Since One Piece's debut in July 1997, Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hats have explored countless biomes, islands, and civilizations, each of which has been seamlessly woven into one of the grandest narratives in shonen anime. Throughout this journey, author Eiichiro Oda has consistently updated the outfits of the series' characters, crafting a particularly wide-variety of aesthetics for its main character: Luffy.
From the East Blue to the New World to every stop in-between, Oda continually looks for opportunities to outfit Monkey D. Luffy with new wardrobes. While not every outfit has been a stellar addition to the series, a select few have become iconic within the show's community.
10 Mob Boss Luffy Draws Comparisons To Other Series
One Piece movies have a history of introducing flashy new outfits for the Straw Hat crew. 2009's One Piece Film: Strong World was no exception, showcasing Luffy and his companions in matching sleek, black suits and dresses reminiscent of western mobsters.
Set in between the Thriller Bark and Saobody Archipelago arcs, the 10th film in the One Piece franchise follows Luffy and his crew as they deal with one of the most legendary pirates of the previous generation: Golden Lion Shiki. Rarely does One Piece allow its main character to wear such a novel outfit, so the inclusion of this aesthetic, however brief, is a welcome addition to the series.
9 Luffy's Saobody Archipelago Outfit Matches The Mood Of The Entire Arc
The Saobody Archipelago arc marked a turning point in the series and presented the first unsurmountable challenge the Straw Hats faced. Pitting them against the strongest threats the World Government had to offer, it was only fitting Monkey D. Luffy's costume reflected this gravitas.
While wearing the blue shirt, checkered armband, and black shorts he sports throughout this arc, Luffy is forced to watch as Bartholomew Kuma and various Marine Forces rip the Straw Hats away from him. Although this isn't the happiest moment of the series by any means, Luffy's outfit compliments its tone.
8 Nami's Jacket Is The Perfect Compliment To Luffy's Fight Against Wapol
Drum Island's most important contribution to One Piece was undoubtedly the addition of Tony Tony Chopper, the Straw Hat's beloved doctor. Luffy's (as well as the rest of the Straw Hats') wintry outfit, given to him by Nami, was a welcome second.
Originally sporting his regular outfit upon arriving at Drum Island, Luffy donned his crewmate's plaid jacket while she received treatment from Chopper and his mentor, Doctor Kureha. Although Luffy couldn't keep himself from ripping the sleeves off the jacket later in the arc, the visual connection between him and Nami made for one of the most heartwarming costume changes in the series.
7 Film: Z Foreshadowed Luffy's Future Looks In The Series
One Piece Film: Z released in 2012, yet the aesthetic of its protagonist and overall animation style drew comparison to Luffy and his crew's appearance from Act Three of Wano. The film centered around the Straw Hats efforts to defeat the former Marine Admiral, "Black Arm" Zephyr.
Without his trademark Straw Hat, Luffy somehow looks more serious than ever when battling his enemy during this film. His gold and red overcoat also harkens to the King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger. Eiichiro Oda seems to have taken note of this outfit, as he greatly paralleled Luffy's outfit for his most important moment to date: the fight against Kaido and the Beast Pirates.
6 Luffy's Outfit In Alabasta Served A Practical Purpose
Many of Luffy's outfits are fairly derivative, drawing clear inspiration from his primary costume with few notable changes to his overall appearance. However, the Alabasta arc deviates from this trend, allowing Luffy's appearance to capture the nature of the arid environment he and his crew are traversing.
Oda's decision to completely redesign Luffy's costume for the arc pays dividends throughout its entirety, eventually helping the show's protagonist carry water to use in his penultimate fight against the arc's final villain: Crocodile. Rarely does a costume change result in functionality, making this outfit noteworthy if for no other reason than for its impact against the former Warlord of the Sea.
5 The Novelty Of Gladiator Lucy Never Wore Off
For being such a goofy novelty, Gladiator Lucy (Luffy's alias during the tournament for Ace's Mera Mera no Mi Devil Fruit) left a mark on the One Piece community. Potentially inspired by Master Roshi of Dragon Ball fame, Luffy donned this disguise in hopes of staying incognito while fighting for the tournament's prize in Dressrosa.
The pineapple-themed shirt, flowing red cape, ridiculous facial hair, and over-the-top gladiator helm are quintessentially One Piece in their absurdity. Additionally, they function as an appropriate foil to the serious nature of Dressrosa's later events.
4 Luffy's Suit On Whole Cake Island Deviates From The Norm
Despite the One Piece movies' consistent exploration of more formal attire for its characters, the canonical series hasn't included many opportunities to see Monkey D. Luffy in anything other than more traditional pirate wear. Whole Cake Island and its large-scale wedding buck this trend.
Luffy's completely red suit and black undershirt, worn for Sanji and Pudding's wedding, stands apart from every outfit he's ever worn in a major arc. Making things even more interesting, it's the very same costume Luffy wore in his legendary fight against Katakuri.
3 Pre-Timeskip Luffy Introduced Anime Watchers To The Hunt For One Piece
Perhaps the most iconic look Luffy has sported since he first graced the pages of Shonen Jump, his traditional pre-timeskip combination of his patented red shirt and blue shorts is as famous as any outfit in anime history. It appears not only Japanese media, but entertainment across the world.
While some of Luffy's outfits incorporated greater flair, his pre-timeskip look remains a classic to this day. The understated, aloof design serves as a microcosm for Luffy's fun-loving nature and provides the perfect introduction to the future King of the Pirates.
2 Post-Timeskip Luffy Embraces His Growth As A Character
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One Piece's two year timeskip, located between the Summit War and Fishman Island sagas, is as famous as any in shonen anime and clearly delineates the Straw Hats foray into the New World. Alongside the impressive growth which occurs during this temporal jump comes a new outfit for Monkey D. Luffy.
The post-timeskip outfit provided the captain of the Thousand Sunny with an unbuttoned shirt (still red, for fans of his more traditional look) that showcased his freshly acquired scar and a new, brightly colored sash to match his iconic blue shorts. Oda gave life to Luffy's adventures while maintaining his familiar appearance. This decision paid dividends for the series, easing the fans into what could've been a stark transition were it not handled properly.
1 Luffy's Third Wano Outfit Is A Culmination Of His Entire Journey
The Wano arc is finally drawing to a close after almost four years of publication, and although fans will always remember all of Luffy's outfits from his time on the island, the third one in particular has left an indelible mark on the show's community. A combination of old-school staples and New World appeal, Luffy's clothes for the Raid on Onigashima perfectly parallels the growth of the newly crowned Emperor of the Sea.
Luffy's classic, unbuttoned red shirt, exposed scar, flashy orange shorts, rich purple sash, and imposing black coat combine to make an aesthetic that captures the power recently acquired by the series' main character. While only time can tell, it's hard to imagine Luffy receiving an outfit more iconic than this one anytime soon.