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Weird Clothing

 By Tara Maginnis 

The explosion of clothing fetish sites on the net has created dozens, if not hundreds of sites useful for costumers.  If you aren’t bothered by occasional images of people engaged in erotic acts wearing unusual clothing, these sites can show you useful things like where to get complete free instructions on making a Victorian corset, and where to buy thigh high black patent platform boots in a size 14 for $39.99.  

How Cool Footwear http://www.howcool.com/

Very large selection and low prices on wild colored fetish, dance and platform shoes and boots.  Includes large sizes and unusual colors.  Also check out their “costume” section for discount vinyl body suits, angel wings, and other fun stuff.  If a transgender stripper would wear it, this place has it at K-Mart rates. 

eGroups “Fetish Sewing” List http://www.egroups.com/group/Fetish_Sewing   Join this eGroup to learn about the best way to sew vinyl, rubber, PVC,  and leather.  Want tips on building bondage gear, French Maid outfits out of shower curtains, or Victorian corsets out of recycled tire tubes?  These folks share your concerns and can help.  Warning, people also post stories & photos about their favorite fetish experiences. 

Corsetry at Waisted.Com http://www.waisted.com Contains detailed step-by-step instructions on how to make a Victorian or Edwardian corset. 

Romantasy Corsets http://www.romantasy.com The most famous maker of custom corsets for women and men in a large variety of styles. 

Chainmail and More http://www.sblades.com  Sells chain mail body jewelry. 

DeMars Fashions http://www.demarsfashions.com Fetish footwear, vinyl and leather clothing, in a wide range of price.  Boot closeouts, vinyl sailor boy outfits, and PVC dresses are among the bargains. 

The Long Island Staylace Association http://www.staylace.com Is the largest corset information and links site.  

Cindy’s Oasis: How to Create Cleavage for Cross dressers http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/1497/htmlpostings/cleavage/cleavage.htm (URL no longer working) Shows step by step in words and photos how to use makeup, tape and breast forms to make an amazing cleavage effect with a normal man’s chest.  Links to supplies and more tips.

 Deviant Liquid Latex http://www.liquidlatex.net/liquidlatex   Sells an array of useful products, including WRAPID Fashion Tape (AKA “Bondage Tape”) a nifty self sticking reusable latex tape with which you can make tape costumes, rubber corsets and garter belts, body glitter, and their house specialty: brightly colored, and florescent liquid latex by the pint to gallon.

 How to Make Nice-Looking Fangs for Next to Nothing [Site no longer online] The title says it all, this is just one page on the net giving a quick and dirty method for fang making for vampire role players. 

Petticoat Pond http://www.pettipond.com   Poofy Petticoats of the 1950's and the men who wear them now. Has links for buying petticoats, tutus, and hoopskirts.

 The Hidden Woman http://www.hiddenwoman.com Transgendering products include high end wigs, breasts, body padding and clothes.  They also stock a large collection of reasonably priced body suits in nets, lace and sheer.

 Stage Clothes http://www.stageclothes.com Sells lingerie and clothing for strippers, drag queens, fetish, & plus size.  Reasonable prices.

 Barb’s Large and Lovely http://www.bll.com Has items like “Patent leather 4 piece set. Includes lace up Bustier with adjustable straps and garters, G-string, lace up gloves and                               spandex patent leather stockings” available up to size 8X in lime green, red or black, and cheap to boot! 

 For the Love of Opera Gloves http://www.operagloves.com/glovmain.html  Lots of history, pictures and links to suppliers of gloves. 

Bruce & Valerie's SpandexWear http://www.spandexwear.com Sells spandex full body suits, gloves and hoods, in every color (inc. metallic) and size.  Also court jester, bunny, and silver unicorn suits in spandex. 

Glamour Boutique http://www.glamourboutique.com Sells “Bodyshaping, Breastforms, Dresses, Garters, Leather, Lingerie, Petticoats, Shoes, Stockings, Wigs, Accessories” primarily for cross dressers.  Good corset selection. 

Stevenson Enterprises Uniquewear http://www.uniquewear.com  Odd amalgamation of belly dance supply, Wiccan items, chaimail/bondage fetish wear, and Renaissance Faire costume.  

For more sites, see:

Transgender, Kink, and Fetish Clothing and Body Modification Links http://www.costumes.org/pages/kinky.htm at my web site The Costumer’s Manifesto (http://www.costumes.org).

Next quarter’s column will be devoted to clothing related to WWII, including clothes rationing, uniforms, nylon, Zoot Suits, and items relating to the Holocaust.  If you have good web links for any of these topics, or other topics related to costume, please e-mail me at Tara@costumes.org