"A masked adventurer's costume is one of those things nobody really thinks about. Should it have a cape, or no cape? Should it be thick and armored to protect you from harm, or flexible and lightweight to allow maneuverability? What sort of mask should it have? Do bright colors make you more of a target than dark ones? All of these were things I had to consider."
— Hollis Mason, from his autobiography Under the Hood, Watchmen
Capes, tights, masks, underwear outside of pants, these are the tropes about the costumes worn by the heroes and villains of superhero stories.
Some of these can even involve Clark Kenting, and often lead to an Iconic Outfit.
And it doesn't hurt to have a Heroic Build, or the Most Common Superpower, when wearing these.
Tropes:
Related:
- Badass Cape
- Badass Longcoat
- Beta Outfit
- Brought to You by the Letter "S"
- Captain Geographic (as the costume is what signifies where they come from)
- Changing Clothes Is a Free Action
- Cheap Costume
- Chest Insignia
- Civvie Spandex
- Clark Kent Outfit
- Cleavage Window
- Clothes Make the Legend
- Clothes Make the Superman
- Coat, Hat, Mask
- Combat Stilettos
- Costume Evolution
- Domino Mask
- Dressed in Layers
- Evil Costume Switch
- Eyepatch of Power
- Fashion-Victim Villain
- Fur Bikini
- Leotard of Power
- Loincloth
- Minidress of Power
- Movie Superheroes Wear Black
- My Suit Is Also Super
- Non-Powered Costumed Hero
- Not Wearing Tights
- Painted-On Pants
- Powered Armor
- Red Is Heroic
- Spandex, Latex, or Leather
- Star-Spangled Spandex
- Super Costume Clothier
- Superheroes Wear Capes
- Superheroes Wear Tights
- Throwback Threads
- Underwear of Power
- Utility Belt
- Wearing a Flag on Your Head
- Your Costume Needs Work
