"We accept orcs, trolls, magic, improbable flying critters and the Power of Love - but decking women out in improbable clothing is crossing the line into the realm of the unbelievable?"
There's a difference between the plausible and the possible.
The criticism of the "Leather Bikini Brigade" is mostly because it is distracting. Essentially this costume exists solely for the audience rather than for any reason internal to the setting and plot. Besides, its usually internally inconsistent as well, because the men who engage in combat along side the women tend to wear something more sensible.
If there was a legitimate reason, followed by both male and female, why such costumes would exist in a particular setting, I'd have less of a problem. Like if widely available weaponry made armour pointless; it's a hot climate; the culture is tolerant of wearing little clothing; or it is considered the height of courage to fight naked or near naked. But in most cases, it still comes off contrived, pandering to a modern audience, rather than a consistent and plausible constructed world.
no subject
There's a difference between the plausible and the possible.
The criticism of the "Leather Bikini Brigade" is mostly because it is distracting. Essentially this costume exists solely for the audience rather than for any reason internal to the setting and plot. Besides, its usually internally inconsistent as well, because the men who engage in combat along side the women tend to wear something more sensible.
If there was a legitimate reason, followed by both male and female, why such costumes would exist in a particular setting, I'd have less of a problem. Like if widely available weaponry made armour pointless; it's a hot climate; the culture is tolerant of wearing little clothing; or it is considered the height of courage to fight naked or near naked. But in most cases, it still comes off contrived, pandering to a modern audience, rather than a consistent and plausible constructed world.