If there was ever a trend to get me a little hot under the collar, it was bound to be bondage (if you'll pardon the pun). I need little persuading when it comes to pencil skirts, precarious stilettos, leather and a conservative smattering of hardware, all distilled down into something office-appropriate, I should add! Watching the Louis Vuitton A/W 2011 show earlier this year, I couldn't wait to see this trend making its way to the high street, although I'm not sure I could ever make thigh high boots and a sheer skirt work in the boardroom!
One of my all-time favourite fashion shows was Gucci S/S 2001, when fashion's King of fetish, Mr Tom Ford sent Kate Moss down the runway in some of the most perfect dresses I can imagine. Warehouse produced some similarly tailored dresses that year, one of which was happily snapped up for my 19th birthday. Yep, I caught the bondage bug early...
So, how to take bondage from runway to real life and stay stylish rather than street-walker? If you're taking this trend to the office, the key is not to show too much skin and to go for quality fabrics and good tailoring. If, like me, you're happy living in black, go for layers and a range of textures to give the look some depth and stay warm. Zips and studs are great details, but anything too heavy is best saved for a night out. My very conservative colleagues think my black leather Tory Burch bracelet with gold studs marks me out as a pervert, whereas I think it's pretty simple!
Here are my pick of the best pieces for a chic take on the fetish trend: the first one blows the budget, and the second are the more purse-friendly high street pieces. I probably wouldn't wear these entire looks to the office, but switch the leather jacket out for a simple black blazer and take away the gloves and you'd probably persuade me. I know what you're thinking...!
Luxe
Clockwise from top left: Chloe Marcie bag - £1025; Helmut Lang leather dress - £810; Rick Owens leather and mohair jacket - £1005; Dominic Jones black gold ring - £265; Linda Farrow Luxe sunglasses - £400; Christian Louboutin Pigalle studded pumps - £695; Burberry waist belt - £295; Valentino studded leather gloves - £255 (All available at net-a-porter.com)
High street
Clockwise from top left: Miss Selfridge stud earrings - £8; Miss Selfridge leather and suede dress - £90; Topshop quilted leather jacket - £180; Miss Selfridge Sicily platforms - £50; ASOS feather clutch bag - £25; Dents leather and wool gloves (available from ASOS) - £38; Mango Barbados sunglasses (available from ASOS) - £23
Which look do you prefer? High end or high street?
One of my all-time favourite fashion shows was Gucci S/S 2001, when fashion's King of fetish, Mr Tom Ford sent Kate Moss down the runway in some of the most perfect dresses I can imagine. Warehouse produced some similarly tailored dresses that year, one of which was happily snapped up for my 19th birthday. Yep, I caught the bondage bug early...
So, how to take bondage from runway to real life and stay stylish rather than street-walker? If you're taking this trend to the office, the key is not to show too much skin and to go for quality fabrics and good tailoring. If, like me, you're happy living in black, go for layers and a range of textures to give the look some depth and stay warm. Zips and studs are great details, but anything too heavy is best saved for a night out. My very conservative colleagues think my black leather Tory Burch bracelet with gold studs marks me out as a pervert, whereas I think it's pretty simple!
Here are my pick of the best pieces for a chic take on the fetish trend: the first one blows the budget, and the second are the more purse-friendly high street pieces. I probably wouldn't wear these entire looks to the office, but switch the leather jacket out for a simple black blazer and take away the gloves and you'd probably persuade me. I know what you're thinking...!
Luxe
Clockwise from top left: Chloe Marcie bag - £1025; Helmut Lang leather dress - £810; Rick Owens leather and mohair jacket - £1005; Dominic Jones black gold ring - £265; Linda Farrow Luxe sunglasses - £400; Christian Louboutin Pigalle studded pumps - £695; Burberry waist belt - £295; Valentino studded leather gloves - £255 (All available at net-a-porter.com)
High street
Clockwise from top left: Miss Selfridge stud earrings - £8; Miss Selfridge leather and suede dress - £90; Topshop quilted leather jacket - £180; Miss Selfridge Sicily platforms - £50; ASOS feather clutch bag - £25; Dents leather and wool gloves (available from ASOS) - £38; Mango Barbados sunglasses (available from ASOS) - £23
Which look do you prefer? High end or high street?