I don't really think ME characters can pull it off...
So basically it boils down to me a series of questions
1. Are we talking about a clumsy outfit that just looks ugly no matter what or who is wearing it? Well then it's a design thing.
2. Are we talking about a western franchise or an eastern (Japan, Korea, China) one? In general I'm more inclined to believe it if it is eastern only because they tend to have more of a "this is actual confidence" thing not because it's impossible.
3. Is it some kind of weird otaku anime or comic Harle Quinn fetish thing or is it part of like a kind of mega thing like DMC or Resident Evil or Bioware or something, because while I don't judge weird otaku anime or excessively crazy Poison Ivy wear leaves for clothes I just don't believe those are images of confidence, rather, it is somewhat uncomfortable for those people.
Like I think DMC and DoA have pretty good ones
Or DOA
FF
Sometimes western franchises pull it off maybe like Rayne from Bloodrayne or some costumes from SWTOR and Bioware
Mostly though it does seem like a strain, Jack comes off as super ugly no matter how you spin it whereas like Satele from KOTOR
So yeah I think some of this is sort of a boyfriend/girlfriend thing, the boyfriend or girlfriend isn't comfortable themselves with sexy stuff, but they are ok and actually like when someone else does it for them. I ship Bioware and SQENIX
Anyway, the remainder is just because we're drowning in imagery of half naked people etc from media all over but it's got a bad reputation because it never feels honest (because it often isn't)