Quoting LibertyPrime:

Quoting Kiwi:

1) Serious question, how much of a real difference would wearing pants make to keeping Melissa warm during winter?, cold air is still cold air and if there's a cold wind blowing that can get into you no matter what you're wearing, there is the top half of her to consider also where she's generally only wearing a top and a cape, always the possibility of chest colds.

Having some amateur stage experience many many moons ago, dressing only in tunic and tights, it makes a big difference. I sympathize with skirt wearing friends in winter and sometimes envy them in summer.

Also, remember the top part of the costume contains muscle padding. I am sure that provides some insulation.

Plus the cape will act as a wind breaker.

Quoting Kelly:

...I think this change goes right with the changes we have seen Kara go through these past 4 seasons. IMO, she can be feminine, strong, and covered and to me there is nothing that will keep her from being who she has always been, a strong, passionate, hopeful superhero. None of that has changed, nor will it change with pants. The only thing that will change is Melissa's ability to stay warm and healthy.

You’re right the more I think about it the more I think that the skirt perfectly fit who Kara was when we first met her but she’s changed enough that now pants are a better fit. When we first met her she was a bubbly naive but fiercely passionate eternal optimist but she was also unsure of herself and her place in the world and in her cousins shadow. In four years we’ve seen her find her place in this world and even take her cousins place as it’s sole Kryptonian protector. She’s still bubbly and optimistic but in a more grown up way. Kara at her core will still be Kara no matter what she wears but her experiences over the past four years have changed her and that should be acknowledged. As a show goes on IMO it’s actually more of a challenge to write and play a hopeful optimistic hero like Kara or Barry than someone like Oliver. How does someone who’s been put through the wringer multiple times maintain that optimism while not looking naive, that’s a delicate balance.

Quoting SSAV:

It's Melissa that makes Supergirl Supergirl, not the suit (in the show at least).

Absolutely!

I haven't posted here for quite some time, but I've kept up on the posted comments here thru out Supergirl's first 4 seasons. While Melissa looks great in her current costume, I've felt since the beginning of the series she should have had a more modern, practical superhero outfit. This is just my own opinion and I respect all the comments, pro and con I've read here. I've often wondered how Melissa kept warm during shoots after they moved the production to Vancouver, and now after listening to this interview and learning it was affecting her health, to me it's another practical reason for the change. I liked the OverGirl and Red Daughter costumes very much and wondered then if a change for Supergirl was possibly in the works, and apparently it was. Unless I'm mistaken, I believe Colleen Atwood, an Oscar-winning costume designer conceived her skirted costume, so I'm wondering if they consulted with her again for the pants-version outfit. We should see something posted by Comic-Con this month giving us a first glimpse in any event. I agree with those who've posted here that it's Melissa's portrayal that takes the forefront, not her costume. When I first opened this webpage and saw the top picture-(closeup of Melissa's face), I thought I was looking at a younger woman actor who was possibly going to play Kara towards the end of high school or early college, then quickly realized it was Melissa. I like the new hair-do, but it did throw me off for a few seconds!!! I would like to see more emphasis on Kara/Supergirl-(not to criticize the supporting cast, they are all great), but I like to see her do her super-stuff-(like those super-acts shown in the 4th season premiere montage) since this is a superhero-themed show. Finally, we probably can all agree as fans of the show and Melissa's performance that we won't ever not be properly entertained!!!!!!

History will always play a role in people's perceptions...that is just how it is....so sometimes, no matter people's perception of something, because of that history changes need to be made. IMO, the history of the skirt, and unfortunately some of the more recent artwork for Supergirl has a sexual undercoat. So for that reason, I think this change goes right with the changes we have seen Kara go through these past 4 seasons. IMO, she can be feminine, strong, and covered and to me there is nothing that will keep her from being who she has always been, a strong, passionate, hopeful superhero. None of that has changed, nor will it change with pants. The only thing that will change is Melissa's ability to stay warm and healthy.

Quoting Eire El:

...I have always found it unsettling when anyone hints at the idea that it is somehow male chauvinist and antifeminist to picture...a woman going in to battle wearing a skirt. Surly it should be the opposite as call them what you like (Kilts, Tunics, Fustanellas...) men went in to battle for century's wearing skirts... Let me ask a question, wouldn't it therefore be gender bias to assume a woman can't fight in a skirt?...

Just to clarify, I never stated that a woman couldn’t fight in a skirt nor did I say that it would be chauvinist or anti-feminist to think it’s okay for a woman to wear a skirt in battle. Instead, what I stated was that the idea of SG wearing a skirt was developed during a time when women were expected to wear a skirt. As was WW.

I think the historical context associated with traditions of certain clothing, behavior, etc has to be examined when comparing. The history of men wearing tunics, kilts, etc.,into battle originated during a culture/time period where it signified strength & bravery. But, the cultural tradition when SG was created wearing a skirt was based on neither, but rather on concepts such as beauty, sex appeal and daintiness. And because of that, when we ask for a continuation of her tradition to wear a skirt, then some also see it as an extension of that particular view, too.

No, I don’t believe that a skirt in battle is practical, if that were the case we would see its use in real life battles & sports. But, I do agree that any gender should be allowed to wear what they want without a social stigma. And I absolutely abhor vast generalizations and stereotypes which is why I specified in my original post that only those who believe SG should wear a certain dress because of some misplaced stereotype or expectation of behavior should have a problem. I'm good though with whatever Melissa wants to wear.