A love letter to: Superheroine costumes

First post in my blog series of "Love Letters to:" SUPERHEROINE COSTUMES. Specifically, sexist, skimpy, barely-there, basically-a-bikini, man designed character costumes.

It turns me on so much that the difference between male and female characters costumes- not just in superhero comic books but video games, movies etc.

Look at this hideous redesign some feminist did to 'fix' her costume. How can she breathe in that tight corset? Her arm mobility would be totally limited by an off the shoulder top, so silly. They pretend to be concerned with making it more realistic, but don't consider how she'd actually be able to move in it. If they'd given her normal sleeves I could at least understand it. Goes to show how shallow feminism like this is.

But look at this. Beautiful, sexy, elegant.  Of course she needs to be wearing a skin tight leotard, how else would she move and fight bad guys? Her boobs are out for maximum mobility guys, no other reason. Do we need to draw her bent over with a perfect shine on her ass as she shoots her weapon? Of course! That’s just how people look when they’re fighting right?

It’s important to remind women that no matter what they do or what they are, their appearance- and ability to please men with their appearance- comes first. Including sexualised costumes in comic books, tv shows etc is also especially great because it works in the same subtle way that posters in slutty outfits does- it normalises it. You don’t even notice it because it’s everywhere. The patriarchy works in wonderful ways. These are role models for kids.

Now of course all these characters were designed years ago. Funnily- in the 2010s feminist wave the writers either redesigned their costumes (boring) or tired to explain it away and justify it. “Uhhhh it’s actually feminist that she’s got a boob window! Cause it’s her choice!” - that was much better.

She never found anything to fill her hole? I don't buy that for a second. I'm sure plenty of men would've helped her if she'd just asked nicely.

It’s an easy and fun way to promote the patriarchy in day to day life; even when women have literal superpowers- they still exist to be objects for men.

It’s even better when their storylines are subtly sexist too. They don’t have to be old fashioned damsels in distress but they still need saving sometimes, or they’re side kicks or love interest to male characters. I can’t think of lots of examples because I don’t read comic books. That’s boy stuff. (Except for the Matt Fraction, David Aja Hawkeye series. Love those.)

And of course these costumes are great because it gives women more opportunities to dress up slutty. (Or dress down slutty haha) at comic cons, on halloween, for costume parties.

Although, one look on Pinterest will tell you we don’t even need the costumes to be slutty to make them slutty. Aren’t women so creative!

Is Tony Stark blonde? Does Captain America wear fishnets? Or Spiderman or Poison Ivy for that matter?The answer is: it doesn't matter as long as you look cute. Kep it up girls! You're just as strong and clever as the boys. And he's gonna love that you dressed up as his favourite jerk off cartoon.