Guide To Fetish Clothing

Types Of Fetish Clothing

Bras and Panties 

These include panties that you can slip a vibrator into, panties or shorts that can be worn with strap-on harnesses, slave-aesthetic bondage gear, breast binders and lingerie.

Harnesses 

These are specifically meant for a BDSM aesthetic. Some of them are fashionable, others are strong enough that they can bind the wearer, limit their movement, or have leashes attached to rings affixed to the straps. Most of these are made of leather or PU leather and metal.

Clothing Accessories 

These are the little things that make each outfit complete. They include collars, necklaces, bracelets and cuffs, as well as a few decorative nipple and pussy accessories and fetish gloves.

Stockings, Pantyhose and Leggings 

Easily worn under any sexy outfit, these provide a sensual layer of color or texture that highlights the curves of the body.

Sexy Lingerie 

These items include pantyhose material and full body stockings. However, it also includes bikinis, lacy underwear and bra sets and breast binders.

Fetish Masks 

These items range from lacy masks that can be worn at a masquerade to full on hoods that cover the face. Some of the hoods included are great for puppy play.

Fetish Dresses and Skirts 

Enjoy these sexy, see-through dresses that are made of stocking material.

PVC and Latex 

These items are made from PVC or latex and are very enjoyable to wear against the skin.

Men’s Fetish Clothing 

These include jock straps, long fisting gloves and durable harnesses made for a male build.

Corsets 

These items are traditionally meant to cinch down around the abdomen and exaggerate the curve of the waist. Primarily worn by women, they can be augmented to be worn by men, as well. Anything that uses strings to lace up several holes creating a cinching effect is considered a corset or corset-like material.

Ladies Tops 

Any fetish clothing that is worn across the chest and meant for the female build.

Gloves 

Latex, PVC or nitrile gloves meant for aesthetic or for kinky play.

Guide To Fetish Clothing

The enjoyment from playing with toys and exploring kinks and fantasies is exceptionally liberating. There are so many devices, tools and toys to choose from that the passion for creative sex is limitless. Yet, something has always been included at every stage of exploration whether in a subtle or elaborately intentional way. That something is fetish clothing. The visual presentation of a person who wants to seduce or engage in play with a lover or partner may not be as important as skill, experience or equipment… but it brings the fantasy together intentionally.

In this guide we will cover a brief history of fetish clothing, types of fetish clothing, how to care for different materials and we’ll also will include a few of our favorite options for those looking to spice up their wardrobe!

What Is Fetish Clothing?

The first step to understanding fetish clothing is to understand the word fetish. One definition of fetish is a fixation, feeling of overwhelming need, or a form of sexual desire in which an individual person experiences sexual gratification when a specific object is included in adult play or stimulation. Clinical definitions of fetish describe it as having a fixation on a specific item or garment to the point it becomes sexual stimulus. Others have redefined this word so that it refers to certain lifestyles, sexual interests or acts and over time it has evolved to refer to a subculture which includes those who practice varying forms of BDSM.

However, a fetish used to refer to an object that was believed to have supernatural powers, or a man-made item that held power over others. These objects were often spiritual, magical or religious in nature. Auguste Comte, a French philosopher from the early 1800’s, theorized that fetishism was one of the earliest forms of religion, followed by polytheism (belief in many gods) and finally monotheism (one god). However, most anthropologists (those who study human evolution and culture) classify many artifacts as fetishes be they monotheistic, polytheistic or any other variation on religion. As it so often goes in history, academics argued about the meaning of items and the value that they held in society without coming to a unified consensus. The truth is, a fetish can be whatever any individual wants it to be. Humans attribute meaning to something and the item becomes a powerful symbol that causes them to feel something.

When we apply this reasoning to fetish clothing and fetish gear, we start to understand why something as subtle as a piece of clothing or jewelry may be held with such high regard to those who wear them. After all, we hold in high regard diamond ring and white dress that is now a staple of modern weddings. This imagery is powerful, and when we pair the two, we don’t think of anything else except, “She must be getting married!” and not, “She must like wearing white dresses!” In kink, whether the fetish item is a pair of red heels, a delicate collar, leather cuffs, or a single key worn around the neck, it is a subtle reminder to those who understand its meaning of what power that item has on them or the ones regarding them.

The first article of fetish clothing most people are familiar with are stockings and pantyhose. The first iterations of pantyhose were made out of silk, and were considered a luxury of the upper class. It wasn’t until the 1920’s when synthetic fibers were used to make pantyhose that they became more widely available. Women would go to Paris to seek out the best, black stockings and would rarely own more than one pair. When the military started rationing nylon fabric during World War II to reallocate into making rope and parachutes, many women painted seams on the backs of their legs to make it look like they were wearing ‘nylons’ or pantyhose.

Stockings were and are considered visually appealing and give the leg definition, shape and make them look smooth and firm. Many people like the silky feel of them (either to touch or to wear) and the newer versions of stockings fit snug around the body giving them a bondage or restraining aspect to them, as well. Many women feel sexier wearing stockings because it makes their legs look firm and toned and looks great with lingerie or dresses.

Pantyhose or stocking fetishes are more common in men than women and, like many fetishes, tend to develop during childhood. Those who have this fetish may have a preference for a certain style, such as pantyhose worn with a pencil skirt, with high heels of a certain color, or with a uniform. Those wearing pantyhose may remind them of powerful, professional or elegant women. Others truly enjoy pantyhose due to the thin, sheer, barrier between them and the wearer’s almost nude skin.

An important shift in how pantyhose was viewed by the masses happened in 1980 with a fashion campaign for Wolford Fashion Stockings that hired Helmut Newton, a photographer known for a style that was laden with undertones of voyeurism, eroticism and sado-masochism. His photo campaign helped redefine pantyhose as something that was more than just movement-inhibiting clothing that kept the wearer looking professional and modest.

There are those who have foot fetishes that enjoy pantyhose as well. Pantyhose enhances the look and feel of feet, and to have a foot fetish is fairly common. In fact, Dr. Ramachandran, a neuroscientist at the Center for Brain and Cognition at the University San Diego, California has mapped the brain’s center and his recent research suggests that the area of the brain that connects to genitalia and the area of the brain that connects to feet are adjacent. He has suggested that these two areas commonly cross wires. It is important to note, however, that not all pantyhose enthusiasts have foot fetishes.

Often with pantyhose comes lingerie. The history of lingerie goes back farther than pantyhose and it’s had many different iterations over time. At first, they were just undergarments, but to have undergarments was a luxury for some who could only afford dresses. There are two types of lingerie; hard and soft. Hard lingerie includes bustles, corsets and structured bras. Soft lingerie includes nightgowns, slips and panties, which are all unstructured and wireless/boneless.

Before brassiers (bras), women primarily wore corsets which were worn over the torso. When their servants or assistants helped them into their corset (it is near impossible to get into a traditional corset on one’s own), they would pull the laces very tight through ten, twelve or even twenty holes and it would constrict around their hips, abdomen and chest. If the corset covered their breasts, it would lift them up as well, similar to a modern-day push-up bra. The corsets gave women a ‘perfect’ hourglass figure, but it made it very difficult to breathe or eat very much. So, many Victorian women were prone to fainting not because they were the so-called ‘weaker sex’, but because they very likely half-starved and literally couldn’t catch their breath if they got excited about anything.

Although they gradually became less bulky, corsets remained the standard in women’s undergarments well up until the 20th century until Mary Phelps Jacob invented brassieres. When World War II broke out, many women took to the workforce in the absence of men being available and needed functional undergarments, so bras became lighter and more comfortable to wear for longer durations. It wasn’t until 1935 that bras became padded and underwire was added, then a return to small waistlines produced the popularity of the girdle. In the 1960’s, women began burning their bras and there was a cultural return to liberated, shapely women. However, in the same year, Frederick’s of Hollywood began to glamorize lingerie and by the 21st century, there are now options for both practical as well as extravagant lingerie.

When it comes to rubber and PVC fetish clothes, the appeal is partly in the design, but mostly in the material and how it feels on the body. Rubber is thicker and less shiny while PVC and latex are generally shiny and thinner. These clothing form a pseudo ‘second-skin’ that allows someone to feel bound and contained in the clothing while also able to feel everything through that ‘skin’ and almost feel naked even while clothed. Wearing rubber or latex outfits can also change the way the wearer looks. In some cases, the transformation is dramatic; they literally can take on another identity through the clothing that is unrecognizable from their own.

Natural rubber from rubber trees and PVC are not the same. The use of natural rubber dates back to 1600 BC in MesoAmerica by the Mayans, Aztecs and Olmecs. Olmec actually means rubber people. South America was the primary source of rubber latex until 1876 until a man named Henry Wikham smuggled 70,000 rubber tree seeds from Brazil to England. Now, rubber is grown in India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Rubber’s qualities made it easy to work with and infinitely valuable as a means of bonding things together, creating mobility in clothing and advancing not just fashion but function. Those who interacted with rubber latex found the sound, sight, smell and feel of it pleasing and even arousing. The Mackintosh rubber raincoat hit the market in 1824 to which rubber enthusiasts wrote in detail about “the thrill of macking”, a slang phrase meaning to wear the garment. As the fetish community grew, news of its ‘perverse’ nature spread and by the end of World War II, conservative culture forced fetishists underground.

Thanks to John Sutcliffe, the man who created the first rubber catsuit, latex fashion was revived in the late 1950’s. His original intention was to make weatherproof clothing for bikers, but rubber fetishists became the primary demographic to enjoy his design. Shortly after that, a British spy series featuring catsuits inspired by Sutcliffe’s designs thrilled audiences worldwide and the image of women in full-body latex suits became iconic. Sutcliffe founded AtomAge magazine in 1972 and capitalized on the fantasies and obsessions of his latex enthusiast following by filling his magazine full of erotic bondage and latex imagery.

Latex was later adopted into the punk scene by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren. It then was made popular as stagewear by Siouxsie Sioux and was prominent fashion in Billy Idol’s White Wedding music video. Artists and popular singers were sensationalizing the latex trend. Michelle Pfeiffer donned a latex catsuit in Batman Returns, 1992, reviving the original debut of the Sutcliffe style catsuit worn by Marianne Faithfull in The Girl on the Motorcycle.

Still, the reputation as ‘perverse’ and kinky hasn’t diminished. Latex still remains seen as a fetish clothing that people all across the world fantasize about and eroticize. Wearing it feels amazing and turns wearers into superheros, otherworldly beings, sex dolls and other alternate identities. Rubber fetishists call themselves rubberists and gay rubber fetishists call themselves rubbermen. Those who enjoy the look of rubber but don’t want the thick, latex enjoy PVC clothing or patent-leather. Fetishists can polish the clothing and make it shine. Many of them fantasize about wearing it out in public, which is possible at certain fetish balls and fetish fairs. Individuals are transformed into different people while wearing these outfits and with that transformation comes a whole different code of behavior; in many ways, wearing the clothing sets them free of the conventional limitations they face in everyday life.

A collar, however, is a very unique and iconic article of fetish clothing. The use of collars as fetish clothing have some of the deepest meanings and most symbolic uses in BDSM. While collars, like most personal items, represent whatever the wearer gives to them, they do have some widely recognized meanings as well. Generally, collars represent a submission of power to the one who places the collar on that submissive; it’s a visual representation of trust between Dom and submissive, ownership of the submissive by that particular Dom and protection of that submissive. However, the levels of trust and power exchange vary.

Traditionally, a submissive is given a training collar; submissives who are learning their roles and how to behave with their Dom wear these collars as the relationship begins to form. After their training is complete, they can move on to a new collar. Changing collars or upgrading to a better, more coveted collar style is part of the ceremony of collaring, as well. It is ritualistic in nature and very intimate.

Some submissives wear a collar as a protection collar, which is helpful for those who desire feeling safe. They may go to a public kink space and, because they are wearing this collar, they can stay in a submissive state and give power to their Dom to control them; they don’t have to be concerned with having to set boundaries with new people, they don’t have to worry about navigating consent or negotiating needs or how to be taken care of. Their Dom is there to protect them and their interests, agreements and physical as well as emotional state per pre-negotiated contracts. To put it simply, it’s a lot like if someone wore a sign when going out to a bar that says, “Leave me alone and don’t bother me or aggressively hit on me” and actually having (most) people listen to that request. One form of a protection collar is a wolf collar which is fashioned after spiked dog’s collars that were used to protect dogs from being bitten on the neck by wolves.

Others wear a play collar which is only worn during a scene. It is put on at the beginning of the scene and taken off later. It provides a very clear way of entering and closing a scene. While wearing the collar, the submissive may act like a submissive. As soon as it is taken off, they return to their alternate way of being, which helps with understanding roles and boundaries.

Of course, there are also day collars and permanent collars. For those who want to wear the symbol of their relationship dynamic during their daytime activities (such as going to school, work, family functions), they may wear an article of jewelry that is subtle and can’t be easily seen or identified. Sometimes, it isn’t even a collar worn around the neck but a bracelet or ring. For those who wear permanent collars, these are only taken on and off by the Dom and are worn 24/7. Generally, they need to be comfortable enough to wear for long durations. Wearing a collar like this is considered a serious and committed symbol of being in a long term D/s (Dominant/submissive) relationship. If it is taken off, it may mean that the relationship is over or the couple is on a break. The collaring ceremony for permanent collars can be as ritualistic or serious as a wedding ceremony, with vows, guest witnesses and a small celebration!

The symbolism for each collar is highly dependent on what the D/s couple wants out of it, and each collar can look wildly different. Just as many men and women have varieties of wedding bands and rings, there are a variety of collars as well. Each couple chooses the style they like and wear it for play, to make a statement, or to signal their D/s relationship to others.

Masks are considered very sexy, but there are a variety of them to choose from. The masquerade style mask is generally lacy or embroidered and fits only over the eyes.

Masquerade balls became common in the 16th century Renaissance, especially in Venice, Italy and the guests would all wear a costume and a mask to hide their identity as they danced and celebrated together all night. By wearing a mask, the individual was given freedom to express themselves and their opinions without concern that their identity would be found out. In essence, they were allowed to express themselves more fully without fear of serious consequence or defamation of their character.

Masks today allow us to embody different aspects of ourselves, take on desired personas and let our imaginations run free. For some, wearing a mask gives a sense of allure and mystery. It can highlight and emphasize the face and invite our lover to look deeply into our eyes on a passion-filled night together, a deep intimacy that many people avoid during their day. Others transform into puppies or dogs, cats, or ponies for animal play or to be a human animal by transforming the head with a mask and ears and even going so far as to cover and muzzle the mouth, limiting intelligible human speech. These ‘masquerades’ help partners to commit and embrace the scene and their inner animal more thoroughly. Some people find it liberating to not have to deal with the burden of speaking, but just grunting, yipping, meowing, or making other sounds to express how they feel without the complex overanalyzing that many people have to do during conversations. They don’t have to choose the right words, they just get to be and be present in their experience.

Of course, there are more extreme masks that can be worn, such as gas masks. Masks throughout history go back so far that it becomes hard to keep track. Early cultures wore masks to embody powerful gods or spirits or to hide from evil ones by concealing their identity. It has been used as an equalizer at parties where there are mixed-class so no one knows who is powerful or rich and everyone can be someone else for the evening.

When it comes down to it, masks are meant to be used as a way to roleplay a fantasy and explore the desires that get to be lived when we take on another personality, perhaps even one dear to our heart… or one that is so dark and hidden it only comes out when we change the way our face looks so we no longer look like ourselves.

In the mid 1970’s, Vivienne Westwood helped make BDSM gear a popular by selling PVC, harnesses and bondage gear next to ripped jeans and t-shirts in her punk boutique store, SEX. The popularity of the harness was partly functional, partly cultural. It was edgy but evoked a sense of strength. There were thigh harnesses, chest harnesses and the incorporation of leather bondage in increasingly more clothing.

However, these thick, leather harnesses were made popular first by Tom of Finland who drew erotic, gay art that inspired an entire subculture. When he drew, he was representing gay, male art. Unfortunately, there were censorship laws that kept him from drawing men having sex unless he depicted them as ‘period pieces’, which included gladiators wearing harnesses, police men and military men who were wearing leather pieces, and biker culture from a time period other than the present. The biker culture brought with it leather garb and it became an underground safe haven for the gay Leathermen subculture that was given life in the 1940’s. Harnesses became a symbol of masculinity, but also of the BDSM community. To this day, many men feel that wearing a harness signals his openness about being gay and they are one of the most popular fetish items worn at BDSM and gay, male-dominated festivals and events.

Harnesses with their body-framing straps are aesthetically pleasing. If made with strong materials, they can be functional as well. People can grab hold of the harnesses and toss someone around if they are made well enough. They can attach leashes or chains, or even connect a cock ring to the harness to strap them in and harness them to their genitals. Some harnesses can be tightened and the feeling of being bound is considered one of the perks.

Some people believe that harnesses are also fashioned after Japanese rope bondage patterns. While there’s no proof one way or the other, it is no mistake that both rope bondage and bondage harnesses cross over the body in pleasing and anatomically compatible ways so that the person wearing them feels like they are restricted but can still move.

When it comes to any fetish clothing style or item, there may be a meaning behind what the person is wearing, or maybe not. As history tells us, many items started out as one thing and were adopted into BDSM gear as something else. Items only have the meaning we give them. Society and media also have and will influence what associations we have with any style. The famous Bettie Page made lingerie, bondage and fetish clothing a widespread, erotic fantasy with her at the forefront. Her image was posted up in nearly every military barracks during World War II and people emulate her look to this very day.

Still, in a community rich with symbolism, it is valuable to know what it means to wear a collar, or to understand why someone is eyeing a man wearing a harness. It’s best to choose what you find sexy and comfortable and give it the meaning you want to give it, or simply wear it because it makes you feel powerful! After all, according to the original definition, that is what ‘fetish’ items do; they give power to the wearer.

Why You Need Fetish Clothing

The Way our Brain is Wired The brain’s area for feet and genitalia are adjacent to each other. Neuroscientist Dr. Ramachandran has suggested there may be cross-wiring of those two areas. So, when someone has a foot fetish or if that foot fetish has become specifically associated with feet or legs that are clothed with stockings or pantyhose, it isn’t that far-fetched that they find it as arousing as genital stimulation.

Accents and Frames the Body Many clothing items accentuate the natural curves, muscles and shapes of the body. Some fishnet outfits even downplay the parts of our bodies we feel less confident about while highlighting our best features. Harnesses can emphasize muscle and tone or frame the chest, back or hips. By choosing carefully, we can really enjoy the sensuality of our own skin with a little bit of clothing.

Symbolism As was previously mentioned, fetish items were given meaning that made them powerful. The power of association makes a collar a symbol of protection, ownership and submission. The memory of an attractive female from our childhood who wore stockings may create a lifelong desire for our partners to indulge our fetish. A collar can let people within the scene know what your status is and how you’d like to be treated. Some clothing or jewelry may be worn just to flag subtly to others that they are part of the BDSM community so they can have a sense of belonging and find others who share their interests.

Taboo and Allure of Near-Nudity Pantyhose, stockings, sheer dresses and lace lingerie all have one thing in common; they are worn under the clothes. Pantyhose, of course, is more visible than the others, but when pantyhose first came out it was when women wore longer skirts and only the shins and ankles could be seen. The taboo of near-nudity is sometimes more powerful than complete nudity, because if someone has undressed to the point of wearing only lingerie or sexy undergarments, there’s generally no mistake that they are letting you see them at their sexiest! Of course, magazines and models wearing lace and straps have also created a powerful image in our culture as to what is considered ‘sexy’.

Comfort Some people choose their fantasy fetish clothing for comfort; they feel better wearing something, even if it’s sheer, rather than nothing. Alternatively, others choose their fetish clothes because it binds and restricts and is inherently uncomfortable.

Exploring an Alter Ego Masks, lingerie, bodysuits, harnesses and collars are just a few of many ways that we use clothing to give ourselves an escape from our everyday identity. We put on a new look and take on a different persona. For many this is liberating. For some, it is part of what makes their lives complete.

Sex Appeal There’s no denying that one of the most common reasons we wear fetish clothes is it makes us look and feel sexy! Get dressed in things that make you feel empowered, devious and desirable.

Materials & Cleaning

Leather

Sexy and a classic

Durable

Can stretch and soften after multiple uses for a custom fit

Porous; harder to keep clean.

Needs to be washed/cleaned after every exposure with bodily fluids

To Clean:

Wipe clean with warm water and mild soap.

Let air dry.

Moisturize with saddle soap and mink oil.

PU (polyurethane) Leather & Leatherette

Vegan, imitation leather

Less porous than leather; easier to clean

To Clean:

PU leather can be washed and dry-cleaned.

Leatherette and PU leather can be wiped down with mild soap and water, then air dried.

Spandex

Stretchy & comfortable

Most boxer-briefs and panties are made from this material

Moisture-wicking

To Clean:

To keep the elasticity intact, hand wash with laundry detergent and warm water.

Let air dry.

Use baking soda to remove odor.

Do Not iron, use hot water when cleaning, or use chemicals like fabric softeners or bleach.

Velcro

Adjustable, easy to remove and affordable

To Clean:

Remove lint or hair from the bristles with a toothbrush and then clean with a hospital grade disinfectant.

Allow the velcro to dry out completely.

Metal:

Zinc alloy, Copper, Stainless Steel, Aluminum: These are a few of the most common metals used in toys and equipment. Read the product description for more information on which specific metal is used.

To Clean:

If the metal piece detaches, it can be boiled, or disinfected with medical grade body-safe disinfectants.

If it cannot be detached, hand wash with soft cloth and mild soap. Wipe clean with anti-bacterial spray if necessary.

Nylon

Stretchy, form fitting and easy to wash

To Clean:

Hand wash in cold water with laundry detergent.

Air dry or lay flat to dry.

Buyer’s Guide To Fetish Clothing

There are many items to choose from and the options are expanding all the time. What fits you and matches your desires, fantasies and personality is based on your preference, but here are a few great items to start with!

Harnesses

Leather Body Harness with Removable Bra Adorn her body with this beautiful full body harness.