PVC Catsuits - Photo: © David EnaM

Catsuits have become an enduring part of the fashion scene, dating back at least as far as the 1940s and are fashioned from a variety of materials usually stretchy ones, including lycra, chiffon, spandex, leather, latex, pvc, and velour. They often have a zip or two, front, back, or both.

Catsuits were occasionally worn as a high fashion item at various times from the 1960s to the 1990s. During the 1970s and 80s they were worn for aerobics and disco dancing. In about 1980 disco dance they briefly became a street fashion item in the UK.

Some people consider them to be fetish fashion and for those occasions are often made of latex or highly shiny PVC, tight fitting and may be (but not exclusively) worn with a corset over the top of the suit. Other materials such as lycra, leather or velvet are choices for fetish wear too, with some lycra materials having animal print designs. Catsuits can have zips on the front, or rear for access with some having zips on the shoulders. Additional zips can be placed in specific areas for access, if required.

A fetish catsuit will not normally have gloves or feet, but would be fitted like socks and gloves will would have individual fingers. You can wear gloves and socks as additional accessories to give a whole body look, with some opting to add a hood too. Instead of gloves you might use bondage mittens, which have a D-ring at the top, and other such catsuits can be used as straightjackets. More extreme bondage options have incorporated monoglove instead of sleeves.

One of the most famous catsuits was worn by Emma Peel, (played by actress Diana Rigg), in the British television show The Avengers. Shirley Bassey wore a sleeveless chiffon catsuit for a gatefold album photograph, and in concert. Cher has also worn catsuits in concert. I suppose one of the more recent, and most famous catsuit examples, was worn by Catwoman,  (Halle Berry) in the Holywood films.  Catsuits will always be in and out of fashion, but one thing is for sure, to wear a Laque or PVC catsuit designed and manufactured by an artist such as the French designer Patrice Catanzaro is a beautiful thing, will make you feel fantastic, and will certainly turn heads.