The Straitjacket as a Bondage Tool

Is there anything sexier than a straitjacket? You may associate straitjackets with villains in films, but the truth is that the straitjacket can actually be a powerful bondage tool in your kinky playtime. In fact, the straitjacket has been used in BDSM play since the 19th century! If you’re interested in learning more about straitjackets and how to use them, this blog will get you started on your bondage journey.

The History of the Straitjacket

Before being used as torture, straitjackets were first employed by doctors to treat sufferers of hysteria and those who suffered from certain types of seizures. In fact, it’s believed that they may have been used as early as 1638! However, not until later in the 19th century did straitjackets begin to be used on psychiatric patients—and their use became more widespread with time.

How does a straitjacket work?

When you’re bound, you can’t wiggle your arms out of straps. A straitjacket does that for you; it has sleeves that run from your shoulders to your wrists and is closed with buckles at either end. You basically put yourself in a restrictive bondage situation and then tighten it up until you can’t wiggle out anymore.

What are the uses of a straitjacket?

A straitjacket is used to restrain someone who may be a danger to themselves or others. They can also be used in sexual play, though they have been historically associated with mental institutions and torture. Their primary function, however, is to restrain patients of all kinds, which means that you don’t necessarily need your partner to have a history of mental illness for these restraints to be used in sexual play—it just makes them especially appealing for some folks. The term straitjacket refers specifically to a type of jacket designed to fit tight over one person at a time, but many people simply refer to any type of jacket designed for bondage as a straitjacket. These jackets are primarily leather or canvas, with straps covering the arms although most people assume these jackets are straightjackets because of their history in mental hospitals, there are also fetish-specific models that include metal clasps and even shoulder wings. Straps go across each side of your chest, then cross on either side of your back near your armpits, then are secured at each elbow. Strapped together like so, it's almost impossible to remove one without assistance—making it an excellent tool for ensuring safe bondage play. It’s important to note that straitjackets aren't foolproof by any means; if you're not careful, you could end up suffocating or having your elbows dislocated. Make sure to use plenty of lube during play and check regularly for signs of distress; those things said, they're great fun if both partners know what they're doing.

What's It Like to Wear One?

It's one of my favorite pieces, I'm not that flexible, people wiggle those straps down and step through them, making the straitjacket removable. You are immobile, which makes you have to feel more sensations throughout your body. It restricts movements that normally happen with each breath or heartbeat; your body becomes hyper-aware of what it is feeling, since most movement is restricted, senses are amplified with it. The tightness around my chest constricts breathing slightly, but not enough to make me panic - I'm pretty good at controlling myself. The constriction can be stressful on some people though, especially depending on their mental state when they put it on - I would never advise wearing a straitjacket alone if you're going into sensory deprivation or going into a highly stimulating environment after donning one. If someone wants to wear a straitjacket in bondage play, they need to let their partner know about any health conditions beforehand so proper precautions can be taken beforehand. Proper training, preparation and communication is key for using a BDSM gear like a straitjacket!