Batgirl, Gotham’s fearless heroine, has gone through several transformations over the years, each reflecting her evolution as a hero, from a sidekick to a solo crimefighter. While Barbara Gordon is the most widely recognized Batgirl, her journey has also been shaped by the legacy of other characters like Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown. The suit—perhaps even more than the symbol—defines what Batgirl stands for at any given time. Each version of her costume tells a story, with unique features that suit her different skills, roles, and the technological advances at her disposal.
Batgirl’s outfits range from the classic and functional to the sleek and high-tech. From the early days of purple and yellow to more recent armored designs, these suits reflect her personal growth, challenges, and changing relationship with Gotham City.
#10: Classic Batgirl Suit (1960s – 1970s, Golden Age)
Batgirl’s first appearance in Detective Comics #359 in 1967 introduced the world to Barbara Gordon’s iconic purple and yellow suit. Designed by artist Carmine Infantino, this classic look was instantly recognizable and practical for the time, emphasizing both style and function.
The costume featured a purple tunic with a yellow Bat symbol on the chest, complemented by a yellow utility belt. Her cape was a deep purple, and the suit was completed with a cowl that left her hair free, showcasing her red locks. The combination of purple and yellow gave her a bright, attention-grabbing look that contrasted with Batman’s darker, more somber costume.
What made this suit unique was its simplicity and charm, making Batgirl stand out in the Batman family of crimefighters. The lack of advanced technology or tactical gear showed how Batgirl’s intelligence, agility, and fighting spirit were her primary assets. This Batgirl suit represented a heroine who was approachable, charismatic, and capable of handling crime in Gotham while making her mark as a force for good in the Bat-Family.
#9: Modern Batgirl Suit (2014, Rebirth Era)
In 2014, Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl suit underwent a significant redesign under the direction of artist Cameron Stewart and writer Brenden Fletcher. This new version was designed to be more functional, youthful, and modern, reflecting the changes in both Barbara’s character and her technological resources.
The suit maintained the familiar purple and yellow color scheme, but with a sleeker, more tactical look. The Bat symbol was redesigned to be more minimalist, and the utility belt was streamlined for practicality. One of the standout features of this design was the addition of a fully armored jacket-like torso piece, offering greater protection while still allowing for flexibility. The suit also featured sleek, reinforced gloves and boots, giving Batgirl a more tech-savvy appearance while maintaining her acrobatic agility.
Perhaps the most notable change was the inclusion of a high-tech helmet with integrated communication and data systems. This reflected Barbara’s transition from a more traditional vigilante to a modern, tech-driven hero. It was a stylish yet functional redesign that helped redefine Batgirl for a new generation of readers, combining classic elements with contemporary sensibilities.
#8: Batgirl of Burnside Suit (2014, Rebirth Era)
Also part of the 2014 redesign, Batgirl’s “Batgirl of Burnside” suit was a game-changer. This iteration was a more youthful, street-level take on Batgirl’s costume, reflecting Barbara’s time living in the hip neighborhood of Burnside in Gotham. The suit, designed by Babs Tarr, was stylish, functional, and reflected Barbara’s more modern, tech-savvy persona.
The Batgirl of Burnside suit is a bold, edgy departure from previous designs, featuring a sleek, dark purple bodysuit with a yellow and black Bat symbol. The jacket was updated to a more casual, fashion-forward design, while her boots and gloves had added armor for protection. The costume also incorporated high-tech elements, like a built-in communication system and data analysis tools, and a tech-enhanced mask to improve vision and tracking in urban environments.
One of the most interesting aspects of this design was the inclusion of her signature yellow accents. Not only was it functional in a crime-fighting context, but it also gave Batgirl a distinct sense of individuality—something important as she carved out her own identity as a solo hero.
#7: Batgirl’s Motorcycle Suit (2011, New 52)
When Batgirl returned in the New 52 era in 2011, her costume took on a more gritty, functional look, suited to the darker, more action-heavy world that the New 52 universe introduced. Designed by Gail Simone and illustrated by Ardian Syaf, this suit featured updated armor pieces, reinforced padding, and sleek lines that blended traditional Batgirl elements with modern tactical design.
The suit’s main feature was its versatility and protection. The gloves, boots, and utility belt were designed for high-impact, high-speed missions, which allowed Barbara to move fluidly while riding her Batcycle (also featured in this run). The addition of the Batmobile-inspired cowl with a more angular design made her appear as a more serious, battle-ready fighter, yet still maintaining the vibrancy and uniqueness of Batgirl’s previous looks.
The use of the motorcycle suit also emphasized Barbara’s independence—she wasn’t just fighting crime from the rooftops but also taking to the streets, proving her adaptability and willingness to tackle Gotham’s problems head-on, even on two wheels.
#6: Batgirl Beyond Suit (2014, Batman Beyond Universe)
In the alternate Batman Beyond universe, Batgirl also gets an upgrade, transforming into a futuristic hero with enhanced technological features. The Batgirl Beyond suit, designed for a more modern, high-tech Gotham, features a full body armor that combines the style and agility of the traditional Batgirl suit with the advanced technology of the Batman Beyond universe.
This version of Batgirl was equipped with a sleek, fully armored suit that allowed for maximum agility while protecting her from damage. The suit incorporated high-tech elements, like stealth capabilities and advanced combat systems. The helmet was fitted with a retractable faceplate and HUD systems, allowing her to interface with Gotham’s technological grid, track enemies, and even access Batcave databases remotely.
What makes this suit unique is its contrast to traditional Batgirl gear, as it borrows heavily from Terry McGinnis’s Batsuit in Batman Beyond. It’s not just about crime-fighting—it’s about embracing the technology of the future while still maintaining the spirit of Gotham’s protector.
#5: Cassandra Cain Batgirl Suit (2000s)
Cassandra Cain’s Batgirl suit is one of the most unique in the entire Bat-family, as it emphasizes stealth, martial arts mastery, and speed. As a former assassin trained by the League of Assassins, Cassandra’s version of Batgirl doesn’t rely on gadgets or technology the way Barbara does. Instead, her suit is designed for mobility and direct combat.
The all-black bodysuit with a Bat-symbol across the chest was minimalistic but deadly, reflecting Cassandra’s silent approach to crime-fighting. The suit was designed for maximum flexibility and speed, allowing her to perform acrobatic moves with ease. The addition of tactical gloves and boots helped her enhance her hand-to-hand combat, while the mask shielded her identity and helped her maintain focus.
This suit represented Cassandra’s self-reliance and independence from the Bat-family’s typical reliance on tech. It also emphasized her nonverbal communication skills, as she couldn’t rely on speech but instead read the body language of those around her. This made her Batgirl one of the deadliest and most lethal incarnations of the character.
#4: Stephanie Brown’s Batgirl Suit (2009, Pre-New 52)
Stephanie Brown’s Batgirl suit is a vibrant blend of bright colors and practical design, reflecting her more optimistic and energetic approach to the Batgirl mantle. A colorful variation of the traditional Batgirl outfit, this suit included a purple, gold, and yellow palette that was both striking and functional.
The suit was less tactical and more about making an impression, with elements that highlighted Stephanie’s personality. Her gold Bat-symbol and purple design made her stand out from other Bat-heroes, emphasizing her individuality. The cowl was sleek, with pointed bat ears, and her boots were reinforced for street-level combat.
What made this Batgirl suit special wasn’t just its design—it was the attitude behind it. Stephanie Brown’s Batgirl was determined to make her mark, and her suit reflected her youthful optimism and ability to fight Gotham’s crime with a bit of lightheartedness and color. This suit didn’t just fit her; it made her feel like she belonged, even in a world dominated by darker heroes like Batman.
#3: Batgirl’s Tactical Suit (2016, Rebirth)
In the Rebirth era, Batgirl’s suit underwent another redesign to match the tactical demands of the modern world. With a streamlined, practical approach, the 2016 Batgirl suit was equipped with tech upgrades, a durable fabric, and armor panels designed to withstand high-impact combat.
The tactical suit’s most notable features included a more modern and functional utility belt, reinforced body armor, and a lightweight, flexible design. It also incorporated modern communication technology and gadgets to assist in surveillance and tracking. Batgirl’s helmet was also updated to include a built-in HUD for situational awareness during high-stakes missions.
What stands out about this suit is its adaptability. It reflects Barbara Gordon’s transition from a street-level hero to a more technologically savvy and resourceful crimefighter. The suit allowed her to take on Gotham’s most dangerous criminals with the precision of a seasoned vigilante, balancing classic Batgirl aesthetics with the needs of a modern hero.
#2: The Golden Age Batgirl Suit (1960s)
Barbara Gordon’s first Batgirl suit from the 1960s was a groundbreaking design for the era, combining bold purple, yellow, and black colors in a way that stood out from Batman’s classic ensemble. While not as armored as later iterations, this early suit was a symbol of the Golden Age of superheroes.
The suit included a full yellow Bat-symbol on the chest, yellow gloves, and a cape that flowed behind her as she fought crime. The design was simple but practical for its time, allowing Barbara to jump into action while maintaining her acrobatic prowess and agility. Her utility belt contained the basic tools of a crimefighter, including a grappling hook and smoke bombs.
This suit was a major part of Batgirl’s iconic status, representing not only her role as Batman’s ally but also as a powerful female superhero in her own right. It was one of the first costumes in comic book history to show that women could take on the mantle of a major hero like Batman.
#1: Batgirl Beyond Suit (Batman Beyond Universe, Earth-12)
In the Batman Beyond universe, Batgirl takes on a futuristic, cyberpunk-inspired design that fully embraces the advanced technology of the future. The Batgirl Beyond suit, worn by Barbara Gordon in the alternate timeline where Terry McGinnis becomes the Batman, combines sleek aesthetics with cutting-edge combat features.
This Batgirl suit is enhanced with advanced armor, a full-body suit that can withstand high-impact damage, and integrated technology to monitor enemy movements and analyze data. It includes wings for gliding, enhanced boots for speed, and retractable bat-shaped blades for combat. The helmet offers an advanced HUD with thermal vision, communication tools, and instant access to Gotham’s digital grid.
What makes Batgirl Beyond the most advanced suit is how it combines functionality, technology, and design to make Barbara Gordon a formidable force in the future. The suit allows her to fight crime on a global scale while still maintaining the essence of Batgirl’s legacy. This futuristic upgrade solidifies Batgirl as not just a member of the Bat-family but an integral part of Gotham’s future protection.
Batgirl’s suits are as varied as her many iterations. From the bold, classic purple and yellow designs to the sleek, high-tech suits of the future, each costume highlights different aspects of her character—from the resourceful acrobat to the battle-ready hero. Through every design, Batgirl evolves to meet the challenges of her time, proving that she is as dynamic as she is resilient. Whether battling crime on the streets of Gotham or navigating the digital landscapes of the future, Batgirl’s legacy continues to inspire heroes everywhere.
