Posing and posting a picture of herself in a catsuit this week, Dua Lipa reminded us all of the possibilities of that specific wardrobe choice, whether it be made of PVC, leather, or our favorite, the latex catsuit.
The Marshall Columbia catsuit Dua Lipa was showing off in was surely scrumptious with its cutouts and holographic sides. But everyone from superheroes, to models, to concert performers, have worn catsuits (plenty being made of latex). Around the end of the ’50s and into the early 60’s the word ‘catsuit’ began to be used to refer to the one-piece wardrobe item (although they are still synonymous with bodysuits). It was made famous in the culture by wearers like Diana Rigg dressing as Emma Peel starring in the UK’s “The Avengers” TV show (she wore a leather catsuit) and on the ‘other side of the pond’ by Julie Newmar. The super leggy Newmar played arguably the most famous “Catwoman,” from the 1960’s Batman TV show and in this article she claims that her slinky costume catsuit (presently on display in The Smithsonian) was made out of a Lurex.
Later Catwoman iterations saw Michelle Pfieffer in Batman Returns wearing a PVC catsuit. Kate Beckinsale in the “Underworld” series and surely Scarlett Johansson’s “Black Widow” took to PVC as well.
In recent years, we’ve seen the various Kardashian ladies slipping into all kinds of catsuits, lots of them latex. And performers like Katy Perry (who refers to her fans at KatyCats), Cardi B, Nicki Minaj (and so many other modern-day divas) have cavorted in various latex catsuits.
And these are just the ladies who chose to wear them.
Plenty of men are wiggling into catsuits, latex, and otherwise. We have as much seen this in the bespoke fetish-wear we have created as for any other knowing fashionista guy looking to show off.
Ah, the catsuit. Where would we be without it?
