5 Best Supergirl Suits of All Time, Ranked

The Supergirl teaser trailer — whose film starring Milly Alcock will appear in theaters nationwide on June 26, 2026 — just dropped, and beyond its high-octane scope, people were breaking down a notable look that the character was initially wearing. We see our superheroine Kara Zor-El (civilian identity, Kara Danvers) donning an oversized trench, bug-eye sunglasses, blue jeans, black t-shirt, and army boots. The grunge, street-style aesthetic are the ‘normal’ garments of her choice and the fact that director James Gunn chose to show us this sequence first speaks to how brilliantly he is able to immediately forge a connection with the audience — this humanizes Kara and makes her plight more relatable to us — even in spite of the fact that she’s a superhero in the echelons of stratospheric power.

I love how clothes can harness this form of subconscious communication so instantaneously. Her ‘normal’ aesthetic speaks volumes about her personality even before she utters a word. We’re getting a window into her everyday aura, and it’s a great visual representation to contrast that of her responsibilities as Supergirl, much of which is encapsulated in the blue, gold, and red suit we all know and admire. If anything, when she does don this iconic superhero garb, it makes us root for her even more because we’ve been privied to the intimate nuances of her being.

But let’s rewind to how and where her looks began: in the comics.

DC Comics

Kara Zor-El was created by Otto Binder with art by Al Plastino. She first appeared in Action Comics #252 in May 1959, with the aptly entitled ‘The Supergirl from Krypton’. Naturally, as Superman/Clark Kent’s younger cousin, she’s always been depicted as the more impulsive yet compassionate teenager. Many of these attributes are brought to the fore in her wardrobe. Specifically, the color scheme of her suit acts as a foundational base to honor her heritage and roots, but I’ve always welcomed comic artists that tinker a bit with these hallmark outfit designs with their own imaginative stylizations.

5

Action Comics #252

The legend begins with this quintessential comic book

As one of the most prolific comic artists of the 1950s, Al Plastino embodies the Silver Age of Comics with this Supergirl look. Simple yet effective with clean lines, much of Kara’s youth and innocence emanates from this cover. Women’s dresses from that time-period are also echoed within this outfit, and this feels very much like a modified poodle skirt (with an attached long-sleeve bodysuit) or those popular shirtwaist dresses that teens wore to high school. Ultimately, the look essentially mirrors that of Superman’s. This was a necessary consideration, especially when this is the first time audiences are introduced to Kara. One simple glimpse at the cover, and we can infer that they are already related somehow.

4

Supergirl: Being Super

Less super and more real teen angst

Written by Mariko Tamaki, the book is heralded for its thematic relatability for showing the coming-of-age plight all teenagers contend with in an ever-changing world. Therefore, our hero is less about saving the earth (although there still is that responsibility) and more about being grounded in friendships, identity, and navigating grief. Additionally, Kara (at this juncture) is just trying to get through day-to-day life without getting super-sized zits ahead of her 16th birthday. It is why we have the appropriately juxtaposed cover art by Joelle Jones. While slightly ‘controversial’, because this look deviates from the classic suit covers we’ve seen, I believe it’s perfect to honor the storyline. With the brush and linework, Kara is depicted in her signature heroic colors, but the framing is a more wholesome ‘girl-next-door’ sentiment with a vintage yet modernist appeal here (and yes, this is achieved successfully despite her soaring high in the sky — it all works cohesively as a concept). Suit or not, she’s still Supergirl through and through.

3

Supergirl Volume #4: Plain Sight

A DC Rebirth event and respective comic run to capitalize off of a very popular TV series

Written by Steve Orlando, this run was inspired by the CW series ‘Supergirl’ (played by Melissa Benoist) that ran from 2016-2021 and thematically incorporated many key elements into the storyline, such as compassion, identity, and navigating what it means to be an immigrant in a fear-mongering society. Not only is the book a compelling read, but the cover art by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau really offers the ‘cherry’ on top of this proverbial sundae of must-reads. His sophisticated Manga/Anime flair that’s blended with a delicate American vibrancy gives this lush cover art a photo-realism meets watercolor finish. Besides, who would express dissent against a cute-chic mini skirt and crop-top that echoes the vibe of a head cheerleader squad?

2

Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow

Stepping out of the shadows of Superman

cover art super girl — supergirl cover art

James Gunn cited this book — penned by Tom King and art by Bilquis Evely — as the primary source material for his upcoming 2026 film. In addition to its plentiful accolades, including being a finalist for the 2023 Hugo Award for Best Graphic Comic, the intricate art here is just dazzling. You see Evely’s art style and its fine details — including a European tone that’s coupled with her signature, intricate hatching technique — all vividly depicted here. She breathes life into the finest elements, such as the ripples of the cape to the sheen on the broad-banded golden belt and thigh-high boots. It’s almost like you can hear the billowing of the cape right now as it hugs our heroine.

1

Supergirl Issue #8: The Ghosts of Supergirl Past

Moody, atmospheric, and powerful

This 2025 run is spearheaded by writer/artist Sophie Campbell and the series launched in May of this year in tandem with DC’s ‘Summer of Superman‘ campaign. While it’s a separate storyline to the aforementioned Supergirl (2026) film, the narrative has been well-received and this self-contained holiday special focuses on Supergirl coping with the ‘holiday blues’ stemming from mistakes she made from her initial days on Earth. It’s a heartfelt exploration of her cultivating introspection and growth vis-à-vis the use of the ‘Ghosts of Christmas past’ literary tool to work through her regret and ultimately make peace with it.

Meanwhile, the cover art by Jae Lee is simply spellbinding. The dark drama of his distinctive, Gothic art style is tempered with a reflective-yet-curious Supergirl who is lying on a bed of fluffy cotton-candy clouds high in the sky and accompanied by her furry bestie, Krypto the dog. Ultimately, the vision achieved here is all-at-once heavenly and hopeful. And I would be remiss to not mention the gorgeous movement depicted in the draping of their respective capes and her lustrous locks of hair.