Five Years Later wrote:
Lark Knight wrote:

I don't have all the details because that costume caused me to drop the book, but from what I recall she was originally under the influence of Malice when it debuted.  However, even after the Malice storyline had run its course she continued to wear the costume for something like 2-3 years.

Actually as soon as Sue realized she was under the influence and defeated Malice the costume was changed. No retcon. It was an actual storyline and it made sense. It's like people complaining about the Spider-Mobile without understanding the context.

A quick check of FF covers from Grand Comics Database shows that Sue wore that abominable costume from #371 to about 386.  Whatever absurd in-story reason they came up with for the outfit, it was still a slap in the face to longtime FF fans and shameless pandering to the Image crowd

Also, even after #386 Sue did not immediately switch back to her traditional outfit. From # 387 to around 412 Sue was running around in a version of a Fantastic Four uniform that was both sleeveless and backless (ie: nothing that the Susan Richards we know would ever actually wear).   So there was indeed a 3+ year period where the Invisible Woman was dressed completely inappropriately.