As one of the most rambunctious and extroverted characters in the DC universe, Harley Quinn comes with an entire range of fun and crazy outfits. Harley Quinn is increasingly popular as an empowering character within the DC Universe and her costumes reflect this clearly.
With a variation of villainous clown outfits (inspired by her initial relationship with Joker), Harley Quinn walks into battle head held high, every single time. However, as with any character, some of these costumes suit the character better than others.
10 COOL: Original Harley Quinn
The original appearance of Harley Quinn in 1992 was wildly popular, leading to her making the jump from animation to comics. The original character, unlike Harley today, was primarily a sidekick to the Joker and Poison Ivy.
Her costume is a reference to her relationship with the Clown Prince of Crime, and to the harlequin that gives her her name - it's a full-body suit in red and black diamonds (classic harlequin motif), with harlequin details in the hood and cuffs. This is also a nod to her position as 'beneath' the Joker - as a jester, and someone who is often abused by him.
9 LAME: Brave And The Bold's Harley Quinn
The series The Brave and the Bold is a complete toss-away of Harley Quinn's villainous jester appearance, and sees her in a flapper-inspired outfit. She wears a feathered headband and either a black dress or prison stripes, neither of which suit her. Unlike other costumes, this really says nothing about the character herself.
There was only one representation of this, thankfully, because it wasn't popular with fans - and never made it out of this series.
8 COOL: Birds Of Prey Harley Quinn
The latest live-action Harley Quinn in Birds of Prey is absolutely phenomenal. Post Suicide Squad she gets a haircut, and switches up her over-sexed outfit for something far more fun, with bright colors and interesting textures. The Margot Robbie version of Harley Quinn really stands out and gives the audience a modern take on the DC villain.
7 LAME: Gods And Monsters' Harley Quinn
The series Gods and Monsters tried something new with Harley Quinn and it just didn't work. She goes from being wonderfully unhinged to just plain scary, and the changes seem to be lacking any real reason, leaving audiences wondering why she has a demonic look. Along with this, the outfit portrays Harley Quinn as a sex object rather than a true supervillain.
She wears very little, only a bustier, suspenders, and panties (which are also white, rather than red and black - an incredibly strange choice), with the diamonds becoming a tattoo. This looks less like Harley and more like a Harley-inspired boudoir shoot.
6 COOL: DC Super Hero Girls' Harley Quinn
DC Super Hero Girls' Harley Quinn is a fun outfit that portrays the main jester/harlequin look that fans were extremely happy with. As usual, it's in red and black, with some white diamonds and the addition of red and blue streaks in the hair. She's fun, chaotic, and really moves the audience through the show with her phenomenal personality.
This also works as an upgrade to the original costume. Although she tosses away the jester hat, the pigtails became a new fan favorite, and the harlequin costume is still referenced in the puffed sleeves and red/black tights. Super Hero Girls also adds shorts and sneakers to bring the costume into the modern world.
5 LAME: Batman Arkham Asylum's Harley Quinn
Whether it was a digitally poor graphic design of Harley Quinn or the lame outfit, Batman Arkham Asylum's Harley Quinn did not make any sense. Not only does she lose the colorful animation of the DC villain, but she also tosses away the original Harley Quinn outfit, replacing it with a blue and red set of gloves, push-up bra, and leather waister corset. That's over the top of a white nurse costume, including hat. It's over-sexualized, a departure in color, and overall, just doesn't make sense.
4 COOL: DC Bombshells' Harley Quinn
DC Bombshells is a DC universe that takes place during the Second World War, with the art and costumes inspired by the style of classic '40s pinups. Harley Quinn is exactly as badass as the original, but with a period twist. She trades in the harlequin outfit for shorts and a bomber jacket, keeping the original costume colors and diamonds only on her bra. This is a huge departure from her usual style, but it works. Overall, DC Bombshells shows the wildcard she truly is.
3 LAME: Harley Quinn 2004
Harley Quinn as seen a decade after her original appearance acquired this weirdly huge hat that was the size of half her body. This representation isn't terrible, but when audiences looked at her, they couldn't help but stare at the hat. Other than that, it's a simple repeat of her original suit.
The color scheme is correct and the original design was great, but the huge hat just makes her look a little ridiculous.
2 COOL: (Amanda Conner) Harley Quinn
The current representation of Harley Quinn by Amanda Conner is a fantastic portrayal of the character as she is now. The color scheme fits her original comic profile but the clothing is updated - gone is the full body suit and jester hat, replaced by high tops, thigh high socks, shorts, a bustier, and gloves (and occasionally a jacket).
After all, Harley Quinn has come a long way from her origin as Joker's sidekick, and in the modern portrayal, everything is done right. This costume shows her personal style, independent attitude, love of fun, and even references her love of roller derby!
1 LAME: Suicide Squad's Harley Quinn
One of the most recent versions of Harley Quinn is highly controversial. Suicide Squad is widely known as a terrible movie and while Harley Quinn is a favorite character, her costume leaves a lot to be desired. She wears a literal collar, ripped shirt, push-up bra, tiny short, and high heels, with a jacket over the top - choices that seem to be more about their appeal to men than their connection to the character. Overall, Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn is sexualized in comparison to the Birds of Prey female-designed costume.