Catsuits and bodysuits in popular media

Catsuits are a recurring costume for fictional characters in various media, as well as for entertainers, especially for use in musical performances. They are sometimes referred to as "bodysuits", especially in reference to a full-body suit worn by a man (although "bodysuit" usually refers to a legless garment); "catsuit" is typically used only in reference to women. [ [http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=bodysuit Bodysuit] , Dictionary.com] [ [http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=catsuit Catsuit] , Dictionary.com] The catsuit has been identified as a film-makers costume of choice for stealth.Paula Deitz, " [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE6DE113AF933A1575BC0A96F948260 Origins of Casual Style] ", New York Times, 1989-08-20] In films like "Irma Vep", "Les Vampires" and "Heroic Trio", crime and catsuits are featured together, as well as its major original use in Alfred Hitchcock's "To Catch a Thief". [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/06/1051987689106.html Danger clad in a catsuit] , "The Age"] A trend of bodysuits was observed by film reviewer Alan Farrell in his book "High Cheekbones, Pouty Lips, Tight Jeans", and a number or occurrences of the garb in films were mentioned - Charlize Theron in "Aeon Flux", Mila Jovovich in "Resident Evil", Jennifer Garner in "Elektra", Halle Berry in "Catwoman", Carrie-Anne Moss in "Matrix", Angelina Jolie in "Lara Croft", Kate Beckinsdale in "Van Helsing", and "Underworld", and Raquel Welch in "Fantastic Voyage". [Alan Farrell, "High Cheekbones, Pouty Lips, Tight Jeans", page 15, Lulu.com, 2007, ISBN 1430304340] The trend of leather and vinyl catsuits were identified as an attempt to redefine the gender role of women through films. [Elyce Rae Helford, "Fantasy Girls", page 6, Rowman & Littlefield, 2000, ISBN 0847698343] Theresa L. Geller described the catsuit as a part of the Hollywood "tough chic" paradigm in an article published in the journal "Frontiers". [Theresa L. Geller, "Queering Hollywood's Tough Chick: The Subversions of Sex, Race, and Nation in the Long Kiss Goodnight and the Matrix", Frontiers - A Journal of Women's Studies, Volume 25, 2004] That view was shared by Sherrie A. Inness in her book "Action Chicks", which also included computer games and professional wrestling in that paradigm. [Sherrie A. Inness, "Action Chicks", page 72, Palgrave Macmillan, 2004, ISBN 1403964033] "The Action Heroine's Handbook" describes the catsuit as one of the three options of the first rule of thumb described in the book: "Dress to accentuate your best physical assets". [Jennifer Worick, Joe Borgenicht and Larry Jost, "The Action Heroine's Handbook", page 73, Quirk Books, 2003, ISBN 1931686688] "Action Chicks: New Images of Tough Women in Popular Culture" by Sherrie A. Inness describes catsuits as an iconic garb of female TV and film characters. [Sherrie A. Inness, "Action Chicks: New Images of Tough Women in Popular Culture", page 72, Palgrave Macmillan, 2004, ISBN 1403964033]

Movies and television series

Notable uses of catsuits or similar full-body garments include:

*"Æon Flux": In both the TV series and the 2005 film starring Charlize Theron. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2006/feb/19/features.review87]
*"": Liz Hurley and Mimi Rogers appear in black leather catsuits in a tribute to Emma Peel. [http://www.usatoday.com/life/2002-07-24-beyonce_x.htm]
*"The Avengers": Cathy Gale (played by Honor Blackman, better known for the role of Pussy Galore in "Goldfinger") wore black leather catsuits that took four-hour fitting sessions for the shooting. [Nick MOrrison, " [http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2004/6/26/47584.html "Catsuits? I'd rather wear nothing at all."] ", The Northern Echo, 2004-06-16] She opted for the leather as her clothes were getting repeatedly ripped of during fight scenes, including one scene that had her trousers ripped in close-up. [Dennis Fischer, " [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_tov/ai_2419100074 The Avengers] ", St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture] Her fetishistic garb was identified as a reason behind the "The Avengers's" entry into a cult status.Bill Osgerby and Anna Gough-Yates, "Action TV", page 225, Routledge, 2001, ISBN 0415226201] Emma Peel (played by Diana Rigg) wore a number of black leather catsuits during the monochrome series, but then switched to wearing colorful psychedelic jumpsuits as the show entered Technicolor. Emma Peel's black leather catsuits was identified as a precursor of Michelle Pfeiffer's latex catsuit in "Batman Returns", as well as the popularity of leather, spandex and vinyl bodysuits in subcultures like Punk and Leathermen. [Valerie Steele, "Encyclopedia of clothing and fashion", page 80, Charles Scribner's Sons, 2005, ISBN 0684313944] Her character has been described as the inspiration for most iconic bodysuit-clad female characters that followed, including the Catwoman, Monica Vitti in "Modesty Blaise", Jane Fonda is "Barbarella", and Marianne Faithful in "Girl on a Motorcycle". The catsuits and fashion paraphernalia in "The Avengers", including the leather boots, kept the youth "at home on Saturday nights" according to "the Spectator". [Dave Rogers, "The Complete Avengers", page 89, Boxtree, 1989] Novelist and social analyst Gillian Freeman attributed this popularity to the "kinkiness" of the attire of Gale and Peel in "The Undergrowth of Literature", her seminal study on pornography. [Gillian Freeman, "The Undergrowth of Literature", page 5, Nelson, 1967]
**"The Avengers (film)": In the 1998 film based on the series, Uma Thurman wears a black pleather catsuit and a black PVC/latex catsuit as Emma Peel and her evil clone respectively.
*"Barbarella": Jane Fonda plays the role of a space-age vixen in risque catsuits.
*"Batman": Batgirl has appeared in various forms of the catsuit throughout the Batman film, TV and comic book franchises. Catwoman has worn a variety of lurex, PVC, leather and spandex catsuits in the TV series, film and comic book franchises. The villainess Harley Quinn is renowned for her distinctive costume - a red and black diamond-checked catsuit in the style of a harlequin jester. [http://www.comicbookbin.com/Every_Woman_Wants_a_Harley_Quinn_Costume_For_Halloween001.html]
**"Batman Forever": Jim Carrey wears a number of flamboyant green spandex catsuits for his role as The Riddler. [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5948895/review/5948896/batman_forever]
**"Batman Returns": Michelle Pfeiffer (Catwoman) wears the catsuit, and European fetish magazine «O» claims that the popularity of her costume has taken forward the social approval of fetish costumes, a claim partially acknowledged by scholarly sources. [Efrat Tseëlon, "Masquerade and Identities", page 74, Routledge, 2001, ISBN 0415251060]
**"Batman & Robin": Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) wears two flamboyant spandex catsuits.
*"Cat's Eye": The criminal trio of sisters Rui, Hitomi and Ai wear spandex catsuits throughout the anime film. In the live action version the catsuits are worn by Miss Japan 1992 Norika Fujiwara (Rui), Izumi Inamori (Hitomi) and teen icon Yuki Uchida (Ai).
*"Charlie's Angels": Cameron Diaz appears in a white spandex catsuit, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore appear in black catsuits (during the Alley fight scene) and the villainess Vivian Wood (Kelly Lynch) appears in a sleeveless black latex catsuit and leather jacket.
*"Fantastic Four": The heroes Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman and The Human Torch all wear dark lycra catsuits.
*"Frank McKlusky, C.I.": Chyna appears in black catsuit
*"The Girl on a Motorcycle": the female protagonist (Marianne Faithfull) rides a motorcycle through Europe wearing only a leather catsuit.
*"Irma Vep": Irma Vep (played by Maggie Cheung) spends most of the film dressed in a tight black latex catsuit, jumping from one Parisian rooftop to another and defending her director's odd choices to hostile crew members and journalists. In the TV series "Les Vampires", the inspiration of "Irma Vep", Musidora wears the same costume and make-up as Cheung. This particular look was also repeated in "Mark of the Vampire" for Carroll Borland's characterization of vampiress Phoebe Duprey. [Temple Drake and David Kerekes, "Headpress Guide to the Counter Culture", Headpress, 2004, ISBN 1900486350] "Irma Vep" was included in the X-list (National Society of Film Critics' movies that turn us on) for the catsuit worn by Cheung. [Jami Bernard, "The X List: The National Society of Film Critics' Movies that Turn Us on", page 151, Da Capo, 2005, ISBN 0306814455] In the film the costume is devised by bisexual costume designer Zoe (played by Natalie Richard), enamored by Irma in the costume, as a vague reminiscent Michelle Pfeiffer costume in "Batman Returns". [Paul Tatara, " [http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9706/12/irma.review/index.html "Irma Vep" puts stake in the heart of current cinema] ", CNN, 1997-06-12]
*"Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back": The criminal quartet forming the C.L.I.T. syndicate (Eliza Dushku, Shannon Elizabeth, Ali Larter and Jennifer Schwalbach Smith) wear black latex catsuits.
*"Kappa Mikey": Mitsuki wears a black,with yellow details, catsuit as her spy outfit on the episode "Le Femme Mitsuki".
*"Kill Bill Volume 1": Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman) wears a yellow leather catsuit with black stripes in a tribute to Bruce Lee's iconic tracksuit in "Game of Death".
*"Kim Possible": The character Shego wears a green and black catsuit as her trademark outfit.
*"Lajja": Bollywood actress and dancer Urmila Matondkar appears in a gold pleather catsuit in the opening item number "Aa Hi Jaiye".
*"The Matrix trilogy": Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) wears a black PVC catsuit. Her androgynous appeal in the film was carefully designed in PVC catsuits, at times by trench coats, generating enormous following, especially among "cybergeeks". [Stacy Gillis, "The Matrix Trilogy", page 120-121, Wallflower Press, 2005, ISBN 1904764320] [Laura Avery, "Newsmakers 2004" (Sub Part 4), page 353, Gale Research, 2000, ISBN 0787668060] The role and costume launched her into stardom. [Merle Ginsberg, " [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68277887.html Sugar and Spice] ", W (on High Beam), 200-12-01] Trinity's shift from the maiden with longer hair and softer garbs to the black vinyl catsuit has been commented on as a statement in gender identity. [Sarah Street, "Costume and Cinema", page 94, Wallflower Press, 2001, ISBN 1903364183] Kym Barrett, the costume designer, made 15 versions of the catsuit, all designed to look the same on screen. [Susan Carpenter, " [http://articles.latimes.com/2003/may/15/news/wk-movies15 "Matrix" magic maker] ", Los Angeles Times, 2003-05-15] She was nominated by the Costume Designers Guild in 2001 as the Best Costume Designer for her designs for Matrix characters. [ [http://www.futuredesigndays.com/index.php?view=article&id=408%3Akym-barrett&option=com_content&Itemid=106 Kym Barret biography] , Future Design Days] While discussing the Matrix she said that she "wanted to go just from the script--to come up with clothes that weren't connected to a certain time or place". [Michele Orecklin, [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1004810,00.html In the Future, Black's Back] , Time Magazine, 2003-05-12]
*"Mean Girls": Gretchen Wieners (Lacey Chabert) appears in a black catsuit.
*"Mr. Magoo": Kelly Lynch appears early on in the film as a jewel thief in a black latex catsuit.
*"The Mighty Boosh": Vince Noir (Noel Fielding) inventor of the mirror ball suit.
*"Rent": Maureen (Idina Menzel) in black catsuit with matching cat ears.
*"": Velma Dinkley (Linda Cardellini) appears in a red latex catsuit in an attempt to impress her love interest, Patrick Wisely (Seth Green).
*"Star Trek": Catsuits and bodysuits were worn by many extraterrestrial species and characters, of which the most notable is the Borg bodysuit.
**"": Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) wears a catsuit (tightness increasing throughout the episodes) as her uniform, distinguishing her rather attractively from the surrounding Starfleet-"Pyjamas".
**"": Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) wore several catsuits throughout her term which contained built in corsets.
**"": Continuing the Star Trek tradition from previous series, T'Pol (Jolene Blalock) wore a catsuit.
*" series":
**"": Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft appears in a thermal silver spandex catsuit.
*"Totally Spies!": Clover, Alex and Sam wear red, yellow and green catsuits respectively as their spy outfits
*"Underworld": Selene (Kate Beckinsale) wears a black latex catsuit with matching leather corset.
*"X-Men": All members of the X-Men team (male and female) wear black leather catsuits as their official uniform.

Music videos

Notable uses of catsuits or similar full-body garments include:

*"Groove Is In The Heart" - Lady Miss Kier wears a spandex catsuit in some of it.
*"Confide in Me" - Kylie Minogue wears a black latex catsuit.
*"Human Nature" - Madonna wears a black PVC catsuit. She recorded the song to lash out at the outcry over her book "Sex", and to stretch the point wears a catsuit along with ropes and chains in the video. [Carol Clerk, "Madonnastyle", page 132, Omnibus Press, 2002, ISBN 0711988749]
*"Independent Women Part I" - Michelle Williams wears a copper red pleather catsuit.
*"It's a Fine Day" - Opus III's Kirsty Hawkshaw wears a black catsuit.
*"I Want Candy" - Mel C (alias Sporty Spice) wears a black pleather catsuit.
*"Just a Little" - Liberty X's Kelli Young and Jessica Taylor wear black latex catsuits.
*"More Than A Woman" - Aaliyah wears a white leather catsuit.
*"Oops!... I Did It Again" - Britney Spears wears a red latex catsuit. The catsuit presented with a number of problems during shooting of the video. It generated so much heat that sweat flew off her sleeves every time she flicked a hand or twirled. The suit flattened her breasts and extra padding had to be added, which kept slipping off. [James R. Blandford, "Britney", page 60, Omnibus Press, 2002, ISBN 0711994196]
*"Say You'll Be There" - Victoria Beckham (alias Posh Spice) wears a sleeveless black PVC catsuit.
*"There You Go" - Pink wears a white leather catsuit.
*"Too Much" - Victoria Beckham (alias Posh Spice) wears a black PVC catsuit with a feline headdress.
*"Toxic" - Britney Spears wears a black pleather catsuit.
*"Who Do You Think You Are" - Victoria Beckham (alias Posh Spice) wears a silver lurex catsuit.
*"Heart-Shaped Glasses (When the Heart Guides the Hand)" - Marilyn Manson appears in a black leather catsuit.
*"Sexy! No No No..." - All members of Girls Aloud (Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh) wearing black latex catsuits.
*"I Do" - 3LW's Kiely Williams wearing a black leather catsuit.
*"Cry For You" - September (alias Petra Marklund) wears a black latex catsuit in the video for the UK version.
*"Feedback" - Janet Jackson wears a black catsuit with protective gear

Video and computer games

Notable uses of catsuits or similar full-body garments include:

*"Dead or Alive"—British assassin Christie wears a black and white catsuit as her primary outfit in "DOA 3", and as her second costume option in "DOA 4".
*"Death By Degrees"—assassin and action heroine Nina Williams wears a purple leather catsuit and a black and white leather catsuit during gameplay.
*"Soul Calibur" series—female ninja Taki wears a red catsuit with body armor.
*"Super Smash Bros. Brawl"—Zero Suit Samus wears a blue catsuit.
*"Tekken" series—assassin and martial artist Nina Williams has worn a variety of catsuits throughout the series, including a green, brown and black military camouflage catsuit, purple military camouflage catsuits, and a shocking pink catsuit.
*"Tomb Raider" series— and action heroine Lara Croft has appeared in several catsuits, including a black leather catsuit and spandex catsuits.

Post-modern thesis

In a post-modern thesis on the superhero genre Michael Lecker wrote, "In the superhero genre, clothes do the talking through semiotics, which [Roland] Barthes discusses in depth in his work: The 'first, literal message serves as a support for a second meaning, of a generally affective or ideological order' (Roland Barthes [Roland Barthes, "The Fashion System" (Trans. Matthew Ward and Richard Howard), page 28, Hill and Wang, 1983] ). The cat suits that adorn the feline hybrid characters in this genre are firstly illustrating their connection to felines. On the ideological level, the costumes signify the attributes that our society has projected onto cats and that the characters embody." [Michael Lecker, [http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/send-pdf.cgi/Lecker%20Michael.pdf?acc_num=bgsu1174668318 Treacherous, deviant, and submissive: female sexuality represented in the character Catwoman] , Bowling Green State University] In another post-modern thesis on sadomasochism in cinema Andrea Beckmann wrote, "Cinematic SM is twisted into the non-consenting, violent realm of the unhinged that we know it is not. Fetishism is used as an excuse for a bit of titillatory semi-nudity, or to identify the villain – the man in black leather. Horror films, in particular, will happily throw in a leather catsuit or a gratuitous bondage scene to spice up a mediocre script (M Olley, "Pam Hogg: Warrior queen of the catwalk" [T. Woodward (Ed.), "The best of skin two", page 19, Richard Kasak, 1993] )." [Andrea Beckmann, [http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol8is2/beckmann.pdf Deconstructing myths: the social construction of "sadomasochism" versus "subjugated knowledges" of practitioners of consensual "SM"] , University of Lincolnshire and Humberside]

Further reading

* Meredith Levande, "Women, Pop Music, and Pornography", "Meridians: feminism, race, transnationalism", Fall 2008, Vol. 8, No. 1, Pages 293-321
* Valerie Steele, "Fetish: Fashion, Sex & Power", Oxford University Press, 1996, ISBN 978-0195090444

References