For years the Man of Steel has saved the world while wearing red trollies over a pair of blue tights.
But from September, Superman will be seen in a more manly pair of turned-up jeans and rugged boots - though the cape and "S" shirt will remain.
DC Comics plan to relaunch all its titles in the autumn and hope the new-look Superman will widen the super-hero's appeal.
But the move has caused consternation among fashion observers in New York.
Male Modes Editor at Vague magazine Mitsy Pfaffendorpffer said: "Oh daaaahling, I love the patches on the knees. But what are they? Are they Wrangler? Levi's? We must be told.
"The Levi's, daaahling, would be a wink to the traditional frontiersman - all butch and manly. You can smell the musk!
"The Wrangler would make old Supes an homage to the saddle-sore cowboy... super! Move 'em out, ride 'em and howdy stranger!
"Of course, they could always be a distressed pair of Calvin Kleins - how metro!
"Just so long as he doesn't wear them half-way down his ass!"
