History Main / ShabbyHeroesWellDressedVillains

Countless stories depict heroes wearing casual clothes or serving as living embodiments of the RummageSaleReject, if not outright decked out in rags, while the villains dress as stylish and/or high-end as they come. There are many ways to display this trope: The RebelLeader may wear a patchwork cloak while the villain wears a jewel-encrusted cape, or the WorkingClassHero may wear a pair of overalls [[LimitedWardrobe every day]] while the villain has a closet full of suits. No matter what, the general class difference that fuels this trope is always present - possible explanation is that heroes are LaResistance against the villainous establishment.

* ''Franchise/StarWars'': As a general rule, Rebels dress casually, while members of the Galactic Empire are clad in either military uniforms or heavy armor. There are exceptions; royal characters affiliated to the Republic/Rebellion, like Princess Leia or Queen Amidala, will wear appropriately opulent costumes (although both are more often seen in civilian clothes), and Sith Lords wear simple black robes not that dissimilar to the monastic robes of the Jedi.

Compare PoliteVillainsRudeHeroes; PrivilegedRival; SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains, UglyHeroGoodLookingVillain, PuttingOnTheReich.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}'', Héctor's clothes are tattered and torn, and he wears a flaking straw hat, while [[spoiler:Ernesto de la Cruz wears a sparkling mariachi suit complete with a silver ribbon bowtie.]][[/folder]]

* ''TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' has [[TheHero Link]], who wears a patched and repaired green tunic over thin chainmail. [[TheHeavy Zant]] wears long black robes with an elaborate helmet, and [[spoiler: Ganondorf]] wears an ornate set of armor with a cape.

Countless stories depict heroes wearing casual clothes or serving as living embodiments of the RummageSaleReject, if not outright decked out in rags, while the villains dress as stylish and/or high-end as they come. There are many ways to display this trope: The RebelLeader may wear a patchwork cloak while the villain wears a jewel-encrusted cape, or the WorkingClassHero may wear a pair of overalls [[LimitedWardrobe every day]] while the villain has a closet full of suits. No matter what, the general class difference that fuels this trope is always present - possible explanation is that heroes are LaResistance against the villaionous establishment.

Countless stories depict heroes wearing casual clothes or serving as living embodiments of the RummageSaleReject, if not outright decked out in rags, while the villains dress as stylish and/or high-end as they come. There are many ways to display this trope: The RebelLeader may wear a patchwork cloak while the villain wears a jewel-encrusted cape, or the WorkingClassHero may wear a pair of overalls [[LimitedWardrobe every day]] while the villain has a closet full of suits. No matter what, the general class difference that fuels this trope is always present.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}'', Héctor's clothes are tattered and torn, and he wears a flaking straw hat while [[spoiler:Ernesto de la Cruz wears a sparkling tuxedo complete with a silver ribbon bowtie.]][[/folder]]

** ''Film/ThorRagnarok'': While searching for Odin on Earth, Thor dresses in simple, worn workman's clothes, while Loki sports an all-black suit.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}'', Héctor's clothes are tattered and torn, and he wears a flaking straw hat while [[spoiler:Ernesto de la Cruz wears a pressed tuxedo complete with a silver ribbon bowtie.]][[/folder]]

[[/folder]]

Compare PoliteVillainsRudeHeroes; PrivilegedRival; SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains, and PuttingOnTheReich.

This can overlap with RummageSaleReject, LimitedWardrobe, HomelessHero, ManOfWealthAndTaste, WickedCultured, and/or SlobsVersusSnobs. This is a SubTrope of DressCodedForYourConvenience. Compare PoliteVillainsRudeHeroes; PrivilegedRival; SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains, and PuttingOnTheReich.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan'' inverts this trope. The crew of the Enterprise are uniformed as always. The titular villain is a RummageSaleReject and his men follow suit in terms of dress.

* Creator/TotalTelevision's WesternAnimation/{{Underdog}} wears a superhero outfit that seems too big for him. His two primary nemeses are MadScientist Simon Bar Sinister in a proper white lab coat, and RoaringTwenties mobster Riff Raff in a dark pinstripe suit.

* ''Franchise/StarWars'': As a general rule, Rebels dress casually, while members of the Galactic Empire are clad in either military uniforms or heavy armor. There are exeptions; royal characters affiliated to the Republic/Rebellion, like Princess Leia or Queen Amidala, will wear appropriately opulent costumes (although both are more often seen in civilian clothes), and Sith Lords wear simple black robes not that dissimilar to the monastic robes of the Jedi.

Countless stories depict heroes wearing casual clothes or serving as living embodiments of the RummageSaleReject, if nt outright decked out in rags, while the villains dress as stylish and/or high-end as they come. There are many ways to display this trope: The RebelLeader may wear a patchwork cloak while the villain wears a jewel-encrusted cape, or the WorkingClassHero may wear a pair of overalls [[LimitedWardrobe every day]] while the villain has a closet full of suits. No matter what, the general class difference that fuels this trope is always present.

!!Examples

* Although not really bad looking, ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' uses Son Goku's traditional gi to contrast Vegeta's high-tech and pristine armor. When Vegeta cements his HeelFaceTurn, he switches to casual clothing.

[[folder:Film - Animated]]

* ''Film/AllDogsGoToHeaven'': Anne-Marie's dress is full of patches, while Carface's clothes are well suited to his casino owner's status.

[[folder:Film - Live-Action]]

Countless stories depict heroes wearing casual clothes or serving as living embodiments of the RummageSaleReject, if nt outright decked out in rags, while the villains dress as stylish and/or high-end as they come. There are many ways to display this trope; The RebelLeader may wear a patchwork cloak while the villain wears a jewel-encrusted cape, or the WorkingClassHero may wear a pair of overalls [[LimitedWardrobe every day]] while the villain has a closet full of suits. No matter what, the general class difference that fuels this trope is always present.

This can overlap with RummageSaleReject, LimitedWardrobe, HomelessHero, ManOfWealthAndTaste, WickedCultured, and/or SlobsVersusSnobs. This is a SubTrope of DressCodedForYourConvenience. Compare PoliteVillainsRudeHeroes, PrivilegedRival, SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains and PuttingOnTheReich.

* ''Film/AllDogsGoToHeaven'': Anne-Marie's dress is full of patches, while Carface's clothes are well-suited to his casino-owner's status.

* Total Television's ''WesternAnimation/{{Underdog}}'' wears a superhero outfit that seems too big for him. His two primary nemeses are MadScientist Simon Bar Sinister in a proper white lab coat, and RoaringTwenties mobster Riff Raff in a dark pinstripe suit.

* ''Series/{{Oz}}'': The prisoners often wear dull and shabby InstitutionalApparel or pieces of casual clothing if they're lucky, while the prison staff wear suits or clean jet-black uniforms. Although no one is without {{Jerkass}} moments, the latter group are still depicted more sympathetically than the former.