When Ms. Marvel’s debuted in 1976 with this John Romita (I assume) designed costume, I kind of took it for granted. But like Spider-Woman’s costume, I kind of think it’s pretty nifty now!
You can see in the original model an effort to make it look like Captain Marvel—with the star emblem on her chest and the diamond shaped mask. Instead of a cape, she had these impractical sashes running down her back. The open midsection, revealing Carol Danvers perfectly flat abs, is a classic Romita touch. He used that same design on the Femizons and Satana,Apparently someone decided the open belly look wasn’t all that hot. By 1977, artists had started drawing the costume top as one piece. It’s like a mash-up between Baywatch and superheroes.

Dave Cockrum redesigned Ms Marvel’s costume into the black version that we’ve known for over 30 years. John Byrne once make a joke about how much this costume resembled Storm’s.But old costumes never really die…eventually they find a way back! Dark Reign provided the perfect opportunity for Karla Sofer (Moonstone) to don the classic outfit in her impersonation of Ms. Marvel.