Latex leggings are a great way to introduce some latex into your wardrobe, whether you’re a first-timer curious about the material, or maybe you’ve tried it already and are looking for the kind of piece which can be accepted as fashion wear.
Wet-look bottoms are in vogue and can be found everywhere, though they’re usually made from materials such as faux leather, PVC or Nylon. The term “latex” is often generalised to refer to all of these shiny materials, but on this page we’re talking exclusively about authentic latex, which is 100% rubber.
You may think of latex rubber leggings as a part of the wider leather/wet-look trend, and by appearances you may be right. But real latex is its own beast. Read on to find out why!
No passing fad: Latex leggings are nothing new, with couture label Atsuko Kudo being a hit with celebrities since the late-2000s. The rise of latex fashion has continued with Saint Laurent’s popular FW20 collection.
Real latex vs latex-look
Real latex is a 100% natural composition (natural rubber), whereas latex-look is made from plastic compounds. This makes real latex sustainable and vegan friendly, though as a natural product it requires your due care to avoid discolouring from metals or too much direct sunlight. Of course, be aware of any existing latex allergies you may have.
Real latex costs more: As a natural product, latex is more expensive to source and work with. Latex clothing can not be mass-produced, and each garment is made by hand, on-demand, often according to your exact measurements.
Faux-latex is not only inexpensive but can be stitched and backed with fabrics to make it breathable and easy to wear. As for real latex, it’s not suited to intensive activity or hot weather, and the experience of getting dressed is itself unique: The rubber is in direct contact with your skin, so dressing in latex requires talc or lubrication for it to slide over you.
It does make dressing into latex somewhat of an event, but hey — transformations like this don’t come for free! It’s all part of the fun of dressing up.
Real latex is famously elastic, and the seams are usually glued flat as opposed to using bulky stitching. The overall effect is more skin-tight and sleek than any alternative. Since it hugs and follows the contours of the body so perfectly, latex is often described as looking and feeling like a “second skin”. If the idea of clothing as shapewear appeals to you, then latex is second to none.
Finally, real latex can achieve a brilliant mirror-like shine superior to any substitute. But not out of the box: it must first be polished with a dedicated latex shining product, either before wearing or during. It’s all part of the latex dressing ritual — embrace and enjoy it!
Source: Maria on Instagram. See more shiny legging looks on her page.
How to style latex leggings
Latex leggings are versatile. Depending on what they’re paired with, they can be used for dressing up or down. The resulting look can be anything from casual, club, smart, chic, or rock.
There are mixing looks: contrasting the smooth, reflective rubber with textures that have the opposite effect, like soft furs, or sheer fabrics. There are matching looks: pairing the latex with other shiny materials such as silks, satins or sequins. The skin-tight effect can pair well with figure-hugging tops, or it can contrast something loose, light and flowing.
As you can see, there is a lot of room for experimentation.
There are tons of ideas for pairing shiny wet-look leggings to be found online. All of those wet-look ideas apply just as well to actual latex. Just for good measure, though, here are a bundle of looks from vlogger Maddie Luca, and she is indeed wearing the genuine article:
Where to buy latex leggings
Leggings are such a staple that they can be bought from nearly every latex designer, from the biggest companies to the independent.
High-fashion latex labels like William Wilde (pictured, top) Atsuko Kudo, or Vex Clothing do their own leggings, and leggings are likewise standard at any fetish-fashion outfitter, such as Honour, or Westward Bound.
Check out Etsy for a whole load of artisans producing tailored latex with care and passion from the home. Their latex is often competitively priced, the quality of the highest standard, and sometimes offers unique patterns, textures, etc. Bright&Shiny is one popular example (pictured below).
There are in fact hundreds of latex designers and most of them probably do some form of leggings. If you really want to explore your options I recommend trying our Latex Clothing Search Engine. Select your region from the tabs, and browse.
Latex may be more demanding than other materials, requiring your care, time and patience, but the results are worth it and the sensation like no other. To read more about latex as a material and comparisons with latex-look materials, read our Introduction to Latex. For tips on dressing and staying comfy in latex, read our article Staying comfortable in latex.
