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The countdown begins as Captain Marvel is set to hit the big screen on March 8th. Hot on the heels of the revolutionary Wonder Woman wave, Deadline predicts that the Brie Larson-led superhero film will break records with a $100 million opening weekend haul. With all this buzz, it’s the perfect time for Hot Topic and Her Universe to launch their new Captain Marvel fashion line.
Photo: Hot Topic

The collection deserves every bit of hype as its namesake film, boasting trendy cuts and styles with a unique Marvel touch. The selection includes a Captain Marvel costume-inspired faux leather jacket, an aviator jacket, and a jumpsuit that takes after Carol Danvers’ own Air Force flight suit. Joining the line-up are several graphic tees as well as a pair of shorts.

Another special thing about the release is its inclusivity. The brand made sure to cater to all kinds of body shapes, offering sizes that run from size 0 all the way through 30. Forbes points out how the size inclusivity problem has plagued fashion for the longest time, making this collection a serious win for girls and women across the world.

Of course, this isn’t the first time that Her Universe is changing the game. Founded by actress, author, and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein in 2010, Her Universe’s mission is to challenge the norms and become a groundbreaking fangirl fashion company.

Her Universe Captain Marvel Cosplay Girls Faux Leather Aviator Jacket ($80, Hot Topic)

Historically, female superhero roles were limited to supplemental characters, often playing second fiddle to male leads in films. Unsurprisingly, the effect trickles down to its fanbase, with girls being stereotyped into conventionally “girly” interests like fashion, while superheroes remain reserved for the boys. In reality, however, the two can co-exist in harmony, and Her Universe is leading this shift in perspective.

“We’ve been able to find success with [Her Universe] because the numbers are on our side,” Eckstein told The Verge in an interview. “The sheer fact that half of all sci-fi and fantasy fans are now women and girls, and I knew that the women were there, and I knew that I was one of them. I was like, ‘I’m a fangirl, and I will buy this if you make it.’ I think it’s just the fact that we’ve always been there, but we’ve never been catered to until now.”

With empowered female characters taking the spotlight, pop culture is getting a long overdue facelift. In a previous post here on The Clothes Maiden, we celebrated the evolution of female beauty standards, but the most exciting thing is that today’s young women are finally getting the idols they deserve — saying a long overdue goodbye to the image of women as simply Damsels in Distress.

This positive wave is reaching far beyond movie screens, as evident by Her Universe’s fashion line. Even the world of gaming, which was once thought of as highly male-dominated, is now making way for the strong female lead. Online platform Slingo has several slot titles that are based on popular female superheroes, including Amazon Queen, Black Widow, and Wonder Women Bullets & Bracelets. These characters are more than just accessories, and are encouraging the rising demand for more heroine-centric content everywhere. Thanks to these brands and real-life strong female leads like Eckstein, we’re off to a great start towards gender equality in 2019 and for the years ahead.

Avery Parker

Click here to find the full collection online.