The Latex lowdown: All you need to know about Hollywood’s hottest trend

Move over shapewear, silhouette has a new BFF. From red-carpet elegance to two-piece menswear, it’s time to take latex out of the bedroom. 

Joy Sunday in a molded burgundy dress at the BAFTAs this weekend. Credit: Joe Maher/Getty Images

Gone are the days when latex was hidden away, banished from mainstream fashion to dominate BDSM and fetish-wear with its provocative cuts and skin-tight sex-appeal.

Now we’re seeing it everywhere from Alexa Chung’s 40th birthday party to Doja Cat’s custom Chris Habana trench coat, and nothing could be further from the materials’ frumpy beginnings as a utility textile.

Yes, it seems latex has finally had its glow up and stepped into a new era of casual sophistication.

At the BAFTAs this weekend Joy Sunday was the latest to prove why latex should be all of our new best friends, pairing a smouldering red dress by Atsuko Kudo Couture with a statement doll-lash that purred 50s glamour, while Timothée Chalamet confirmed latex isn’t just for the ladies, donning a bubble-gum purple Prada suit at Tokyo’s Wonka premier.

But aside from the celebs, how can the rest of us pull off the latex look and bring some pizazz into our usual wardrobes?

Worry not – we’ve chatted to Tom Davies, a latex technician at REGULATION, and put together a latex lowdown sharing the ins and outs quite literally of owning the look.

What is latex?

Natural latex is actually liquid sap extracted from rubber trees. It’s made by removing moisture, adding pigments and integrating coagulants to create one of the world’s most versatile materials. That means latex doesn’t contribute to plastic waste, doesn’t cut down trees and is a completely renewable resource.

Latex also wins big for being biodegradable, breaking down in 1 - 4 years compared to 450 for synthetic PVC. So while you’re dressed to kill, latex limits your impact on landfill and is a 100% vegan, plant-based material.

Is the latex trend for me?

Latex might have won us over with its elegance and eco-friendly credentials but let’s be honest – for most of us skin-tight’ sounds horrific. Surely we aren’t the only ones freaking out about feeling self-conscious during our divine, silhouette-sending moment?

Luckily, Tom tell us that latex is for everybody. It doesn’t matter your age, gender, sexuality or body type, and because you pour latex rather than weaving it, it means you can mould it to any shape and drape it in any way. Tom says “most latex wearers find the material actually makes them feel empowered and confident” so as you put on your outfit you can wave that self-doubt away.

How do I wear latex clothing?

We’ve all heard the horror stories about celebs squeezing themselves into latex clothing – Kim Kardashian saying she was fully prepared to pee herself in her 2019 Met Gala dress anybody?! – but while latex isn’t the easiest thing to get in and out of, not all pieces have to be so extreme in their figure-hugging tendencies.

“In the past we had this move to make traditional fashion look more fetish, with belts, studding and buckles appearing in mainstream clothing but now we’re really seeing a shift the other way. To make latex look less fetish. That means we’re designing more traditionally wearable shapes like coats or looser dresses and they’re much easier to be comfortable in.” Tom says.

That said, if you are looking for advice on how to get into your bespoke latex catsuit, Tom recommends silicon lube. “A little lube goes a long way, especially for men who have a significant amount of body hair, but for most people a bit of baby powder will do.”

As for how you relieve yourself? Most latex pieces are actually designed with discrete zips in helpful places so don’t worry, you can do what you need to do.

How do you look after your latex clothing?

Latex comes from the rubber plant so is nice and durable but as a natural material there are certain things you can do to help keep your showstopping garment looking as good as new.

After wearing, store your clothes out of direct sunlight and unfolded – latex can crease too. Also  be sure to give your items a quick wipe down to remove any stains that might degrade the material and add a dash of powder to the insides, like a swimming cap at the pool.

As latex trades kinky catsuits for awards shows, and takes its place in fashion houses from Galliano and Margiela to Prada and Dior, it seems the style overlords at Vogue, were right to proclaim, ‘Latex fashion is here to stay’.

Our parting words of advice? Stock up on talcum powder and other than that, simply prepare to slay.