In a revealing public critique that resonated with broader industry conversations about the sexualization of female superheroes, Elizabeth Olsen—who portrays the powerful character Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch—publicly voiced her discomfort with the design of her Avengers costume in 2018. Her complaint, centered on the costume showing “too much cleavage,” ultimately contributed to a radical and highly celebrated redesign for her subsequent leading role in the Disney+ series, WandaVision. The Moment Elizabeth Olsen Realized She Was “the Only One With Cleavage”—and How That Single Observation Ignited a Major Marvel Cultural Shift.
The 2018 Complaint: The “Cleavage Corset”
Olsen’s original costume, primarily used across films like Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019), consistently featured a deep-cut bodice, often referred to as a “cleavage corset” by the actress. In a high-profile interview with Elle magazine around the release of Avengers: Infinity War, Olsen articulated her frustration by comparing her outfit to those of her female co-stars. She noted, “It would just not be a cleavage corset. I like corsets, but I’d like it to be higher.” She pointed out that actresses like Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie) and Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow, whose costume had already undergone a modernization to cover more skin) wore suits that were far less revealing.
Olsen openly shared the internal awareness of the issue on set, stating, “It’s funny because sometimes I look around and I’m just like—‘wow, I’m the only one who has cleavage,’ and that’s a constant joke because they haven’t really evolved my superhero costume that much.” The core of her objection was that the design seemed to prioritize sexual appeal over the character’s status as a formidable warrior and hero. This highlighted a lingering issue in the representation of female superheroes across comics and film.
The Radical Redesign for WandaVision
Olsen’s public and consistent push for a more functional and less sexualized uniform clearly made an impact on Marvel Studios’ design philosophy for the character. The subsequent Disney+ series, WandaVision (2021), marked a dramatic shift. Throughout the series, Wanda’s clothing evolved through various sitcom-era outfits. However, the true transformation occurred in the series finale when Wanda finally embraced her destiny and title as the Scarlet Witch.
The new, definitive Scarlet Witch costume was a massive departure from the corset look. It featured a deep red, multi-layered suit, full sleeves, leggings, and a flowing cape, incorporating her comic book tiara/headpiece for the first time in a non-Halloween context. This design was hailed by fans and critics alike as a vast improvement—a powerful, witchy, and dignified suit of power that fully covered the character’s torso and legs. It was confirmed that Olsen herself was involved in the redesign process for her new suit. This collaborative approach demonstrated Marvel’s willingness to listen to its actors and adjust character aesthetics based on modern sensitivities and performer comfort.
In a clever nod to the character’s outlandish original comic book suit—which featured a notoriously skimpy leotard and headband—WandaVision included a Halloween episode (“All-New Halloween Spooktacular!“) where Wanda wears a low-cost, brightly colored version of the classic costume. Olsen herself was reportedly excited about this inclusion, stating it was the “perfect way” to wear the campy original design, allowing the series to acknowledge the character’s past while firmly establishing the modernized, more powerful look as her future standard uniform.