Cape Shots

The Superman costume created for Lois and Clark had a few cosmetic changes compared to previous versions. The tights were a darker blue and the boots were a darker red and they did not have the V-notch cut in the top. The belt had a rectangular buckle rather than a round one, but most problematic for the wardrobe department was the cape.

Being the longest and therefore heaviest cape ever designed for a Superman costume, finding a good way to attach it to the tights was difficult.

Traditionally the cape was a throwback to the days of the Musketeers and Robin Hood and added an aesthetic reminder of those bygone days of gallantry and chivalry.

However, getting the cape to fit a modern material that was never meant to support a long heavy accessory and have it look good on a human actor became a never-ending battle.

The first three episodes featured three different cape attachment designs. On the left was the cape from the episode Strange Visitor, which had raised epaulet-like attachments.

In the center, the absolute worst design from Neverending Battle. The attachments were so stiff and heavy, it was impossible for the tights to be pulled up any higher. This version was dubbed 'the cleavage costume.'

The third episode was the charm. In I'm Looking Through You, a cape attachment design finally worked and, with few changes, would be the design used throughout the run of the series.

It was decided that Dean Cain himself would support the cape with his shoulders. The tunic was pulled up and under the cape. The arm loops were snug and flat against the body so they would not show up under the form-fitting and unforgiving tights.

It's not surprising that Dean Cain commented that staying in shape was the hardest part of the job. Any weight gain would show up faster than a speeding donut.

To preserve the illusion that the cape was attached to the tights and to hold down the pleated front pieces, patches of Velcro were placed high on the shoulders. Tabs were also tucked into the neckpiece, but notice one has come loose in the photo on the right.

The experimentation finally paid off. The long cape design allowed for a rather regal look, or as Perry noted, "a kind of royal outfit." Pleated at the shoulders, but wide at the hem, the cape had a fluid, sweeping movement.

Also, the embroidered back emblem of contrasting gold threads was unique to Lois and Clark. Prior costumes used a flat patch with a black stencil 'S' outline, or in the case of George Reeves' costume, a chest emblem was attached to the cape.

Lastly, a large part of the Kent family budget must have been set aside just for buttons. While it's probably true that Clark Kent could have unbuttoned his shirt at super speed, there has always been the dramatic appeal of seeing the shirt ripped open and revealing the costume underneath. Even Spider-Man has stolen this technique. Not to mention Lois Lane seemed to love watching the transformation.

From a technical standpoint, though never mentioned, the shirts were likely fitted with Velcro similar to the tuxedo shirt Dean wore at the 1993 Emmy Awards. As to where the cape and boots are hidden, that's a secret Superman has kept for over 60 years.