Fashion-Forward: The Legend of Zelda

A skirt? No, guys, it's a tunic. Now shut up.

Seeing as Link is one of Nintendo’s oldest and most iconic characters, it’s fitting that he’s got an iconic costume. That being said, Link still rocks his outfit well into 2010, changing his duds ever-so-slightly with the times. But he’s definitely got his naysayers. Check out his tunic, for instance– win a few games as Link in Super Smash Bros., and more often than not, your unsportsmanlike foe’s bound to say something like, “Well, at least I don’t play a pansy wearing a skirt.” Little do these style-less savages know that designers like Alexander McQueen have thrown the so-called “skirt” look into their outfits as recently as– well, check out these outfits from Alexander McQueen’s svelte men’s 2010-2011 autumn/winter collection.

Watch out: badasses on the runway.

Have faith, legendary hero fans, Link knows what he’s doing. See, Link’s tunic isn’t only functional– the guy’s got to go to some pretty cold places, not to mention ride a pretty fierce horse –it also bursts at the seams with haute couture. (Re: Horrified fashion purists– I know I’m using that term incorrectly, but come on, it’s for Link’s sake.) I don’t know if Mr. McQueen ever played Twilight Princess or any other Zelda game, but he would have been proud of the elven fellow, even if it means admitting that, yes, some video game elf came up with the idea first. As traditional as Link may be, his clothes– and his skills– still smack of avante-garde.

Which leaves us with that strapping green cap: it’s silly-looking, sure, considering it looks more like a sleeping cap than anything, but think for a second about how monsters might look at Link. Just like that Super Smash Bros. loser, they’re going to underestimate him just with a glance at his floppy hat. (Though those military chic knee-high leather boots should off-set that. See that? Link just rocks the trends– even if they show up at Gap.) But those Moblins should probably try not to laugh, since it’ll probably be the last thing they do. Just like any good fashion-savvy hero, Link throws on a few quirks into his outfits– and in this case, it’s a quirk that works to his advantage. Functional, stylish, and clever at the same time– it’s an outfit only Link could pull off.

(And as a side-note: is anyone looking at those gloves of his? He’s got some admittedly questionable fingerless gloves (not even Ash Ketchum can pull off these gloves– and he’s a Pokémon master), but then he’s also got blue armguards– a nice splash of color in an otherwise very forest-y outfit. Check out that red guard on top of his left hand, too– probably for that falcon he’s fond of calling. Link comes prepared, for sure. Wannabe heroes take note.)

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