How can you make 2015 the year where you become the leatherman you truly want to be? [no_toc]

LeatherWest has spoken to those that know and have put together a list of five actions that you can do to make sure you stay ahead of the game this year and are leather-fit for the coming twelve months.

Indications are that 2015 is going to see an acceleration of the leather resurgance we saw picking up speed in 2014. More gay guys than ever before are getting out their leathers or discovering the pleasures our leather way of life has to offer. So, in order to make sure you’re not left behind, the following list gives you five easy ways to make sure you have the best leather year of your life so far!

1 - Get your kit on!

It’s obvious. If you’re going to be a leatherman you need to be wearing leather - often! So use the New Year as a good opportunity to re-evaluate your gear. Systematically go through your leathers and decide if it still fits; if it needs a good clean; if it is need of repair and, do you still want to wear it?

For items no longer needed then consider ebay or our very own Leather Market as a way to raise some funds which can reinvested in new gear. Items that need repair or a thorough clean you will need to source a specialist dry cleaners or tailoring service. For any alterations be aware that leather isn’t as forgiving as other fabrics and it might take time for an adjusted garment to realign itself to your body shape.

After dealing with your current collection, it’s now time to consider what’s missing. Most leathermen would agree that the following are essentials for any leatherman’s collection:

  • Leather jeans/breeches (biker and/or jeans style according to preference)
  • Leather jacket (classic asymmetric biker style is a must)
  • Boots (tall, engineer or biker)
  • Cap (Muir or garrison)
  • Shirt and tie (for uniform tribe members)
  • Chaps (the classic leatherman’s bit of kit).

Once these are secured then ensure your collection includes a good selection of accessories that allow you vary your look.

  • wrist cuffs
  • belts
  • Sam Browne
  • gloves

Trends emerging in 2015 are the return of the skinny leather tie, shoulder and elbow quilting or ribbing, decorative studs as well as use of coloured leather as an accent on black such as stripes, piping or pocket linings.

2 - Get involved

Being a leatherman is more than just wearing leather. It’s also about attitude and engagement (and we’re not just talking about play!). Leathermen’s history is rooted in the camaraderie and the brotherhood of the military. The leathermen’s community is traditionally strong in supporting fellow leathermen and passing on its traditions and cultural knowledge to the next generation.

2015 is the year to encourage all leathermen to broaden their horizons and engage with the community beyond online interactions. Key actions could be attending a local meeting of leathermen. We can recommend the following:

Other events are listed in the Resources section of this website, under Clubs, Bars and Events.

Another way to get involved is in support the various organisations that support leathermen. It might be that you have a skill they could make use of - photography, website design, fund raising, event support - even modelling for pictures! Drop the organisation a message listing what you might be able to offer and how you would like to get involved. If you think you have something you can offer LeatherWest, contact us at [email protected].

3 - Brush up on your history

Unlike many other fetishes, male leather fetish has a proud history. Have you read the articles over at the Leather Archives and Museum or Leather History EU? Also worth a read is Gay Leather Fetish History. There are several personal blogs that also show that being a leatherman has a strong cultural element - check out the links in the Resources section on this website.

The Grand Leather Quiz at the recent Bristol Leather Weekend, highlighted many aspects of leather history and guys were interested to know more about their culture.

4 - Try something new

No, we don’t mean rubber! Leathermen need to remain true and pure to the cause after all. What we mean is that even within this specialist gay sub-culture, leather fetish has many aspects and associated disciplines. For example, there is a growth in Leather Pup Play - subs taking on a canine inspired role while leashed and collared in some seriously sexy leather harnesses (check out The Dogs BolloXX for some beautifully designed leather items).

If pub play doesn’t get your tail wagging, how about learning a new playroom skill - flogging or a bit of rope bondage for example. There are many places to learn (check out this tutorial on YouTube) but it’s good to do thorough research for anything that involves risk, no matter how small. Make sure you read several different sources to get a rounded perspective on your chosen topic.

Even better, it’s best to learn new things from an experienced practitioner (and more fun!). We’re hoping to add an extra dimension to UNION events in 2015 by having an associated workshop. If there is something you fancy learning, let us know. Our workshops at Bristol Leather Weekend were extremely popular and we’re already planning what to include at UK Leather Pride in October.

5 - Have fun!

No matter what type of leatherman you are or aspire to be, it’s important not to loose sight of the reason we all enjoy this fetish - to have fun. As soon as we take things too seriously, get too caught up in ‘rules’ or labels we’re in danger of forgetting what is at the heart of being a leatherman - and that is supporting and developing the brotherhood of leather. We are a community and we can be united by our love of leather and the pleasure it brings. So, reach out to support your local leather community in 2015; reach out and encourage others to don their gear but above all, don’t take things too seriously and have FUN!