BDSM is an important influence on Fashion
Since 50 Shades of Grey, BDSM has become more aware for the mainstream. This also lead in an increase of using BDSM clothes and styles in fashion. Designers already used elements of Punk, Goth and Rave cultures, whereas BDSM is no different. Items that were traditionally viewed as scandalous are slowly being incorporated into fashion and the everyday style. Chokers, fishnets and corsets are already part of fashion and accepted in society. An example for this would be Lady Gaga, who wore a latex outfit in 2012 when visiting the Queen of England. But also other celebrities have started using BDSM elements in their looks, making it more visible and accepted to the mainstream. With this BDSM fashion has found its way into our everyday’s garderobe.
What do people say who are part of the BDSM lifestyle?
There are many people, who are taking part in BDSM, trying to avoid being seen in BDSM clothes in the public as they can have a fear of exposure. They simply want to keep it discreet. There have been cases where people were fired for their involvement in BDSM or even denied permits. But as more and more of BDSM is added into fashion that fear might slowly diminish by time.
But does wearing this BDSM inspired fashion show that you are part of the lifestyle?
No, things aren’t always what they appear to be. Even if some people don’t leave the house with a choker or a fishnet for example, doesn’t mean it’s a kink for them, as they just wear it for fashion. One could say that BDSM might have been robbed of its sexuality for the purpose of using it in fashion. And as long as BDSM elements keep showing up in today’s fashion it will be seen by the majority of the society as this.
Conclusion
As conclusion I would say that this statement began as true when BDSM wasn’t much related to fashion and still unknown territory to the mainstream. But once more and more people got accustomed to it, it slowly began to grow towards a myth, as it’s more difficult now to say if they are part of the BDSM lifestyle or just wear it for fashion. That’s why i think it is a myth by now and will remain so.
- https://fashionista.com/2017/02/bdsm-fashion-mainstream-kink
- https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/cp/inside-fashion-week/fall-2015/bondage
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetish_fashion
- https://www.mamamia.com.au/how-to-tell-if-someone-has-a-fetish/
- https://www.bustle.com/articles/175418-why-the-influence-of-bdsm-on-fashion-is-so-important
- https://fashionmagazine.com/culture/bdsm-fashion
- https://slate.com/human-interest/2014/10/the-jian-ghomeshi-case-echoes-many-kinksters-worst-fears-being-outed-and-fired.html