When I think “latex,” I think “Givenchy.” I realize that this is probably not the first thing people think of – it likely falls distantly behind “that weird hospital smell,” “unfortunate allergy,” and “what are you up to tonight?” But for real – the latex trend is a thing now. I mean, in fashion. From my reading I gather it’s been a “thing” for awhile now in … other circles.
I think “Givenchy” because Clare Waight Keller, the house’s artistic director, is a latex magician. She’s woven it into couture shows as if it were silk and not a fetishized plant sap (which is exactly what latex is) with marvelous results.
And of course, I think of Givenchy because of Beyonce’s 2016 Met Gala dress, designed by then-creative director Riccardo Tisci. How he could convince anyone to leave the house in nude latex, puffy sleeves, and pearls and have everyone agree that it was a great idea speaks to the man’s wizardry (and B’s presence, I mean, duh).
In the past year, a number of smaller fashion houses picked up the latex trend and ran with it. As with any trend, we can only guess as to what drives its popularity. My guess is that it’s a combination of novelty, shock value, and a collective consciousness in a volatile climate that clamors for an impermeable armor that also happens to be a natural product. As strange as it sounds, there is something earthy about latex, even as supernatural as it can look. There is a fabulous article about it in the BBC that sheds more light onto latex and its history – you can read it here.
The Reality of Wearing the Latex Trend
I admit that my foray into the latex trend was not quite at the standard of Givenchy, not even close. In fact, my secret shame is that what I thought was latex was actually vinyl, an insidiously non-ecofriendly latex imposter. Joke’s on me (and my great-great-great-grandchildren who will have to invent a way to recycle it, sorry kids).
For about a week, my Instagram was bombarded with photos of New Years’ Eve in Las Vegas, a gloriously over the top few days spent with my girlfriends (I feel the need to divulge that a friend of a friend is the daughter of the CEO of the Caesar’s Palace Corporation, so we got amazing deals – a different story for a different time). And what better place than Vegas to try out a risky – and risque – trend?
The reality is that I LOVED IT.
Yes, I had to wear crazy Spanx and even then you could still see my belly button. I’d probably double up next time.
Yes, it took three people to zip me into the dress.
Yes, I looked like a boiled hot dog.
And yes, when I flip through my photos on my phone a jolt of fear runs through me because from afar, I look buck naked and I wonder what kind of creep has been voyeuring me on my own phone and leaving the nudie pictures (oh yeah, it was me wearing a hot dog dress).
But let me tell you: I felt bulletproof in that thing. A drunken high roller spilled a glass of red wine on me on NYE, and you know what happened? Nothing. I flicked it off my dress and went about my business. And if you know me, you know that spill-proof clothing gives me an unreasonable feeling of freedom (I didn’t even have to wear a bib to eat lobster in front of all the fancy people, thank God).
It’s such a simple dress – the only thing that makes it different is the fabric (for the sake of argument, it’s latex, ok?) and the color. It’s soft, yet eye-catching and feels new somehow. You might even say “birthday-suit-new,” but hey, what better way to ring in the new year?
So You Want to Get into Latex
If you’re considering trying latex out (in a sartorial context, what you do in the rest of your life is between you and your maker), may I suggest going with neutral colors and relatively simple designs? Let the fabric speak for itself – my experience is that it speaks loudly and with little effort.
I pulled some options online – some latex, some latex imitators – so you can see what more real-world options look like:
You can use it in as large or small doses as you like – I particularly like the option of a latex belt. Easy peasy AND useful.
Thoughts? Too much? Should we leave latex to Catwoman?
love,
Stig.
