The depths of the ocean are teeming with aquatic life and sunken treasure—but no fashion designers. What’s an Aquaman to do? Try different looks until one sticks, apparently. Arthur Curry may be best known for his iconic orange and green superhero costume, but every now and then he debuts some new threads. Some of these updated costumes have been pretty great, while others are probably best left at the bottom of the ocean where it’s too dark to see them. Will any of these looks show up in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom? Probably not, but that’s not about to keep us from spotlighting Arthur’s fashionista past. Not with this sort of sartorial legacy on display! Here are six forgotten Aquaman costumes…
 

Feeling Blue

Do you remember that period after Crisis on Infinite Earths where DC superheroes all tried reinventing themselves? Superman and Wonder Woman got new origins, while Aquaman got a new suit. The fresh look was introduced in Aquaman’s 1986 limited series and consists of a blue jumpsuit with different shades forming a pattern. The thinking was that it would serve as a sort of camouflage so that Arthur could blend in with the sea current. It’s also supposed to hide his identity (even though there’s no mask). The crazy thing is if you read 1986’s Aquaman #1, it actually worked! There’s a scene where Aquaman is swimming past some Atlanteans, who have the following exchange.

“Whoa, who was that?”

“Some blonde guy! Never saw him before.”

Suddenly Superman’s glasses aren’t looking so silly.
 

Give this Guy a Hand

If you lived through the 1990s, you know it was very much a decade of experimentation for men. Some guys frosted their hair and got earrings, but that just wasn’t enough for the King of Atlantis. Instead, Arthur let his hair grow long, grew out an impressive beard and chopped off his hand. Okay, technically it was bitten off by a bunch of piranhas and losing it was not planned, but it did give his new look something extra.

In 1994’s Aquaman #5, Arthur tied his new look together with a redesigned costume. He donned pants that were green and scaly, and replaced his orange shirt with metal armor that covered parts of his upper chest and right arm. Honestly, this was a pretty kickass makeover and we have to use the term “forgotten” loosely here because it’s still remembered fondly by anyone reading comics at the time. It just screamed attitude…even if it did unleash a tidal wave of arguments over whether that was a hook on his hand or a harpoon. (For the record, it’s a harpoon!)
 

Aquapirate, Ahoy!

This new look debuted in 1998’s Aquaman #50, and our guy went a bit extra with this one. The King of the Sea added some bangles to his arm and a seashell headband to his forehead…for reasons. He kept the scaly green pants from his early ’90s look but added a vest that he wore open, proudly showing off his pecs like he was an extra in a workout video from a decade earlier.

In fairness to our hero, Arthur and Mera were having marital problems at the time, so maybe this was just a very misguided way of dealing with it. Luckily, he only wore this suit a few times, mostly for royal occasions like his birthday, Tempest’s wedding and Talk Like a Pirate Day…which is a national holiday in Atlantis. (Okay, I totally made that last part up, but I’m guessing that from now on, every time Talk Like a Pirate Day comes around, you’re going to think of this outfit. You’re welcome.)
 

Too Sexy for This Shirt

Anyone else notice how the last two entries didn’t have much above the waist? By 2003, Aquaman decided to just lose the shirt altogether. After his ’90s costume was damaged in battle, Arthur decided it was time for a change, so he trimmed his hair and cut his beard. Even his harpoon hand was replaced with a prosthetic hand made of mystical water.

Yet for all the obviously careful consideration he gave his personal grooming, Arthur really didn’t give much thought to his costume. With his ’90s suit torn, he asked one of his royal guards if he could borrow their pants. The trousers were green with sharp yellow vines encasing them. Arthur didn’t bother to ask for a shirt. Maybe he didn’t want to make things any more awkward for the guard, but considering the dude was now stuck at work without pants, that ship had already sailed. Still, it’s not like anyone is going to complain about Arthur going shirtless. In fact, if we’re talking about Momoa, they’d probably complain if he didn’t. This new look debuted in 2003’s Aquaman #3.
 

White After Labor Day

Forget standing up to Black Manta and Ocean Master, it takes a whole new level of courage to wear a fully white suit when most of your life is spent underwater. Still, it’s not as if Arthur chose this one deliberately. The whole look started to take form in 2007’s Aquaman: The Sword of Atlantis #50 when Arthur was killed. Of course, this is comics, so he didn’t stay dead and was eventually resurrected by the White Lantern Corps during the Blackest Night storyline.

Later, during Brightest Day #7, a flash of light turned Aquaman’s traditional orange and green costume white. It quickly went back to normal, but the White Lantern uniform was immortalized on one of the issue’s variant covers, which means no one will ever forget it. Still, small price to pay for being not dead, I’d say.
 

Flashpoint Fashion

In Flashpoint, Barry Allen’s attempts to save his mother cause a ripple effect in the timestream, creating an alternate world that’s much bleaker than our own. How bad are we talking? Aquaman has the absolute worst breakup in history and starts an entire war with the Amazons in revenge that threatens all of existence.

His costume seems to reflect the darker timeline. His pants are a blackish green with matching gloves, while his shirt is reddish orange...or maybe it’s just stained with the blood of his enemies. (This is a bleak timeline, friends.) This Aquaman would also wear a strap across his chest at times, which presumably helps hold his ammo and weapons. He also has a crewcut, driving home the point that he’s more militant. I realize crewcuts have never really been in fashion, but are you going to tell this Aquaman that? Because I’m sure not.
 

The King of Atlantis has certainly had some interesting looks over the years, but he always goes back to his orange and green duds. I guess you never forget your first love. Catch Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to see Aquaman in charge, in action, and of course, in fashion!

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, directed by James Wan and featuring Jason Momoa as Aquaman, hits theaters December 22^nd! For news, trailers and other features on the King of Atlantis, visit our official Aquaman hub page.

Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column, "Gotham Gazette." Follow him on Twitter at @TBUJosh.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros., nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.