Bondage harness
Encyclopedia
A bondage harness is a piece of BDSM
equipment worn for the purposes of sexual bondage. It typically consists of a series of leather straps, typically between 1 and 2 cm wide, attached together in such a way as to allow a person to "wear" the item. The item can be worn by both men and women. However, modifications may be needed depending on which sex wears the item.
The item is very closely associated with BDSM
play, and is often immediately identifiable as being something to do with "bondage
" when depicted. For this reason, it is sometimes worn publicly as a way to reference fetish culture and gain attention. Often, the image of a person in a bondage harness is used by movie studios to provide a cliché of a "person into fetish
play". Other publications have also been known to use this cliché, a good example being the comic book series and movie "Sin City
", which has one of its characters wearing a bondage harness.
When fitted to a male, the harness splits in half in a similar way to the way it splits to go around the head so as to pass around the male genitals. On a female, the harness usually runs straight between the legs. There are then several other straps running out at right angles from the main central strap (usually, but not limited to, 3-4 straps). These straps wrap around the body with the two ends secured to each other using further buckles. On a female, the straps may be above and below the breasts, creating a form of breast bondage
, with further straps around the waist. On a male, the straps usually criss-cross over the chest and abdomen to emphasise male physique.
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
equipment worn for the purposes of sexual bondage. It typically consists of a series of leather straps, typically between 1 and 2 cm wide, attached together in such a way as to allow a person to "wear" the item. The item can be worn by both men and women. However, modifications may be needed depending on which sex wears the item.
The item is very closely associated with BDSM
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
play, and is often immediately identifiable as being something to do with "bondage
Bondage (BDSM)
Bondage is the use of restraints for the sexual pleasure of the parties involved. It may be used in its own right, as in the case of rope bondage and breast bondage, or as part of sexual activity or BDSM activity.- Private bondage :...
" when depicted. For this reason, it is sometimes worn publicly as a way to reference fetish culture and gain attention. Often, the image of a person in a bondage harness is used by movie studios to provide a cliché of a "person into fetish
Sexual fetishism
Sexual fetishism, or erotic fetishism, is the sexual arousal a person receives from a physical object, or from a specific situation. The object or situation of interest is called the fetish, the person a fetishist who has a fetish for that object/situation. Sexual fetishism may be regarded, e.g...
play". Other publications have also been known to use this cliché, a good example being the comic book series and movie "Sin City
Sin City
Sin City is the title for a series of neo-noir comics by Frank Miller. The first story originally appeared in "Dark Horse Presents Fifth Anniversary Special" , and continued in Dark Horse Presents #51–62 from May 1991 to June 1992, under the title of Sin City, serialized in thirteen parts. Several...
", which has one of its characters wearing a bondage harness.
Description
The harness consists of a main central strap that runs in front and at the back, but with two separating straps where it passes around the head. This central strap runs between the legs, between the buttocks and up to an area midway up the back where it meets the other end of the strap. The straps are then secured together — typically with a standard buckle such as that used on a belt to hold pants up.When fitted to a male, the harness splits in half in a similar way to the way it splits to go around the head so as to pass around the male genitals. On a female, the harness usually runs straight between the legs. There are then several other straps running out at right angles from the main central strap (usually, but not limited to, 3-4 straps). These straps wrap around the body with the two ends secured to each other using further buckles. On a female, the straps may be above and below the breasts, creating a form of breast bondage
Breast bondage
Breast bondage is a bondage technique which involves the tying of rope around a woman's breasts in a visually intricate and decorative pattern. Breast bondage most commonly uses rope, but webbing, straps or a harness may also be used...
, with further straps around the waist. On a male, the straps usually criss-cross over the chest and abdomen to emphasise male physique.
Variations
This item can be worn as it is on the body simply as a form of dress, but can also be used for restraint. The arms can easily be held behind the back by running the horizontal straps over the arms rather than under them against the body. When secured tightly, the arms are then pinned against the body by these straps. Further, the harness can be used as an anchor for additional restraints.See also
- Rope dress