Throughout the decades several female superheroes in the Marvel and DC universes have been transformed into more stylish crime fighters than in years past.
Although male superheroes like Iron Man, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Thor, Batman, Superman, and more, haven’t been known for their stylish fashions when it comes to fighting crime, female superheroes, on the other hand, are a different story. Sure their male counterparts have had to look bad-ass, but in a completely different way.
When it comes to style and wardrobe, several female superheroes have been given modern makeovers over the years. Unfortunately, like in movies and television, sexy stereotypes sell. Not all costumes were created equal but they did help to define stronger, independent female characters in comics. For many young women in the real world, the image of a strong, sexy superhero made it easier to realize their own super powers.
Like any great outfit, accessories are key to style. And with great superpowers comes even greater fashion responsibility.
Here are our picks for the 7 Most Stylish Female Superheroes:
Catwoman:
Like her feline personality, the wardrobe choices for Catwoman were key to her appeal. Since her introduction into the DC Universe in 1940, Catwoman has gone through several fashion transformations. She’s had capes, masks, a tail, and of course, a whip.
Throughout the decades, Catwoman made numerous appearances in film and television. From Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, and Eartha Kitt to Michelle Pfeiffer, Halle Berry and Anne Hathaway, Catwoman became a live action a sex symbol due in large part to her wardrobe.
The fashion choices that Catwoman made accentuated her unique characteristics: sexy, dark, alluring, and dangerous.
Wonder Woman:
Wonder Woman’s costume also went through several changes since her debut in 1941. Although her signature tiara, gold eagle emblem, and bracelets remained the same, Wonder Woman’s patriot inspired wardrobe got sexier over the decades, with less wonder and more woman.
It’s true that Wonder Woman had other fashion options in the alternate universe, but it’s the bustier costume that fans know best.
In 2006, Wonder Woman was given a civilian solid color, one piece jumpsuit that didn’t go over well with fans. Gone were the identifiable fashions that gave Wonder Woman her own unique style. However, DC Comics truly brought Wonder Woman into the modern era with a much more stylish but traditional costume.
Her lasso always completes the outfit.
Rogue:
For Rogue in the X-Man series, it all starts with the hair. Her signature white streak set the tone for subsequent fashion choices.
Unable to get physically close with anyone, Rogue made significant super contributions in other important areas. In many ways, Rogue became the ultimate tease. No matter how great she looked, men couldn’t touch … literally.
In the X-Men comics and early cartoons, Rogue sported a green spandex suit, yellow stripe with matching gloves, and knee-high riding boots. In other variations, Rogue ditched the knee-highs for wedge boots and, in some cases, ankle moto boots.
For the X-Men films, Rogue went to the dark, one-piece navy suit but never lost the gloves. She looked much more stylish in the comic panels than in the movies.
Huntress:
It easy to see that early Huntress fashions were modeled after Batman. After all, she was the daughter of Batman and Catwoman at one point in the series. With a purple swimsuit style outfit and matching cape, Huntress used her Batman style eye-mask to keep her identity a secret.
Since she lacked real “superpowers,” Huntress depended on a slew of nifty accesories. A purse or handbag? Forget it! Huntress was rarely seen without her crossbow.
In the short-lived 2002 television series, Birds of Prey, Huntress was radically transformed. Gone was the classic costume with cape in favor of solid colors, a jumpsuit and a leather duster. It was a stylish attempt to bring Huntress into the new Millennium but she’ll always be known for her cape and crossbow combo.
Storm:
Storm, where do we begin with her fashion choices? From her traditional black one-piece and matching cape in her 1975 debut to her tribal goddess like wardrobe in Astonishing X-Men, Storm has gone through several makeovers.
Although Storm’s wardrobe got a lot more edgier in X-Treme X-Men, Age of Apocalypse made for simpler, stylish and streamlined fashions when it came to fighting crime without a cape.
In 1983, Storm’s costume went from a black one-piece leather bodysuit with cape to an edgier punk rocker with Mohawk. WTF? In the 1990s, however, Storm got her sexy back with a white one-piece jumpsuit to keep pace with the changing styles of other female superheroes of her time. Did it work? Well, that’s still up for stylish debate.
For the X-Men movies, Halle Berry took storm back to her dark outfit and cape but kept things fairly bland when it came to stand-out fashion choices. In 2011, with X-Men: Regenesis, Storm took the less is more approach as far as modern wardrobe choices.
Silk Spectre II:
The only female member of The Watchmen, Silk Spectre didn’t start out as a traditionally “sexy” super-heroine. In fact, as far as fashion goes, you still see early Silk Spectre type dresses in clubs. And you definitely see them in the halls of Comic Con.
Her original costume consisted of yellow tunic with long sleeves, which, quite frankly, was borderline ugly. Early versions looked like a banana with a belt. Hardly stylish at all. For any girl looking for a quick superhero costume, this one’s easy and simple. However, Silk Spectre got a serious makeover for The Watchmen movie.
When Silk Spectre II went to the big screen in The Watchmen movie, Malin Akerman portrayed the character in a form-fitting black and yellow latex suit and thigh-high boots. Silk Spectre II looked every bit the part of a stylish, kick-ass super-heroine in her updated outfit. For any woman looking to leave an impact, this one’s a bit more complex.
Black Widow:
Although there were four incarnations of Black Widow, the most recognizable has been Natalia “Natasha” Romanova/Natasha Romanoff. The first to adopt the Black Widow name in the mainstream Marvel comics and The Avengers film, Natasha as Black Widow is one hot and stylish superhero when it comes to wardrobe.
Ask any guy how they feel about the wardrobe of Scarlett Johansson in The Avengers and they’ll likely say that Marvel made the right fashion choices for the right actress.
For Natasha Romanoff, a black, skin-tight one-piece jumpsuit accentuated her curvy figure. For the blond version of Black Widow, Yelena Boleva, the jumpsuit was turned into a sexy two-piece that left little to the imagination. When Black Widow was reintroduced as Monica Chang, the ex-wife of Nick Fury, it was back to the black one-piece.
From cocktail dress to a custom designed black leather bodysuit, Black Widow had the freedom to wear whatever she wanted when gathering intelligence. When it came time for battle, however, stylish armour was the proper fashion choice. You have to admire a woman who can hide a 9mm in a thigh-length strapless dress.
Who do you think is the most stylish female superhero?