Why Superman Wears 'Underwear' on the Outside of His Costume
It's the question that's stumped Superman fans for years: Why does the Man of Steel wear his underwear on the outside? Comic book legend Grant Morrison seemingly discovered the answer by digging into the past.
Clark Kent's fashion faux pas has been a part of his image since the moment he burst onto the comics scene. With a pair of crimson trunks breaking up a field of blue, Superman has possibly one of the most recognizable costumes in all of comics. However, that recognition doesn't come without a few jokes at the expense of the shorts' resemblance to underwear. Over the years, Superman has seen a few alterations to his outfit, trading the trunks for a belt, or just abandoning the red altogether. But no matter how many changes Superman's outfit goes through, the red «underwear» look is just too iconic to depart with for good.
Related: Superman Got His Darkest Costume By Becoming Darkseid's Son
Despite the popularity of Superman's costume, it's still worth asking why the outfit was designed that way in the first place. Comic book writer Grant Morrison may have found the underwear's origin in the most unexpected place: the 1930s. In their analytical superhero book, Supergods, Morrison relates a story where they discovered vintage photographs of circus strongmen. They noted that, like Superman, the sideshow performers also wore tights and belts as part of their stage persona. Morrison explains:
«Underpants on tights were signifiers of extra-masculine strength and endurance in 1938. The cape, showman-like boots, belt, and skintight spandex were all derived from circus outfits and helped to emphasize the performative, even freak-show-esque, aspect of Superman's adventures. Lifting bridges, stopping trains with his bare
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