# Female Warrior garb: highest coefficient of practical and sexy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 23, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154 "2010-12-23T05:03:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/21 "2010-12-23T20:55:29Z")
It would depend on the level of technology. For instance, a chain-mail bikini is probably the best answer you can find in a S&S setting – it isn’t much protection, but it’s hard to think of any other kind of metallic sword-resistant armor that would make a woman look sexy. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/22 "2010-12-23T21:07:49Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > It would depend on the level of technology. For instance, a chain-mail bikini is probably the best answer you can find in a S&S setting – it isn’t much protection, but it’s hard to think of any other kind of metallic sword-resistant armor that would make a woman look sexy. Jirel of Joiry is fairly hot here: > **[Redirect Notice](https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http:%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2732%2F4494723249_43751bb1b1.jpg&imgrefurl=http:%2F%2Fflickr.com%2Fphotos%2F44319507%40N08%2F4494723249%2F&usg=__7ZJbO4LPR-erDT1bzpH94CiIteI=&h=500&w=294&sz=107&hl=en&start=15&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=J_xaeRhSc8kXHM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=76&prev=%2Fimages%3Fq%3DJirel%2Bof%2BJoiry%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1)** ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/23 "2010-12-23T21:10:27Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > My favorite Alan Moore - I remember her talking about that with IrmaGedden, who was basically a human tank - a pretty funny conversation to be having given the participants…and I think Girl One was a synthezoid/replicant (bio-engineered human/cyborg) vs. an android (human-appearing robot) but I can’t recall… > > Yeah, I’m a Top Ten geek…😉 Yeah, she was a genetic design. Her makers mentioned she was modeled highly after Lara Croft (In one of the most tasteless discussions I’d seen in that series, and that’s saying something). In the extra pages in one of the graphic novels, however, they said that Girl One’s skin seemed ‘dead’, implying that it didn’t feel quite right to the touch. (Yes, a huge Top Ten geek here, too.) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/24 "2010-12-23T21:11:35Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Jirel of Joiry is fairly hot here: > > [http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2732/4494723249\_43751bb1b1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://flickr.com/photos/44319507%40N08/4494723249/&usg=\_\_7ZJbO4LPR-erDT1bzpH94CiIteI=&h=500&w=294&sz=107&hl=en&start=15&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=J\_xaeRhSc8kXHM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=76&prev=/images%3Fq%3DJirel%2Bof%2BJoiry%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2732/4494723249_43751bb1b1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://flickr.com/photos/44319507%40N08/4494723249/&usg=__7ZJbO4LPR-erDT1bzpH94CiIteI=&h=500&w=294&sz=107&hl=en&start=15&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=J_xaeRhSc8kXHM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=76&prev=/images%3Fq%3DJirel%2Bof%2BJoiry%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1) So you can do the same with a \*\*plate-\*\*armor bikini. The rest still applies. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/25 "2010-12-23T21:12:41Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > It would depend on the level of technology. For instance, a chain-mail bikini is probably the best answer you can find in a S&S setting – it isn’t much protection, but it’s hard to think of any other kind of metallic sword-resistant armor that would make a woman look sexy. I think something like [this](http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/daily/arcana/535_thumb.jpg) works quite nicely. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/26 "2010-12-24T17:10:38Z")
> [@Baboonanza](#): > > My definition of a ‘practical’ outfit doesn’t involve having to be sown into it. Full-length zips - also takes care of the toilet concerns > [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Not to mention, have you ever tried to move in skintight leather? All the time. > [@](#): > > Plus the squeaking, my god, the squeaking! Bad leather.Good leather is oiled and sleak. > [@](#): > > Practical and leather do not belong in the same sentence. Tell that to motorcyclists. > [@Sweetums](#): > > According to this article, not so much so: > > [The 5 Most Impractical Aspects of Superhero Costumes | Cracked.com](http://www.cracked.com/article_18591_the-5-most-impractical-aspects-superhero-costumes.html) Yeah, you’re aware Cracked is a \*humour \*mag? ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/27 "2010-12-25T00:15:41Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Yeah, you’re aware Cracked is a \*humour \*mag? True but they did base the article on a woman who _wears fantasy costumes for a living_, and reported on what it was like to have to actually spend any length of time in them. My favorite line: “According to Ruby, the super heroine’s footwear of choice is good for leaving your ‘feet throbbing with pain after an eight hour day pounding the con floor.’” ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/28 "2010-12-25T03:20:55Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > My favorite line: “According to Ruby, the super heroine’s footwear of choice is good for leaving your ‘feet throbbing with pain after an eight hour day pounding the con floor.’” A rarely mentioned side benefit of being a superheroine: Being strong enough to bend steel in your bare hands means you can wear high heels all day long without discomfort. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/29 "2010-12-25T04:17:47Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > In terms of actual historical armor, I’d probably go with the whole “[Amazon hoplite](http://media.photobucket.com/image/amazon%20armor/SpartanWarrior198/AmazonHopliteColor.jpg)” look. You’ve got your bare arms and your bare thighs, while at the same time, the breastplate, greaves, helmet and hoplon shield provide perfectly adequate protection. Hmm. Question - how much thigh can one show without exposing the femoral artery? I’m pretty sure the linked armor is okay, but I wonder how much higher armor can go before the femoral is vulnerable - obviously, a strike there is Very Bad. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/30 "2010-12-25T04:28:27Z")
Ruby Rocket is my new pretend girlfriend. Holy moly. ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/31 "2010-12-25T05:54:11Z")
And think of getting frostbite in delicate places if you were to wear the “standard” female warrior garb. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/32 "2010-12-25T06:13:28Z")
[Riese](http://www.pinkraygun.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/riese-fenris.jpg) was pretty hot. [Hooded cape](http://www.mathieas.com/gallery/riese_01.jpg) for outdoors. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/33 "2010-12-25T06:20:50Z")
I think if the armour conforms to the womanly shape, it can be sexy even if they’re fully covered. [Thus](http://story-games.com/forums/?CommentID=185087). The impractical chainmail bikini really annoys me, and when I am in the mood for warrior woman desktop wallpaper, it pisses me off that it’s all video game big boobs and bare legs nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/34 "2012-09-19T13:02:06Z")
(Holy Moley, did I start this thread nearly two years ago? How time flies…) I thought of this thread when I saw this news item: [Army tests body armor customized for females](http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/19/army-tests-new-body-armor-tailored-to-fit-female-soldiers/). Hopefully the designers resisted the temptation [to do this](http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2000-11-20). ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/35 "2012-09-19T13:18:43Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > I thought of this thread when I saw this news item: [Army tests body armor customized for females](http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/19/army-tests-new-body-armor-tailored-to-fit-female-soldiers/). Wow; it’s taken them all this time to figure out that women need differently tailored body armor? ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/36 "2012-09-19T14:00:11Z")
Since the OP, I’ve actually stumbled across a handy tumblr—[Women Fighters in Reasonable Armor](http://womenfighters.tumblr.com/). Tons of great examples of practical armor. Unfortunately, while it’s got a pretty sizable archive, it seems to have stopped updating in April, after the author accidentally deleted a few pages of entries, but before he started restoring/adding new ones. ☹ Anyone feel like making a knock-off sit—er, taking up the mantle? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/37 "2012-09-19T14:33:04Z")
I’d look at the historical records of space exploration for an answer. It becomes rapidly apparent that men always wear bulky pressure suits and women wear minimal bikini-like garb with some stylish bits of additional cloth to enhance the amount of skin exposed. I presume since this is sufficient protection against the vacuum of space, cosmic radiation, and the harsh environments of places like Mars and Venus, then it’s adequate as armor for our primitive warfare. I’d say the chain mail bikini is… … … sorry my thoughts wandered there for a moment, anyway I’d say the chain mail bikini is… … … … nm, I’ll be back later, more research to do. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/38 "2012-09-19T14:35:44Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > Since the OP, I’ve actually stumbled across a handy tumblr—[Women Fighters in Reasonable Armor](http://womenfighters.tumblr.com/). Tons of great examples of practical armor. > > Unfortunately, while it’s got a pretty sizable archive, it seems to have stopped updating in April, after the author accidentally deleted a few pages of entries, but before he started restoring/adding new ones. ☹ > > Anyone feel like making a knock-off sit—er, taking up the mantle? I notice that they usually still can’t resist giving their woman warriors impractically long flowing hair. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/39 "2012-09-19T15:00:38Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > In terms of actual historical armor, I’d probably go with the whole “[Amazon hoplite](http://media.photobucket.com/image/amazon%20armor/SpartanWarrior198/AmazonHopliteColor.jpg)” look. You’ve got your bare arms and your bare thighs, while at the same time, the breastplate, greaves, helmet and hoplon shield provide perfectly adequate protection. This wins the thread. And for the other poster that asked about an artery wound in the leg, those are protected with hoplite shield formations. The sculpted breast plate is ideal. It reads as highly feminine even at distance, but has maximum practicality. Hell, a lady could even cheat up a cup size. Win freakin win. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154/40 "2012-09-19T17:32:55Z")
Not really what the OP is looking for, but here are some [Women Fighters in Reasonable Armor](http://womenfighters.tumblr.com/). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-warrior-garb-highest-coefficient-of-practical-and-sexy/565154.md?page=3)