- "If you're gonna fight a war, you gotta wear a uniform."
- ―Steve Rogers[src]
Captain America's Uniform is a set of uniforms used by Captain Steve Rogers which serves as his costume during his superhero exploits. Fitting in with his identity as Captain America, each costume has a motif representative of America, including his stealth costume, which has a more subtle stars and stripes motif.
History
USO Costume
- "You know for the longest time I dreamed about coming overseas and being on the front lines. Serving my country. I finally get everything I wanted, and I'm wearing tights."
- ―Steve Rogers[src]
Shortly after undergoing the procedure that turned him into a super soldier, Steve Rogers was denied the chance to serve on the battlefields of World War II. Instead, he was offered and accepted a position working with the USO, performing in stage shows to sell war bonds to promote the war. As part of his performance the USO created the image and identity of Captain America to serve as a mascot and symbol of nationalistic pride for the American people to rally behind and increase support for the war-front. Captain Rogers wore this costume in a number of stage shows in cities across America, as well as in a number of other images and iconography, including a number of fictionalized film reels of "Captain America" leading troops in the war, to help increase morale. [1]
Original Field Uniform
Captain America's original uniform was an ad-hoc uniform adapted from the costume that he wore in his USO productions. To make the costume less conspicuous and more combat worthy, Steve borrowed the "A" helmet from one of the Star Spangled Singers along with a combat jacket, pants and boots. He used it in his mission to save Bucky Barnes and a battalion of P.O.W.s that had been captured by HYDRA.[1]
Strategic Scientific Reserve Field Uniform
- "I had some ideas about the uniform."
"Whatever you want, pal." - ―Steve Rogers and Howard Stark[src]
Captain America's second uniform was made by Howard Stark. It was made with a shield of Vibranium for Captain America to protect himself from gunfire. Captain America used the shield and wore the uniform in all of his attacks on enemy facilities and other missions. He had the shield with him when he crashed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen. Nearly 70 years later, S.H.I.E.L.D. stumbled across the crash site of Captain America's plane. He was found alive, and he had the suit.[1]
Modern Age/First Avengers Uniform
- "Uh... we've made some modifications to the uniform. I had a little design input."
"The uniform? Aren't the stars and stripes a little... old fashioned?"
"With everything that's happening, the things that are about to come to light, people might just need a little old fashioned." - ―Phil Coulson and Steve Rogers[src]
Upon his return, Phil Coulson had an amount of input in designing Captain America's new uniform, feeling an "old fashioned" appearance was needed to inspire others. The suit was a more streamlined version of Captain America's Stark-made uniform, incorperating modern and slimmer materials. When Captain America was called to join the Avengers, he adopted the suit, and they were able to take Loki into custody. Captain America wore his uniform once again during the Chitauri attack on New York City. Despite having a slim appearance, Captain America survived a Chitauri energy blast to the abdomen at close range, with no evident penetration. This suggests that like its predecessor, this suit also serves a light body armor. The suit was not seen after the battle ended,[2] although Loki briefly wore it while disguising himself as Captain America while escaping Asgard,[3] and Captain America wore it for his public service announcement videos.[4]
STRIKE Stealth Uniform
Captain America's fourth uniform was a stealth uniform, given to him by S.H.I.E.L.D. for secret missions. The suit was a navy blue, utilitarian-style suit with a Kevlar-based ballistic component that could protect Captain America but at the same time function like a military black-ops uniform. It was used to retake command of the Lemurian Star and to escape from the Triskelion.[5]
Golden Age Uniform
- "You're gonna wear that?"
"No. If you're gonna fight a war, you gotta wear a uniform." - ― Sam Wilson to Steve Rogers[src]
In order to sever his ties to S.H.I.E.L.D. and to help the Winter Soldier regain his memory, Steve Rogers left his STRIKE Uniform in a high school gymnasium to be found by S.H.I.E.L.D.[6] and retrieved a modified version of his former uniform from World War II from a display at the Washington, D.C. Smithsonian Institution in a hall paying tribute to Captain America. It was used in the climatic battle which took place at the Triskelion.[5]
Second Avengers Uniform
- "That's all set up, boss."
"Actually, he's the boss. I just pay for everything and make everyone look cooler." - ―Maria Hill and Tony Stark[src]
This uniform was designed by Tony Stark, who provides equipment for all of the Avengers except Thor, the design is similar to his STRIKE Stealth Unifrom, but with more color. It has strong electromagnetic panels on each of the gloves that allows Captain America to retrieve his shield more easily. It is also more durable than his previous uniforms, being capable of withstanding repulsor blasts.[7]
Third Avengers Uniform
Captain America adopted a modified version of his second Avengers uniform as the leader of a new team of Avengers. He later removed the logos on his shoulders following the ratification of the Sokovia Accords. This version of the uniform dispensed with the electromagnets re-adopting the more traditional straps.
Appearances
| Appearances for Captain America's Uniform |
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In chronological order:
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Uniforms
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Trivia
- According to Paddy Whitaker in The Art of Captain America: The First Avenger, the fabric used to make Captain America's second suit was a ballistic nylon which is the same material they used to make horse blankets.[8]
