Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of Natasha Romanoff, better known as Black Widow, has been a cornerstone of the MCU. Not only does she captivate audiences with her fierce combat skills and emotional depth, but she also serves as a style icon, sporting outfits that mirror her multi-faceted personality and evolving roles. We are ranking the 7 best Black Widow outfits. And while her tactical suits are a study in functionality, they are also deeply symbolic, each marking a significant chapter in her story. Here we delve into the nuances of her 7 most iconic outfits, ranking them on a variety of factors from design aesthetic to practical functionality.
Table of Contents
- The Avengers: Age of Ultron Suit
- The Iron Man 2 Suit
- The Captain America: The Winter Soldier Suit
- The Avengers: Infinity War Suit
- The Avengers: Endgame Suit
- The Black Widow All-White Suit
- Marvel’s The Avengers Suit
Best Black Widow Outfits Comparison Table
The Avengers: Age of Ultron Suit
In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Natasha Romanoff is seen in a technically advanced suit that is as sleek as it is functional. The attire is made from a breathable fabric, and equipped with blue LEDs that serve not just as a design element but also to convey a sense of mystery and other-worldly capability. Packed with weaponry like her famed Widow’s Bite batons, this suit prepares her for virtually any mission and stands as a testament to her complex persona.
“Hey, big guy. Sun’s getting real low.”
Black Widow to Hulk
The Iron Man 2 Suit
Introduced in Iron Man 2, this is the classic black suit that became the blueprint for her future ensembles. Stealthy, form-fitting, and exuding quiet elegance, it has the red hourglass emblem that tightly hugs Scarlett Johansson’s incredible physique, drawing a symbolic parallel to the black widow spider. While not as packed with gadgets as her later costumes, it serves its purpose of highlighting her skills in espionage and combat.
While her eventual Black Widow tactical suit becomes iconic in its own right, the movie also provides a fascinating runway of Natasha’s evolution, showcasing her versatility through three distinct outfits before her big reveal. Each ensemble is not only visually striking but also serves a specific narrative and symbolic purpose.
• Natasha Romanoff in Black Pleated Wide-Legged Trousers
The Introduction of Natalie Rushman. Natasha first enters the screen under the alias Natalie Rushman, presenting herself as an unassuming yet polished new assistant. Her outfit—black pleated wide-legged trousers paired with a well-fitted blouse—offers the first clue. The ensemble combines professionalism with subtle allure, symbolizing her undercover role within Stark Industries.
• The Fight Scene with Happy Hogan
While still dressed in her trousers and blouse, Natasha steps into a boxing ring with Happy Hogan. It’s here that audiences get the first glimpse of her martial prowess. Her attire, which initially presented her as a corporate individual, suddenly takes on a new meaning as she easily defeats Happy. The outfit hence serves a dual role: it conceals her true identity while being functional enough to allow her swift, acrobatic moves.
• Natasha Romanoff in a Little Black Dress
In a setting filled with opulence and glamour, Natasha dons a little black dress, the epitome of timeless elegance. On the surface, it seems like an outfit chosen for mingling with the elite. Yet, it serves to highlight her capacity to adapt and blend into any social setting, drawing attention away from her covert objectives.
The little black dress is a masterstroke in wardrobe planning. It’s not just a garment; it’s a metaphor for her mysterious and complex nature. It underscores her femininity while also serving as a reminder of her ability to be the most dangerous person in any room, even when she appears to be simply a guest at a party.
• Natasha Romanoff in a Dolce and Gabbana Bustier Belted Leopard Dress
For her third ensemble, Natasha goes bold, stepping out in a Dolce and Gabbana bustier belted leopard dress. This daring outfit is an attention-grabber, embodying her audacity and unapologetic sensuality. Designed to turn heads, it does just that, but it also serves a strategic purpose—while people are fixated on her appearance, they underestimate her capabilities.
The Dolce and Gabbana dress isn’t merely a fashion statement; it’s an act of psychological warfare. By choosing such a provocative outfit, she intentionally disarms those around her, causing them to let down their guard, a mistake that proves costly for anyone underestimating Natasha Romanoff.
The Captain America: The Winter Soldier Suit
This suit, featured in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, sees Black Widow adopting a more armored look, signifying her entrenched position as a key Avenger. Constructed from durable materials capable of withstanding substantial damage, the outfit embodies her growing responsibilities in the ceaseless fight against evil forces.
Reflecting on the filming period, Johansson acknowledged that the MCU aimed to portray her as a femme fatale. She divulged that the various costumes were emblematic of her character’s evolution over time, playing a vital role in her development. However, there was one particular outfit that was deemed off-limits for Scarlett Johansson.
“In some [ways] I look at it as a costume she was wearing — at the time, Marvel was interested in the character being a shape-shifter. When we were doing Captain America: The Winter Soldier — this is a really funny thing — the look is fantastic and utilitarian. She first drives up in this beautiful car and picks up Cap, and initially in the script, it was like, she arrives in her tennis whites, with a blonde wig. It was very quickly killed,”
Scarlett Johansson
The costume was promptly updated to better align with the context of the unfolding events. It would have been quite odd to see the actress appear in tennis whites and a blonde wig.
The Avengers Infinity War Suit
Distinctive due to the tactical vest gifted by her sister, Yelena Belova, this suit in Avengers: Infinity War stands out for its combination of style and functionality. The vest not only adds to her combat capabilities but also symbolizes her adaptability and deepening familial bonds, showcasing her human side amidst galactic warfare.
The Avengers: Endgame Suit
In Avengers: Endgame, the culmination of a saga, Black Widow dons a streamlined, all-black suit. Designed for optimal performance and built to endure, this outfit is symbolic of her determination and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. It is Scarlett Johansson’s combat gear in the truest sense, setting the stage for her ultimate sacrifice.
The Black Widow All-White Suit
Featured in her solo film, Black Widow, this stark white suit marks a departure from her traditional black ensembles. It comes at a transformative period in her life, symbolizing a sort of rebirth and unity with her estranged sister, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh). While not as fortified as her other outfits, it stands as a bold statement of change and self-discovery.
Marvel’s The Avengers Classic Suit
In Marvel’s The Avengers, Black Widow’s suit represents a marriage of past and present. It maintains her classic color scheme of an all-black zipped-up bodysuit with a red Black Widow belt while incorporating an array of new-age tech and weaponry. With enhanced mobility features and a contemporary design, it captures her readiness to adapt to any combat scenario.
Black Widow’s fashion evolution isn’t just about changing fabrics or adding new gadgets; it is a journey that parallels her character development. From her initial roles as a spy and an enigma to her final acts as a leader and a martyr, Scarlett Johansson’s outfits serve as a visual narrative, recounting her complex history and her most iconic Black Widow outfits. As a result, she remains a style icon not just for her killer looks but also for the powerful story that each of her outfits uniquely tells.
