A mooky style guide to the synthetic aesthetic

by Sky Gazzard

Are you tired of hemp? Bored with cotton and wondering what's cool about wool? Don't be thread-up (oh, ho ho! See what we did there?). Look to the edgier world of plastics. Not only can you save cows with fake leather, but recycle carrier bags too. Who knew synthetic fashion could be so... environmentally sound?

PVC clothing

PVC stands for Poly Vinyl Chloride, a versatile material that is used to make products from gutters to gloves. Worn the right way, PVC makes you appear far from trashy.

PVC clothes have a lot more stretch than you would think, so make sure you wear something that fits you. Loose PVC will make you look like a bag tied in the middle rather than hug your curves.

If you have the chance, try your desired PVC garment on before buying, because the sizing is often on the large size (according to the label I've just gone up about 2 dress sizes).

Latex/rubber clothing

Latex feels like a second skin and is a very sensuous material... you may find yourself stroking the silky rubber.

Being so clingy, it can be a struggle to get into latex - especially with items that cover a sizeable expanse of flesh, like cat suits.

Talcum powder absorbs sweat and stops the latex and rubber clothing from sticking to you.

Lube (that's lubrication for the uninitiated - KY jelly is available from any chemist and is an excellent water-based lube) can be used to ease you into your latex/rubber attire.

Unfortunately latex can be expensive and has a tendency to rip unexpectedly (especially the cheap stuff, though buying expensive brands is no guarantee). This can be because it has caught on sharp fingernails etc. or it just stretches a bit too far. An emergency outfit or long coat is always a good idea. Latex and rubber also need more care (in fact, Mookychick has some tips for rubber care) but the effort is worth it.

Liquid latex paints on and dries like the real stuff. Having tried it out, it certainly isn't dance-proof - again, an emergency outfit is essential if you try to wear liquid latex in public. Perhaps there's a knack to using it. At the end of the night just peel it off.

I should probably add that some people are allergic to latex!!

Plastic clothing

Plastic is a great way to make your outfit stand out from the crowd and gives you the chance to be creative. I've seen some great recycled clothes people have made where the most fantastic outfit has come from old plastic bags. Skills like crotchet definitely come in handy here but patience and enough glue should also yield pleasing results.

That's a wrap

Cling film is great for a wear-once outfit, so cheap and quick... Just keep wrapping it around yourself and it becomes opaque.

Bondage tape, like cling film, will stick to itself and you just wrap it around yourself to make boob tubes, arm bands etc. Already opaque, bondage tape is available in alternative clothing shops, sex shops and online. You can find it in different colours and designs; my favourite is roses with barbed wire.

Synthetic high street style

Raincoats are the easiest way to incorporate plastic into your outfit, available in bright colours to cut through the winter gloom and a steal in the January sales.

Plastic accessories and jewellery are everywhere. Now head forth and break the mould.

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Mission statement

Mookychick believes that climbing trees and riding giant turtles is more fun and girly than worrying about make-up. But if you want to worry about make-up instead of turtles? Fine by us. Be you feminist, kitten, punk, emo, indie, goth, witch, vegan, horror junky, intellectual, christian goth, corset queen, geek, unicorn, sea monkey... be you into alternative style, alternative health, spirituality, comics, manga, j-pop, harajuku or jock culture... we will always love you.