On the Star-Studded Swimsuit

Designated Sidekick has an interesting post up here. It highlights among other things, an...interesting alternate costume idea for Diana.

When I say interesting, I must be honest, I actually mean hideous. It really is the most hideous thing I could imagine for her.

That's way too much primary color. *Clashing* primary color. It hurts my eyes.

Not to mention, I can't imagine WHY Diana would wear such a thing. I mean, sure the corset and hotpants attire is a little silly. But at least I have a vague idea how it could be considered armor. At least when the corset is properly drawn to look like a breast plate, anyway. Sure, it doesn't do much actual protecting, but honestly, Diana is invulnerable. She doesn't NEED much protecting. She can go out fighting in a glorified bathing suit.

The linked costume though? The cape HAS to get in the way when fighting the way Diana does. (She's a hand to hand fighter with a smaller reach than most male opponents. The cape would just be something they could grab and trap her.) And as for the costume itself, it's not only ugly, it's also constricting. Assuming that it's unstable molecules, or whatever the DC equivalent is supposed to be, and actually does provide some armor, it's still got to be uncomfortable. I mean, it's fine for a woman like Sue Storm or Jean Grey. But Diana doesn't NEED that protection.

In a way, oddly. Diana's bathing suit has always set her apart for me. In a good way. I mean, okay, the men don't show the same amount of skin, and that's hardly fair. But Diana's costume means something to me aside from just indicating her physical invulnerability. In this climate, where it sometimes seems like a woman can't cross the street in a parka and snowsuit without being accosted by someone, it becomes even more a symbol of power to me.

Diana doesn't need to fear the eyes of men. She doesn't need to hide. She doesn't need to worry if that guy looking to long across the street is going to try something. She can run around in a bathing suit and fight crime if that's what she wants to do, because it's comfortable, it doesn't hinder her movements, and because it's cute.

I don't know if a man can really understand my feelings about this. I don't mean to be sexist, it's just...

My whole life, I grew up hearing "it could happen to you". I've heard all the statistics and the warnings from well-meaning parents, teachers, guidance counselors, resident advisors, over and over again.

"Never leave your drink unattended."
"Don't go off alone with a stranger."
"Don't accept rides from strangers."
"Always tell someone where you're going."
"Always bring a friend."
"Don't walk by the river after dark."

And so on. It's all sensible advice of course. Good to know. Wise to follow. And we all know why too.

We've also all heard the defense of "Look at how she was dressed! She was asking for it!"

I'm not saying, of course, that guys don't get raped, but I don't think that the average guy can quite understand what it's like to live with that constant awareness.

That's why the image of Wonder Woman is so powerful for me. She's my ultimate feminine power fantasy. She's powerful. She's respected. She's dignified. She's one of the three biggest names in the entire DCU. She gets to kick ass and take names. And she does it all in a bathing suit.

Now, I'm not saying I want all female characters to be dressed like that. I LIKE bodysuits and protective clothing that looks like it could actually protect. I prefer to have most of my heroines covered up. It's more sensitive and usually looks better.

But Diana is special. Please leave her alone.