Research and Planning: Costume Ideas

We wanted our character to give off the impression that she is a strong woman who can handle herself in a post apocalyptic world. However we also couldn't help but fall into the trap of also giving her some sex appeal and making her fall prey to the male gaze. When in real life it would definitely be more practical to have her dressed in something along the lines of combat trousers and a sweatshirt, we want to dress our character in something.. smaller. We are thinking of using something tight fitting and possibly leather or leather looking.