Clothing for Rope Bottoms

This article is part of a series of advice for rope bottoms, written by Mya and Fox. We’ve been doing rope intensively for 10 years. Mya has bottomed with a wide variety of rope tops, and Fox has worked as a top with many rope bottoms.

A very common question we hear from rope bottoms with less experience is “What should I wear for a rope scene?”

Planning your outfit in advance (and checking in about it with your rigger) will help reduce anxiety on your big rope day, and ensure you don’t run into wardrobe malfunctions while being tied.

If you get tied in your own home, the situation is simpler as you will have access there and then to many options. On the other hand, if you are going out to be tied, you might need to prepare as many as three outfits: - What you will wear to go to and from the location - What you will wear (if anything) during your scene - (optional) What extra clothing items may help your aftercare (some people like to wear a warm and fluffy flannel to be cosy and relax after rope, for example)

To naked or not to naked

Do you need to wear clothes at all during your scene? Many people love to be tied naked, but it’s also a “Hell no!” for many others. Considerations include: - The sensation of rope directly on skin is something most (but not all) rope bottoms really enjoy. You get more sensory stimulation and potentially more pleasure. - It will be easier for your rigger to see how the rope sits on your body and to adjust things without clothes in the way. Skin pinches can be addressed more efficiently - but are also more likely to occur in the first place. - Rope doesn’t slide around as much when put on your skin as opposed to over clothes (especially certain synthetic fabrics can make it difficult for rope to have enough friction to stay put.) This can impact the safety and aesthetics, especially if suspension is involved. - You are more likely to get intense marks and possibly rope burns if there is not intermediary layer of material between the rope and your skin. Depending on your preferences, that can be a plus or a minus - some people love rope marks, some would like to avoid them. - Typically, you will feel more pain in a given position without the extra cushioning of clothing. This also can be desirable or not depending on your intents. - Are you comfortable being naked in front of this partner? (And audience if relevant) - Have you checked with your rigger that they are comfortable with your nudity? - If tying at a venue, are they comfortable with nudity there?

Let’s get practical

Assuming you have decided to wear some clothing during the scene, now you need to decide what that will be. - Depending on the climate and the type of venue, you may need to ensure you are not too cold or too hot. Besides being unpleasant, being too cold can increase your risk of injury during rope. Meanwhile, being too hot can increase the risk of fainting. - Some clothes can limit your range of motion, making it difficult or even impossible to get into certain positions. Garments that include metal wires can cause injuries to you - for example a bra underwire can punch through under compression and puncture your skin. Clothes that are very tight and inflexible can impinge on your nerves. - If the outfit is brand new, wear it once outside of rope to see how your body feels in it and how you can move in it. Careful about cheaply dyed items that can leak dye and stain rope and mats! - Rope bondage can damage your clothes. If you are wearing an expensive latex suit or a garment that holds a lot of sentimental value, you could end up very sad. (Mya lost a pretty bra that way!) - Sometimes clothes destruction can be an intentional (and hot) part of the scene. Make sure to communicate that clearly in advance on both sides! CNC play could cost you your favorite pair of panties - who pays for it? - Think about how the outfit might limit your rigger’s access to your body - a long skirt can get in the way of tying your legs, unless it has a slit down one side.

Planning for Sexy Times

If your scene includes sexual play, you also need to think about the logistics of that. Think of what sex acts have been negotiated as being potentially part of this scene and how your clothing might interact with them. - Can the clothes you’ve selected be moved around (dragged up or down, slid to the side) to allow exposure and access to your chest, your genitals? - Can the clothes be removed once you’re partially tied? A play partner had a modified set of underwear which could be removed with ribbons on the sides even if the arms and legs were already tied. Super practical for having more flexibility of progressive exposure during the scene! - If your scene involves your rigger undressing you, or you removing some of your own clothes, did you select items that will be easy to take off without fumbling and potentially breaking the flow of play? - If some of your clothing gets stained by bodily fluids, lube, wax, and so on, will that be an issue?

But make it fashion

Clothes are not just a tool we use to stay warm and cover our naughty bits - they are also an important aspect of our appearance and our identity. How you choose to dress will affect how you feel about yourself during the session, how you will be perceived, and the visuals of the scene you will create with your partner. - If your scene is public or semi-public (such as tying at a jam or a play party) make sure your attire is appropriate to the setting. Do you want to fit in or stand out? Some venues have policies about nudity, and many more have unspoken customs that organizers can help you decode. (e.g. there is nothing explicit in the rules about not being naked – but if you tie at the venue for a few sessions, you will find no one actually ever is) - If photos will be taken, consider the visuals your outfit will create. How will the clothes drape in various positions? Skirts and kilt love to flip in inversions - is that something you want? If working with a photographer, discuss the colors you plan to wear and check they work with their backdrop. - Accessories are another way to express yourself. You might find knee-high socks cute. You might have jewelry or piercings you don’t want to remove - check with your rigger that they won’t interfere with the tie. Eg: we had a play partner who wore a heavy leather collar at all times, but it could press into her neck during face up suspensions. - Shoes can look very cool but also bring their own set of problems. They can damage or dirty the mats you get tied on. If standing in heels, you greatly increase your risk of losing balance and falling. Remember you can always bring the shoes and ask your rigger to put them on you once you are already in suspension.

The Before and After clothes

Now that you’ve determined what you will wear when being tied, make sure you also choose your vanilla travel clothes (and aftercare clothes if any) appropriately: - They should not arise suspicion from on lookers as you go into and come out of the venue. That probably includes long arms and sleeves to cover the rope marks. - Choose something quick and easy to put on in case you’re rope spacey! - If you’re doing a photoshoot, avoid wearing clothes with tight rubber bands or other things that will leave marks on your skin for a few hours beforehand - otherwise those marks will be visible in your photos, and you probably don’t want that. - Check what facilities the venue has. If you have a private changing space, then you have more flexibility. Otherwise, you might need to wear your rope clothes under your vanilla clothes.

Putting it all together

Your outfit (or lack of one ;-) ) is likely to be a major factor in how you feel during your rope scene, as well as impacting your play options. Choose clothes that enhance the scene, rather than putting brakes on it because of inhibitions, embarrasment or discomfort.

But at its simplest - select something you feel great in, check with the rigger and venue it works, and go for it!

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