Dictionary
A simple introduction to the terms you are most likely to come across when discovering latex, rubber clothing and the latex fetish community.
A
- Accessory
- A smaller item worn with latex clothing, such as gloves, socks or a hood.
- All-in-one
- A one-piece latex garment covering much or all of the body.
- Allergy
- A reaction to natural rubber latex. Anyone with a known latex allergy should avoid latex products.
- Armsleeves
- Latex sleeves worn over the arms, either alone or with other clothing.
B
- Black latex
- The classic black latex look and one of the most recognisable styles.
- Boots
- Footwear commonly worn with latex outfits.
- Bondage
- A kink involving restraint. Latex is sometimes combined with bondage, although the two are separate interests.
- Body
- A general term for a one-piece latex garment covering the torso.
C
- Catsuit
- A close-fitting one-piece suit covering the torso and legs, and sometimes the arms, hands, feet or head.
- Chlorination
- A treatment that makes latex less sticky and easier to put on.
- Clean
- Latex should be cleaned after wearing to remove sweat, oils and dirt.
- Collar
- A latex item worn around the neck, either as part of an outfit or on its own.
D
- Dressing
- The process of putting on latex clothing.
- Dressing aid
- A product such as dressing powder or silicone lubricant that makes latex easier to put on.
- Drying
- The process of allowing cleaned latex to dry before storing it.
- Durability
- How well a latex garment withstands normal use, stretching and handling.
E
- Elastic
- Latex can stretch considerably and return towards its original shape.
- Elasticity
- The ability of latex to stretch and recover its shape.
- Everyday latex
- Latex clothing designed to be worn as fashion rather than only for fetish use.
- Exposure
- Wearing latex openly as part of an outfit rather than keeping it hidden under other clothes.
F
- Fetish
- A strong sexual or emotional interest in a particular object, material, clothing or situation.
- Fetishwear
- Clothing made or worn specifically as part of a fetish or kink interest.
- Finish
- The appearance of the latex surface, such as glossy, shiny or matte.
- Form-fitting
- Clothing that follows the shape of the body closely.
G
- Gloss
- The shiny appearance of polished latex.
- Gloves
- Latex gloves are one of the simplest ways to start wearing latex.
- Glued seam
- A seam where pieces of latex have been joined together with adhesive.
- Goggles
- Protective or decorative eyewear that can be combined with a latex outfit.
H
- Hand
- The part of the body covered by latex gloves or mitts.
- Hood
- A latex covering worn over the head. Some leave the face open while others cover more of the head.
- Harness
- A strap-based accessory worn over clothing or the body.
- Hose
- Latex legwear similar in appearance to stockings or tights.
I
- Inner surface
- The side of the latex that touches the skin when a garment is worn.
- Inflatable
- A latex item designed to be filled with air.
- Inflation
- The process of adding air to an inflatable latex item.
- Impression
- A temporary mark left on the skin by a tight garment after it has been removed.
J
- Jacket
- A latex outer garment covering the upper body.
- Jumpsuit
- A one-piece garment combining a top and trousers.
K
- Kink
- A broad term for sexual interests outside conventional sexual activities.
- Knee-highs
- Latex stockings or socks that reach approximately to the knee.
L
- Latex
- A flexible rubber material used to make many fetish garments and accessories.
- Latex fetish
- An attraction or strong interest in latex, rubber clothing or the look and feel of the material.
- Latex clothing
- Garments made from latex, including catsuits, dresses, trousers, skirts, tops and gloves.
- Latex sheet
- Flat latex material sold in sheets and used to make garments and accessories.
- Latex thickness
- The thickness of the latex sheet, usually measured in millimetres.
- Lubricant
- A dressing aid used to help latex slide over the skin more easily.
M
- Made-to-measure
- A garment produced using the wearer's measurements rather than standard clothing sizes.
- Matte
- A non-shiny latex finish.
- Mask
- A latex item covering part or all of the face.
- Mini dress
- A short latex dress, usually ending well above the knee.
N
- Natural rubber
- Rubber produced from natural latex harvested from rubber trees.
- Neck entry
- The opening through which the wearer puts on a latex garment.
O
- Oil
- Many oils can damage latex and should be kept away from latex garments.
- Open crotch
- A garment design with an opening around the crotch area.
P
- Polish
- A product used to give latex a shiny finish.
- Powder
- A dressing aid sometimes used to make latex easier to put on.
- Preservative
- A substance used in some latex products to help protect the material during storage.
- Puller
- A small aid used to help pull latex into position while dressing.
R
- Rubber
- A general term for elastic materials. Natural rubber is the material from which latex is made.
- Rubberist
- A person with a strong interest in rubber or latex.
- Rubber clothing
- Clothing made from rubber or latex.
- Rubber smell
- The characteristic smell associated with fresh natural rubber and latex.
S
- Second skin
- A common way of describing the close-fitting feeling of latex clothing.
- Seam
- The line where two pieces of latex are joined together.
- Shine
- The reflective appearance of polished latex.
- Silicone lubricant
- A lubricant commonly used as a dressing aid for latex.
- Skirt
- A latex garment worn around the lower body.
- Stockings
- Latex legwear covering the legs, usually ending below or above the thigh.
T
- Talcs
- Powder products sometimes used to make latex easier to put on.
- Tights
- Close-fitting latex legwear covering the legs.
- Thickness
- The measurement of how thick a piece of latex is.
- Top
- A latex garment covering the upper body.
U
- Underwear
- Latex underwear includes items such as briefs, panties and bras.
- Unpowdered
- Latex that has not been treated with dressing powder.
V
- Vulcanised
- Rubber that has undergone a process that gives it strength and elasticity.
- Valve
- A fitting used to add or release air from an inflatable latex item.
W
- Waist cincher
- A garment designed to fit tightly around the waist.
- Wet-look
- A very glossy latex appearance that makes the material look wet.
- Wearing
- The act of using or being dressed in latex clothing.
- Washing
- Cleaning latex with suitable products and water after use.
X
- X-rated
- A general term for adult or explicitly sexual material. Latex itself is not necessarily sexual.
Y
- Yellowing
- A change in colour that can happen to latex over time, particularly when exposed to unsuitable conditions.
Z
- Zipper
- A common closure used on latex garments to make them easier to put on and remove.
- Zipper flap
- A strip of latex positioned behind a zipper to protect the skin and help prevent the zipper catching the material.