First appearing in Marvel Comics in 1941, Captain America is a symbol of all true American values: honesty, loyalty, humility, courage, and integrity. As a result, his suit needs to be a shining beacon of hope for not just Americans but all the world over. Each live-action adaptation of the iconic Marvel superhero has had its own take on Captain America’s recognizable suit.
Captain America first appeared in live-action in 1944, and since then, 14 different versions of his suit have been designed, including the most recent one for Marvel Studios’ upcoming Captain America: New World Order. Although time is often a factor in the design of Captain America’s apparel, there’s always a consistent color motif of the red, white, and blue of the United States’ flag. From the baggy costume, to the sleek uniform, to the fugitive Captain America’s darker attire, each suit has its little quirks to talk about.
14 Dick Purcell’s Captain America Suit (1944)
The first of Captain America’s live-action outings put Dick Purcell in the role of Captain America in a low-budget serial film. The film’s low cost was immediately evident in the suit’s distinct lack of a shield and ear wings. Without the big star on the chest or the name in the title, it would be hard to call Purcell’s Grant Gardner “Captain America”. Released in 1944 and filmed in black-and-white, the colors of Captain America’s suit aren’t pronounced. While it is a bit lackluster, especially in comparison with later iterations, the suit is fine for the period but doesn’t stand the test of time.
13 Turkish Captain America’s Suit (1973)
Released in 1973, the obscure Turkish cult superhero film, 3 Dev Adam (translated as Three Mighty Men), saw Captain America make a very unauthorized appearance, portrayed by Ayketin Akkaya. From the budget, one can immediately tell that’s the case. But, credit where credit is due, filmmakers T. Fikret Uçak and Dogan Tamer did get the colors pretty close to the original, along with the basic design pattern as well. The belt, however, is new, and the suit, unfortunately, featured no wings or shield once again, which is strange considering they’ve been mainstays of Captain America’s costume since his first Marvel Comics appearance.
12 Reb Brown’s Captain America Suit (1979)
CBS developed two Captain America made-for-TV films in 1979, starring Reb Brown as Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, the first time Rogers had been adapted into live-action. The CBS suit is the first live-action suit to actually deliver the iconic wings and shield. However, there are still a few bumps in translating the hero from page to screen. Rogers’ helmet is oversized, and the shield is made of plastic – a far cry from the vibranium alloy it’s originally composed of. At one point, the shield even folds in half in the middle of battle, though the vibrant colors of the costume are apt for the time period.
11 Steve Rogers’ Propaganda Suit (2011)
Marvel Studios introduced Chris Evans as the MCU’s Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger, and his first suit following his transformation acted as a brilliant callback to the classic Captain America suit from Marvel Comics. Fit with the stars-and-stripes and typically-shaped shield, this version still looks better than the actual 1940s version of the costume. Although meant purely for propaganda in the MCU, not for actual battle, Rogers does wear a part of this costume during his first mission to save Bucky Barnes. Even so, this suit would be hard-pressed to hold up for actual combat.
10 Matt Salinger’s Captain America Suit (1990)
Matt Salinger starred as Steve Rogers in 1990’s Captain America, produced by the 21st Century Film Corporation. Though this production was a critical flop – from the confused narrative to the butchering of Captain America’s character – the project still showcased a fairly impressive costume. In many respects, they perfectly captured the appearance of Captain America from Marvel Comics – the vibrant blue accented with reds and whites. Plus, the shield isn’t clear plastic, but colored plastic, painted in a design that many modern audiences will find very familiar.
9 Captain America’s Avengers Suit (2012)
For the MCU’s first crossover event, The Avengers, Evans’ Steve Rogers got an upgrade to his costume as Captain America. While simultaneously trying to look grounded and over-the-top, this Captain America suit’s message is a little confusing, but when showcased alongside the likes of Iron Man, the Hulk, and Thor, perhaps it doesn’t look so ridiculous. The motif of the original Marvel Comics costume can be clearly seen, but the suit still lacks the feeling of an actual uniform, looking goofy when compared to his other suits in the MCU.
8 Realistic Captain America Suit (2011)
Although his costume is mostly covered by his brown, camouflaging overcoat, it can’t be denied how patriotic Steve Rogers looks while rescuing Bucky Barnes and his other missing soldiers in Captain America: The First Avenger. While this is an embellishment of the outfit used for propaganda – and not an official uniform – the more war-torn look of the costume, fit with the iconic Captain America shield, make this a great reference to Captain America’s more realistic suits in Marvel Comics. This design showcases Rogers’ evolution from star-spangled hero to practical soldier.
7 New Avengers Suit (2015-2016)
Avengers: Age of Ultron provided Steve Rogers with yet another update to his costume, and this became the suit he wore most often in the MCU, carrying it forward into Captain America: Civil War, also. While the white sleeves were lost for the latter crossover film – and this suit has a generally more subdued color scheme – it’s apparent that Rogers felt more comfortable in this costume than any other. The suit is a solid design, featuring a sleeker and more tactical feel for Captain America’s continued role as the leader of the Avengers.
6 Nomad Suit (2018)
With the star removed from his uniform from Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War, Steve Rogers no longer operated as Captain America, but as Nomad. This occurred after the Sokovia Accords were implemented, and the Avengers disbanded following an epic battle, culminating in Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, and Natasha Romanoff being branded fugitives by the US government. Giving up the shield and the helmet and allowing his hair and beard to grow longer, Rogers proves how much he has distanced himself from his identity as Captain America, though he would jump back into the role in Avengers: Infinity War.
5 Steve Rogers’ Stealth Suit (2014)
Steve Rogers’ suit from Captain America: The Winter Soldier – known as the stealth suit – is one of the sleekest versions of Captain America’s costume in the MCU, and arguably the most useful for the events of the film. The dark navy blue is perfect camouflage for stealth missions taking place at night, but the star is just visible enough to intimidate opponents once they see it. The suit invokes the “Commander Rogers” persona from Marvel Comics, a period during which Rogers was in charge of SHIELD. Rogers also donned this suit in the opening moments of Avengers: Endgame when the Avengers went to find Thanos.
4 Sam Wilson’s Captain America Suit (2021)
Following Steve Rogers’ retirement at the end of Avengers: Endgame, the hero passed the Captain America mantle and shield on to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, who had previously been the MCU’s Falcon. Though initially reluctant to become Captain America, the series finale of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier saw Wilson sport a Wakandan-made, vibranium suit for his new identity. Fit with his iconic wings – now painted red, white, and blue, Wilson’s suit is far more vibrant than anything worn by Steve Rogers, though the look is still distinctly Captain America. Even so, it seems this suit didn’t have a very long lifespan.
3 Sam Wilson’s New Captain America Suit (2023)
Set photos from Captain America: New World Order have revealed that Sam Wilson will be receiving a new Captain America suit in the upcoming film. A combination of his previous costume from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Steve Rogers’ stealth suit from Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Wilson’s new suit is sleek, showcasing more of the blue of Captain America’s older suits, while also keeping elements of his time as the Falcon. Though still showcasing Wilson’s flight rig, the new Captain America suit takes more inspiration from Rogers’ suits, and the stealth suit origins could hint at the storyline for Captain America: New World Order.
2 WWII SSR Suit (2011)
After saving hundreds of lives in his old propaganda costume, Steve Rogers receives an upgraded and official suit when he finally becomes Captain America. Every subsequent suit tries to emulate the impact and emotions connected to this costume. The suit had the perfect blend of vibrant Marvel Comics accuracy, and practical field use. Not only did Steve Rogers want to be seen coming in his colorful suit – allowing his allies to stay hidden in their camouflage – but it would have made for an epic morale boost to see the stars and stripes riding head-first into battle.
1 Endgame Suit (2019)
By far, Steve Rogers’ most powerful moments came during the MCU’s Avengers: Endgame, and his new suit highlighted each one. This suit feels like an amalgamation of everything that came before, seeing the return of the vibrant color scheme, shoulder straps, helmet, shield, and as a new addition, a scaled effect on his chest that adds a brilliant element of modernism to the suit. Acting as Chris Evans’ final suit as the MCU’s Steve Rogers, Avengers: Endgame’s suit perhaps did the best job at accentuating the values of Captain America.
