Black Widow Makes Natasha’s Infinity War Costume More Meaningful

Warning: This post contains Black Widow spoilers.

Black Widow gives a much deeper meaning to Natasha Romanoff's Avengers: Infinity War costume after revealing the full origins of her green vest. Set after Iron Man and Captain America's falling out in Captain America: Civil War and just before Team Cap's escape from the Raft, the latest Marvel Studios' film is filling narrative holes in the overall MCU canon. This is specifically the case for Black Widow's MCU story as it officially wraps up Scarlett Johansson's superhero journey in the franchise.

Nat drastically changed her appearance in Infinity War as she and the Secret Avengers operated underground while the U.S. government hunted them down for breaking the Sokovia Accords. Instead of her signature red locks, she sported a much shorter blonde hair in the 2018 film. It's never shown on screen what led to this aesthetic change for the character, although directors Joe and Anthony Russo claimed it had something to do with her being on the run. But while Nat's tresses were the most striking difference in her appearance in Infinity War, the green vest that she sported throughout the movie has a far more interesting backstory.

Originally, Black Widow's Infinity War jacket was Yelena's and something she wore for the most part of Black Widow. There were speculations about what Nat's possession of it meant for her sister's fate in the film. That included the possibility that Yelena would die in the Cate Shortland-directed blockbuster, and the Avenger wearing it was her way of paying respects. But that's not the case. At the end of Black Widow, Nat and her family successfully take down the Red Room, and just before they separated, Yelena offered the vest to her sister — almost like a parting gift. This is a symbolic gesture as it's the first garment she bought for herself after escaping the Red Room. Forced into the Black Widow program at such a young age, Yelena had spent most of her life following orders as she and the rest of the women were mind-controlled by General Dreykov. After she was freed from being brainwashed thanks to her exposure to the Red Dust, she purchased the said vest — something that she was very happy about, especially since the pockets supposedly make it very useful.

Black Widow Yelena Natasha touch foreheads

While the garment was at the center of a running gag in Black Widow, it represented Yelena's newfound freedom. So, for her to willingly give it to Nat because she thought her sister had been eyeing it was touching. It symbolized the pair's proper reconciliation after years of separation. Black Widow didn't explicitly tackle the complicated aspects of the pair's relationship. Instead, it was done more subtly, such as the understated way Yelena called out Nat for not only abandoning her but also not trying to reach out. She, understandably, had some animosity towards her older sister for letting her down. But while they can't change the past, and given Nat's death in Avengers: Endgame, no more chance to reunite in the future, the simple gesture of Yelena handing over her vest to Nat resolves their conflict in a quiet manner.

For Nat, wearing Yelena's beloved vest throughout Avengers: Infinity War may have comforted her during some of the most difficult times as one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. While the Avengers were still split up, the clothing was a reminder that, at least, she had already patched things up with her Russian family, particularly her sister. It could have also motivated her to move forward knowing that somewhere else in the world, Yelena is freeing the remaining Red Room-controlled Black Widows.

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