History Main / FansPreferTheNewHer

** In Season 2, as Eleven/ Jane finds her lost "sister" Kali, she trades in her rural look (from her time in hiding) for a more edgy, punk look complete with slicked back hair, a leather jacket, and eyeliner, which seems to reflect her personality much better than anything she's worn before. Most fans prefer this [[MemeticMutation Bitchin']] look!

* ''Film/ThePerezFamily'' was a very controversial film due to the casting of non-Hispanic actors to play Cuban roles. Despite this, the opinion of the public and critics was unanimous in saying how beautiful and sensual Creator/MarisaTomei, as Dorita Perez, was, with her well-tanned skin, and her big butt and thick thighs, thanks to a high-calorie diet and exercises who gave her another 20 pounds very well distributed. Marisa herself seemed enchanted by her more voluptuous appearance, according to some reports at the time, and would have been hesitant to lose weight after the film, which he ended up doing, however.

** In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS11E3GuessWhosComingToCriticizeDinner Guess Who's Coming to Criticize Dinner]]", Mr. Burns [[TemporaryBulkChange gaining fat]] is portrayed as a bad thing when his shins collapse, but fans commented that he actually looked healthier with the weight on compared to his usually spindly and decrepit appearance, [[BigFun coupled with his new jovial attitude while being fat]].
** In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS14E4LargeMarge Large Marge]]", Marge is [[DCupDistress not happy when a plastic surgeon gives her breast implants by accident]] and she spends the whole episode fretting about them, which of course means they're gone by the end of the episode. This one probably doesn't need [[BuxomBeautyStandard any further explanation]].

** 'Flutterbat', the FanNickname for Fluttershy's vampire bat form, is very popular in the fan fiction. This is ignoring the fact that Fluttershy was turned into it accidentally and the process was very traumatic for her and her friends but she does willingly turn back into this form in a dream in a later episode.
** Due to EvilIsCool and the impressive design, Nightmare Moon is popular among fan fiction too. But the villainess was a result of Princess Luna's jealousy and corruption - and the princess is plagued by guilt over her actions. But Princess Luna herself is also quite popular, lessening this somewhat.
** The [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW comics exclusive]] [[TheCorruption Nightmare Rarity]] also have her share of fans and is quite possibly the biggest EnsembleDarkhorse [[AccidentalPun (no pun intended)]] from the comics.

* In the fifth season of ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'', to reflect how broken he has become, Jack has a neglected appearance with his hair untied and a beard. Many fans embraced his new design [[spoiler:and were disappointed when he returns to his classic appearance after finding inner peace and regaining his sword.]]

* One of the fighters in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaJudgment'' was UnexpectedCharacter [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaLegacyOfDarkness Cornell]] who underwent a redesign from a standard werewolf into a black, armor-wearing [[MonsterKnight wolf knight]]. Cornell himself hates it as being caught in the time loops means he's stuck in his hated werewolf form until he can escape. Many fans utterly adored this new form and wondered why something like it wasn't his original design.

A specific type of AudienceReaction. For every UnnecessaryMakeover, you're bound to find the opposite. This is the case where a character in-universe (usually female) gets some kind of makeover. Her friends are horrified that she would change at all and treat said makeover as something awful or else spend a good time talking about how much better she looked before. Normally, because StatusQuoIsGod, the makeover will be gone and the character will be back to normal, though sometimes the friends may learn AnAesop that the friend dresses for herself and not to please them. However, Fans Prefer the New Her (or him). Perhaps if it's an EvilMakeover, then it might result from EvilIsSexy? The scruffy guy might look good in a business suit, a {{Tomboy}} might suit the GirlinessUpgrade, you get the picture.

** After Regina's [[spoiler:HeelFaceTurn]], the elaborate CostumePorn she favoured as the Evil Queen retroactively becomes a symbol of her utter depression and self-loathing - which led to her becoming a villain in the first place. But given the fact that Lana Parrilla benefits from EvilIsSexy, plenty of fans prefer the Evil Queen look.

* When ComicBook/{{Storm}} first had her biker/mohawk makeover, the other X-Men were shocked and Kitty in particular hated it (along with Storm's new aggressive personality). However, fans loved the new look, and like Spider-Man's black costume, Storm's mohawk is frequently brought back in the comics and is often an alternate skin for her in video games.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Marge Simpson is [[DCupDistress not happy when a plastic surgeon gives her breast implants by accident]] and she spends the whole episode fretting about them, which of course means they're gone by the end of the episode. This one probably doesn't need [[BuxomBeautyStandard any further explanation]].

* Wrestling/CMPunk lost a Hair vs Mask match and got shaved bald. Most fans seem to prefer him with the short hair, and he kept it relatively short since then.

* The Franchise/DisneyPrincess merchandise does this with {{WesternAnimation/Mulan}}. Her dolls almost always feature her in the pink dress she wore for the Matchmaker at the beginning of the movie. However, Mulan herself was uncomfortable in it and it represented a lifestyle she did not want. It doesn't stop her from looking stunning when the makeover is complete though.
* In a similar example, some ''{{WesternAnimation/Brave}}'' merchandise depicts Merida in her baby blue dress. The same one her mother forced her into and represented the ArrangedMarriage she didn't want. Most Merida cosplayers usually choose the princess's simple dark green dress she prefers, or else the one she wears at the end (symbolising her character growth).
* Madam Mim from ''WesternAnimation/TheSwordInTheStone'' is an old ugly witch but for about half a minute, she uses her magic to transform into a beautiful young curvy version of herself and then promptly transforms back to her old self, proclaiming she prefers looking ugly. Most fans disagree, which is why the majority of fan content features her beautiful version.

* ''{{Film/Boyhood}}'' has Mason getting his shoulder-length hair sheared completely off by an abusive stepfather to look more masculine. He's so traumatized by this, he doesn't even want to go to school. His actor Ellar Coltrane however was thrilled to have his hair cut, hating having to grow it out for that part of the film.

* ''{{Film/Imperium}}'' has the male protagonist shaving his head to infiltrate a neo-Nazi gang, which he shows visible discomfort at doing. It turns out, however, that Creator/DanielRadcliffe looks great as a skinhead.

* ''Series/TotalDivas'' has {{Wrestling/Paige}} getting annoyed at having to do BeautifulAllAlong for the Hall of Fame ceremony. Plenty of fans enjoyed getting the chance to see her tanned and in a PimpedOutDress.

** After Regina's [[spoiler: HeelFaceTurn]], the elaborate CostumePorn she favoured as the Evil Queen retroactively becomes a symbol of her utter depression and self-loathing - which led to her becoming a villain in the first place. But given the fact that Lana Parrilla benefits from EvilIsSexy, plenty of fans prefer the Evil Queen look.
* In the final season of ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', Xander [[spoiler:has [[EyeScream his eye gouged out by]] [[SinisterMinister Caleb]] and consequently starts wearing an eyepatch.]] The fans loved it and it's almost unanimously considered to be his most iconic look, because of how badass he looks, and because the [[spoiler:EyepatchOfPower]] is an incredibly strong visual symbol for [[TookALevelInBadass how far he's come as a character.]] Xander is understandably not fond of it, because [[spoiler:losing an eye is painful and inconvenient.]]
* In ''Series/SpartacusBloodAndSand''
** Lucretia looks very nice when she starts wearing her red wigs in Season 2. Unfortunately, she's being forced to wear them by Ashur as a way of him asserting his dominance over her - and after he's brutally raped her. This is lampshaded when Illythia compliments Lucretia on how nice she looks with the red hair - only for the latter to shudder.
** Plenty of fans prefer Spartacus with short hair too rather than the long hair he has in the pilot episode...which is cut off in a TraumaticHaircut when he's captured by the Romans. Likewise, he keeps his hair short during the war - when Crixus has grown his out - as a representation that the man [[ThatManIsDead his wife loved is no more]] and he can never go back to his old life.

* ''{{Series/Charmed 1998}}'' has a BadFuture where Prue has become a CorruptCorporateExecutive who is estranged from her sisters. Her attire is a tight strapless dress that's very flattering to Shannen Doherty - and she looks stunning with long blonde hair.

* In ''VideoGame/BioshockInfinite'', Elizabeth gives herself an AdrenalineMakeover after [[spoiler:killing Daisy Fitzroy during the Vox Populi uprising]]. She chops off her ponytail, giving herself a short bob, and changes from a white blouse and skirt to a full-length dress with a bodice that invokes OfCorsetsSexy. Her previous clothes are [[spoiler:drenched in blood]], the corset is pretty much her running around in her underthings, and on top of that the dress is a painful reminder of [[YoureNotMyFather Lady Comstock]]--she even apologizes, saying, "This is all they had". Of course her new look ends up being the one featured in the poster and the vast majority of cosplays.

* In WebVideo/TheNostalgiaChick's review of ''{{WesternAnimation/Jem}}'' the MakeoverFairy gives her and Nella garish 80s fashion makeovers. But even though they're meant to be hideous, the costumes themselves are fun in their blatant 80s-ness.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheWeekenders'';
** The episode "My Punky Valentine" has Tino getting a punk rock makeover to try and get a girl's attention which his friends are not happy with. He actually suits the punk rock look, but it's gone by the end of the episode.
** Lor gets a GirlinessUpgrade in another episode when she hears a boy likes her. Her friends have an UncannyValley reaction to the makeover and the guy says it freaked him out. The makeover itself wasn't as extreme as some other examples since all that was different was Lor wearing a skirt and a girlier hairstyle. Though admittedly, she backed out when she heard she was supposed to get made over even more (including plastic surgery).
** Tish gives herself a set of fuzzy buns on the side of her hair and the gang act as if it's the end of the world. It wasn't preferable to her old hair, but it wasn't as hideous as they make it out to be.
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'', Spinelli enters a BeautyContest for kids and at the end refers to herself as a "painted up doll", implying she doesn't like being cleaned up. But she does look very nice in her evening gown with her hair done up.
* The ''WesternAnimation/AllGrownUp'' episode "Bad Kimi" has Chuckie horrified when Kimi shows up with a pink streak in her hair because he takes it as a sign of her rebelling and it's gone by the next episode. The 'do in question? Kinda cute.

* In ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'', Jade gets a tattoo of [[spoiler: Tarakudo]] in the episode [[Recap/JackieChanAdventuresS2E13QueenOfTheShadowkhan "Queen of the Shadowkhan"]] which lets her control the Shadowkhan and [[TheCorruption starts changing her skin blue and her eyes red]] and [[DrunkOnTheDarkSide turns her evil.]] The resulting SuperPoweredEvilSide was so popular it led to [[FanFic/ProjectDarkJade a sizeable collection of fanfics.]]

** ''VideoGame/Fatal Fury'''s Terry Bogard ditched his iconic red vest and cap for a bomber jacket and an overall more rugged appearance for ''VideoGame/GarouMarkOfTheWolves'' to mark the game's timeskip and his graduation from a scrappy street kid to a wise mentor. Most of Terry's appearances since default to his classic appearance, but whenever he breaks out the bomber jacket, it's met with much fanfare.

* While Kyo's [[FirstInstallmentWins original school uniform]] in ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' is the most well-known of his various designs on the whole, Japan especially loves Kyo's NESTS-era reinvention outfit of a white jacket, black turtleneck, and jeans, to the point that it shows up as much or more than his classic gakuran in official promotions and crossovers as well as being a very popular subject of fanart.

** This happens with Spider-Man's black costume, although to be fair, half the characters were rather accepting of it. It's Mary Jane who dislikes it, and insists that he get rid of it (although in her defense, she was just attacked by someone wearing an identical costume, so her disdain for it was understandable). The costume has persisted as a fan-favorite, appearing in nearly ''every'' adaptation of the character in some form since its debut in 1984, and constantly being featured as an alternate outfit in video games.

* Madam Mim from ''WesternAnimation/TheSwordInTheStone'' is an old ugly witch but for about half a minute, she uses her magic to transformation in a beautiful young curvy version of herself and then promptly transforms back to her old self, proclaiming she prefers looking ugly. Most fans disagree, which is why the majority of fan content features her beautiful version.

** The robot wives in both versions are forced into different outfits than they normally wear. In the original film, it worked because Joanna, Bobbie, etc were already very good looking beforehand - and they were forced into 1950s style dresses with too much make-up. The implication was that they looked like porcelain dolls. But in the remake, Joanna spends most of the film with a hairstyle that doesn't suit her and Bobbie is likewise dressed down - making the robot transformations come across as SheCleansUpNicely. The rest of the wives are likewise put into very flattering sundresses.

** This ''would'' have been the case for the original too. WordOfGod says that the wives would originally have been dressed "like Playboy bunnies, sans the ears" until the director cast his wife Nanette Newman in a role. As she was significantly older than the rest of the actresses playing the wives, the change to 1950s dresses was done.

** There's some of this in-universe too, where Katniss's distinctive braid becomes popular as a fashion statement. Katniss only wears her hair like that when she's hunting - because her district is poor and she has to hunt to make sure her family have enough food.

* ''Literature/ValleyOfTheDolls'' has an infamous CatFight where Neely discovers that Helen Lawson wears a wig to hide her grey hair. The wig itself was not Susan Hayward's natural hair (nor was the grey mind you; she bleached it for the scene) and done in an unflattering tightly curled 50s do. The grey hair just makes Helen look like a SilverFox. WordOfGod is that the original plan was for her to have a cap that made her look like she was losing her hair, but the actress refused.

** Nancy is especially dressed down at the beginning of the film, due to being so poor she has to shoplift most of her things. As she goes mad with power, and transforms into the film's true antagonist, it's accompanied by an EvilMakeover; now she's wearing extremely flattering Hot Topic style outfits, giving her a dark alluring appeal.

* ''Film/AQuietPlace'' takes place in a post apocalyptic setting where society has collapsed. John Krasinski sports a bushy beard to convey that the family have to live rough. The beard however was a hit with fangirls, who felt it made him look like a {{Hunk}} (similar to the Steve Rogers example above).
* ''{{Film/Imperium}}'' has the male protagonist shaving his head to infiltrate a neo Nazi gang, which he shows visible discomfort at doing. It turns out however, that Creator/DanielRadcliffe looks great as a skinhead.

* ''Film/FearStreet Part 2: 1978'' sees Cindy fussing about her ruined clothes after she gets trapped underground for most of the night, crawling through mud and people's feces (with other characters reminding her how much she smells). The MessyHair, torn clothes and covering of dirt however makes her [[UnkemptBeauty wildly more attractive]].
* In ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'', Princess Leia is infamously forced into an incredibly revealing GoGoEnslavement golden bkini by Jabba the Hutt, and while it's meant to be degrading for her, it hasn't stopped years of fanboys from ogling her, or cosplayers from excitedly replicating it.

** After Regina's [[spoiler: HeelFaceTurn]] the elaborate CostumePorn she favoured as the Evil Queen retroactively becomes a symbol of her utter depression and self-loathing - which led to her becoming a villain in the first place. But given the fact that Lana Parrilla benefits from EvilIsSexy, plenty of fans prefer the Evil Queen look.

* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' has Data giving himself a beard in one episode. Troi bursts out laughing at the sight of it, and it of course doesn't stay. The beard itself actually is quite flattering, and suits Brent Spiner's face structure.

* Wrestling/VinceMcMahon had to have his head shaved as a result of Umaga losing to Bobby Lashley at ''Wrestling/WrestleMania 23'', humiliating him and naturally resulting in a few weeks of him trying to hide his bald head under a fedora or do-rag. But after a while when it started to grow back, particularly around the time he held the ECW Championship, it arguably suited him. He grew it back longer however.

* In ''VideoGame/BioshockInfinite'', Elizabeth gives herself an [[AdrenalineMakeover Adrenaline Makeover]] after [[spoiler:killing Daisy Fitzroy during the Vox Populi uprising]]. She chops off her ponytail, giving herself a short bob, and changes from a white blouse and skirt to a full-length dress with a bodice that invokes [[OfCorsetsSexy Of Corsets Sexy]]. Her previous clothes are [[spoiler:drenched in blood]], the corset is pretty much her running around in her underthings, and on top of that the dress is a painful reminder of [[YoureNotMyFather Lady Comstock]]--she even apologizes, saying, "This is all they had". Of course her new look ends being the one featured in the poster and the vast majority of cosplays.
* One of the fighters in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaJudgment'' was UnexpectedCharacter [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaLegacyOfDarkness Cornell]] who underwent a redesign from a standard werewolf into a black, armor wearing [[MonsterKnight wolf knight]]. Cornell himself hates it as being caught in the timeloops means he's stuck in his hated werewolf form until he can escape. Many fans utterly adored this new form and wondered why something like it wasn't his original design.

* The ''WesternAnimation/AllGrownUp'' episode "Bad Kimi" has Chuckie horrified when Kimi shows up with a pink streak in her hair because he takes it as a sign of her rebelling and it's gone by the next episode. The do in question? Kinda cute.

* Happens a few times in ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}}''. In "The Bands Break Up" Raya is disgusted by Kimber's new Misfits inspired makeup however fans either often prefer it or can't tell the difference. Similarly, Roxy gets a makeover in "Roxy Rumbles" when she decides to change her life and many fans liked it quite a bit.

** 'Flutterbat', the FanNickname for Fluttershy's vampire bat form, is very popular in the fan fiction. This is ignoring the fact that Fluttershy was turned into it accidentally and the process was very traumatic for her and friends but she does willingly turn back into this form in a dream in a later episode.
** Due to EvilIsCool and the impressive design, Nightmare Moon is popular among the fan fiction too. But the villainess was a result of Princess Luna's jealousy and corruption - and the princess is plagued by guilt over her actions. But Princess Luna herself is also quite popular, lessening this somewhat.

* In a similar example to the above, when Anne Hathaway is shaved nearly bald in ''Film/LesMiserables'', it's meant to be just another degradation in her character's miserable life. Turns out, Anne Hathaway looks fantastic with short hair, and a lot of fans embraced the "new look", not realizing she fully intended to grow it back.

** This happens with Spider-Man's black costume, although to be fair, half the characters were rather accepting of it. It's Mary Jane who dislikes it, and insists that he get rid of it (although in her defense, she was just attacked by someone wearing an identical costume, so her disdain for it was understandable). The costume has persisted as a fan-favorite, appearing in nearly ''every'' adaptation of the character in some form, and constantly being featured as an alternate outfit in video games.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Marge Simpson is not happy when a plastic surgeon gives her breast implants by accident and she spends the whole episode fretting about them, which of course means they're gone by the end of the episode. This one probably doesn't need [[BuxomIsBetter any further explanation]].

* In ''{{Film:Return of the Jedi}}'', Princess Leia is infamously forced into an incredibly revealing GoGoEnslavement golden bkini by Jabba the Hutt, and while it's meant to be degrading for her, it hasn't stopped years of fanboys from ogling her, or cosplayers from excitedly replicating it.

** After Regina's [[spoiler: HeelFaceTurn]] the elaborate CostumePorn she favoured as the Evil Queen retroactively becomes a symbol of her utter depression and self-loathing - which led to her becoming a villain in the first place. But given the AbsoluteCleavage on display and the fact that Lana Parrilla benefits from EvilIsSexy, plenty of fans prefer the Evil Queen look.

* In order for the censors to allow [[VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2 Mythra]] to appear in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' as a spirit and later, a fighter, she was given pants and had her breast window covered. Many fans admit that they prefer her new look due to either thinking it makes her look more badass, or liking the color scheme.

* In season 2 of ''Series/StrangerThings,'' as Eleven/ Jane finds her lost "sister" Kali, she trades in her rural look (from her time in hiding) for a more edgy, punk look complete with slicked back hair, a leather jacket, and eyeliner, which seems to reflect her personality much better than anything she's worn before. Most fans prefer this [[MemeticMutation Bitchin']] look!

** Hilda gives herself RapunzelHair when she eats 'hair soup' in one episode, but gets rid of it by the end of the episode because the upkeep is too much. Doesn't stop her from looking great with it though. Sabrina does likewise in the same season finale (although it's more practical in her case, to allow Harvey to climb up it to rescue her).

* ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch'' - a Season 7 episode has Sabrina getting trapped in a colleague's computer and he uses Photoshop to turn her into a big-breasted bimbo in a tight pink dress. In-universe it's meant to be humiliating for her (though she does enjoy some extra attention) - but needless to say, it's a pretty blatant example of {{Fanservice}}.

[[folder:Films - Animated]]

[[folder:Films - Live Action]]