In both fashion and beauty, brands are wholeheartedly embracing an aesthetically daring approach. During Milan Fashion Week, Diesel made a bold statement by presenting its FW23 collection alongside a staggering 200,000 condoms, commemorating its risqué pieces (as well as taking them off). Simone Rocha incorporated harnesses into her runway shows, while sheer and lace fabrics took center stage at Mugler. Moreover, fetish-inspired styles like lace and leather have become central to the iconic punk brand Leatheracci and the increasingly popular Miaou, both of which have been embraced by the fashion-forward former dominatrix-turned-actress, Julia Fox.
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Within the beauty realm, ISAMAYA, the visionary brand crafted by the renowned makeup artist and beauty provocateur Isamaya Ffrench, unveiled its BDSM-inspired collection. The line showcases lipsticks in the shape of penises and lip glosses adorned with piercings. When combined with seductive eyeliner or a smoky eyeshadow, these products enhance already popular trends like intentionally smudged makeup and effortlessly tousled "post-shag" hair. In addition, the rise of hyper-specific TikTok tutorials demonstrates a growing fascination with achieving "one-night stand makeup" and achieving a "post-makeout pouty lips" look.
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“Some people have correlated these amorous aesthetics with the current recession,” trend forecaster and cultural researcher Agus Panzoni tells Teen Vogue. She cites a Forbes report from 2008, that highlights how condoms, lubricants, and other sex aids were becoming more prevalent during periods of financial constraint when individuals were more inclined to stay home. But in 2023, with hook-ups being as easily accessible as a mere swipe on a screen, it appears that Gen Z continues to defy the behavior of previous generations. This trend was highlighted in a 2022 report by The New Yorker, which explored the declining rates of sexual activity in the United States. The study revealed that individuals in their early twenties were approximately two and a half times more likely to be sexually inactive compared to their counterparts from Generation X at the same age. On TikTok, the hashtag #celibacy has garnered over 210 million views. Numerous videos feature individuals discussing their reasons for taking a break from sex.
These statistics can potentially be attributed to various societal factors. One notable aspect is a growing backlash against the prevalent hook-up culture, where individuals are seeking more meaningful and thoughtful experiences when it comes to sex. The collective experiences of prolonged isolation, uncertainty, and heightened stress levels may have led individuals to prioritize self-care and emotional well-being over engaging in casual sexual encounters. As of late, there's been a significant shift towards a more intentional approach to sexual experiences among the younger generation.
Panzoni, who had the opportunity to meet someone who practiced voluntary celibacy, says that person used abstinence to deconstruct and rebuild their relationship with sex. “While the sex-positivity movement of the 2010s focused on outward liberation, embracing voluntary celibacy could enable us to turn inward and explore our preferences, leading to more satisfying sexual encounters in the future,” she adds. “Clothes can play a central role in this journey of self-discovery.”
While Panzoni acknowledges that there isn't much connection merely linking the aesthetics of sex to the actual frequency of sexual activity, she does assert that fashion can serve as a safe avenue for individuals to explore their sexuality. According to her, the prevailing “no pants” trend appears to be more focused on embracing openness and self-acceptance, rather than solely being about sex.
Now more than ever, our bodies and emotions are influencing our fashion choices.
Content creator Izzi uses both to decide what she wears everyday — “I’m on my period today and that fully affected what I was going to wear today,” she tells Teen Vogue. And while Izzi doesn’t make it a point to “dress sexy,” her love of alluring pieces has captivated her audience of 1.1 million TikTok followers. She's posted about adding a tramp stamp to an outfit, wearing a dress with nipple piercings (also seen here), and adding piercings to lace-up heels. Her fascination began on the app when she came across another creator casually wearing latex in the daytime. Intrigued by this unconventional usage, Izzi admits, “I never knew [latex] could be worn everyday like that," adding that she was “obsessed” with the material’s sound and texture. Her collection now spans from slinky dresses and lace skirts to latex tops bought directly from sex shops. Still, “[latex] doesn’t have to be sexy,” she says. Instead, she perceives these pieces as a means of reclaiming ownership of her body, asserting that they are for her and her alone.
Younger generations are discovering a sense of gratification in cultivating confidence, expressing themselves through their choice of attire, and doing so in a manner that aligns with their individuality. “Sexy” is no longer a descriptor for a specific aesthetic nor does it have to cater to the male gaze. Anyone and everyone can be sexy, demonstrated by the popularity of risqué aesthetics. “Sexy” is doing you, whether you’re wearing a leather harness, abstaining from sex, or both.
