One of the most frequently asked question about Cartoon Country is “Why do cartoon characters always wear the same clothes?”. Basically, the process of animation and character design is complicated and time consuming enough without having to come up with different clothes for the characters to wear in every episode. Also, a character’s daily outfit can become iconic and make the character instantly recognizable. Can you imagine Charlie Brown not wearing his trademark yellow shirt with the jagged stripe?
“Actually, I do have a pimp suit, but I left it at home.”
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However, there will be some cases in which some of the characters actually do change clothes. One of the more noteworthy examples of this would be Kimiko Tomoyo from Xiaolin Showdown, who sported a different hairstyle and outfit in almost every episode. Here are just some of Kimiko’s looks:
“What’s up with that last one? That hair looks ridiculous!”
Then there’s the curious case of Bart Simpson, who for the Simpsons merchandise is usually depicted wearing a light blue shirt instead of the orange one that he usually wears on the show.
Personally, I think that Bart should wear the light blue shirt all of the time. It contrasts better with the yellow skin.
“Hey, man, orange, blue, as long as FOX pays me, I’ll wear whatever they want. Well, maybe not plaid.”
Then there’s one of my current favorite characters, Mabel Pines from Disney’s Gravity Falls, who sports a different decorative sweater in every episode (so far). Here are just some…
How many sweaters does that kid own, anyway?
“Honestly, I stopped counting after 83. It helps that my walk-in closet is a gateway to Hammerspace. True story.”
Fun Fact: Mabel’s sweaters were inspired by series creator Alex Hirsch’s real life twin sister Ariel, whom Mabel is based on.
Then there’s Barbie’s sisters from Barbie: Life in the Dream House. each of these characters has an outfit that she wears for seasons 1 and 2, and another that she wears for seasons 3 and 4.
Skipper
Stacie
Chelsea
Stylin’!
Then there’s Blythe Baxter from Littlest Pet Shop, who has sported several different costume changes throughout the series.
“Well, I am based on a doll line, after all. It kind of comes with the territory.”
There are some cases where a character’s outfit change makes a huge impact and other times when it’s not so much.
“Check it out. It’s like my regular shirt, but it’s RED! Like, I’m a fashion forward!”
Speaking of Scooby Doo, Freddy Jones’ daily outfit was changed for What’s New, Scooby Doo?…
…only to switch back to the ascot look in Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated.
“What can I say? You can’t beat the classics. Also, hardcore fans resist change.”
Cartoon characters changing outfits doesn’t happen all of the time, and in my opinion, it doesn’t need to, because it makes the times when it does happen just that much more special.
“Changing clothes? Nah. Don’t see the fascination with it.”
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