Thanks for ignoring my points, and just replacing them with the argument that you think is more common. It has nothing to do with fashion, and everything to do with practicality.
Except there is no practicality in Flash wearing armor.
Okay, so now we're getting to it. I'm going to full scale admit it, I don't like the idea that the Speed Force protects his body for a whole bunch of reasons:
Well thank you for "full scale" admitting that you don't like the character the way he is, but the Speed Force/his aura does protect his body from things like burning up and his bones breaking, etc.
1) if the speed force does protect his body from damage, then it DOES make him super-strong as well.
Lol. No it doesn't. Read a comic. Are you kidding me? LOL.
And how far does that go? If Flash were going at breakneck speed and put his weight into a steel wall... would he go splat, or would be protected by the speed force?
The Flash has complete control over his momentum/mass, and he can vibrate his molecules to pass through solid things, in addition to being able to think at light speed....so he's not going to go "splat" into anything.
If he's protected... that means Flash is hella strong and can do some real damage, even possibly more than superman.
Good thing he's not hella strong then, right?
2) It's just overly complicated from a film perspective.
Lol. No it's not. Certainly no more complicated than an arc reactor or web shooters or a yellow or red sun. The Speed Force is the mystical energy field from which The Flash's powers are derived. Simple. Done.
For the speed force to make Barry super fast is one thing.. but to say it means he won't ever trip, and it provides this extra layer of physical protection seems tagged on and overly convenient.
No, HE makes sure he will "never trip". And even so, a little helmet or chest plate is not going to save him.
I believe film viewers not so intricately aware of the character will feel the same way.
Well someone even slightly aware of The Flash's abilities would never purport that he needs a helmet or armor or is super strong because of the Speed Force or any of the crap you are saying to begin with.
3) It takes away from the character a whole lot more than armor would. The Flash is supposed to be a man... just as vulnerable as the rest of us... but quick. We don't need another superman.
He's not super invincible, he is vulnerable and can be killed...if you catch him. He heals super fast because of his powers but you can overwhelm that and take him out...this takes nothing away from him and makes a lot more sense than anything you're saying does.
Oh I see... so you're just a comic book canonist who is afraid of change because these are the characters you loved as a baby. Of course that above sentence isn't true, but it's not fun to see your rational, intelligent points reduced to a falsity, is it? Just wanted you to keep that in mind.
Which I did to no one, as you had no rational or intelligent points to begin with.
I am not against canon change if it makes more sense or works/improves the canon in some way, but more times than not it doesn't, like your armor suggestions, and anything that's not better than the canon I'm against. Only makes sense.
Great! I agree. Let's go with a fabric, plated hybrid then. Maybe metal plated material around the knees, elbows, and head?
I can't think of a character who is more appropriate.
Superman - doesn't need it cause he's as hard as steel
Batman - traditionally has it in some form in the comics. Needs it.
Wonder Woman - traditional battle wear. Doesn't need it, but it's representative of her culture.
Martian Man Hunter - doesn't need it. Can go through walls.
Green Lantern - doesn't need it. The ring is his armor.
Cyborg - doesn't need it. Already built in.
Flash - totally vulnerable to damage. Needs.
Flash - Sees things in slow motion, can dodge and catch bullets, can increase/decrease his momentum/mass/has complete control over it, can vibrate through solid things, can heal fast, has fast reflexes/reaction time, can think fast.
Flash- doesn't need armor.
And lastly... I will buy in here, and say that Flash's costume... just in general could use some redesign work. I'm not a fan of the lightening ears for film, and I think a glossed plated exterior like that of a race car is a good approach for this one character in particular, and I'm totally down to see a change. It has nothing to do with trends. Just seems to make sense for this character.
The costume is one of the best designed suits of all time, why it has went through so little changes/tweaks since its inception in 1956, it is damn near perfect the way it is, it just needs some cool materials to be made out of for live action film. Redesigning this would make ZERO sense....especially for his character.
You basically want armor because you don't know anything about The Flash. In fact, most the people who do want armor are the ones who don't know anything about the character, and those are the people who should frankly have no input on what to do with him.