Superhero costume basics

Not all superheroes have super powers, and not all superheroes have flashy names and teams, but the one thing they do have in common is the fact that each and every one of them has a certain “trademarked” look. No superhero would be complete without a costume.

If you’re planning on being a superhero, then you’ll have to read through this article so you know what garb you should prepare. We wouldn’t want you to look foolish while on your city-saving adventures, now, would we? To this end, I decided to put together a few rules of superhero costumes.

Tights

Let’s start with the one costume element that screams “superhero” – the briefs outside the pants.

Why do they wear it: Contrary to popular belief, this actually has a practical use! Have you ever noticed that leotards and most wrestling tights have that? Even aerialists wear their clothes like that. It affords the wearer that little bit of added flexibility, by keeping all the important bits closely packed and manageable.

In the world of comic books, Superman and Batman’s costumes were based on athletic clothes/ circus performers/ strong men in the 30’s and 40’s. There certainly are similarities, like the high waistline from years ago. At the time, classic superhero costumes were functional and fashion-forward.

Exception to the rules: In the early days, superheroes who weren’t wearing dress pants wore the underwear-outside-pants leotards. However, these days, almost everyone is an exception to the rule so much so that it has become the status quo – Captain America, Wolverine, Cyclops, Daredevil (although some artists depict him with it still, just colored red) wear spandex with no visible pants underwear; almost only Superman and Batman and a few select others rock that look.

When you should wear it: I’m guessing never. But if you want to pay homage to the classics, I recommend you do it discreetly.

Capes

In most universes, superheroes are referred to as many things. They’re called metas/metahumans or heroes or even capes.

Why do they wear it: You know, I can probably understand why villains with a knack for theatrics wear it, but how about the superheroes whose main concern is protection of the innocent?

Superman actually got his with his space shuttle thing and is a piece of clothing his people really wear so I guess that’s understandable. Some people, like Batman, use it to glide and to look cool. There are heroes who wear it for no apparent reason, though.

Well, there is some practicality to it. It’s just more of a convenience thing than an in-universe thing.

If an artist wanted to depict a character moving while in the air, giving the character a cape helps a great deal. Besides those black motion lines, you could easily tell when a character is flying. So if the hero was a flyer, he had a cape – Superman, Martian Manhunter, the original Green Lantern (Allan Scott). The list goes on.

These days, artists don’t have to rely on that to show motion using blurring techniques and whatnot.

Exceptions to the rule: There are a number of heroes who do have capes but don’t fly – you’ve got Moonknight, Taskmaster, Batman and probably a few others I can’t name right now. They just wear it to look good, I guess.

When you should wear it: Only wear it if it serves a practical purpose for you. If you need it to glide, like a flying squirrel would use his skin flaps, or if you need it to conceal your shadowy figure when moving across dark areas, or if you need it to conceal your weapons, then go for it.

Masks

One of the most important things to superheroes is their identity. This is why a lot of them wear masks.

Why do they wear it: Official explanation is because they need to hide their faces. The unofficial explanation is because masks give identity, a way for the reader to tell who the character is on the page. Have you noticed that when the characters are out of their masks and costumes, they’re wearing civilian clothing with the same color scheme as their costume? Clint Barton wears purple and Green Arrow wears green. Masks are essentially their faces.

Exceptions to the rule: There are exceptions to the official rule; there are characters who don’t need to wear masks because their identities are public anyway. You’ve got Captain America, Wolverine, Green Lantern, and a few others. They still wear masks, though, mainly for recognition and symbolism.

Masks and the costumes are mainly used just for the coolness factor. In one particular Wolverine story, Nick Fury said the heroes wear the costumes to give themselves a psychological edge.

When you should wear it: If you want to protect your identity, wear it all the time. Wear something effective like a full face mask. Those things that just cover up your eyes just won’t cut it.

Boots and gloves

Why they wear it: I guess it really is just an aesthetic enhancement more than anything. However, it can be explained that heroes who protect their identities wear it to prevent leaving fingertips. Gloves and boots also provide extensive protection against a multitude of things. This is about as safe as superheroes get; most of them don’t even wear Kevlar.

Exception to the rule: These days, heroes are starting to go more and more with the gloveless look, especially true for the mutants. It’s not really a requirement these days.

When you should wear it: I guess it depends on how much bad-guy punching you’ll be doing, but they’re generally recommended.

So now you’re ready to get that costume together and go out into the world to correct the world’s villainy! Just remember to call your mom to pick you up after you’re done.