The Scarlet Speedster has a new look in season 6 of The CW's The Flash, and it's likely to be familiar to fans who follow Barry Allen's exploits in the comics. His new costume appears to be inspired by Barry Allen's costume from the New 52 relaunch. The New 52 Barry Allen is a younger, reimagined version of the Scarlet Speedster and a member of the Justice League, one that never married Iris West.
The season 5 finale of The Flash left Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and company in a very interesting place. After spending a season fighting Cicada (Chris Klein) and getting to know his future daughter, Nora West-Allen (Jessica Parker Kennedy), Barry had to watch as Nora was erased from existence. In the aftermath of Nora's death, Barry received a farewell message from his daughter. Barry and Iris will of course still be recovering from what happened when The Flash returns for its sixth season in October, which will be heavily affected by the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover event.
An official new photo from The Flash season 6 reveals Barry's new costume. This new costume keeps the bright red color and the emblem from the season 5 suit and brings back the chinstrap from previous outfits (which was missing from his most recent costume). The new suit also adds yellow seams that go up from the belt to the chest area, and onto the shoulders. Another new addition is a different set of earpieces on the mask. Though there have been a few changes, the updates made to the costume are similar to changes made other seasons.
Like some of the other suits Barry has worn over the course of the series, Barry's season 6 suit is rooted in the comics. The costume draws inspiration from the New 52 company-wide comic book relaunch in 2011 when Barry wore a suit covered in yellow lines, although the season 6 suit tones down the yellow lines and looks less "busy" than the New 52 version.
It's become a sort of tradition for the Flash to get a new suit every season, typically designed by S.T.A.R. Labs' resident tech expert, Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes), who contrary to earlier rumors, will be back for season 6. Last season's suit, however, came from the future and wasn't designed by Cisco. On occasion, Flash's costumes are linked in some way to the story, so it's possible that an event in the beginning of season 6 will explain the reason for Flash's new look.