latex clothing

In general, opting for a simple, essential piece (rather than, say, a full catsuit or a ruffled gown) is also a great way to start playing with latex. "I always recommend a basic piece, like an accessory or a pencil skirt," says Petrielli-Pulice. "For men, a T-shirt or a tie — pieces that are easy to mix with items that are already in your closet." Remember, a fabric is only intimidating if you let it be.

There are different kinds of latex materials used in clothing — namely shiny and matte, according to Lenov. If you're just heading for drinks and not a full-on party, he suggests opting for matte, not only because it's a bit more subtle, but it's also much easier to wear and care for. "The shinier latex requires special lubrications and can be more difficult to deal with other fabrics, and just the feeling on your body may feel uncomfortable," Lenov says. "Whereas the matte latexes are much easier to wear with other clothing and will avoid damaging other layered fabrics."

In general, you should go into buying a latex product knowing that it requires special care and can't just be tossed in the wash with the rest of your clothing; it requires upkeep latex clothing. It also takes some practice to get it on your body. But never fear — there are steps that will make putting on your latex a smooth process, such as applying talcum powder and lube (yes, lube, but not your bedroom K-Y Jelly). Talcum powder helps with matte latex, while lubricant oils work for shiny latex, Lenov explains.

If you're working with a shinier latex, you'll need a polish to keep it looking fresh. Kudo stresses the importance of this step and even hasher own polishing formulathat keeps the latex moisturized the same way a lotion would moisturize the skin. "We recommend opting for a latex polish that doesn't leave a residue and treats latex like a skin moisturizer," says Kudo. "It's water-based, as oils damage latex. It also helps with the cleaning process, helping to remove talcum powder and dirt."

Your latex pieces will need to be washed in between wears, but note that you cannot machine wash, dry clean, or doanykind of heavy wash. "Wash it in warm, soapy water — preferably Palmolive dish soap — which takes off oil and helps preserve and clean the fabric," says Lenov.