Costume history.

Superman’s costume is one of the most recognised outfits in the world. This page answers the two biggest questions about it, the trunks and the S, and tracks how the suit has changed. In line with our site rules, we describe the S symbol in words only: it’s DC’s trademark, so we never reproduce it.

Why does Superman wear his trunks on the outside?

Superman’s red trunks come from the circus strongman look: strongmen performed in tights with trunks over them. Superman’s creators borrowed that image for a powerful, athletic hero when he debuted in Action Comics #1 (1938).

When did Superman lose the red trunks, and are they back?

The trunks have come and gone:

In short: trunks for 73 years, gone for seven, and back in both the comics and the DC Studios films since. For the 2025 film, early concept art showed an all-blue suit, and the trunks were only confirmed the night before filming began. Costume designer Judianna Makovsky has said Corenswet always wanted them.

What does the S stand for?

The S on Superman’s chest has had three meanings:

1. “S for Superman”: the original meaning, from 1938.
2. The House of El family crest: introduced by Superman: The Movie (1978).
3. A Kryptonian symbol meaning “hope”: introduced in Superman: Birthright (2003–04) and made famous by Man of Steel (2013).

So the popular claim that the S has always meant hope is a myth. It’s a modern addition, and a good one. Our personality page lists more Superman myths.

Superman’s costume timeline

Superman’s black suit explained

Superman’s black suit comes from “Reign of the Supermen” (1993). After his death fighting Doomsday, the revived Superman, still weak, emerges from a Kryptonian regeneration matrix in a black suit with a silver symbol, based on a sketch by artist Jon Bogdanove. It first appears in Action Comics #689 (July 1993), by Roger Stern and Jackson Guice; Superman #81 is often listed as his first full appearance in it. By the end of the story, in The Adventures of Superman #505 (October 1993), he’s back in blue and red. On screen, the black suit appears in Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) and on a rogue Kal-El in Superman & Lois.

Electric Blue, and Superman Red and Blue

In Superman (vol. 2) #123 (May 1997), by Dan Jurgens with a suit designed by Ron Frenz, Superman’s powers turn to energy and he wears a blue and white containment suit. He was then split into two beings, Superman Red and Superman Blue, in Superman Red/Superman Blue #1 (February 1998).

The “Truth” suit (2015)

After Lois reveals his secret identity, the 2015 “Truth” storyline puts Superman in jeans, a T-shirt and boots, starting in Action Comics #41 (June 2015). It’s his most down-to-earth look.

Superman’s suit on screen

Man of Steel (2013) went without the trunks, matching the comics of the time. Superman (2025) brought them back for David Corenswet. See our guide to every Superman actor and the Superman (2025) film guide, and for where the suit’s wearer comes from, the Superman fact file.