The protagonist of a Pokémon game is almost always a plucky young person with their heart set on challenging their region's Pokémon League, or equivalent, and eventually becoming the champion. Anyone with such lofty goals will, of course, be dressed to impress. The outfit a Pokémon trainer wears says a lot about their personality and what they value. Pokémon trainers need to be comfortable traversing the wilderness of the world, but also look fashionable enough that the player will enjoy looking at them for their entire journey.

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Pokémon has always had a distinct sense of style, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the protagonists. Starting in Generation VI, players could actually customize their trainers by buying new clothing options. However, even these games have a baseline version of their protagonist, usually wearing the outfit the player starts with.

10 Brenden's Dress Is Extremely Practical

pokemon brenden

The Generation III male protagonist will also serve as the player's rival if they choose the female avatar instead. Brenden is well prepared to tackle the wildernesses of Hoenn, dressed in what appears to be a water-proof shirt, hardy sneakers, and some athletic pants.

His shoes are just the kind of sturdy footwear necessary for climbing Mt. Chimney or surfing the waves of Route 109. Brenden's hat has been the cause of some controversy in the Pokémon community, as the sprite artwork in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald somewhat looks like he has a shock of white hair instead.

9 Dawn Just Keeps Getting More Stylish

Dawn chooses Piplup as her partner

The female protagonist from the Generation IV games perfectly threads the needle between fashionable and practical. She wears a cute black and pink dress, accented by a long red scarf to keep her warm on long journeys through Sinnoh.

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She also wears a pair of sturdy boots that match the color scheme of the outfit while also providing solid support. In Pokémon Platinum, Dawn adds a red coat to her ensemble and trades the red scarf for a white one, creating an overall comfier look.

8 Scarlet And Violet's Protagonists Hint At A Story

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet trainer

The as-yet unnamed protagonists of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are a potential demonstration of how a Pokémon protagonist's outfit can be sued to tell their story. The characters featured in the first Scarlet and Violet trailer appear to be wearing some kind of school uniform.

This, along with some shots from the trailer, has some fans speculating that the games will take place at a Pokémon academy of some kind. The color scheme differs depending on which game the protagonist is from, suggesting the possible existence of two different schools, potentially with a rivalry between them.

7 Lucas Is Way Better In Platinum

pokemon lucas

Like his counterpart Dawn, Lucas's outfits change with each game he is in. Lucas's initial outfit is nothing to write home about, but he really takes a step up when it comes to Pokémon Platinum. rather than a plain shirt and scarf combo, Lucas now wears a sensible jacket with a flaired color. His scarf, now white, is tied around his neck in an ascot fashion, granting him a distinguished look. Under the jacket can barely be seen a red sweater, giving this outfit a dignified look that Lucas was lacking in prior incarnations.

6 Rei Wears The Uniform Of The Corps

Trainer gets friendly with a Cobalt Coastlands Growlithe in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Rei is one of several Pokémon protagonists that is still present in the game's story even if the player doesn't select them. He serves as a counterpart in Pokémon Legends: Arceus for players that picked the female avatar instead, joining the player and Professor Laventon for several key moments in the game.

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He wears the Survey Corps Uniform, a stylish dark blue shirt and pants combo perfect for staying comfortable out in the Hisui wilderness. Fans have drawn a comparison between his look and Lucas's, suggesting a possible connection.

5 Lyra Adds A Much Needed Option

pokemon lyra

Pokémon games have not always featured a choice between two gendered options for player avatar. The original release of Gold and Silver featured only one protagonist, Ethan. Luckily, Lyra was added as a second option in the HeartGold and SoulSilver remakes.

Her outfit has a provincial look, with a pair of denim overalls and a bonnet-like cap. Interestingly, the Gen II game Pokémon Crystal featured a female protagonist option named Kris, and the two share a similar hairstyle. Overall, however, Lyra's outfit is a lot better.

4 Gloria Is Dressed For The Highlands

pokemon sword and shield

The baseline female trainer from Pokémon Sword and Shield puts those games' customizability to good use. She starts with a pink dress and grey sweater/jacket, perfect for the cool temperatures Galar is known for. She also starts with a pair of sturdy hiking boots, which are not only practical for an adventurer like her but also make a nice contrast with the nice dress and sweater. Her signature puffball beret completes the look, echoing the Balmoral bonnets common to Scottish Highland dress.

3 Elio Is Ready To Be A Beach Bum

pokemon elio

Elio is the male trainer from the Generation VII games, and while his Sun and Moon look is just fine, its his outfit in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon that really stands out. Fitting with the tropical region of Alola, Elio wears a pair of oversized shorts that may or may not be swimtrunks, based on the drawstring waist.

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He also wears a casual tanktop, perfect for soaking up those Alolan rays. A bucket hat tops the whole ensemble, giving Elio a great surfer-dude look.

2 May Is Dressed For The Wilds

May from Pokémon Advanced Generations.

Like her counterpart Brenden, the Generation III female avatar is dressed for the wilds in a way that many other Pokémon trainers just aren't. May wears athletic wear from head to toe, perfect for hopping on the Seaside Cycling Road on a bicycle or diving underwater to reach Sootopolis city.

Her iconic bandana helps keep her hair out of her face and interestingly changes color from red in Pokémon Ruby and Saphire and their remakes to green in Pokémon Emerald. 

1 Red Set A Decades-Long Precedent

Red riding a bike

Red is the best dressed Pokémon protagonist in part because he set the standard for what a Pokémon trainer looks like. Red's signature style of jeans, vest, and ballcap helped to define Pokémon style for decades to come.

Ash's outfit in the anime is clearly patterned after Red's, and future games have all at least considered his style in their designs. Even when he returns in Sun and Moon as an aged-up version of himself, he maintains his casually awesome look with perfect ease.

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