10 Leon Kennedy Outfits Ranked by How Iconic They Still Feel Years Later

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People often say that clothing is important for how someone is perceived, and a well-chosen outfit can really enhance a person’s appearance. Take Leon S. Kennedy from Resident Evil, for example – he’s already attractive, whether as a rookie cop or a seasoned veteran. But it’s fair to say that his clothes have played a huge role in creating his iconic look all these years.

Leon Kennedy‘s clothing has always struck a balance between practicality and style, ever since his debut in the original Resident Evil 2. Some outfits are instantly recognizable, while others are a bit generic. Let’s take a look back at a few of his most memorable looks over the years.

For simplicity, we’re only including outfits that appear in the main video games, and not those from spin-off titles or movies.

10. Blue Tank Top

Resident Evil 2 (1998)

Tank tops are a tricky piece of clothing – some people look great in them, and others… not so much. Leon is definitely in decent shape, even in his older, blocky appearance in the original Resident Evil 2, but whether he can really pull off a tank top is debatable.

Resident Evil 2 has some unlockable costumes, and one can be earned by reaching the police station from the wrecked car without collecting any items. This outfit includes a blue tank top, green pants, combat boots, and an R.P.D. ball cap – it’s a classic action cop look. However, it doesn’t quite suit Leon. While he’s fit, his build looks better with short sleeves than a sleeveless shirt. Plus, a hat just doesn’t fit his style.

9. Romantic Outfit

Resident Evil 4 (2023)

Recent Resident Evil games, especially the remakes, often include unusual outfits as downloadable content. Before the new Resident Evil 4 came out, a sneak peek revealed “Romantic” outfits for Leon and Ashley. These outfits feature tight pants, fancy pirate shirts, and silver hair – basically, a look inspired by David Bowie’s character in Labyrinth. It’s definitely a memorable style!

I like how this outfit fits the game’s dark, gothic style and adventurous feel. However, it doesn’t really suit the village or military base areas very well. It’s memorable for being so bold, but it doesn’t showcase Leon’s best qualities, and I wouldn’t recommend it for your first time playing. Actually, Ashley pulls it off a little better, especially with the fancy scarf she wears with it – a ruffled ascot, or cravat, or whatever it’s called!

8. Pirate Outfit

Resident Evil 6

Resident Evil 6’s Mercenaries Mode lets you unlock alternate outfits for each character by achieving high scores. These outfits vary in style, and one of the more unusual ones is for Leon: a complete pirate costume. It includes a red and black longcoat, a cutlass, a feathered tricorne hat, an eyepatch, and even a small crow perched on his shoulder.

This outfit is definitely over-the-top, and maybe not Leon’s most famous look, but I appreciate that it fully embraces the pirate theme. If you’re going to dress Leon as a pirate, you might as well go all out! No one wants a half-hearted pirate costume. You can also unlock a slightly different version with a blue coat, which feels a little more fitting for his character.

7. Black Jacket

Resident Evil 6

When Resident Evil 6 begins, we find Leon in the middle of an outbreak in Tall Oaks, having just dealt with the reanimated body of the President. Surprisingly, he’s not wearing a suit, despite supposedly working as a special agent with direct access to the President. Instead, he’s dressed casually in dark jeans, sturdy shoes, a black button-down shirt, and a black leather jacket.

Resident Evil 6’s designs feel a bit underwhelming when compared to earlier games. While not bad, Leon’s outfit effectively reflects the game’s somber tone. It’s a versatile and practical design – comfortable to wear and useful for carrying equipment. However, its focus on practicality makes it less visually striking. Of course, showing up to a presidential meeting in full battle gear wouldn’t have been ideal.

6. Blue Shirt and Vest

Resident Evil 6

Okay, so later in Resident Evil 6, once Leon and Helena get to China chasing Simmons, I finally got Leon a better outfit! He ditched that iconic leather jacket for something way more practical. Now he’s rocking dark pants and shoes, a blue collared shirt, and a black tactical vest. They even threw in some fingerless gloves – a nice little touch, honestly. It just feels more…action-ready, you know?

This look isn’t quite as memorable as some of Leon’s earlier outfits, but it’s closer to what fans expect. The collared shirt with the open collar adds a nice touch, and the tactical vest clearly marks it as gear for action. It seems Leon chose an outfit he could quickly adapt, starting with the vest because he anticipated trouble – and he was right! It’s a practical choice that fits the situation perfectly.

5. Casual Outfit

Resident Evil 2 (2019)

The game Resident Evil 2 starts with Leon arriving in Raccoon City on his first day as a police officer, right as the city descends into chaos. He initially appears in civilian clothes, an outfit you can unlock for continued use after finishing the game. This serves as a subtle reminder of what Leon wore before the outbreak and his life was turned upside down by the viral disaster.

Leon’s everyday clothes are simple and comfortable: white sneakers, blue jeans, a plain white t-shirt, a button-up shirt, and a grey jacket. It’s a far cry from his police uniform, and that’s intentional. Before he got caught up in the horrors of Umbrella Corporation, Leon was just a regular guy who dressed casually. He didn’t expect to be dealing with such gruesome situations, so he wore comfortable clothes like bright blue jeans and white sneakers. This outfit serves as a reminder of who he used to be, before his life took a dark turn and left him hardened by experience.

4. Mafia Outfit

Resident Evil 4 (2005/2023)

Most of the funny costumes Leon Kennedy has worn in the Resident Evil games aren’t really memorable – they’re just for a quick laugh, not because they look cool. The Mafia outfit is one of the few exceptions. You unlock it by finishing the ‘Separate Ways’ story and the main game in both the original and remake versions of Resident Evil 4.

The Mafia outfit is nearly identical in both versions of the game: a sharp black pinstripe suit, white shirt, red tie, white scarf, and a black fedora with a white stripe. I think everyone looks good in pinstripes, and Leon is no exception – he’s built like a classic mobster. The scarf and hat elevate the look, adding a touch of sophistication. Plus, when Leon wears this outfit and uses the special tommy gun (the Chicago Typewriter), he performs a unique reload animation where he adjusts his hat and then tosses it in the air. If you’re looking for a reason to play both versions of Resident Evil 4, this outfit and weapon combination is it.

3. R.P.D. Uniform

Resident Evil 2 (1998/2019)

In the first Resident Evil 2, Leon begins the game already dressed in his police uniform. The remake changes this – he gets the uniform after arriving at the police station and meeting Marvin. When he gets it doesn’t really matter, though; the uniform is iconic, and arguably Leon’s most famous look in the entire series.

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Leon’s police uniform is a dark blue jumpsuit with protective padding on his knees, elbows, and chest – the chest pad features the R.P.D. logo. An earlier version of the uniform had shoulder pads instead of knee pads and a bigger logo, but otherwise, the two designs are very similar. It’s a practical, action-oriented outfit, fitting for a new officer facing a dangerous situation. Like Jill, Leon is often linked to the color blue, except when he’s wearing all black.

2. Bomber Jacket

Resident Evil 4 (2005/2023)

While Leon Kennedy first appeared in Resident Evil 2, many fans consider Resident Evil 4 the game that truly established him as an action hero. His iconic look from that game – the outfit he wore during his secret mission to Spain – has been faithfully recreated in the Resident Evil 4 remake.

When Leon enters the village, he’s dressed for serious action. He’s wearing rugged cargo pants, combat boots, a black shirt, and fingerless gloves, topped off with a thick brown bomber jacket. That jacket really makes the look complete – it’s both practical and suggests he’s a tough hero ready for anything. He’s clearly expecting trouble, not a relaxing visit. You can tell it’s a great jacket because even after Leon loses it, a Ganado immediately puts it on – even the infected creatures recognize quality!

1. Black Shirt

Resident Evil 4 (2005/2023)

In both versions of Resident Evil 4, Leon is stripped of his jacket after being captured by Los Illuminados, leaving him only with his pants and shirt. While it might seem like just his standard outfit without the jacket, this look is iconic. It’s the outfit featured on the original Resident Evil 4 cover art, and it was the first glimpse many players had of Leon back in 2005, making it a distinct and memorable appearance.

Although we loved the bomber jacket, removing it actually helps show off how prepared Leon is for his mission. Without it, you can clearly see his knife, pouches, and utility belt. More importantly, we can now see he’s wearing a short-sleeved shirt, which is a better look for his character. The sleeves are cut perfectly to highlight his biceps. The jacket was great, but the black shirt is still Leon’s best outfit.

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2026-03-02 22:41