Editing Rubber and PVC fetishism

{{Short description|Type of fetish towards latex clothing}}
{{redirect|Rubberman|the Philippine comedy superhero film|Rubberman (film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2015}}
[[File:Rubber Fetish Pride Flag.svg|thumb|right|The rubber pride flag, also known as the latex pride flag, which is a symbol used by members of the rubber and latex fetish community. It was designed in 1994 by Peter Tolos and Scott Moats.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}]]

'''Rubber fetishism''', or '''latex fetishism''', is the [[sexual fetishism|fetishistic attraction]] to people wearing [[latex clothing]] or, in certain cases, to the garments themselves. '''PVC fetishism''' is closely related to rubber fetishism, with the former referring to shiny clothes made of the synthetic plastic [[polyvinyl chloride]] (PVC) and the latter referring to clothes made of rubber, which is generally thicker, less shiny, and more matte than latex. PVC is sometimes confused with the similarly shiny [[patent leather]], which is also a fetish material. Latex or rubber fetishists sometimes refer to themselves as "'''rubberists'''". Male rubberists tend to call themselves "'''rubbermen'''".

The terms "PVC", "vinyl" and "PU" tend to be used interchangeably by retailers for clothing ([[PVC clothing]] as a form of [[plastic clothing]]) made from shiny [[Coated fabric|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. A manufacturer's label may say, for example, 67% polyester, 33% polyurethane for a fabric that contains no PVC; or 80% polyvinyl chloride, 20% polyurethane with mention of the polyester backing omitted. The plastic layer is often textured to look like leather ("leatherlook", "[[pleather]]"), as opposed to smooth ("[[wetlook]]", "patent").

==Motives==
{{Original research|date=January 2020}}
One reason why latex or other tight shiny fabrics may be fetishised is perhaps 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 perceived 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 stimulus to add to the physical sensations produced by the material. The tightness of the garments may also be viewed as a kind of [[Bondage (BDSM)|sexual bondage]]. The smell of latex rubber is also a [[turn-on]] for some rubber fetishists, and such garments are usually impregnated with chemicals to enhance the odour.<ref name=Greigh>{{cite web|last1=Greigh|first1=Julian|title=Latex Fetish|url=http://darkpassions.com/juliangreigh/general/latex-fetish/|website=Julian Greigh's Dark Passions Blog|access-date=23 June 2015|date=12 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624044816/http://darkpassions.com/juliangreigh/general/latex-fetish/|archive-date=24 June 2015}}</ref> Some rubberists also enjoy the idea of [[exhibitionism]], and some fantasise about going out in public wearing fetish attire. Some do this, especially in more liberal areas (e.g., Berlin, New York, Montreal, San Francisco).<ref name=Greigh/>

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.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 December 2014 |title=The Top 6 in Fetish Wear |url=http://allsydneyescorts.com.au/blog/the-top-6-in-fetish-wear/ |access-date=23 June 2015 |website=All Sydney Escorts |publisher=}}</ref>

==Practices==
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2018}}
[[File:Pride London 2011 - 040.jpg|thumb|Men in latex gear marching down Whitehall as part of Pride London 2011.]]

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

Some latex enthusiasts are also turned on by the wearing of draped latex garments, such as cloaks. Other rubber paraphernalia, such as [[wet suit]]s, [[gas mask]]s, [[splash suit]]s, [[Mackintosh]]es, [[galoshes]], [[Wellington boot]]s, [[rubber pants|rubber]]/[[plastic pants]], and [[diapers]] 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]].

For hygienic reasons, many [[sex toy]]s such as [[dildo]]s and [[butt plug]]s are made from rubber or similar materials, and this is also a factor in rubber fetishism. Some rubber fetishists are also [[medical fetishism|medical fetishists]] or have an interest in [[klismaphilia]]; [[medical gloves]] and [[catheter]]s are made from latex, as are [[condom]]s.

A substantial industry exists to produce specialist latex or rubber [[fetish clothing]] garments for rubber enthusiasts.

Many latex or rubber clothes appear on websites such as eBay, and 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.

A number of [[fetish magazine]]s have been published on the subject of rubber and PVC fetishism, including ''[[AtomAge]]'', ''Dressing for Pleasure'', ''[[Marquis (magazine)|Marquis]]'', ''[[«O»]]'', ''Shiny International'', and ''[[Skin Two]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-23 |title=3 Legendary Fetish Magazines: Skin Two, Marquis, SECRET |url=http://www.sinicalmagazine.com/component/content/article/42-blogs/565-legendaryfetishmagazines |access-date=2023-11-15 |archive-date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823022351/http://www.sinicalmagazine.com/component/content/article/42-blogs/565-legendaryfetishmagazines |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Latex look-alike materials==
PVC/vinyl and metal are two other shiny materials used for clothing, from regular street wear (raincoats) to PVC hazmat suits and other forms of industrial protective clothing. As with latex, these materials became more noted as fetish material in the 1960s and early 1970s. During that era, boots and garments made of PVC and vinyl were made and worn in public areas to some degrees. The [[The Avengers (TV series)|British TV programme ''The Avengers'']] showcased this.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chapman |first1=James |url=https://archive.org/details/insidetardisworl0000chap_b1n7 |title=Inside the tardis : the worlds of Dr Who; a cultural history |date=2006 |publisher=I. B. Tauris |isbn=9781845111625 |location=London |page=57 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Guy Sangster |title=Television Review: The Avengers – The Complete Series 4 |url=http://theculturalpick.com/wordpress/webzine/dvdreviewtheavengersthecompleteseries4/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624013141/http://theculturalpick.com/wordpress/webzine/dvdreviewtheavengersthecompleteseries4/ |archive-date=Jun 24, 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |website= |publisher=The Cultural Pick}}</ref> [[Bin bag|Garbage sacks]] made from PVC (primarily black) can also be fashioned into clothing as a "poor man's" way into the fetish.  The sacks themselves can be fetishised as an extension of a [[balloon fetish]].

Numerous underground fetish production houses were started, which published magazines such as ''Shiny'', ''Shiny's International'', ''Rubberist'', ''Dressing for Pleasure'' (both of these publications later merged with each other), and rubber fetish author Helen Henley and others of this time frame.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Henley|first1=Helen|title=Enter with trumpets|date=2000|publisher=Renaissance E Books|location=Clemmons, NC|isbn=1929670311}}</ref>

Fashion designers such as [[Jean Paul Gaultier]], [[Yves Saint Laurent (designer)|Yves Saint Laurent]], [[Pierre Cardin]] and [[André Courrèges]] have used PVC in their collections.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wickstead |first1=Emilia |date=22 February 2015 |title=Fetish wear is all the rage at London fashion week – in pictures |website=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2015/feb/22/fetish-wear-is-all-the-rage-at-london-fashion-week-in-pictures |access-date=23 June 2015}}</ref> Since 2010, the PVC has been the target of fashion for both the male and female public.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Turra |first1=Alessandra |date=22 June 2015 |title=Z Zegna Men's RTW Spring 2016 |url=http://wwd.com/runway/mens-spring-collections-2016/review/z-zegna/ |access-date=23 June 2015 |website=[[Women's Wear Daily]] |publisher=Fairchild Publishing}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
* In the film ''[[Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed]]'', [[Velma Dinkley|Velma]] wears an orange PVC outfit to look attractive, although she is uncomfortable in it.<ref>{{cite web |last1=adithyasampath100 |date=Apr 12, 2011 |title=Scooby Doo, Funny Velma |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49_e9K3e5yY |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110221307/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49_e9K3e5yY&list=TLxS-8HQZQYmdQlJemN5xTFC1dfa7OIZR6 |archive-date=2013-11-10 |access-date=23 June 2015 |website= |publisher=YouTube}}</ref>
* In the [[Batman (1989 film series)|''Batman'' film series]], [[Batsuit|Batman's costume]] is of rubber; in ''[[Batman Returns]]'', [[Catwoman]] wears a rubber catsuit.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Dark Knight Rises: Catwoman Anne Hathaway banishes the dark side in dazzling white|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/the-dark-knight-rises-catwoman-anne-hathaway-banishes-the-dark-side-in-dazzling-white-7952453.html?action=gallery&ino=3|website=Evening Standard|date = 18 July 2012|location=London|access-date=23 June 2015}}</ref>
* The artwork of [[Allen Jones (sculptor)|Allen Jones]] has been strongly influenced by the imagery of rubber fetishism and [[BDSM]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Allen Jones |url=http://www.wrpfineart.com/allen-jones/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623211953/http://www.wrpfineart.com/allen-jones/ |archive-date=23 June 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |website= |publisher=WRP Fine Art}}</ref>
* In a scene from the film ''[[Two for the Road (film)|Two for the Road]]'' (1967), the actress [[Audrey Hepburn]] appears wearing a shiny black PVC trouser suit designed by [[Michele Rosier]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Truhler |first=Kimberly |date=February 12, 2013 |title=The Style Essentials--Audrey Hepburn Gets Modern in 1967's Two for the Road |url=http://www.glamamor.com/2013/02/the-style-essentials-audrey-hepburn.html |access-date=23 June 2015 |website= |publisher=GlamAmor}}</ref>
* In an episode of the American television sitcom ''[[The Nanny]]'', [[Fran Drescher]] wore a red PVC outfit.<ref>{{cite web |last1=456dgs |date=Apr 19, 2011 |title=Fran Drescher Latex Jacket And Dress |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b93GZyFuJ5A |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/b93GZyFuJ5A |archive-date=2021-12-11 |access-date=23 June 2015 |website=YouTube |publisher=}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* In the music video for "[[Scream (Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song)|Scream]]" (1995), [[Michael Jackson]] and his sister [[Janet Jackson]] wore black PVC pants.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hermanson |first1=Tove |date=July 7, 2009 |title=Who Inspired Michael Jackson's Fashion? |url=http://www.wornthrough.com/2009/07/07/who-inspired-michael-jacksons-fashion/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623205855/http://www.wornthrough.com/2009/07/07/who-inspired-michael-jacksons-fashion/ |archive-date=23 June 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |website=Worn Through |publisher=}}</ref>
*The English television and radio personality [[Zoë Ball]] wore black PVC pants in one of her appearances on the English TV program ''[[Shooting Stars (British TV series)|Shooting Stars]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=LiquidAngel |title=Zoë Ball in vinyl trousers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbWeVMKk_-M |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309230544/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbWeVMKk_-M |archive-date=2016-03-09 |access-date=23 June 2015 |website=You Tube |publisher=}}</ref>
* In [[101 Dalmatians (1996 film)|''101 Dalmatians'']] and ''[[102 Dalmatians]]'', [[Cruella de Vil|Cruella]] (played by [[Glenn Close]]) wears red PVC thigh high boots, black PVC crotch boots, and a black PVC belt.
* In certain episodes of the American television series ''[[Smallville]]'', the actress [[Erica Durance]] appears wearing PVC clothes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=pvcvinyllatex |date=Jul 21, 2009 |title=Erica Durance red pvc HD |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODw3fY7oh1Q |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/ODw3fY7oh1Q |archive-date=2021-12-11 |access-date=23 June 2015 |website=YouTube |publisher=}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* In 2007, the Brazilian singer [[Ivete Sangalo]] wore a black PVC outfit in her show ''{{Lang|pt|[[Multishow ao Vivo: Ivete no Maracanã]]}}''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Prunes |first1=Mariano |title=Ivete Sangalo - ''Multishow ao Vivo: No Maracanã'' |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/multishow-ao-vivo-no-maracan%C3%A3-mw0001904947 |access-date=23 June 2015 |website=AllMusic |publisher=}}</ref>
* In recent years, latex and PVC have appeared in the media, in TV series like ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'';<ref>{{cite web |last1=Drozdowski |first1=Christie |date=April 16, 2015 |title=10 Times Jennifer Garner 'Alias' Fashion Was on Point – Girl Can Rock Any Makeover |url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/76665-10-times-jennifer-garner-alias-fashion-was-on-point-girl-can-rock-any-makeover |access-date=23 June 2015 |website=Bustle |publisher=}}</ref> in music videos by pop stars like [[Britney Spears]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Video and pictures: Britney Spears' PVC and sexy secretary comeback|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/video-and-pictures-britney-spears-pvc-345317|website=Daily Mirror|date=7 October 2008|access-date=23 June 2015}}</ref> [[Lady Gaga]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thistlethwaite |first1=Felicity |date=2 September 2014 |title=Lady Gaga flaunts her curves in PVC ranting about 'society's view of beauty' online |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/506134/Lady-Gaga-shows-off-her-curves-in-PVC |access-date=23 June 2015 |website=Daily Express |publisher=Northern and Shell Media Publications}}</ref> and [[Thalía]];<ref>{{cite web |last1=ThePVCfan |date=Aug 20, 2014 |title=Thalía in vinyl leggings |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbtefCJMSjw |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325192519/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbtefCJMSjw |archive-date=2016-03-25 |access-date=23 June 2015 |website=You Tube |publisher=}}</ref> and even in fashion trends.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Hannah Lyons |date=25 February 2014 |title=The new must-have wardrobe staple? That'll be PVC |url=https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/pvc-patent-latex-high-shine-leather-skirts-trend |access-date=23 June 2015 |website=Glamour UK |publisher=Condé Nast UK}}</ref>
* In ''[[Secret Diary of a Call Girl]]'' (2007), a British drama television series, [[Gemma Chan]] wore latex get-ups to for her role of Charlotte, the feisty dominatrix.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pometsey |first=Olive |date=21 June 2018 |title=Gemma Chan is One of the Most Versatile Actress on Screens Now |url=https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/a21067697/gemma-chan-elle-list-2018/ |website=Elle}}</ref>
* During [[New York Fashion Week]] 2022, fashion house [[Balenciaga]] featured models wearing latex suits and hoods underneath their clothing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Clementina |date=2022-05-23 |title=Models In Full Latex Suits Take Over The New York Stock Exchange For Balenciaga Show |url=https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/a40075824/balenciaga-resort-2023/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=ELLE |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* The series ''[[American Horror Story]]'' features "[[Rubber Man]]", a character in a bondage suit.
* In the Bollywood film [[Bang Bang!|''Bang Bang'']] (2014) title track video, [[Katrina Kaif]] wore a latex dress

==See also==
*[[Balloon fetish]]
*[[Catsuits and bodysuits in popular media]]
*[[Dry suit]]
*[[Fetish fashion]]
*[[Leather subculture]]
*[[MIR contest]]
*[[Neoprene]]
*[[Sexual fetishism]]
*[[Spandex fetishism]]
*[[Total enclosure fetishism]]
*[[Wetsuit]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.latexwiki.com LatexWiki] - latex community wiki hosted by Lust, Love, Latex
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20220904140404/http://www.rubberist.net/ The International Association of Rubberists] - latex and rubber fetish support group
* [http://www.rubberloft.com Latex fetish store] - latex fetish store, latex clothing and accessories

{{Sex fetish}}

[[Category:Sexual fetishism]]
[[Category:BDSM]]
[[Category:Fetish clothing]]
[[Category:Rubber]]