BDSM in Fashion Trends
Until recently, the BDSM concept unifying such practices as bondage, discipline, submission, domination, sadism and masochism, has been viewed as something indecent or illegal. However, it is now considered that any person is free to choose what behavior to adopt in his or her own sexual practice and if this choice is Safe, Sane and Consensual, there is nothing wrong about it. Such liberation of minds has given green light for BDSM subculture and so today there exist many BDSM communities with numerous followers all over the world. Communities of this kind have their own style of life, principles, rules, media and fashion.
BDSM, though criticized by society is considered legal in most countries. For the hundreds of years of its existence the BDSM culture has developed certain BDSM fashion trends that are now incorporated into the BDSM lifestyle. The BDSM fashion can vary among different communities including the gay and lesbian BDSM culture. Things commonly associated with the BDSM fashion plays are latex, rubber, spandex and fishnet. The most common being the leather style. Leather in BDSM fashion is a frequent theme of fetish photography. Items of clothing characterizing BDSM fashion are stiletto, boots, corsets and garters. Even edible items of clothing are available but are expensive. A special niche among BDSM fashion garment is taken by fashion accessories like collars, muzzles, cuffs, etc. These special fashion clothes not only create the specific atmosphere for the scene, but are also used for such BDSM practices as movement restriction, suspension, etc. Due to the increasing acceptance of BDSM, there are such dedicated fashion stores, libraries, movies and toys available in the market.
Representation of the BDSM emblem in clothing or accessories like rings and earrings is also a piece of BDSM artwork that can serve as a complementing detail to signal the affiliation with the BDSM subculture for those familiar with it. Another popular form of BDSM artwork is tattoo. Symbols like thorns, chains, spiny flowers can also witness to membership of their owners to some BDSM community.
Before going into BDSM, a few principles should be considered. The first one is common sense in BDSM. It is very important to observe basic safety rules, be responsible for your own behavior and be prepared for the consequences that BDSM practice may entail. In fact, BDSM can be really safe and satisfying or just as well dangerous and distressing if no due precautions are taken. The next concept to be viewed is negotiation. BDSM relationship requires absolute trust in your partner and to bring the pleasure it can bring BDSM character should be discussed. Agreement on safety words and taboos, share of needs, concerns and desires is sure to return in manifold. And the last thing is the awareness of freedom of choice. Whatever experts, movies or books say, it is a decision of one’s own, and it should be taken knowingly