Batman in Culottes: Artists Respond to Gail Simone’s Fashion Demands [Art]

In light of the numerous and variously dubious costume redesigns that will come with the DC Comics reboot in September (including a rumor that no DC heroine will operate without trousers), incoming Batgirl writer Gail Simone not only threatened to restyle all of DC's heroines in culottes, but made an open call on Twitter for sketches of Batman in the cursed legwear. Simone's request quickly evolved into the #BatmanInCulottes meme, as artists from all over the world -- including Dave Gibbons himself -- took up Simone's challenge with their own depictions of the Dark Knight wearing one of the most unflattering articles of clothing in fashion history.

Click the jump to see what the Caped Crusader looks like in a comfy pair of culottes!

First and foremost, what are culottes?

Culottes originated as a tailored style of knee-breeches circa nineteenth century France. However, the term is most commonly used to refer to a more recent incarnation of the legwear. Modern culottes are long, full shorts that resemble a skirt (almost similar to gaucho pants), and are also known as "skorts." Despite the easy, breezy comfort that a pair of culottes can provide in the warmer seasons, most culottes are often perceived as frumpy and unflattering in appearance.

Now that we've got that out of the way, here are some of our favorite sketches of Batman in culottes!

By Joe Hunter