Latex fashion has moved beyond its niche origins. It has started to captivate the mainstream, sparking curiosity and fascination. Whether seen on high-fashion runways, in edgy streetwear, in cosplay, or as part of a fetish lifestyle, latex and rubber clothing has a unique appeal that’s hard to ignore.
But what exactly does it feel like to wear latex, and why do so many people find it irresistible?
Many adjectives come to mind to describe the sensations of wearing latex. Tight. Smooth. Intoxicating. Complete bliss. Empowering. You’ll hear rubberists and kinksters describe wearing latex in a variety of ways.
The experience is different for everyone. Just because someone feels amazing wearing it doesn’t mean you’ll feel the same way. That said, there’s a reason so many people, myself included, love rubber. In this blog post, I’ll do my best to explain how wearing rubber feels, and what wearing latex is like.
What does latex clothing feel like?
If your only experience with latex is disposable gloves, the feeling of wearing rubber clothes is different. Latex clothing isn’t texturized, so it’s very smooth. When applying a dressing aid, lube, or talcum powder, the latex slips right onto your body, sliding across the skin. With latex shiner especially, it becomes slick to the touch and shiny.
Depending on how well the clothing fits, rubber is often tight. It feels like a giant hug all over your body, the air escaping from between the layers as the smooth, immaculate material becomes a second skin. That said, it shouldn’t hurt or feel too tight. It should be comfortable to wear, for the most part.
Because rubber isn’t like other materials, it really is like a second skin. You feel everything like you would without it, like other objects, including the temperature and texture. But because you’re wearing rubber, the sensations are different and even heightened. You feel things more intensely than without.
The whole second skin thing comes with a big caveat. Unless your latex is completely made-to-measure and fits perfectly down to the millimeter, it will wrinkle and bunch up in spots. I’ve found this happening near joints or my thighs and upper arms. If these wrinkles remain for long periods on your skin, they will leave marks. Most of these go away within minutes or hours, but some can last for days.
Is latex sticky?
Unchlorinated latex, which is what most rubber clothing is, can be very sticky without a latex shiner, dressing aid, or talc. The material will stick to itself and be very challenging to get on and off. But, using a dressing aid and shiner makes the latex smooth and shiny.
Do you sweat wearing latex/rubber clothing?
One of the best aspects of rubber is it’s waterproof. It completely separates the wearer from the outside, becoming a true second skin. Because of this, your skin can’t breathe, and you can get very hot. On hot days, or if you’re moving around a lot, you’ll sweat.
Sweating in rubber is a strange sensation. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but it eventually makes wearing latex more comfortable, as it lets the rubber slide across your skin more when you move. However, sweating a lot can lead to feeling very cold. If you have zippers on your outfit, the sweat can drip out. Otherwise, if you’re wearing a full suit, it can run down your arms and legs. This usually happens after wearing rubber very long durations. I rarely sweat much if I wear it for an hour or two or in a relatively cool or mild temperature setting.
You can also experience the opposite effect, where you feel cold wearing rubber. Rubber does little to shield you from temperature. If it’s hot out, you’ll get hot. If it’s cold or windy, it will chill you right to the skin as if you’re wearing nothing at all. I had never experienced the cold side until I attended my first rubber event. I was freezing when walking to my car at night with a light breeze! Best to bring a jacket in those scenarios.
The emotions of wearing latex
Describing the physical feel of wearing latex is only part of the story. Latex often makes people feel empowered and strong. Some say it’s like wearing a superhero suit. For me, it gives me more confidence. I’ve always lacked self-confidence in my body, although it has gotten better over time. I’ve never considered myself attractive. But, when I wear rubber, I feel like my best self. I feel sexy and good about myself. And, my followers, of course, love how I look in it as well.
Rubber accentuates every curve of your body. Gone are the baggy cotton clothes that hide your shape. Light affects how you appear, too, reflecting off the latex in spots while shadowing you in others.
There’s also the second skin and encasement aspect of rubber. For many, the idea of being completely encased and separated from the outside world is attractive.
You can read more about why people enjoy wearing rubber in my blog post.
Putting latex clothes on
Getting into latex clothing can be a bit of a process. It requires preparation:
- The use of a dressing aid (for unchlorinated rubber)
- Patience: Rushing or pulling hard on latex can rip it
Maintenance and care
Latex requires specific care to maintain its appearance and longevity. My blog post explains how to clean latex and rubber.
Latex shiner and dressing aid after the fact
One of the most interesting things I’ve noticed about wearing rubber with either a latex shiner or dressing aid on my skin is how hard it is to wash it off. I’m not talking about needing extra soap to scrub the oil from my skin; I’m talking about how it almost prevents bar soap from making contact with your skin while showering, especially if you have body hair like me.
I used to use a natural bar soap, and even after scrubbing the soap on my body after wearing latex, it didn’t really sud up. So, I often lathered up again and really scrubbed my body to try and get as much of the dressing aid off my skin as possible. I was rarely successful. By the time I turned the water off, if I shook my arms, it was almost like my skin was semi-water resistant. My arm hairs were immediately dry without using a towel.
It’s an interesting occurrence. After showing, it’s not like you can feel any residue from the dressing aid. Your skin just behaves differently for a while.
This problem mostly went away when I switched to a liquid body wash instead of bar soap. But I wanted to mention it.
Closing thoughts
Latex has its roots in fetish culture, but it’s begun to transcend these boundaries and into high fashion. Wearing latex isn’t for everyone, but many who try it love the feeling and sensations it brings. From the look to the smell, it can be very intoxicating. For those with a latex fetish, it’s a complete turn-on.
Beyond the obvious physical look, latex clothing can boost confidence, make a bold statement, and offer a sense of empowerment.
