Looking for information about the leather subculture and how it originated? Then this leather fetish guide from sex educator Niki Davis-Fainbloom will help!
Leather is smooth, durable, and has a unique sound and smell when you wear it. For many, wearing leather represents strength and power, and it’s no wonder several groups have incorporated leather into their aesthetics.
Leather culture developed out of post WW2 biker culture, a primarily gay community known to be anti-authority and pro-badass. Through their fashion, this biker community worked to reframe the way society thought of gay men, as leather represents power, dominance, and masculinity, distinct from the stereotypes about gay men at the time.
The leather community has since expanded to include other queer people, straight folks, goths, and metalheads. In addition, folks commonly wear leather to sex parties, the pride parade, leather bars, BDSM play, and within the sex work community.
As a result, leather can be sexually arousing, but it can also be used by folks within several communities to identify with each other.
What Is Leather Fetish?
A leather fetish describes people who are sexually aroused by leather. Some are turned on by how they look in leather, and others are turned on by watching others wear leather. They may be specifically turned on by a leather jacket, vests, shoes, bodysuits, bikinis, harnesses, or other leather garments. With its popularity and unique feel, it’s no wonder leather is also a relatively common fetish.
For some, the arousal toward leather comes from how it feels on their skin. Hyphephilia is sexual arousal from touching or rubbing a material on your skin, including fabric, fur, or leather. The leather may have been finished with a distinct glossy surface or be a specific color to be exciting.
For others, the smell and sound of leather is what gets them going. Others may be turned on because of what leather represents for them. For example, people commonly use leather within the BDSM community, as many bondage equipment have leather straps. For some folks, that association can be arousing.
@CalvinDehaze describes:
“I have a fetish for leather clothing. Skirts, leather jackets, pants, gloves, and especially high boots with heels. It’s a very specific fetish. The material needs to be leather, not PVC or latex, with that dull shine. And it needs to be stylish.”
Many folks on Reddit forums are very specific about the exact color (black leather, etc.), material, and type of leather clothes they find exciting.
Another anonymous person on Quora explains:
“Leather is sort of like skin, but it feels impersonal and cold at the same time. Sort of like a sexy stud who has sex with you but doesn’t quite love you. He’s just has his way with you. The selfishness of someone just taking what they want from you sexually and without any emotional attachments – can be a turn-on. Leather is a physical translation of emotional coldness and an impersonal relation.”
As you can see, leather gear can have different representations depending on who is wearing it. But sexual power is a common association throughout the leather scene.
How Common Is Leather Fetish?
As you have seen, wearing leather is incredibly common in many communities. However, we don’t have any research exploring how many folks enjoy leather as a fashion statement versus as a fetish.
But what we do know is there are leather Pride parades each year, there are heavily utilized leather fetish discussion groups on Reddit, and there are many pornos with leather as a prominent feature.
Leather would not be so prevalently used if it wasn’t perceived as sexy by many people. However, it’s hard to separate folks who enjoy leather fashion and those sexually aroused by the material.
Why Is Leather Sexy?
For many, leather represents pure sexual power. Everything about it, from the feel, the smell, and the aesthetic: I’ve heard folks describe this as their subconscious taking on the character of the animal they are wearing. There are also many examples of powerful people and communities wearing leather and looking desirable.
For some, the desire for leather relates to early childhood experiences.@CalvinDehaze describes:
“The earliest memory I have of being turned on by leather was when I was in the 3rd grade. The assistant principal was this beautiful Latina woman who dressed very professionally.
I was walking up the stairs to my school on a cold day, and this leather-gloved hand dropped in front of my face. I looked up to see the assistant principal telling me that I was going the wrong way. She was wearing leather gloves, a blue long-sleeved dress that didn’t show much but hugged her frame well, knee-high leather boots with a modest heel, her hair pulled back in a tight bun, and well-applied makeup.
She didn’t do anything provocative and didn’t even dress provocatively, but ever since then, leather has turned me on. My mom was a tomboy and never wore it, nor did I have any aunts, cousins, or any females around me at the time that wore any sort of leather clothing, so I attribute her as the person that started it.”
For many, they can develop a leather fetish through learned associations. Although this can happen during childhood, like with Calvin, it can also occur during adult sexual experiences.
For example, imagine a situation where you have a memorable night exploring BDSM for the first time with someone wearing leather. Or you go to your first sexy party or sex clubs, have your first SW experience, and a leather event is involved. The association between the excitement of this new experience and the leather can be enough to develop a leather fetish following a memorable experience.
How To Explore Leather Fetish With A Partner?
As with any fetish, folks are drawn to leather for unique reasons, and therefore exploring it can take on many forms.
First, assess how leather excites you and how this could play out in a scene with a partner. You can then tell partners about your fetish, and show them examples of the type of leather outfit you would find exciting. If your partner is open, you can go shopping together to ensure the outfit is correct.
You can then explore sexual encounters while you or your partner wears leather. You can also express any related fetishes that you are into. For example, do you enjoy exploring leather as a part of BDSM? Are you into puppy play with leather kink? Do you want your partner to rub the leather all over you during sex? Force you to smell it?
Whatever excites you about leather, work on articulating that to your partner. And don’t forget to ask your partner if they have any fantasies that you can help them bring to volition.
