The Lipster

In this era of terrorism, credit crunches and Spencer Pratt, we have never been more in need of a hero. Perhaps that’s why crusaders - caped or otherwise – are having a moment.

On the big screen, we’ve already had Iron Man, with new offerings from Batman and Hulk both imminent. Next year will see the release of Matthew Vaughn’s Thor and 2010 will bring The Avengers, where Iron Man teams up with Captain America. Now fashion is paying attention: Superman t-shirts and Wonder Woman cuffs have been spotted on the catwalk and Kylie recently took to the stage in Paris dressed as Spider Woman.

Hell, even last week’s Costume Institute Gala at New York's Metropolitan Museum Of Art was superhero-themed (Oscars Schmoscars: everyone knows the Met Ball is the red carpet event of the year). The likes of Scarlett Johansson and Liv Tyler donned suitably-super attire for the launch of ‘Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy,’ featuring metal Balenciaga leggings alongside Thierry Mugler’s motorbike handlebar bustier and Armani’s spiderweb gown.

So, to coincide with the summer of the superhero, we select our picks for the most stylish superheroes ever. There’s no Superman (too cheesy) or Spider-Man (too geeky). But, if you disagree, do let us know…

WONDER WOMAN

With her gold headband, blue hot pants and impressive lasso skills, Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman has been a source of inspiration and fantasy since the 1970s. Remember Seth Cohen’s face when Summer dressed up as Wonder Woman on The OC? Now Diane Von Furstenberg is launching a collection inspired by the superheroine this autumn. Warning: those gold cuffs can’t really deflect bullets.

CATWOMAN

Not Halle Berry in 2004’s lamentable Catwoman (co-starring Botox Girl, Sharon Stone). But, of course, the fabulous Michelle Pfeiffer in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. Trussed up in handstitched PVC and thigh-high boots, Pfeiffer brought us the sexiest, most languid ‘miaow’ you’ve ever heard. Often imitated, never bettered.

BATMAN

George ‘don’t call me camp’ Clooney’s rubber nipples take him out of the running, and Val Kilmer’s mediocre hero doesn’t quite cut it. But the question of brooding and chiselled Michael Keaton versus, erm, chiselled and brooding Christian Bale is a cause for furious internet debate. Although Keaton was shamelessly upstaged by Jack Nicholson as the Joker ("Where’s Batman? He’s at home washing his tights!"), Bale looks right at home in his spectacularly menacing superhero lair as troubled millionaire Bruce Wayne and as the caped crusader. Definitely the slickest, most stylish Batman so far.

STORM

Forget her cringeworthy Catwoman (oh, you have already?). Halle Berry’s finest superhero moment is as X-Men’s Storm. The peroxide hair, the cape, the whole social-outcast thing and her ability to control the weather (can she make it stay sunny please?). She’s arguably the most powerful of the X-Men crew. So why exactly is it called X-Men?