The Evolution of the Superman ‘S’ into a Fashion Icon

"I never thought I’d feel that way, but then I saw him in that little outfit," Whoopi Goldberg admits in the documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. She’s referring to the iconic electric blue lycra bodysuit and red cape Christopher Reeve wore in 1978’s Superman—the first live-action adaptation of the legendary comic book hero.

Since then, Superman’s signature blue, red, and yellow ensemble has stood the test of time, remaining remarkably consistent. While Batman ditched his tights for dark, military-inspired armor, Superman has stayed loyal to his form-fitting suit. And although the shades of blue have varied over the years—from cobalt to the more subdued indigo of Dean Cain’s Lois & Clark costume—the superhero’s uniform remains instantly recognizable to every generation. In fact, the only film where Superman doesn't don his red-belted trunks is Zack Snyder's 2013 Man of Steel.

The updated costume in Man of Steel, designed by Michael Wilkinson, was intended to reflect Kryptonian culture. The alien armor was inspired by the muscle-bound physiques of Krypton’s race, with the absence of trunks seen as the best fit for their vision. Wilkinson said, "We drew many versions of the suit, and when we tried it without the trunks, it just felt right."

Director James Gunn, working on the upcoming Superman reboot, views the revival of the trunks as an intentional choice to evoke a sense of approachability. "He wants to be a symbol of hope, positivity... so he dresses like a professional wrestler," Gunn explained. "He dresses in a way that makes people unafraid of him."

From Reeve's vibrant, primary-colored suit to the more textured armor in Man of Steel, the visual difference is striking. But Superman’s costume has had an influence far beyond film. High fashion designers have found inspiration in the superhero’s striking look, and the Met’s Fashion and Fantasy exhibition in 2008 featured works like Bernhard Willhelm’s royal blue dress, emblazoned with a bloodied Superman logo, alongside couture and movie costumes. Andrew Bolton, the exhibition’s curator, remarked on how superheroes, like fashion, allow for "metaphorical malleability"—reflecting issues of identity, sexuality, and nationalism.

Designer Jeremy Scott found his muse in Superman too, incorporating the hero’s imagery into Moschino’s Fall-Winter 2011 collection. His runway featured a sequined royal blue dress with a playful, altered “S” logo, alongside a cape-inspired tulle train. Similarly, Chanel’s 2012 show took place in a set resembling Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, with models walking among giant purple and black geodes.

But the Superman “S” logo has also been adopted by pop culture in a more ironic sense. In the '90s and early 2000s, the emblem appeared on merchandise and in fashion choices. Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins wore a black sweater with a pink-and-yellow "S" emblazoned across it, while Eminem crafted his own twisted version for his 2002 album. The symbol became a badge for those shaping pop culture, often with a playful twist.

As recently as the Fall 2023 and 2024 fashion weeks, Superman's influence was palpable. Marc Jacobs relaunched his classic Superman cashmere sweater, a product of collaboration with streetwear designer Nigo, sparking a new wave of Superman-inspired fashion. Vintage T-shirts featuring the emblem also made appearances outside major runway shows, proving that Superman’s iconic suit—whether revered or reimagined—still resonates today.

No, it’s not a bird, and it’s not a plane—it’s the unmistakable symbol of Superman, making waves not just in comic book lore but in the fashion world as well.