Originally Posted by
Grunty
Define "iconic"? Because it feels to me like the term is thrown around so much it has become hollowed out and stretched thin.
It seems that any outfit/appearance which is easily recognized by the comic fans and discussed positively, negatively or both is deemed "iconic" suddently.
But to me "iconic" means that everyone from the fan to the casualy interested will recognize the outfit and associate it with the character.
For example Superman's classic outfit and it's many variants are indeed "iconic" ("Representing something; symbolic."/"Famously and distinctively representative of its type.") because it's part of his image and therefor status as super hero "icon" ("A person or thing that is the best example of a certain profession or some doing. ").
His Superman Blue/Superman Red outfit? Not so much.
Same could go for Wolverine and his yellow and blue outfit and mask. Even though he is not as "iconic" as superman he is still in the same realm.
However Emma Frost is arguably not an "iconic" super hero character. Famous or relatively well known. Yes. But iconic? Standing besides super heroines like Wonder Woman who are recognized even by people who never watched a super hero movie, cartoon or read the comics? I would argue no.
Just based on that none of her outfits are "iconic".
Even if we go by a softer defintion, using it synonymus to "famous" and argue what outfit is most associated with a character, i would argue this outfit still isn't "iconic" for Emma Frost.
Because the two most associated outfits for Emma, even just by the general comic fandom, are her Hellfire garb from back in the Claremont days or the one that was also used in Wolverine and the X-men (pants, tube top, over the shoulders cape).
I think the correct term for her Morrison era outfit would be "infamous" because it seems mostly brought up as a bile fascination, similar the 90's Sue Storm outfit with the "4" shaped window on her chest.
But that's neither really famous nor even close to "iconic".
PS: This is not meant personal against you. Just me noticing the apparent overuse/hollowing of the word.