Ever since the premiere of the first Mahou shoujo series, anime has been filled with well dressed magical girls from head to toe. Some of them rock pink outfits while others prefer to show off a sportier enchanting look. Regardless, these ladies know how to save the day and look stylish no matter what struggle comes their way.
But which among them is the most fashionable of all? Well, that's where this list comes in. From the most retro of magical individuals to the more recent favorites, here's are the 10 best magical girl outfits in anime history!
10 Cure Flora's Main Outfit from Go! Princess PreCure
With her bright princess aesthetics, it's near impossible not to love Cure Flora from the PreCure franchise. Is she perhaps the most original hero among her fellow Cures? Not exactly. But is her costume incredibly memorable for a laundry list of reasons? Totally.
With a perfect blend of majestic and functional, this outfit from Go! Princess PreCure speaks to all of the magical and feminine elements of the character without losing her modern edge. Plus, her greatest strength is being able to kick villains to the curb while balancing a giant crown on her head. Powerful and impressive? Absolutely.
9 Sally's Red Dress Outfit from Sally The Witch
Though first seen by fans in black and white, Sally from the landmark series Sally The Witch will always be remembered for her signature red and white outfit. It perfectly evokes the era of the series creation, while simultaneously showing off the fun energy of the character.
Is it perhaps the most detailed outfit on this list? No. But is it just as iconic as the magical young girl herself? Without a doubt. And that sort of pure quality is what gives this little witch a special place in the hearts of viewers for decades to come.
8 Madoka's Magical Girl Outfit from Puella Magi Madoka Magica
The series Puella Magi Madoka Magica focuses on the idea of cuteness juxtaposed with darkness. And if there ever was an image that perfectly symbolizes the optimism within the series, it would be lead character Madoka's iconic ruffle covered dress.
With pink, yellow, and red elements, Madoka's outfit features whimsical details that bring about famous magical girls of the past. But with her unique accessories and weapon, she's meant to evolve into a much more modern mahou shoujo hero - one who is destined to go through one of the most dramatic stories in all of anime history.
7 Princess Tutu's Outfit from Princess Tutu
With her signature ballerina-inspired gown and fairy tale whimsy, Princess Tutu is a champion for those that still believe in happy endings - an aspect her look wonderfully represents. But what makes this magical girl outfit so iconic is its ability to pay tribute to ballet history - especially Swan Lake.
Tutu is obviously supposed to represent Odette, particularly in her hairstyle that emulates the famous swan costume. And when you juxtapose that with narrative elements and other visuals within the series, Princess Tutu herself stands out as one genuinely unique and stunning, magical girl.
6 Saint Tail Outfit from Saint Tail
Though perhaps not the most famous magical girl on this list, 90's era hero Saint Tail stands as an icon of both justice and style. Why? Because she wears a large bow tie like a pro, all the while flawlessly accomplishing her Robin Hood-style adventures.
But the best aspect of this ensemble is how it embodies the thief-like aspects of the character but with a fun edge. The (almost black) purple color scheme allows for Saint Tail to blend into the shadows at night, while the pink skirt finishes the look with a feminine touch that is as iconic as this magical girl's good deeds.
5 Utena's Full Uniform from The Adolescence of Utena Movie
With her long pink locks and gender-bent appeal, Utena Tenjou is one of the most unique anime heroes of all time. But with the movie version of her famous school uniform, Utena became even more of a style icon than before.
This white rendition of her memorable princely look (that draws inspiration from Rose of Versailles' Oscar) conjures even more of a regal aesthetic than her anime series incarnation. Plus, with her hair being more curly and wild than before, Utena is clearly in full glam mode with this look.
4 Hikaru Shidou's Rune God Armour from Magic Knight Rayearth
Not too many magical girls can wear full-on red from head to toe. But Hikaru from the Magic Knight Rayearth franchise can because of her a passionate and warm persona that matches with this regal set of armor.
Typically in a magical girl series, the main character is shown in pink as the ultimate representation of feminity. But in Hikaru's case, the final version of her red and gold color armor represents the power and maturity she's gained throughout her journey, visually proving her to be an incredible hero to all that need her help.
3 Sakura Kinomoto's Red Shadow Cape Outfit from Cardcaptor Sakura
Though Sakura Kinomoto is known for her incredible closet, there's nothing quite as iconic and stylish as her first battle outfit from season 1 of Cardcaptor Sakura. Shown when Sakura captures the Shadow card, this outfit wins all of the fashion points for its cute hat along with the cool corset and ribbon details.
But the best aspect, of course, is the cape itself. It shows off Sakura's love of bows in an adorable and functional way. Plus, it emulates the powerful capes of iconic heroes like Superman, allowing Sakura to become the hero of her own unique adventure.
2 Creamy Mami's 2nd Closing Outfit from Creamy Mami
One part pop idol, another part magical girl, Creamy Mami, is easily one of the most fashionable ladies on this list. But the outfit that many remember as her greatest comes not from a specific scene, but from the iconic second closing sequence.
Featuring the song "Love Sarigenaku," this outfit represents all of the aspects of Mami perfectly. From her alien-like antenna headband to her pink dress (which either is shown with sleeves or in a halter-top style), this coordinate embodies her intergalactic power roots along with her music-influenced style - making her one heck of an unforgettable magical protagonist.
1 Sailor Moon from Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
With her intense interest in fashion trends of the time, it makes sense that Naoko Takeuchi's own Sailor Moon would take the number one spot on this list. Not only has this guardian of love and justice become a household name over the years, she's shifted into a memorable fashion icon that has continued to inspire fans and artists of all ages.
But what makes this warrior's look so perfect? Because it flawlessly blends visual cues of elegance, youth, and power. It evokes every aspect of both Usagi and Princess Serenity's personalities - representing these two individuals becoming one incredible magical girl.