Rubber and PVC

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After leather, rubber is easily the most popular material fetish going. It tends to be more popular in Europe, where items can be obtained reasonably cheaply, than in the United States, where they are very expensive. It includes interest in clothing, hoods and bondage items made out of latex sheeting. As with leather, black is the most popular colour, though by no means totally exclusive. Rubber in other colours is popular too, especially in continental Europe. Most of the clothing is purpose made, often in imitation of more conventional styles, but some items, such as all in one suits, are peculiar to the fetish community. Shorts and T-shirts are common but some rubber fans want total coverage — to be totally encased in rubber.

Rubber fetishism often, though not always, goes with a particular set of other fetishisms and interests: breath control, fisting, piss and shaving are all fairly likely bedfellows. Latex or rubber fetishists sometimes refer to themselves as "Rubberists". Gay Rubberists tend to call themselves "Rubbermen".

The character of the rubber scene has changed over the past few decades: in days gone by, people could still remember rubber clothing such as raincoats made for practical purposes, and the fetish often focussed around such items. Today almost all rubber gear is made specially for fetishists, and its popularity seems to be on the increase, perhaps encouraged by renewed interest in condoms for safer sex purposes. The only vanilla items still found are the ever-popular gasmasks, Wellington boots and waders, and items of heavy industrial protective clothing.

Latex and PVC

Latex fetishism is the fetishistic attraction to people wearing latex clothing, or in certain cases to the garments themselves. Sometimes this is called rubber fetishism also, as latex is closely related to rubber (the latter usually being thicker and less shiny, more matte).

PVC fetishism is closely related to latex fetishism and refers to shiny clothes made of the synthetic plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This is sometimes confused with the similarly shiny patent leather, which is also a fetish material.

The terms "PVC", "vinyl" and "PU" tend to be used interchangeably by retailers for clothing made from shiny plastic-coated fabrics. These fabrics usually consist of a backing woven from polyester fibers with a surface coating of shiny plastic. The plastic layer itself is typically a blend of PVC and polyurethane (PU), with 100% PVC producing a stiff fabric with a glossy shine and 100% PU producing a stretchy fabric with a silky shine. The plastic layer is often textured to look like leather ("leatherlook", "pleather"), as opposed to smooth ("wetlook", "patent").

Second Skin

One reason why latex and other tight shiny fabrics may be fetishised may be that the garment forms a "second skin" that acts as a fetishistic surrogate for the wearer's own skin. Thus, wearers of skin-tight latex or PVC garments may be seen by the viewer as being naked, or simply coated in a shiny substance like paint. Latex and PVC can also be polished to be shiny and can also be produced in bright colours, adding further visual stimulation to the physical sensations produced by the material. The tightness of the garments may be viewed as a kind of sexual bondage. The smell of latex rubber is also a turn-on for some rubber fetishists, and garments are usually impregnated with chemicals to enhance the odour. Rubberists also enjoy the idea of exhibitionism and some fantasise about going out in public wearing fetish attire. Some even do this, especially in the more liberal areas (Berlin, New York, Montreal, San Francisco, etc).

A compelling reason that people are turned on by wearing rubber is its transformative abilities. As with any costume, a rubberist can imagine themselves having a new identity, especially one that permits a different code of behavior.

Some latex enthusiasts are also turned on by the wearing of draped latex garments such as cloaks. Other rubber paraphernalia, such as wet suits, gas masks, splash suits, Mackintoshes, galoshes and Wellington boots, are also often added to the scenario. Heavier fetishists often attempt duplicating all kinds of "everyday wear" into a rubber counterpart. Some PVC enthusiasts are turned on by PVC Hazmat suits and other forms of industrial protective clothing.

Latex fetishism often involves dressing up in the material, or looking at it worn by sexual partners, or fantasies about wearers of skin-tight or other latex garments, such as divers and workers wearing industrial protective clothing. Another common stereotype is the image of a dominatrix wearing a skin-tight latex or PVC catsuit, usually jet-black.

Care and Use

Rubber garments are expensive, and need to be treated with proper care if they are to give a reasonable amount of use.

Storage

Rubber is degraded by excessive heat and UV light, so it should be kept stored in a cool, dry, dark place. Rubber clothing is best stored hung up on plastic hangers (not metal, some metals also degrade rubber) or failing that dusted with talc and rolled up (but not too tightly).

Rubber garments are frequently damp with sweat after wearing, and should be allowed to dry befor storage.

Cleaning

If you need to clean your rubber gear, it should be cleaned by washing it in tepid (not hot) water and a mild non-greasy soap. Don't use strong detergents or ones with added moisturisers, as the grease in them can harm the rubber. After washing the rubber, it should be thoroughly rinsed to remove all traces of soap and then hung up to dry completely before storage. Adding a small quantity of talc to the rinse water may help in preventing the rubber sticking to itself as it dries.

Wearing

How you put on your rubber clothing will of course depend on what it is. Thick industrial rubber like dry-suits will take a lot of abuse and only the most basic common sense precautions are needed. Avoid sharp jewellery, and be careful not to allow your fingernails to dig into it when putting it on. Thinner rubber will need more care to get on; you may need lubrication to avoid tearing it when pulling it on, especially if it is tight. Water based lubricants or talc are suitable; oil based lubricants (including most hand creams or oils) are NOT and will rapidly damage rubber. You may find that it's easiest to roll up the clothing before you put it on and then unroll it onto your body.

To get a good shine on your rubber clothing, wipe away any excess talc or lubricant with a slightly damp cloth, and then silicone spray can be used with a fresh dry cloth to put a high shine on the rubber.

While wearing rubber, especially tight rubber, be careful to avoid sudden and violent movements that may tear the seams. Also, avoid snagging on sharp items. Physical exertion, especially in warm places, may produce excessive sweat, which is uncomfortable.

Sources and Links

A substantial industry exists to produce specialist latex or rubber fetish clothing garments for rubber enthusiasts. Lots of latex or rubber clothes, gear, and toys are available from sources such as Mr. S Leather. In recent years, clothes made in PVC have been prevalent in young people's fashions, particularly in jackets, skirts and trousers. Several mainstream designers have made latex clothing. As fashions come round and round again it would seem that PVC, latex and similar materials will appear again in mainstream street fashions as well as continuing to be central to the fetish scene.

Major sites for gay rubbermen include:

References