It’s Fucking Fashion
From signifying wealth to culture, fashion has always been a rendez-vous of self-expression and symbolism. One of the more interesting concepts that style highlights is sexuality. Today, we unzip the archives of fashion history’s most iconic sexy styles.
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Lady Gaga Merkin
This wouldn’t be a fashion article without the queen of pop herself. Of course, Lady Gaga has had some of the most outrageous and iconic outfits in sex-related style, though one accessory stands above the rest. In 2011, Gaga flaunted her turquoise merkin on top of her clothes at the Much Music Awards. WTF is a merkin? A merkin is a pubic hair wig! You heard me right. Merkins were popularized in the 1400s by prostitutes whose pubes were infested by lice. The bush was a must in that era, so they compensated by slapping on a merkin to cover the critters. Merkins haven’t been in style for a while, but society continues to put pubic hairstyles in and out of trend. Unfortunately for Gaga, the over-the-pants fashion-colored merkin didn’t catch on, but it was a hell of a moment.
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Handkerchiefs and Earrings
Expressing sexuality is not just for high fashion. In the 1970s, both the LGBTQ+ and kink communities had some semi-secret accessories that signified preferences under the sheets. For instance, a man wearing a single earring on the right ear might mean that he is gay. Or was it the left ear? There is a lot of internet discourse on this one, but the New York Times is positive that the left ear is reserved for straight men and vice versa. Do bisexual men wear both? I have no idea, but these are the types of pressing questions I need answered. When the trend was revealed to the public, it resulted in the not-so-nice insult of “the gay ear” appearing in middle schools across America.
As for handkerchiefs, these indicated a variety of preferences and were more commonly used in the fetish community. A handkerchief on the left side means that the person wearing it is a “top,” and the right side indicates that they are a “bottom.” Different colors meant a variety of things. Black might mean you are into BDSM, while red is an interest in fisting. This is known as the “Hanky Code.”
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Vajazzling
The 2010s were an exciting time to be alive. Apple released the first iPad, everyone was playing Angry Birds and women worldwide were gluing crystals to their pubes. Vajazzling, AKA vagina bedazzling, was all the rage for a brief moment in time. The mons pubis was adorned with glitters, gems and dirty sayings and even featured on the George Lopez Show and MTV music videos. Salons were offering “Vajazzling Services” that kept crotches sparkling for about a week. This anomaly may be more debated than the moon landing and the Bermuda Triangle combined, but I’m not afraid to say what we’re all thinking. Bring back vajazzling in 2024!
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Every Body is a Sexy Body
So many brands are making leaps and bounds for inclusivity. In the lingerie field, Rihanna’s brand Savage X Fenty has been leading the charge. Their lingerie is made for every race, sexual orientation, gender and body type, and the models make it known. Rihanna’s shows feature the full spectrum of humans, including hot and sexy pregnant models. Lingerie inclusivity means more people who can express their truest, sexiest selves. What could be more iconic than that?
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Gillian Anderson’s Vulva Dress
Saving the best for last, this year, Gillian Anderson rocked a beautiful ball gown custom embroidered with vulvas to this year’s Golden Globe awards. This dress was a clear nod to Anderson’s character in the Netflix series “Sex Education,” Dr. Jean Milburn. Though Anderson is iconic for playing a sex therapist on the screen, she is a sex icon in her own right. Anderson is a certified feminist and founder of a drink company focused on pleasure and arousal called This is G Spot. The vulva dress was sexy and classy and everything Anderson is on and off screen.
Sex in fashion has been a meaningful and exciting part of our history. Embracing sexuality in fashion can be empowering, steamy or just plain silly! I hope your day is as bright as a vajazzled vulva!
Strike out,
Writer: Ginger Koehler
Editor: Olivia Hansen
Gainesville
Ginger Koehler is a sex and relationships writer here at Strike Magazine Gainesville. When she’s not blabbing at unsuspecting strangers about sex education, you can catch Ginger reading, embroidering everything in sight, painting nails for her small business or eating guacamole. You can reach Ginger on Instagram @gingerkoehler52 or at her email gingerkoehler52@gmail.com
