We get this kind of question a lot, often in relation to a particular concept or idea the asker has. However, it’s impossible for us to provide a helpful response on a singular concept – simply because we don’t know all the information and frankly don’t have the time to absorb it all then provide a meaningful response.
This weekend there will be a follow up post to this is one with some ideas on how to avoid bikini armor, but for now the main advice I want to offer whenever you have such a dilemma is asking yourself these questions:
How does the outfit serve your character?
How does the outfit serve the story?
How does it fit within the setting? How will others in the setting perceive it?
How would you do it differently if the character was a man?
Most of the pressure that leads to the inclusion of bad female armor comes from the fact that it’s become a social norm. Not that it achieves any purpose or that it’s clever, just that popular media has been doing it since this was the coolest dance move in western cinema:
I think it’s time we allowed ourselves to explore new options beyond bikini armor and its variants.
– wincenworks
It seems the time is right to bring back this concise explanation of what’s actually required for a story to justify bikini armor and what the actual considerations are.
There is pretty much no situation (at least none I’ve seen or thought of) where bikini armor makes sense as a choice for someone expecting serious, dramatic combat – it’s just not what it’s designed for.
– wincenworks
In short – skimpy armors are such a silly idea they require a whole different level of suspension of disbelief than a dramatic/gritty storytelling does. Creators (and fans) should always keep in check if those levels match, and if they don’t – readjust them instead of coming up with excuses
The armor is a bit……….uh……vacuum sealed looking. I’m all for badass ladies in armor but the design is just so…wonky. Is there a reason for this??? Please tell me those breastplates are not metal because OW.
IM SCREAMING IS THAT SUPPOSED TO BE MADE OUT OF METAL??????? OH MY GOD WHATS WITH ALL THE FOCUS ON THE CROTCH TOO HOW IS THIS ARMOR
The armor is a bit……….uh……vacuum sealed looking. I’m all for badass ladies in armor but the design is just so…wonky. Is there a reason for this??? Please tell me those breastplates are not metal because OW.
IM SCREAMING IS THAT SUPPOSED TO BE MADE OUT OF METAL??????? OH MY GOD WHATS WITH ALL THE FOCUS ON THE CROTCH TOO HOW IS THIS ARMOR
We do frequently discover things that we enjoyed or looked forward to enjoying are problematic to varying degrees. Whether it can still be enjoyed afterwards is up to individuals and circumstances though we do ask that you not feel guilty about enjoying it if you do, don’t create excuses for them or deny their problems.
If you find that you cannot enjoy it due to the problems, that’s also completely understandable and you shouldn’t feel guilty about that either. Though depending on the options available you may consider voicing your dissatisfaction as a customer to the creators if you feel comfortable doing so (and they haven’t addressed it or improved since).
We do frequently discover things that we enjoyed or looked forward to enjoying are problematic to varying degrees. Whether it can still be enjoyed afterwards is up to individuals and circumstances though we do ask that you not feel guilty about enjoying it if you do, don’t create excuses for them or deny their problems.
If you find that you cannot enjoy it due to the problems, that’s also completely understandable and you shouldn’t feel guilty about that either. Though depending on the options available you may consider voicing your dissatisfaction as a customer to the creators if you feel comfortable doing so (and they haven’t addressed it or improved since).
