History Main / CivvieSpandex

This page may also contain examples of characters who identify as superheroes but do not wear a typical costume of any kind, as NotWearingTights is a different trope entirely. (This type, such as the quoted Jenny Sparks, tend to have a set civilian outfit that does the same job.) See CoatHatMask for the minimum amount of spandex needed for this trope to apply. Also, SpandexLatexOrLeather for other issues involving costuming. Compare BetaOutfit. [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused with]] civilians who wear spandex.

* Cure Western from ''FanFic/PrettyCureHollywoodStars'' is the first Cure, canon or fanfic, to wear a more normal-looking outfit as her battle attire. ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' fans will recognize the costume for both her Cure and Super Cure forms as being based largely on Misty's usual [[{{Shorttank}} crop top and short-shorts]] from the first five seasons.

* Cure Western from ''FanFic/PrettyCureHollywoodStars'' is the first Cure, canon or fanfic, to wear a more normal-looking outfit as her battle attire. ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' fans will recognize the costume for both her Cure and Super Cure forms as being based largely on Misty's [[BareYourMidriff usual outfit]] from the first five seasons.

** Similar attire was adopted by ComicBook/MrA and ComicBook/TheQuestion in the late 1960s (both characters were created by the legendary Creator/SteveDitko, and bear a few more similarities to each other besides their mode of dress), and later still by Rorschach of ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' (an {{Expy}} of the Question and Mr. A) and Greyshirt from ''ComicBook/TomorrowStories''.

** Misfit from the ''ComicBook/BirdsOfPrey'' wears a cape, mask, and gloves, over a T-shirt, sneakers, and knee-length leggings. She also likes to shout 'Darrrrrk Vennngeannnce!' as she lands a foot upside some unsuspecting minion's head. The combined effect can be disconcerting.

** ''ComicBook/{{Stormwatch}}'': As quoted, Jenny Sparks (with one or two exceptions in her hundred years) has never worn a costume, favoring a completely white trouser suit and vest (she's also associated with [[WearingAFlagOnYourHead Union Jack T-shirts]] of varying designs). Jack Hawksmoor, her second-in-command, does the same with a black suit and white buttoned shirt.

*** The Linda Danvers [[ComicBook/Supergirl1996 Supergirl]]'s best-known costume consisted of shorts and a white belly shirt with the S-shield insignia on it.

*** The new ComicBook/{{Superboy}}, [[Characters/SupermanJonathanSamuelKent Jon Kent]], dresses in a similar outfit. He wears a cape over a Superman "S" shield shirt that he got from a secondhand store, and the rest of the outfit is just jeans and a pair of sneakers.

This page may also contain examples of characters who identify as superheroes but do not wear a typical costume of any kind, as NotWearingTights is a different trope entirely. (This type, such as the quoted Jenny Sparks, tend to have a set civilian outfit that does the same job.) See CoatHatMask for the minimum amount of spandex needed for this trope to apply. Also, SpandexLatexOrLeather for other issues involving costuming. Compare BetaOutfit. [[IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused with]] civilians who wear spandex.

* Miles Morales eventually does this in ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse''. Most versions of Miles just wear the standard spider suit, but this Miles adds a black-and-red hoodie, basketball shorts, and Nike-brand sneakers to his ensemble. The look has made its way back into the comics.

*** There was a point in the early '90s DorkAge of ''The Avengers'' where every member wore a leather jacket. This includes the ComicBook/{{Black Knight|MarvelComics}}. Yes, he wore a jacket over his armor. And you wonder why they did ''ComicBook/{{Onslaught}}''...

** Most versions of ComicBook/GhostRider wore standard biker clothes. They gave him a costume back in the late '90s, but... [[DorkAge it didn't work out]].

*** For a brief period towards the end of UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks, Sandman was [[ExecutiveMeddling executive meddled]] into garish yellow-and-purple tights. This was generally regarded as a DorkAge, including by the character himself.

This page may also contain examples of characters who identify as superheroes but do not wear a typical costume of any kind, as NotWearingTights is a different trope entirely. (This type, such as the quoted Jenny Sparks, tend to have a set civilian outfit that does the same job.) See CoatHatMask for the minimum amount of spandex needed for this trope to apply. Also, SpandexLatexOrLeather for other issues involving costuming. Compare BetaOutfit.

** In the '40s, the original [[ComicBook/SandmanMysteryTheatre Sandman]]'s ([[ComicBook/TheSandman no relation]]) original costume was a suit, [[BadassLongcoat long coat]], fedora and gloves... with a gas mask.

* [[Webcomic/AttackOfTheSuperWizards Big Red McLane]] wears a button-down shirt, jeans, and work boots while defeating [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien space gods]] or going to a MagicalLand.
* ''Webcomic/WrightAsRayne'' sees Alex Rayne working as a professional vigilante in a large purple trenchcoat.
* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', a [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2004-07-21 guest comic]] features the main cast as superheros with Tedd wearing a labcoat over spandex.

** Similar attire was adopted by ComicBook/MrA and ComicBook/TheQuestion in the late 1960s (both characters were created by the legendary Creator/SteveDitko, and bear a few more similarities to each other besides their mode of dress), and later still by Rorschach of ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'', an {{Expy}} of The Question and Mr. A. As does Greyshirt from ''ComicBook/TomorrowStories''.
** ''Radio/TheGreenHornet'' and Kato, in the 1960s TV series, were also dressed in normal clothes and a mask; in Kato's case, it was a chauffeur's uniform which goes back to the 1940s movie serials The Green Hornet debuted on radio circa three weeks prior to the debut of the Phantom and long before ComicBook/ActionComicsNumber1 -- the public thinks of him as a criminal for profit/racketeer, not a hero.

** Jack Knight of ''ComicBook/{{Starman}}'' sported a bomber jacket ("it gets mighty cold up there") and a pair of goggles ("that staff gets really bright") over civilian clothes -- this was in contrast with his father and brother, who as Starman wore the typical [[TheCape cape]] getup -- complete with a green fin on the headpiece. (As ''Film/TheRocketeer'' explained, the fin on the helmet helps you steer.)

** There is an obscure Creator/DCComics AntiHero named Wild Dog, who wore Army pants, a football shirt, and a hockey mask. Max Allan Collins created Wild Dog in ''Amazing Heroes'' #119, as a modern version of Radio/TheShadow, Radio/TheGreenHornet, Franchise/{{Zorro}} and Radio/TheLoneRanger. Collins [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] that Wild Dog did not wear spandex by having a young boy talking with some other youths and wondering why they thought that spandex and a cape made a sensible costume. Collins notes that "I don't see how any intelligent writer can approach a story about people in long underwear and capes without either removing their brain or putting their tongue in their cheek to a degree... ''[On (presumably) the Christopher Reeve ''Film/{{Superman}}'' films]'' The ''Superman'' movies have all, as far as I'm concerned, fallen to a degree into the ''Series/Batman1966'' TV show approach -- maybe not quite as broad... And I think they did that because there's no other way you can play it. It just doesn't work. I mean, look at that costume".

** For a mercifully brief period in [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1987 the '90s]], ComicBook/WonderWoman's uniform included a jacket and bicycle shorts. (Her usual outfit had been co-opted, along with her title, by [[ComicBook/{{Artemis}} another Amazon]].)
*** And in the "relevant" '70s, she [[DorkAge lost her superpowers and became a Kung Fu fighter for Women's Lib in a white pantsuit]].

** Persuasion (Kara Killgrave), of ''ComicBook/AlphaFlight'', initially dressed in punk clothes after [[AmazingTechnicolorPopulation her skin turned purple]] [[PubertySuperpower at puberty]] to try and pass off her appearance as a fashion choice.

*** And in the "[[WereStillRelevantDammit relevant]]" '70s, she [[DorkAge lost her superpowers and became a Kung Fu fighter for Women's Lib in a white pantsuit]].

** ''Radio/TheGreenHornet'' and Kato, in the 1960s TV series, were also dressed in normal clothes and a mask; in Kato's case, it was a chauffeur's uniform which goes back to the 1940s movie serials The Green Hornet debuted on radio 17 days prior to the debut of the Phantom and long before ComicBook/ActionComicsNumber1 -- the public thinks of him as a criminal for profit/racketeer, not a hero.

** ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} unveiled an alternate costume designed by artist Chris Samnee in 2015. It's a dapper red suit with black dress shirt and no mask.

** Cisco's outfit has resemblance to his comic book counterpart's outfit, but with long sleeves and [[MovieSuperheroesWearBlack more black]]. It's basically just a jacket and trousers with some NiceShoes, and at one point he is even seen without the jacket on, showing that he wears a black t-shirt under it. At his most comic-book-y, when he officially begins using the identity of Vibe and taking the field with regularity, his costume is the same idea as Captain Cold's: all the beats of the comic character (his ''ComicBook/New52'' look, anyway) done with more realistic clothing. Spandex becomes leather, big goggles become CoolShades (normal ones, not the TriangleShades of Vibe's classic look).

* Miles Morales eventually does this in ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse''. Most versions of Miles just wear the standard spider suit, but this Miles adds a black-and-red hoodie, basketball shorts, and sneakers to his ensemble. The look has made its way back into the comics.

* Johnny Quantum in ''WebOriginal/CapesAndCowls'' wears a spandex mask with a button-down and slacks.

** In ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', Wanda and Pietro wear ordinary clothes that resemble their comic book costumes instead of actual superhero duds, with blue and grey athletic gear for Pietro and a black dress and red leather jacket for Wanda. At the end of the film, [[spoiler:Wanda dons a more traditional red leather costume with BadassLongcoat after she joins the new Avengers team, and eventually dons a modern update on her classic comics uniform, tiara included, starting in the GrandFinale of ''Series/WandaVision'']].

This page may also contain examples of characters who identify as superheroes but do not wear a typical costume of any kind, as NotWearingTights is a different trope entirely. (This type, such as the quoted Jenny Sparks, tend to have a set civilian outfit that does the same job.) See CoatHatMask for the minimum amount of spandex needed for this trope to apply. Also, SpandexLatexOrLeather for other issues involving costuming. Compare BetaPutfit.

This page may also contain examples of characters who identify as superheroes but do not wear a typical costume of any kind, as NotWearingTights is a different trope entirely. (This type, such as the quoted Jenny Sparks, tend to have a set civilian outfit that does the same job.) See CoatHatMask for the minimum amount of spandex needed for this trope to apply. Also, SpandexLatexOrLeather for other issues involving costuming.

** When the ComicBook/WonderTwins became {{Canon Immigrant}}s to Franchise/TheDCU, they wore purple jeans and logo-bearing shirts resembling their ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'' uniforms.

* Perhaps the first such character was actually ''ComicBook/TheSpirit'', who in most of his 60+ year run has worn a fairly ordinary business suit, trench coat, and fedora, with only a DominoMask and gloves to even hint that he is in costume. Of course, he's not strictly a {{superhero}}, being more of a two-fisted pulp detective; creator Creator/WillEisner only added the mask as a token submission to his publisher's belief that a comic book hero is always a costumed hero. See also CoatHatMask.

** Of course, the ur-instance of this trope would be ''Radio/TheShadow'', even older than ''The Spirit'', who dresses in a black and red suit, cape, and fedora with the only unusual garment being a silk mask over his lower face. The Shadow debuted in the pulps and on radio, not comic books or comic strips.

[[folder:Podcasts]]
* ''Podcast/RedPandaAdventures'' has the title character wearing this outfit.
[[/folder]]

* Cure Western from ''FanFic/PrettyCureHollywoodStars'' is the first Cure, canon or fanfic, to wear a more normal-looking outfit as her battle attire. ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' fans will recognize the costume for both her Cure and Super Cure forms as being based largely on Misty's [[BareYourMidriff usual]] [[WhoWearsShortShorts outfit]] from the first five seasons.

Superheroes who couple a typical [[TheCape Cape's]] outfit with mundane clothes such as jeans and sneakers. This may also be an attempt to keep a classic design but update (or obscure) an otherwise flashy outfit.

The most prominent example is jackets, and most of the characters who wore them were originally the younger set created in the early 90s. Franchise/MarvelUniverse characters are especially notable for this, although the first popular character to do so may have been Franchise/TheDCU's Comicbook/AnimalMan.

* Perhaps the first such character was actually ''ComicBook/TheSpirit'', who in most of his 60+ year run has worn a fairly ordinary business suit, trenchcoat, and fedora, with only a DominoMask and gloves to even hint that he is in costume. Of course, he's not strictly a {{superhero}}, being more of a two-fisted pulp detective; creator Creator/WillEisner only added the mask as a token submission to his publisher's belief that a comic book hero is always a costumed hero. See also CoatHatMask.
** Similar attire was adopted by ComicBook/MrA and ComicBook/TheQuestion in the late 1960s (both characters were created by the legendary Creator/SteveDitko, and bear a few more similarities to each other besides their mode of dress), and later still by Rorschach of ''Comicbook/{{Watchmen}}'', an {{Expy}} of The Question and Mr. A. As does Greyshirt from ''Comicbook/TomorrowStories''.
** ''Radio/TheGreenHornet'' and Kato, in the 1960s TV series, were also dressed in normal clothes and a mask; in Kato's case, it was a chauffeur's uniform which goes back to the 1940s movie serials
** The Green Hornet debuted on radio 17 days prior to the debut of the Phantom and long before Action Comics #1. The public thinks of him as a criminal for profit/racketeer, not a hero.
** In the '40s, the original [[ComicBook/SandmanMysteryTheatre Sandman]]'s ([[ComicBook/TheSandman no relation]]) original costume was a suit, [[BadassLongcoat Long Coat]], fedora and gloves -- with a gas mask.

** The Crimson Avenger and Wing, who were [[CaptainErsatz closely modeled on]] the Hornet and Kato, started out with the trenchcoat-and-fedora look, but quickly gained costumes to distinguish themselves, with a ChestInsignia resembling a sunburst. When the [[LegacyCharacter modern Crimson Avenger]] was introduced, she claimed the insignia was a stylised bullethole and wore CivvieSpandex comprising leather pants, a BadassLongcoat, and a T-shirt with a ''real'', blood-spattered bullethole.
** Of course, the ur-instance of this trope would be ''Radio/TheShadow'', even older than ''The Spirit'', who dresses in a black and red suit, cape, and fedora with the only unusual garment being a silk mask over his lower face.
** The Shadow debuted in the pulps and on radio, not comic books or comic strips.
** The GoldenAge ComicBook/BlueBeetle originally wore a business suit and fedora, and only gained his iconic superhero costume later.
* ''Comicbook/TheAvengers'' had ComicBook/WonderMan, who wore a red safari jacket over a black tee-shirt and jeans through the late 1970s and early 1980s. When he was a member of the Mighty Avengers he wore the red safari jacket, but in his own mini-series that largely took place ''in his own house'', he walked around in his spandex uniform.
** There was a point in the early '90s DorkAge of the Avengers where every member wore a leather jacket. This includes the Black Knight. Yes, he wore a jacket over his armor. And you wonder why they did ''ComicBook/{{Onslaught}}''...
** Black Knight started wearing a leather jacket again, in the pages of ''Comicbook/CaptainBritainAndMI13'', but over ordinary clothes. He still wears his helmet, though.
* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': The very first few issues of the series had the team working in regular clothing. Justified, as the entire premise of the book was to do away with superhero cliches like costumes and secret identities. The writing team was forced to add the now-iconic blue and black tights after numerous protests by fans.
* ''ComicBook/XMen'':
** ComicBook/RachelSummers, the alternate-future daughter of Scott "ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}" Summers and ComicBook/JeanGrey, did her thing for a long time in a plain, unmarked Danskins leotard set (and she referred to it by that brand name). She only changed to a "real" costume when she formally took on the "Phoenix" sobriquet.
** ComicBook/{{Gambit}} from ''X-Men'' wears a [[BadassLongcoat long coat]] over muscle-molded body armor.
** Again from ''X-Men'', ComicBook/{{Rogue}} wore a leather bomber jacket over her tights for a good portion of the 90s.
*** She also wore a trench coat similar to Gambit's over her uniform for a short period of time.
** When Creator/GrantMorrison, who as mentioned below did a lot to popularize this trope, took over writing ''New X-Men'', most of the team switched from skin-tight "body armor" to leather jackets and trousers. Except Emma Frost, who after years actually wearing clothes in ''Generation X'', switched to [[{{Stripperific}} her most minimalist outfit yet]].
** Happened for a while in most ''X-Men'' comics after the first movie, which had them in leather, as an intentional movie tie-in. Marvel later [[ExecutiveMeddling made an edict]] changing them back to costumes, [[MerchandiseDriven because costumes are much better for merchandising]].
** ComicBook/{{Storm|MarvelComics}}'s initial definitive shift from her gentle TeamMom/Nature Goddess persona during the '80s was punctuated with both an ImportantHaircut and abandonment of her outfit for a black leather tube-top/vest/tight pants/boots ensemble. Some readers took it as her [[LesYay coming out]] as well, especially after her "night out" with Yukio.
** ComicBook/{{Jubilee|MarvelComics}}'s signature look is a bright yellow coat worn over her uniform. Her original costume was just a magenta top and blue shorts with the yellow coat.
** Comicbook/{{X 23}} has spent almost as much time out of costume as she has in one.
*** Her [[Comicbook/{{NYX}} first appearance]] saw her spend the entire book in a {{Stripperific}} ensemble of a miniskirt, fishnets, and coat over a corset/tank top (justified as she was a prostitute at the time). She spent some time in a variation of Wolverine's "wild" suit when she moved on to ''Uncanny X-Men'', but most of ''New X-Men'' was spent in what more or less amounted to leather PaintedOnPants and a sports bra, while sporting a similar outfit in ''ComicBook/AvengersAcademy''. She only wore what was, at the time, her official uniform twice during the Liu series, and spent the rest of the series in casual clothes.
*** Her second uniform during [[LegacyCharacter her time]] as [[ComicBook/AllNewWolverine Wolverine]] has shades of this, with her wearing what resembles a biker's protective jacket over it. That said, the jacket is actually part of the costume, and also happens to be bulletproof.
*** Almost literally with the costume designed by Mike Choi after she gave up [[TheChosenMany the Wolverine name]]: After surveying a number of women Laura's age for what they would ''actually'' wear as superheroes, his final design ended up being strongly based on Lululemon-style athletic wear.
* Nomad (formerly the [[LegacyCharacter third]] [[ComicBook/BuckyBarnes Bucky]]) wore a BadassLongcoat that was designed to resemble the cape sported by [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica the original Nomad]].
* Comicbook/AnimalMan: When the obscure character was revived in 1988 in his own series, writer Creator/GrantMorrison changed his image by having him wear a denim jacket over his spandex costume. This not only gave him a distinctive look, but it was also practical as it allowed him to have pockets.
** The pockets being for mainly carrying around his keys and notes from his wife.
** It's generally accepted that Animal Man popularized the leather jacket motif for superheroes throughout the nineties (which is ironic because he'd never ''touch'' leather). It seemed like every superhero suddenly got the urge for a biker jacket after A-Man. If there is another reason for ''Black Knight'' sporting a jacket over his ''medieval armor'', it is surely not a very good one.
*** Buddy Baker did temporarily switch to leather while [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge hunting and culling]] those responsible for killing his wife and kids. Said wife and kids [[ResetButton got better.]]
* Jack Knight of ''ComicBook/{{Starman}}'' sported a bomber jacket ("it gets mighty cold up there") and a pair of goggles ("that staff gets really bright") over civilian clothes -- this was in contrast with his father and brother, who as Starman wore the typical [[TheCape cape]] getup -- complete with a green fin on the headpiece. (As ''Film/TheRocketeer'' explained, the fin on the helmet helps you steer.)
* While Comicbook/AnimalMan popularised the trope, ComicBook/BlackCanary was wearing a jacket in 1947, albeit a satin one. In her post-Flashpoint solo ongoing, she began wearing just her regular clothing and stage outfits to fight, rather than a costume. It still retains her classic look though, thanks to the fact her 'regular clothing' is exclusively made up of leather jackets, leather short-shorts and/or pants, fishnets, and boots. It works surprisingly well as a means to justify the Stripperific nature of her attire.
* For a mercifully brief period in [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1987 the '90s]], Franchise/WonderWoman's uniform included a jacket and bicycle shorts. (Her usual outfit had been co-opted, along with her title, by [[ComicBook/{{Artemis}} another Amazon]].)
** And in the "[[WereStillRelevantDammit relevant]]" '70s she [[DorkAge lost her superpowers and became a Kung Fu fighter for Women's Lib in a white pantsuit]].
* The Post-Crisis ComicBook/{{Superboy|1994}} in Franchise/{{the DCU}} (Kon-El/Conner Kent) went through a number of uniform variants (mostly including leather jackets, like his original one, pictured above) before settling on a uniform ([[NotWearingTights or lack thereof]]) that appeared to be a black t-shirt with a red Superman-style "S" ChestInsignia, blue jeans and work boots, which became his trademark since he first joined the Comicbook/TeenTitans.
** In a deliberate homage to her fallen boyfriend, ComicBook/WonderGirl's ''One Year Later'' costume consisted of jeans and a red tank top with her logo on it. Of course, most of her earlier outfits during the ''ComicBook/YoungJustice'' era were not much different.
** In the ComicBook/{{New 52}} continuity, Franchise/{{Superman}} himself started his superhero career in an outfit that's similar to Superboy's pre-reboot costume - jeans and a blue t-shirt with the typical ChestInsignia. He still wears the [[ClothesMakeTheLegend iconic cape]], as it's the only part of his outfit that's as NighInvulnerable as he is. It's also the blanket he was found in when his adoptive parents found him as a baby, giving it sentimental value. Post-''Comicbook/{{Convergence}}'', he returns to this costume, but absent the cape.
** The new Superboy, Jon Lane Kent, dresses in a similar outfit. He wears a cape over a Superman "S" shield shirt that he got from a secondhand store, and the rest of the outfit is just jeans and a pair of sneakers.
** Before Superboy, the Golden Age Superman replacement "Iron" Munro from the ''ComicBook/AllStarSquadron'' sequel series ''The Young All-Stars'' also wore an ordinary T-shirt and pants. He did try out a costume in one storyline, but it was [[ClothingDamage promptly destroyed]] and he decided to go back to civvies.
* The Linda Danvers [[ComicBook/Supergirl1996 Supergirl]]'s best-known costume consisted of shorts and a white belly shirt with the S-shield insignia on it.
* Misfit, of the ''ComicBook/BirdsOfPrey'', wears a cape, mask, and gloves, over a T-shirt, sneakers, and knee-length leggings. She also likes to shout 'Darrrrrk Vennngeannnce!!!' as she lands a foot upside some unsuspecting minion's head. The combined effect can be disconcerting.
* Jason Todd's original ComicBook/RedHood getup consisted of combat boots, cargo pants, a bomber jacket, and a motorcycle helmet. After the ''ComicBook/New52'', his costume was changed to incorporate an armored bodysuit and his helmet was upgraded, but he kept the jacket.
* The second ComicBook/MisterTerrific started out wearing ordinary clothes, including a leather jacket with his predecessor's "Fair Play" logo on the back. He now sports a full costume, including a stylised jacket with "Fair Play" on the sleeves and "Terrific" on the back.
* The ''ComicBook/{{Sleepwalker}}'' villains Lullaby and Bookworm were examples of villains who didn't wear costumes, doing their nefarious deeds in their regular street clothes.
* When the ComicBook/WonderTwins became {{Canon Immigrant}}s to Franchise/TheDCU, they wore purple jeans and logo-bearing shirts resembling their ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'' uniforms.

* In the '90s a number of characters adopted the Leather Trenchcoat or Duster look. It was essentially the modern replacement for the cape.

* Spider-Man related characters:
** Subverted in Comicbook/SpiderGirl's Spider-Shoppe, where civilians can buy Spider-Girl costumes and clothes. Turns out it was founded by the heroine's mom to pay for her college education. May's seen sporting Avengers and Fantastic Five gear sometimes, as well.
** Until he took over the Spider-Man title, [[ComicBook/ScarletSpider Ben Reilly's]] costume was the standard spandex affair, all red, with a blue sleeveless hoodie with a spider on it. Though a lot of fans didn't realize it, the costume was actually ''[[StylisticSuck supposed]]'' [[StylisticSuck to look cheesy]] - the idea being that Ben didn't have time to make a real costume, but he ended up wearing it for so long that the justification stopped making sense.
** There was one time were Peter Parker didn't have his costume on hand, so he had to cobble together one by putting on the mask and gloves from his black suit over his civilian clothes.
** [[ComicBook/DoctorOctopus Dr. Octopus]]' costume has traditionally consisted of a lab coat or sometimes just a plain suit. During the '70s and '80s, he wore green spandex, but otherwise, he stuck to civvies.
** ComicBook/SpiderManNoir's "costume" is a black bomber jacket and dark grey flight suit that his Uncle Ben wore in World War I, reinforced with some leather straps and coupled with a mask and opaque goggles. He also occasionally goes for a CoatHatMask ensemble when he's trying not to draw attention.
* As quoted, Jenny Sparks (with one or two exceptions in her hundred years) has never worn a costume, favouring a completely white trousersuit and vest (she's also associated with [[WearingAFlagOnYourHead Union Jack T-shirts]] of varying designs). (Jack Hawksmoor, her second-in-command, does the same with a black suit and white buttoned shirt.)
** [[ComicBook/TheAuthority Jenny Quantum]], successor to the above, also eschews spandex in favour of civilian clothing; however, her trademark combination of a yellow t-shirt and black leather jacket is a [[DaddysGirl rather sweet]] callback to her parents' costumes. In the ComicBook/{{New 52}} ''ComicBook/{{Stormwatch}}'' she wears a Singapore flag hoodie.
* The ''ComicBook/FlamingCarrot'' wears just a white button-up shirt and purple pants. Oh, and a 4-foot tall carrot mask (with a torch on the top). Also, a pair of flippers. The only function they serve is to keep things from being too easy for him.
* In ''[[http://johnnysaturn.com/2006/01/18/book-one-page-01/ Johnny Saturn]]'', Triops, tired of being tressed as a foppy stage magician, turns to wearing average clothing and a trenchcoat.
* None of the ComicBook/{{Runaways}} wear any particular costume. They ''attempt'' to use code-names in their first major story arc, but quickly abandon them (except for the CuteBruiser who likes calling herself "Princess Powerful.")
* The Vigilante, Greg Saunders, wore a pair of jeans and normal clothes.
* While he's usually portrayed with a full-body suit, Comicbook/ThePunisher is shown as just wearing a T-shirt with a skull on it in his more "serious" outings including most appearances in ''Comicbook/ThePunisherMAX''.
* ComicBook/TheSavageDragon wears normal clothes unless he's in his police uniform. He went through one arc wearing a patriotic spandex costume after joining the superhero team [=SOS=]. It was [[ClothingDamage torn apart]] in that story, which was okay with the Dragon since he hated wearing spandex anyway.
** Since the Savage Dragon is a humanoid ''dragon'' (with green scaly skin and a fin/crest on his head), it doesn't really matter ''what'' he wears; everybody's going to recognize him anyway, kind of like Ben Grimm of the Fantastic Four (whose costume for much of the Silver Age was basically a pair of dark blue shorts).
* [[Comicbook/IncredibleHulk The Hulk]], in most incarnations, just wears a pair of [[MagicPants pants.]] Some versions added a tank top or short-sleeved shirt. As Joe Fixit, he wore suits. It was only during his time on the planet Sakkar (and maybe during the Pantheon era) that he wore any sort of costume: gladiator armor.
** In Creator/MarkWaid's Comicbook/MarvelNOW relaunch of the character, the Hulk wore ComicBook/{{SHIELD}}-issue body armor.
* There was an obscure Creator/DCComics AntiHero named Wild Dog, who wore Army pants, a football shirt, and a hockey mask. Max Allan Collins created Wild Dog in ''Amazing Heroes'' #119, as a modern version of Radio/TheShadow, Radio/TheGreenHornet, Franchise/{{Zorro}} and Radio/TheLoneRanger. Collins [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] that Wild Dog did not wear spandex by having a young boy talking with some other youths and wondering why they thought that spandex and a cape made a sensible costume. Collins notes that "I don't see how any intelligent writer can approach a story about people in long underwear and capes without either removing their brain or putting their tongue in their cheek to a degree……. [On [presumably] the Christopher Reeve ''Film/{{Superman}}'' films] The ''Superman'' movies have all, as far as I'm concerned fallen to a degree into the ''Series/Batman1966'' TV show approach-maybe not quite as broad…..And I think they did that because there's no other way you can play it. It just doesn't work. I mean, look at that costume".
* Most versions of Comicbook/GhostRider wore standard biker clothes. They gave him a costume back in the late '90s but... [[DorkAge it didn't work out.]]
** [[Comicbook/AllNewGhostRider Robbie Reyes' Rider]] drives a car rather than a motorbike, so he wears a racing outfit instead.
* ComicBook/{{Hellboy}} usually [[MonsterModesty doesn't wear much]] and has a UtilityBelt but his main feature is [[BadassLongcoat a big, brown coat.]]

* ''ComicBook/XFactor'':
** In the late 2000s run, Jamie Madrox wears a T-shirt with the circles-joined-by-lines logo of his old Multiple Man costume.
** The whole team eventually went in this direction. [[http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h296/Midnight_Spirit/Review/groupshot-3.png By the end, they mostly wore stylized jackets or vests]].

* Comicbook/{{Madman}} sometimes wears a leather jacket over his costume. Additionally, his costume really is his civilian attire so in a way, he's always wearing civvie spandex.
* Grifter from ''ComicBook/WildcatsWildStorm'' has the longcoat, cargo pants, combat boots version, combined with a CoolMask.
* ComicBook/AmericaChavez from ''Comicbook/YoungAvengers'' varies her outfits, but they usually include some kind of Stars-and-Stripes-inspired T-shirt, a hoodie, sneakers, and short-shorts.
** [[WordOfGod The series' artist]] has mentioned he explicitly designed Miss America's outfit with [[{{Cosplay}} Cosplayers]] in mind.
** As a makeshift costume, Kate Bishop wore her bridesmaid dress with Mockingbird's domino mask along with a bunch of other equipment from the Avengers' locker room. In the second volume of ''Young Avengers'', her costume is a mod-influenced [[SpyCatsuit Catsuit]].
* Both Reptil and Mettle from ''ComicBook/AvengersAcademy'' wear jeans and T-shirts rather than costumes, though Reptil at least has a shirt that resembles part of an actual costume.
* Probably one of the most prominent users of this trope is ComicBook/LukeCage, who has never worn a 'proper' costume, instead wearing normal civvies, usually ones with yellow. He did formerly wear a headband ([[VideoGame/SpiderManWebOfShadows *cough*Tiara*cough*]]) but has since abandoned it. He also sometimes wears a jacket, but mostly, he just wears whatever he was wearing at the moment he saw trouble. It helps that his ID is public, so he doesn't have to worry about any secret identity issues.
* Daimon Hellstrom's more recent appearances have just had him in dark jeans and a [[BadassLongcoat trench-coat]] (he [[NoShirtLongJacket goes shirtless]] to show off the pentagram mark on his chest). He also commonly wears sunglasses.
* [[ComicBook/AntMan Hank Pym]], though still operating as Giant-Man, forgoes the costume when appearing in ''ComicBook/AvengersAI''. He also went full civvies for his entire run with the ComicBook/WestCoastAvengers, as he had officially retired from superheroing, and was working as a consultant to the team, though he did still see a bit of action (usually wearing a red jumpsuit).
* ComicBook/{{Midnighter}}, in his Creator/{{Wildstorm}} era, wore a civilianised costume derived from Franchise/{{Batman}}'s, usually consisting of a cowl mask with a black leather trenchcoat, logo T-shirt, black jeans or combats, and combat boots. After Wildstorm was fully absorbed into the DCU, his costumes became more superhero-like.
* ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} unveiled an alternate costume designed by artist Chris Samnee in 2015. It's a dapper red suit with black dress shirt and no mask.
* Kris Anka's ComicBook/SpiderWoman redesign was meant to evoke this, with the idea being that the torso area of the costume is actually a reversible garment that can be disguised as an ordinary jacket for undercover missions.
* Barbara Gordon's ComicBook/{{Batgirl}} has retooled her look to more resemble this since moving to a trendy neighborhood of Burnside in ''ComicBook/BatgirlRebirth'' #35.
* When Khalid Nassour starts out as ComicBook/DoctorFate, he wears the helmet and amulet of Fate over a blue hoodie and trousers, a civvie version of the traditional Doctor Fate costume.

* ComicBook/{{Nextwave}}'s uniform is a duster over clothes. In the case of The Captain, it's a t-shirt and camouflage pants, for everyone else, it's spandex.

* Before becoming ComicBook/{{Batwoman}}, Kate Kane fought crime dressed in stolen military gear and other tactical clothing.
* Persuasion (Kara Killgrave), of ''ComicBook/AlphaFlight'', initially dressed in punk clothes after her skin turned purple at puberty to try and pass off her appearance as a fashion choice.
* In ''ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsBatman'', the hero Legionary used to wear an outfit based on that of a Roman soldier, but now wears only his old cape and helmet over jeans, sneakers, and an "I ❤ Rome" T-shirt. Unlike most examples of this trope, it's intended to accentuate his status as a FallenHero, as if he's [[FormerlyFit too fat]] or [[JadedWashout too resigned]] to bother squeezing into his old suit of armor.

* The ComicBook/MilesMorales of ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' eventually does this. Most versions of Miles just wear the standard spider suit, but this Miles adds a black-and-red hoodie, basketball shorts, and sneakers to his ensemble. The look has made its way back into the comics.

* Used in the [[Film/SpiderMan2 second]] and [[Film/SpiderMan3 third]] films from the ''Film/SpiderManTrilogy''. ComicBook/DoctorOctopus wears a leather trenchcoat, sunglasses, and sometimes a fedora. The Sandman, meanwhile, sticks to a pair of khakis and a green striped shirt while in Flint Marko form.

** Lampshaded in ''Film/XMen1''. What did you expect, yellow spandex?
** In Film/XMenOriginsWolverine, Film/TheWolverine and Film/{{Logan}}, Wolverine takes this even further by not even wearing the leather costume. He just fights bad guys while wearing ordinary street clothes usually consisting of jeans, boots, and white tank top.
** ''Film/XMenFirstClass'' does however put them in blue and yellow outfits resembling the [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] costumes from the comics.

** In ''Film/DarkPhoenix'', Comicbook/{{Magneto}} no longer wears a costume at all, instead opting for black civilian clothing with his trademark helmet as the only real fantastic detail.
* ''Film/BatmanBegins'' has Jonathan Crane in a rather professional suit, dapper with a stitchy burlap sack and faux-noose.
* In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', the fake Batmen wore hockey pads to battle crime, although they did have capes and masks as well.

* ''Film/GhostRider'''s biker gear, although of course that's how the comic character dresses as well.
* The titular character of ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' wears in the second half of the movie a leather suit similar to the ones the film versions of the X-Men wore, though it had small yellow stripes and an eagle emblem on the back. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in the post-credits scene.
* In ''Film/{{Unbreakable}}'', the main character's green rain poncho becomes his de facto superhero costume, as [[spoiler: Mr. Glass's purple outfits become his villain's costume.]]
* [[Film/ThePunisher1989 The first]] and [[Film/ThePunisher2004 second]] film version of ''Comicbook/ThePunisher'' had Frank Castle wearing civvies the entire time (Creator/DolphLundgren version) or threw on a black skull t-shirt over standard police kevlar (Thomas Jane version). [[Film/PunisherWarZone The third one]] gave him a more "superhero-y" costume.

** Justified in ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger''. Steve Rogers starts off wearing corny CaptainPatriotic tights for USO propaganda shows because he's never meant to see combat. When he rushes off on an unauthorized mission to save some [=POWs=], he puts on a leather jacket and other 'borrowed' military gear on top of the outfit. After this, he becomes a genuine SuperSoldier and so designs a more practical uniform for combat, but keeps the CaptainPatriotic motif because he admits the shtick has grown on him (and because he's still being used for propaganda, albeit of a more genuine kind).
** ComicBook/TheFalcon's outfit in ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'' consists of his trademark flight-pack, a shirt, a pair of military pants, gloves, knee pads, and some combat boots. Although, in ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', [[spoiler: He dons a more "costume" looking version, with red accents on the wings, after he joins the Avengers]].
** Comicbook/StarLord doesn't wear a proper costume in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'', instead opting for a red BadassLongCoat and a metal helmet, which is the uniform of Yondu's faction of Ravagers. The comics version of Star-Lord quickly adopted the same look.
** In ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', ComicBook/{{Quicksilver}} and ComicBook/ScarletWitch wear ordinary clothes that resemble their comic book costumes instead of actual superhero duds, with blue and grey athletic gear for Quicksilver and a black dress and red leather jacket for Scarlet Witch. At the end of the film, [[spoiler: Scarlet Witch dons a more traditional red leather costume with BadassLongcoat, after she joins the new Avengers team, and eventually dons a modern update on her classic comics uniform, tiara included, starting in the GrandFinale of ''Series/WandaVision''.]].

** Although Comicbook/{{Mysterio}} starts ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'' with a comic-accurate fishbowl-and-cape outfit, [[spoiler: he spends his two fights with Spider-Man wearing a motion capture suit with eye symbols and a clear helmet; the comics suit is actually either an illusion or showpiece, depending on his needs]].

* For almost two decades, The Riddler wore green spandex covered with question marks, a purple belt, and a purple "burglar" mask. When Frank Gorshin portrayed him on the '60s ''Series/Batman1966'' TV series, he switched between the traditional outfit and a classy CivvieSpandex ensemble: green suit, purple shirt, bowler hat, and a tie with a prominent question mark on it. Rumor has it that Gorshin disliked the spandex so much that he designed the new outfit himself. The Gorshin ensemble eventually became a CanonImmigrant, and these days, you rarely see Edward wearing spandex in the comics.
* Huntress on ''Series/BirdsOfPrey2002'' wore black leather and, oddly, no mask. Somehow she still had a secret identity. Lampshaded by the others. Her alter-ego barely stands up to scrutiny.

** The nascent Franchise/{{Justice League|of America}} members dress in either casual clothes with CoolShades and hoodies that make them look like the League of Unabombers, or color-coded sports gear, [[http://smallville.wikia.com/wiki/Justice_League viz]]. Clark always did his thing in red-and-blue [[NotWearingTights civvies]], [[http://smallville.wikia.com/wiki/The_Blur#The_Red-Blue_Blur.2FThe_Blur until season 9]].
** ComicBook/BlackCanary's look is pretty close to the comic version save shorter hair and facepaint shaped like a domino mask, though the fact that her costume consists of a rather {{Stripperiffic}} outfit with [[StockingFiller fishnets]] is most likely the cause.
** ComicBook/GreenArrow goes full-out in this mode in the Season 10 episode "[[Recap/SmallvilleS10E13Beacon Beacon]]". Wisely, because at that point both his civilian AND his superhero identity were among the most-wanted by the [[SuperRegistrationAct Vigilante Registration Act]] officers. He adopts a basic hoodie in order to fight crime (as well as just to set foot outdoors in general).

* In ''Series/{{Gotham}}'', the young [[Comicbook/{{Catwoman}} Selina Kyle]] wears a black hoodie and a pair of goggles, serving as a bit of {{foreshadowing}} for her eventual role as Catwoman when she becomes an adult.
* In ''[[Series/TheFlash2014 The Flash]]'' (2014):
** [[http://agentsofgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1795717_498510573586343_1795550166_n.jpg Barry's costume]] is a bit less "spandexy" his comic book version or the [[Series/TheFlash1990 1990 version]]. According to Cisco, it was originally designed for a different purpose, but, being friction- and abrasion-resistant, it's perfect for Barry's use. Averted with [[WeatherManipulation Clyde Mardon]] (regular clothes) and the [[MesACrowd Multiplex]] (tactical black outfit), but played straight with [[KillItWithIce Captain Cold]], who wears his comic book version's blue parka with a thick fur-lined hood and CoolShades (the latter being a necessity to protect his eyes from the FreezeRay's glare). Basically, every beat of the comic costume is replicated with off-the-rack clothing.

** Cisco's outfit has resemblance to his comic book counterpart's outfit, but with long sleeves and [[MovieSuperheroesWearBlack more black]]. It's basically just a jacket and trousers with some NiceShoes, and at one point he is even seen without the jacket on, showing that he wears a black t-shirt under it. At his most comic-book-y, when he officially begins using the identity of Vibe and taking the field with regularity, his costume is the same idea as Captain Cold's: all the beats of the comic character (his New 52 look, anyway) done with more realistic clothing. Spandex becomes leather, big goggles become CoolShades (normal ones, not the KaminaShades of Vibe's classic look.)

* Played with on ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD''
** When Mike Peterson first shows up, he's called "The Hooded Hero" because he wears a hoodie. After joining S.H.I.E.L.D. (briefly), he gets a jumpsuit. Then after he gets [[spoiler: blown up and [[WeCanRebuildHim rebuilt as Deathlok]]]], he starts wearing a suit of tactical body armor.

* Cole [=McGrath=] from ''VideoGame/InFamous''.
* Alex Mercer in ''VideoGame/{{Prototype}}''.
** James Heller in [[VideoGame/{{Prototype 2}} the sequel]].
** Alex Mercer and James Heller technically don't wear clothes; their powers allow them to grow their flesh into what appears to be normal clothing.
* The President of the United States in ''Videogame/SaintsRowIV'' has access to superpowers while in the [[LotusEaterMachine Zin's simulation]] (and thus, most of the game), and thanks to the heavy customization, the player can fight the Zin Empire in anything from blue jeans and a T-shirt, medieval knight armor, or while [[FullFrontalAssault full nude]].

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan's'' Doctor Octopus tops his [[MultiArmedAndDangerous four-armed]] [[ArtificialLimbs robotic harness]] and jumpsuit with an ordinary [[BadassLongcoat trenchcoat]], probably inspired by [[Film/SpiderMan2 his cinematic incarnation]]. Instead of huge goggles, he sports CoolShades.
* On ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited'', Hawkgirl ditched the helmet and traded her earlier outfit for something you might go jogging in.

** Also while Harm wears a proper costume in the comics, his getup in the show consists of jeans, combat boots, and a BadassLongCoat.
** Likewise, the abductees who later get superpowers (three of whom are based on Samurai, El Dorado, and Apache Chief of the WesternAnimation{{/Superfriends}}, and the other one who is [[WesternAnimation/StaticShock Static]], since Black Lightning already exists in the series) wear normal clothing. Since the bad guys already know what they look like, it's pointless to attempt a disguise.

* In ''ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsBatman'', the hero Legionary used to wear an outfit based on that of a Roman soldier, including ''lorica segmentata'', pteruges, and sandals, but now wears only his old cape and helmet over jeans, sneakers, and an "I ❤ Rome" T-shirt. Unlike most examples of this trope, it's intended to accentuate his status as a FallenHero, as if he's [[FormerlyFit too fat]] or [[JadedWashout too resigned]] to bother squeezing into his old suit of armor.