spandex, firmly cementing them into the campy category they've always held. ''KamenRider'' uses latex for its armor. Though when ''[[MightyMorphinPowerRangers MMPR]]'' had [[Film/MightyMorphinPowerRangers The Movie]], they switched to latex armor.

* ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'': All three, actually, and more. The 1940s-vintage heroes mostly wore Spandex or its period equivalent; some of those that didn't (like Silhouette) wore leather. The later Comedian preferred leather body armor, and Silk Spectre II was in latex. (Malin Akerman famously commented that her costume made her "smell like a giant condom". Please refrain from comment.) Beyond that we had [[NotWearingTights ordinary street wear]] for Rorschach (with a [[CoatHatMask special mask]] that reacted to pressure and heat), assorted varieties of body armor for almost everyone else, and a bright blue [[FullFrontalAssault birthday suit]] for Dr. Manhattan.

The reason is mostly because of the era associated with they heyday of each. Spandex, the form fitting brightly colored "tights", is most associated with old school Superheroes thanks to the 1930's ''{{Superman}}'' television serials. The later use of spandex in the old ''{{Batman}}'' TV show with AdamWest would also give it a campy, childish association. Latex, or hard rubber suits, is most remembered for TimBurton's relaunch of the ''Film/{{Batman}}'' franchise as a grim, Gothic and serious setting. JoelSchumacher attempted to shift this toward camp, but then ChristopherNolan [[TheDarkKnightSaga shifted it even farther toward the "gritty" end than Burton did]]. Lastly, leather has been used in superhero movies since the beginning of the ''Film/XMen'' film series, bringing with it a real world setting, implying these are "plausible" heroes who can and do exist in a world much like our own, behaving as real people do rather than people in tights. To each their tastes.

* ''Film/IronMan'': Metal... SoYeah?

*** And Loika wears her wedding dress, SoYeah.