Fetish Goth’s Origins:

There is no need to blame the outfit. The aesthetics of it just seem so appealing and no doubt, there is always a fetish component to the subculture. These people just happened to take it to the next level and have a whole night dedicated to them in 80’s goth nightclubs! I wanna attend a fetish night  one day to see burlesque performances or dance amongst them in my favorite faux leather, belt layered dress to new wave music. Yes, the new wave was very kinky indeed and so was other music. There has always been a charm in the lyrics and straight out sexual skewed melodies. Ahem, looking at you Depeche Mode.

The 1990s had a rise in electronic music (synth waves) and Fetish style such as PVC, rubber, piercings, leather latex and BDSM bondaged wear in Goth Clubs. This was an imperative step in separating Goth as a distinct subculture that is dissimilar to the post-punk scene it spawned from. Punk fashion had also incorporated elements of bondage and BDSM-wear because it was popularized in the media (Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s legendary SEX store in London). I went to that place before, only for four seconds cause I was greeted by a submissive puppy roleplayer and my uncle dragged me out so fast cause I was only fifteen. Anyways, Punks commonly wore these elements with a mishmash of non-fetish clothing (Some fetish goths do this), and it had aligned with the D.I.Y. (do it yourself) style that punks solely centered on. On the contrary, the goth subculture picked up more than one type of BDSM-element in its fashion in the 1990s, and went all in adopting full garments made of latex, PVC, and bondage straps as representative looks within the goth scene. 

One of those representative looks is the iconic choker of the O-ring choker. Which is heavily normalized now. Google it, and you’ll see SHEIN selling one for six dollars. Crazy, right?

The O-ring was the only distinction from the dog collars with D-rings that punks were re-purposing into accessories. Mind that O-ring choker is made specifically for human-wear in BDSM practices. Many BDSM practitioners have used the O-ring as a symbol of “ownership” in the dominant-submissive relationship. For enlightenment on BDSM, I’ll just copy and paste from my journal:

“ ‘BDSM’ stands for Bondage, Discipline, Sadistic, Masochism and it can be interchanged in multiple ways with DS/SM/BD and so forth. Regardless of the arrangement,  it still focuses on the same intended subject, sexual foreplay. It's recognized as kinks by common slangs, which is an “unconventional” sexual practice, concept, or fantasy. Lots of motion tends to gradually brew from controlling the tensions of interacting with the practice but there is a constant element that should be addressed; always understand that there is consent in some form during the acts of BDSM (even if you are submissive). Which is why it’s misunderstood by the majority including feminists because the position of submission and domination is uncomfortable… Outside of the biased interpretations it’'s classified as "a multidimensional paraphilia of sexuality; (consensual) power interchange in sexual encounters." All of this is safe of course, unlike the stigma, there are plenty of rules and reinforcements because it’s disciplinary between two parties (or more).”

So the O-ring symbol that is worn by kinky people. It originated from the french erotic novel “Histoire d’O”, also known as the ‘Story of O,’ which relates the scandelus story of O, a woman who is "blindfolded, chained, flogged, pierced, branded, and more" as part of an S&M sexual connection. I had ro read it for Sexual Ethics at some point. 

Today, the O-ring has been adopted by the goth scene entirely in the form of a metal ring that hangs in the front of a choker necklace and can be obtained without going to a sex store. Along with the adoption of explicit fetish accessories, the footwear also deviated from early goth footwear. You know, the ones that fake “alt” people brought only to resell them again after our subculture isn’t cool anymore since it’s all about “y2k” not the “Destiny’s child” kind but Paris Hilton. Not mad about it but the inflation of trends is showing and I hope they don’t ruin that brand too (most likely they’re gonna do it). And I’ll be writing about it. Recent history that has shown in about the year 2019 to 2020 has shown that Demonia platforms and similar style boots are at the forefront of not just fetish goth footwear, but a focus for goth fashion as a whole. While Demonia makes many styles of gothic footwear, their most identifiable boots are characterized by their tall platforms and heavy silver hardware, which can take the form of spikes, O-rings, buckles or chains. Both of these that were originally worn by Fetish goths are now integrated into casual fashion and have influenced gothic culture. Their motives developed through the ongoing media interpretation of said fashion and formed into a more political statement. 

Fetish Goths and Baby Bats:

"Baby Bat" is a nickname used by senior Goths to characterize young people (teens or even pre-teens) who are trying to understand the subculture. It was a derogatory term by elders but most respectful goth figures have used it in a better light (Shoutout to VisionVideo, check out their band!!). The significant presence of fetish fashion in the goth scene, along with the need to prove you're not a poser or "baby bat," provides an environment in which young girls in particular are exposed to and effortlessly incorporated into the kink scene from their involvement in the goth movement. There’s no need to legitimately be a highschooler running around like you came out of a sex dungeon (not yet, wait till you’re an adult). It applied to me too, so i’d like to believe I’m still a baby bat that just knows a bit of history and adoptions goths have taken until now. 

More importantly, If someone wishes to dress Fetish but is under the age of 18 such as seventeen edging to their 18th birthday, they can obtain a general sense of the style in a suitable manner by wearing knee-high boots, chokers, some harnesses and fishnet leggings or mesh sleeves. This is also fluid with the regular fashion trend with goths overall but different intentions. I used to wear this casually when I was seventeen too, and I walked with my best friend to different locations in these outfits but there were several inconveniences. Literally had countless amounts of catcalls and men hollering everytime. Someone’s fathers were honking more than usual and drove up to us to “compliment”. Karen’s would be ashamed at us because their husbands and grandfathers liked to stare at us. Which is why it is advised that you should be VERY careful. 

Minor or not, please keep in mind that wearing full on Fetish gear or alternatives of it is dangerous out in the streets. I only dress like this when I’m with my friend group, who can fight or in my home. I would wear it if I had a partner that knows how to fight too. Then again, I have weapons for self defense. 

Fetish Goths and Responsibility:

Trigger warning: Sex, BDSM, SA and horrible sexual acts 

Your body, your choice; Just please be mindful of others. Not everyone would feel comfortable with you walking into a Walmart with your partner on a leash and a ball gag. It’s cool, I’ve seen people do it in their latex but there’s a whole other party that didn’t consent. If you’re debating on getting into this, practice sex positivity, boundaries, moral and ethnics, researching sensuality, preach consent and don’t kink shame vanilla partners. You should be kinkshaming Zoophiles, Pedophiles, and Necrophiliacs; not people who don’t want a dragon dildo up their ass. Educate yourself and others on sexual ethics! 

• Sex doesn’t equal penetration, fuck the binary system’s restrictions

• Foreplay is a sexual act 

• Sex should be enjoyable for all parties 

• People who don’t like BDSM aren’t “pussies”

• BDSM has consenting adults and psychologically safe base with aftercare and vocabulary system 

• Patriarchy porn suppresses women and men

•  Men don’t have to be dominant and woman don’t have to be submissive 

• Rapeculture and rape-apologists should never be respected 

• Showing porn to someone without their consent is sexual harassment 

• Consent is the most important thing of all 

• Aftercare should be an immediate event after intercourse 

• Not everyone is a narcissist in the scene

• Clothes aren’t invitations 

• Men can get raped/assaulted too

• If someone keeps forcing sexual intercourse onto you without your consent or permission overall, that is sexual abuse (even in CNC roleplay).

• You can still dress in regular attire outside of fetish goth’s uniform 

• Aces are still valid 

• Gender roles in sex don’t exist and having sexual inter course doesn’t have to mean you have to procreate (unless you want to).

Optional: One way to start off is by reading two personally favorite novel essays of mine! “The Uses of the Erotic” by Audre Lorde and “Are We Having Sex Now Or What?” by Greta Christina. There’s pdf files of them on the internet so you’re all good!

Thank you:

I wrote about nine pages and added a bit more content compared to last time. Thank you for actually reading it up to this point. Maybe, some of you guys have found out that you are fond of it or identify with today’s blog. If you like to be a bit on edge and confident with your body as an adult, go for it. Regardless, I hope you all have a good day and stay safe!

Cherub logging off

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