[Toy Review] Liebe Seele Kinbaku Ukiyoe Leather Strap-On Harness

My first strap-on harness was a super basic, no-frills thing with rough nylon straps. It did the job, just about, but that was all. I had better luck with harness pants, but ultimately they weren’t really my vibe or aesthetic. Last year, I upgraded massively with a gorgeous faux leather strap-on harness I purchased at Eroticon. And my pals at Liebe Seele just sent me the leather strap-on from their Kinbaku Ukiyoe range to try.

Kinbaku Ukiyoe leather strap-on harness.

(Fun fact: kinbaku means “tight binding” and is a form of Japanese rope bondage. Ukiyo-e literally means “pictures of the floating world” and refers to a particular style of Japanese paintings and woodblock prints produced from the 17th-19th Centuries. These works featured subjects such as history and folk tales, travel scenes, and landscapes… but also erotica and portrayals of performers and sex workers.)

The Kinbaku Ukiyoe leather strap-on harness is made of lamb leather and suede, black on the inside and printed with a red rose pattern on the outside. Of course, if you’re vegan or otherwise object to animal leather, you’ll want to skip this one.

Kinbaku Ukiyoe Leather Strap-On Harness: What I Liked

Strap-on sex isn’t something I do particularly regularly. I enjoy it, but it’s not an every-time activity. I’ve also discovered that, though I do enjoy both roles, I am more of a strap-on Top than a strap-on bottom. Which was an interesting and slightly surprising thing to learn about myself!

I pretty much always use my reliable fave harness these days but I do like to try new things. So I was excited to try out the Kinbaku Ukiyoe harness. First let’s look at the things I liked about it.

  • It arrived beautifully packaged and presented. The harness comes in a sturdy red box with a gold kintsugi print and a cardboard sleeve featuring a ukiyo-e style erotic image of two women having sex. The same image is printed on an included silky fabric square. In the box, the harness’s wrapping is tissue paper with the same kintsugi print. The overall effect is thoughtful and luxurious.
  • When I took it out of the box, I gasped at how beautiful this harness is. The rose print is striking and gorgeous, with an aesthetic somewhere between “goth” and “high femme.” The hardware is copper-plated metal in an attractive muted gold shade.
  • The leather and suede look and feel of excellent quality. They are soft and supple and have only become more so with handling and wear. They also have that wonderful and inimitable leather smell that I love so much.
  • The harness is adjustable in two places: the waistband and also the two straps that sit around the butt and between the legs. This makes it easy to adjust it to your unique body.
  • The included O-ring is 2.5″ in diameter but you can easily swap it out for a different size. Just unfasten the poppers and insert your preferred ring size.
  • It’s clearly well made and seems built to last, with neat and strong stitching and strong hardware.
  • It is easy to put on. Some strap-on harnesses are so confusing that by the time you’ve wrestled your way into them, all the sexiness is gone from the moment. This one takes seconds to put on and adjust.
  • Perhaps most importantly, it’s wonderful to wear. As I’ve already mentioned, the leather is super soft and it works with my body like a second skin. It is breathable so I don’t get too hot wearing it, and it stays in position without constant readjusting.

Anything I Didn’t Like?

Kinbaku Ukiyoe leather strap-on harness.

My only significant complaint about this product is that it is not as size-inclusive as it could be. The harness’s waistband is adjustable from 78-116cm (around 30-45″) which will fit a lot of users but also exclude a lot of others. I’d like to see more adjustability or, failing that, a larger version also available.

Due to the design, there also isn’t anywhere to include a vibrating bullet or other toy to stimulate the wearer. This doesn’t matter to me in the slightest – when I’m strap-on Topping, I’m focusing on my partner’s pleasure and prefer not to have distractions – but it will be a downside for some users.

I also would have liked it to come with more O-ring sizes, as opposed to just one. If you want to try different ring sizes, I recommend the set of four from Sportsheets which retails for an affordable £9.99.

Verdict

A truly beautiful and well-made harness that is a joy to wear and use. Just be aware of the sizing restrictions and measure yourself to ensure it will fit you before you buy. Otherwise, I adore this harness.

The Kinbaku Ukiyoe leather strap-on harness retails for £177. Use my code Amy15 to get 15% off this or any other purchase sitewide at Liebe Seele.

Thank you to Liebe Seele for sending me this product to test and review. All views are, as always, mine. Affiliate links appear in this post.

[Accessories Review] Bijoux Indiscrets MAZE Cross Cleavage Faux Leather Chest Harness

This is the last (for now) in my series of reviews of Bijoux Indiscrets’ MAZE line, which includes not just the harnesses I’ve written about this week but also the cat ears and collar I covered years ago. I don’t think it’s any secret by now that I absolutely love this range! Today we’re looking at the Cross Cleavage Faux Leather Chest Harness.

MAZE Cross Cleavage Faux Leather Harness

Like everything in the MAZE range, the Cross Cleavage Harness is made from a faux polyurethane (PU) leather from recycled materials. This means it is both eco-conscious (PU is highly environmentally problematic, so reusing it and keeping it out of landfill is good news for the planet) and certified vegan. I wrote a little more about the question of PU leather in this review.

The PU leather Bijoux uses is both comfortable to wear and, minus the distinctive scent, a convincing approximation of animal leather. It wears well, gaining just a little softness and suppleness over time, and is easy to maintain. If it needs cleaning, some gentle soap and a damp cloth will do the job. Otherwise, just store it in the box it comes in and you’re all set.

Bijoux Indiscrets Faux Leather Chest Harness official product picture featuring a model wearing the harness under a blazer
Image: Bijoux Indiscrets

The Cross Cleavage Harness sits around the waist with straps over the shoulders and a criss-cross design across the chest. Though it’s described as a “cleavage harness”, it’s totally wearable by people both with and without breasts.

Like the rest of the range, the MAZE Cross Cleavage Harness is available in both black and a light tan brown called “camel.”

Fit

The MAZE Cross Cleavage Harness is adjustable around the waist as well as over the shoulders, so you can get a comfortable fit for your body. The criss-cross section sits close enough to the centre of the chest that it should be comfortable even for people with larger breasts to wear.

In terms of sizing, I’m coming back to my consistent complaint about size inclusiveness. The MAZE Cross Cleavage Harness fits waist sizes from 60cm (23.62″) up to 94cm (37″.) With the black harness only, you’ll get an extra extender that can add up to 25cm (9.84″) extra. I’d love to see these pieces made available in a wider range of sizes. I’d also love to see the brown styles come with extenders, too!

Woman wearing the Bijoux Indiscrets Faux Leather Chest Harness over a grey shirt

Since the models shown on Bijoux’s page are very thin, I’ve included the above picture of me in the harness so you can see what it looks like on a curvier frame.

How to Style the MAZE Cross Cleavage Harness

Like some of the other MAZE pieces I’ve tried, the Cross Cleavage Faux Leather Harness is pretty androgynous in its style. This means you can pair it with an array of outfits to create the aesthetic you want – femme, masc, or anywhere in between.

The bondage-inspired style means it’d work well in a kink club or sexy party setting, but you can just as easily style it for a vanilla nightclub or party if that’s more your jam. It works well with other fetishwear items such as latex, lingerie or corsetry (I think it would look spectacular over an underbust corset) or as a standout piece on its own.

Thanks to the detailed design of this harness, it also pairs well with simple garments such as a plain t-shirt, dress, or blazer. It’s a real statement accessory that can elevate a basic outfit to a bold and memorable look.

I wear a lot of v-neck and plunge neck tops for sensory reasons (I can’t stand having anything around my neck for extended periods of time.) This harness works beautifully with those, drawing attention to the chest and adding some super-sexy decoration.

The MAZE Cross Cleavage Harness retails for €60 (£53/$64.)

Thanks to Bijoux Indiscrets for sending me the MAZE Cross Cleavage Faux Leather Chest Harness to try. All views are, as always, mine. This post contains affiliate links.

[Accessories Review] Bijoux Indiscrets MAZE Multiway Faux Leather Body Harness

I’m back again with another review from Bijoux Indiscrets’ MAZE line, following on from the hand harness and leg garters, cat ears, and collar. Today we’re looking at the MAZE Multiway Faux Leather Body Harness, which is available in both black and tan.

MAZE Faux Leather Body Harness

The MAZE Multiway Harness is a faux leather body harness made of polyurethane (PU) leather. It is certified vegan and, though PU itself is a highly problematic material from an environmental perspective, the MAZE range is made from recycled materials that would otherwise have gone to waste. (I talk about that a little more in my last MAZE review.)

Model wearing the Bijoux Indiscrets Multiway Harness
Image: Bijoux Indiscrets

This multiway body harness has four straps that connect to an O-ring in the centre. Two of the straps go over the shoulders and cross at the back before wrapping around the waist, the other sits across the ribcage just below the chest. Bijoux shows a couple of variations for ways to wear the harness on their website, but honestly there aren’t really any wrong ways! Wear it however feels good to you.

Bijoux’s recycled PU faux leather looks and feels lovely, and very convincing. It does “wear in” to an extent, becoming softer and more supple with wear, but not to the same degree that real leather does. It also doesn’t have that lovely leather smell. Otherwise, it’s a very good approximation of the real thing and a great choice if you’re looking for something animal-free. It is comfortable to wear and feels good against the skin.

Upkeep of your MAZE harness is also easy – just clean it with a little gentle soap and a damp cloth, dry it thoroughly, and store it in the box it comes in.

Fit

The MAZE Multiway Harness is adjustable and, depending on your body shape and how you wear it, can either hug the contours of your body or hang more loosely.

Woman wearing the Bijoux Indiscrets Maze Multiway Faux Leather Body Harness over a grey top

The neck straps are adjustable from 23cm (9.05″) up to 44cm (17.32″), and the waist is adjustable from 130cm (51″) up to 151cm (59.44″). Considering it wraps around twice, the standard harness will work for anyone with up to around a 30″ waist. If you order the black, you’ll also get two 20cm (7.87″) extenders.

Back view of the Bijoux Indiscrets Maze Multiway Faux Leather Body Harness worn on a woman over a grey top

Though I like the inclusion of the extenders, I would really like to see this harness made available in a wider range of sizes. I’d also like to see Bijoux using models with more diverse body sizes. That’s why I’ve included the pictures of me wearing the harness above, so you can see how it looks on a different body type.

Ways to Style the MAZE Multiway Harness

Everything in the MAZE line is inspired by a BDSM/bondage aesthetic. As such, this incredibly sexy piece would be totally at home in a fetish club or at a sex party. Honesty, if you were feeling daring you could construct an entire outfit from nothing but MAZE harnesses and accessories.

Of course, there are also plenty of other ways you could style it! It could dress up a casual, jeans-and-t-shirt look or a simple dress, add a kinky twist to lingerie, or take your fetishwear to the next level. I’m currently planning an outfit involving this harness over a corset, paired with leather trousers and my gayest stompy boots.

The MAZE Multiway Harness is also pretty genderless. Thanks to the adjustability and the different ways it can sit on the body, plus all the different outfit permutations you can pair it with, it’s entirely possible to easily construct a femme, masc, or androgynous look with it.

I love this piece and its versatility. I think I’ll be getting a lot of wear out of it!

The MAZE Multiway Harness retails for €60 (£53/$64.)

Thanks to Bijoux Indiscrets for sending me the MAZE Multiway Faux Leather Body Harness to try. All views are, as always, mine. This post contains affiliate links.

[Accessories Review] Bijoux Indiscrets MAZE Hand Harness & Leg Garter

Years ago, I got to try out the cat ears and collar from Bijoux Indiscrets’ MAZE range and loved them both. This month, Bijoux was kind enough to send me another shipment of MAZE products to try out!

What is MAZE?

MAZE is Bijoux Indiscrets’ line of BDSM-themed vegan leather accessories including harnesses, headpieces, and kink gear such as cuffs, collars and leashes.

Bijoux Indiscrets MAZE box and interior packaging

Vegan Leather: Yay or Nay?

Every MAZE product is made of certified vegan polyurethane (PU) faux leather. PU leather is controversial because, though it is not made from animals, it is a type of plastic made from petrochemicals which have a terrible impact on the environment.

However, Bijoux strives to be a socially and environmentally conscious company and use recycled materials that would otherwise have ended up in landfill. For ethical and environmental reasons I have adopted a personal policy against buying any items made from new PU leather. But, since this material was already out there in the world and would otherwise have gone to waste, I feel comfortable wearing the MAZE range.

Ultimately, like real leather, you’ll have to consider your personal values and make your own decisions when it comes to PU leather.

Bijoux’s faux leather is soft and supple, looking and feeling remarkably like the real thing. The only thing missing is that unmistakeable leather smell (if someone finds a way to realistically synthesise that, please let me know!) Based on my experience with the MAZE pieces I’ve had for a few years, it wears well – softening up just a little over time – and requires minimal maintenance to stay looking good as new. If you need to clean your MAZE accessories, a damp cloth and a little gentle soap is all you need.

With all that said, let’s look at the first two items I received from the Bijoux Indiscrets MAZE range.

Bijoux Indiscrets MAZE Hand Harness

Woman's hand wearing Bijoux Indiscrets MAZE hand harness
(Please ignore my horrible nails. I’ve been too unwell to go for a manicure lately!)

The MAZE Hand Harness is a bracelet that’s worn around the wrist with an additional strap extending to a finger loop.

I really love these harnesses. They’re incredibly sexy in an unexpected way, just vanilla enough to wear in public but just kinky enough to draw some looks when you do. I like them as an easy way to enhance a simple all-black outfit with a little bondage-inspired twist. As someone who uses my hands a lot in an expressive way when I talk, I love having them accessorised like this.

If you like, you can also use the Bijoux Indiscrets MAZE Hand Harness as a kink tool. Why not clip them together to hold your partner’s hands behind their back, or attach a leash to one of them through the centre ring?

They’re comfy to wear, too, and do not impede my ability to use my hands normally.

Unfortunately, I have to say that the MAZE Hand Harness is not particularly size-inclusive. Although the wristband is adjustable from 6.3″ up to 7.87″, the finger loop is not adjustable and is pretty small. I have fairly small hands even for a cis woman, and the finger loop was slightly too snug to be truly comfortable. It did loosen a bit with wear, but it is right on the limit of what I could wear comfortably. Anyone with hands larger than mine – which includes a lot of AFAB people and the vast majority of AMAB people – would not be able to wear it comfortably.

I love the look and design of these products, but they’re made for thin people. This is very disappointing from an otherwise inclusive and forward-thinking brand.

A set of two hand harnesses retails for €35.

Bijoux Indiscrets MAZE Leg Garter

Woman's leg in Bijoux Indiscrets MAZE Leg Garter

The MAZE Leg Garter consists of two bands that sit just below the knee and around the ankle. A central strap runs up the back of the calf and connects them.

Again, I find them sexy in a unique way. The calves and lower legs are not areas we often think to accessorise, which I think is a shame. An accessory that draws the eye to that part of the body adds an unexpected focal point to a look.

The MAZE Leg Garters are versatile, too. They look great with stompy boots and fishnet tights, or equally good with a short skirt and killer heels. In fact, they’ll draw attention to your legs in just about any outfit and you can style them in tonnes of different and fun ways.

Again, though, size inclusion is a major problem. The band that goes around the knee is adjustable from 11.42″ to 13.78″. The ankle band is adjustable from 6.69″ to 9.84″. I can wear the leg garters on the loosest setting at the top and second loosest at the bottom. But again, a large majority of people with bigger bodies will simply not be able to wear them. Some MAZE products come with extenders, but these do not.

A set of two leg garters retails for €45.

Thanks to Bijoux Indiscrets for sending me these items to review! All views, as always, mine. Affiliate links appear in this post.

[Toy Review] UPKO Remote Control Wand Vibrator Harness Combo

There are a lot of so-called hands-free vibrators on the market, from wearables to knicker vibrators and more. However, far fewer of them are actually hands-free in any meaningful sense. Most of them require at least some manual input to keep them in place. Since the main selling point of these toys is that they enable you to use your hands to do other things while using them, it’s always disappointing when they don’t work as advertised. As such, I am continuously on the hunt for hands-free toys that really are hands-free.

I love wand vibrators, as my long-time readers know. Big fan. However, sometimes I opt not to use one when I might otherwise have liked to because they’re also heavy and unwieldy. If I’m tired or having a bad pain day, holding one for the amount of time it takes to get off might not be feasible. For that reason, I’ve long been curious to try a wand vibrator harness.

UPKO kindly sent me their remote control wand vibrator and thigh harness combo to try. Let’s dive in!

UPKO Remote Control Wand Vibrator and Vibrator Harness

The UPKO Remote Control Wand Vibrator measures 12″ in length. Both the handle and the head are coated in body-safe silicone. It weighs in at a fairly heavy 380g.

UPKO remote control wand vibrator

The wand is IPX6 waterproof which means it should not be submerged. It is USB rechargeable and you’ll get around 90 minutes runtime from a 2 hour charge. Included is a remote control which works from a range of up to 10 metres.

The other part of the kit is a thigh vibrator harness. This is made of nylon and consists of two thick black bands decorated with gold coloured metal hardware and an embroidered UPKO insignia. The harness fastens with velcro straps and is adjustable up to around 22″ in the upper band and 18″ in the lower. Each band features a smaller strap that sits on the inside of the leg and is designed to hold the wand in place against the genitals.

UPKO wand vibrator harness

Bafflingly, the marketing copy for this set includes the phrase “wearing it in public triggers a strong sense of embarrassment.” Which isn’t technically untrue, I’m sure, but… wearing this in public would also trigger a strong sense of getting arrested for public indecency. It’s not a little insertable or knicker vibe, it’s a giant fuckoff wand. There is no universe in which you’re using this in public.

With that said, let’s look at the pros and cons of this set.

UPKO Wand Vibrator & Harness Kit: What I Liked

UPKO wand vibrator and vibrator harness combo box

  • It arrived beautifully packaged in a smart and sturdy branded box
  • There are six settings – two constant vibration speeds and four patterns – and dual controls so you can scroll through them in either direction.
  • The motor has a decent amount of power behind it (not the rumbliness I’d prefer, though – see below.)
  • The flexible neck makes it easy to turn and position the head whatever way works best for your body.
  • The vibrator harness holds the wand in place effectively. After a little experimenting with positions and the tightness of the straps, I was able to enjoy this toy truly hands-free.
  • The harness is also pretty comfortable to wear.
  • The texturing on the wand’s head adds to the clitoral stimulation it provides.
  • The hands-free nature of this set presents some intriguing – and kinky – possibilities. Why not combine it with other bondage fun such as cuffs or shibari, or use it for orgasm control or forced orgasm play?
  • The vibrator is fairly quiet even on its top setting, clocking in at under 55db.
  • The buttons are easy to press and satisfyingly clicky.

Anything I Didn’t Like?

  • The aesthetic is weird and dull. Why is it so grey? I suspect they were going for an elegant and classy vibe but it just doesn’t work for me.
  • The vibrations might be powerful, but they’re also pretty buzzy. I could get an orgasm out of this thing but it required a couple of pauses mid-session because it was starting to numb me out.
  • The harness is not as size-inclusive as it could be. The upper band is adjustable up to around 22″ in circumference but it would be trivial to add longer straps to make it suitable for bigger bodies.
  • The + and – buttons blend in with the surrounding silicone. Making them a different colour, more pronounced, or light-up would make them easier to use particularly in low light.

Verdict

This is not a bad kit for the price. You get a body-safe wand vibrator with a few different settings and a harness for a relatively affordable $129 (at the time of writing, on sale and down to $99.)

Ultimately, the wand itself is only mediocre and I’m unlikely to reach for it again. The harness, though, I do like. I’ll probably be trying it with other wand vibrators in my collection.

Thanks to UPKO for sending me this kit to review. As always, views and writing are mine. Affiliate links appear in this post.

[Lingerie Review] Fifty Shades of Grey Captivate Black Flocked Mesh Harness Body

[Update 10/05/24: this product has been discontinued. I have removed dead links but left the post up for reference.]

Today’s review is of another offering from Lovehoney’s Captivate Fifty Shades of Grey lingerie and sex toys collection. This line has put out some real hits and a few (for me) misses, so I was excited to try one of the newest pieces in the range. Let’s take a closer look at the Captivate Mesh Harness Body…

Captivate Black Flocked Mesh Harness Body: Details and First Impressions

The Captivate Mesh Harness Body is actually a two-piece set, featuring a slip-on one-piece body and an elasticated harness. Though designed to be worn together, you could easily wear them separately. You could also mix and match, as the harness would pair well with many bodysuits, basques, or bra-and-knickers sets.

The sheer body is made of a semi see-through mesh with a flocked patterned section on either side of the deep V neck. It’s made of a blend of polyester, nylon, and elastane, with a 100% cotton gusset (much healther for your vagina!) It closes behind the neck in a halterneck style, and is backless from the waist up.

The accompanying harness is made up of thick black straps (a nylon/elastane blend) with gold coloured fastenings and adornments. It fastens around your neck in a collar style, and has a central strap running down the centre of your body and between your breasts. Three narrower bands form a waist-accentuating belt, and then lead down to garter-style thigh straps.

When I took the Captivate Harness Body out of its packaging, I had two initial thoughts. The first was “oh, this is pretty!” The second was “how the hell am I going to get into this thing?” There are a lot of straps and fastenings!

Fetish-Inspired Glam

The Captivate Harness Body clearly draws inspiration from some of the common aesthetics of BDSM. Interestingly, it does not strike me as something that the demure, inexperienced, and not-actually-into-BDSM Fifty Shades heroine Anastasia would wear (disclaimer: I only read the first book, so maybe the Ana of later in the series would…?)

The black strapping and O-rings make a strong statement and elevate this piece from a pretty but fairly generic body to a bold BDSM-inspired look. Lovehoney’s model holds matching floggers and is standing in a pose that suggests Femdom to me, but this outfit definitely speaks to my submissive heart. Perhaps it’s the collar neck or the way the straps feel a little like being in a gentle variation of bondage? These things only carry the meaning we give them, of course, so your mileage may vary.

I love the shape of this set when I wear both pieces together. The harness’s waistband creates a beautiful silhouette and the deep V-neck is great for those of us with a lot of cleavage. The patterned mesh is also utterly gorgeous (and, hilariously, reminds me of the wallpaper in my favourite fetish venue…)

Fit and Comfort

The bodysuit part of this set is a breeze to get into. Just step in and secure the halterneck as tight as you’d like it. If you have large boobs, like me, I recommend doing it up a little tighter to help keep them inside the suit! The harness is a little trickier. This does require some patience and to make sure everything is in the right place. I recommend fastening the waistband in front of your body first. Spin it around so the closure is at the back, do the collar next, then finally the legs.

The body is somewhat stretchy, and the halterneck part is adjustable. I ordered a medium, and it fits my size 10/12 body well. The harness is extremely adjustable in pretty much all the places, so you should be able to get a good fit with a bit of tweaking. Once you’ve got it sorted, putting it on the next time is much easier as most of the adjustments stay put when you take it off. This set is available in sizes from UK 6 up to UK 28.

The Captivate Harness Body set is free from wires and the material is lovely and soft, making it comfortable enough to wear all night. I also really appreciate the fact that it offers proper butt coverage and is not a thong!

The only downside is a minor one, and it’s that the three straps of the waistband tend to bunch together and twist. This means I have to manually untangle and adjust them every so often. Shortening the straps that connect the waistband to the leg garters helps, but does not entirely mitigate this problem.

Verdict

Absolutely gorgeous! The Captivate Harness Body set has grown on me the more I’ve worn it. It’s the kind of thing I’d wear to a night at the dungeon or a party with some likeminded kinky friends. My play partner has also expressed a fondness for this one, so I expect it might be getting an outing sometime soon…

The Captivate Mesh Harness Body set retails for £44.99 ($54.99 US).

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me the Fifty Shades of Grey Captivate Mesh Harness Body to review. All views and pictures, as always, are mine. Shopping with my affiliate links sends a small commission my way and helps to keep the blog going at no additional cost to you!

[Lingerie Review] Lovehoney “Lustre” Quarter Cup Body Harness

Update 03/03/22: this product has been discontinued.

Sometimes I get offered items for review and my internal response is “ugh, fine, I guess” if I’m not blown away by something but I think my readers will like it. Other times, I get offered something for review and I take one look and go “I NEED IT.” The Lustre range by Lovehoney was the latter.

Two categories of product that I’m eternally obsessed with are Things That Are Purple and Things That Are Shiny. Lustre is both.

After perusing the collection, I ended up choosing the Quarter Cup Body Harness to try. This is partly, let’s be honest, because I’m lazy and I enjoy one-piece items of clothing for that reason. But it’s also because the Body Harness is the only item in the range not to have full bra cups, and my typical experience with adjustable/one-size lingerie is that my boobs simply don’t fit. Ordering something where they’re meant to spill out seemed like a neat solution to this problem.

Model wearing the Lustre Quarter Cup Body Harness from Lovehoney

Let’s see how I got on, shall we?

TW: mentions of sizeism, please skip if that’s going to be difficult for you.

Initial Impressions

My first impression, when I took my Lustre Body Harness out of the packaging, was that I am simply in love with the colour! The lace is a gorgeous, rich purple and has a lovely, subtle shine to it that catches the light every time you move.

What I’m not so into is the “frayed edge” aesthetic of the lace. I understand what they’re going for here but I think it takes the elegant edge off the range and frankly looks a bit, well, scruffy. Of course, this is a personal preference and others may love it.

Getting into it…

My #LazyFemme tactics came back to bite me, here. One-piece this thing may be, but easy to get into (or out of) it is certainly not! Because everything – the collar, bra, mid-section and suspenders – is all joined together, the Lustre Body Harness is straps and straps and straps galore! It took me a couple of attempts to get into it. I kept being afraid I was going to rip something! I certainly won’t be wearing it on any occasion where getting out of and back into clothing might be an issue, such as a play party. Which is a shame because play parties are the main occasions where I tend to wear lingerie.

Model wearing the Lustre Quarter Cup Body Harness from Lovehoney

A couple of pro tips garnered through trial and error:

  1. Loosen all the adjustable straps first. It’s much easier to get into the garment then tighten them to fit you than trying to struggle into it and adjusting them as you go.
  2. Get into the harness feet-first, rather than trying to pull it over your head. But be careful as you ease it up over your body and into place. You don’t want to damage the delicate lace.

A word of warning: the Lustre Body Harness has build-in suspenders which are not removeable, so you’ll need to get some suitable stockings to wear with it.

Fit

Lingerie manufacturers everywhere, listen to me: I love you but can you all PLEASE STOP making things in “one size?”

This piece ostensibly fits a size 8-16. However, I wear a size 14 and I had most of the straps as extended as they’ll go, and it was still a bit on the small side. There is zero chance this item is going to fit someone who’s a size 16, and it’s really not ideal for anyone who is bigger than maybe a 12.

Instead of endlessly adjustable “one size” items, I’d love to see lingerie manufacturers just making things in a wider range of sizes. There are two plus size pieces in the Lustre range but this, unfortunately, is not one of them.

Once again, I feel that this piece was made with thin bodies in mind and the rest of us are left trying to squeeze ourselves into something which, though it might technically fit (just,) really wasn’t made for us.

Comfort

The lace isn’t exactly soft, but I didn’t find it excessively scratchy or irritating either. The straps are a soft and stretchy material which feels nice against the skin.

The bra cups are the worst thing about this item, comfort-wise. Because they’re rigid and have underwires, they will only work well for a certain sub-section of bodies. They are far too small for my probably E or F cup boobs. (I don’t actually know what size I am but I was a DD a decade ago and they’ve definitely grown since then). The wires cut into my ribcage in a way that was first uncomfortable and then, after a while, became painful.

How did I feel wearing it?

This piece has grown on me over the several times I’ve tried it on. I love a lot of things about it: the way it leaves my back almost completely exposed, the way the middle section emphasises the curve of my waist and stomach, the fetishy look of the lace collar. I definitely feel hot when I look in the mirror wearing this one!

Unfortunately, because of the issues with the fit I don’t see myself wearing it regularly and certainly not for any length of time.

Final thoughts

This one has so much potential! The design and aesthetic is absolutely gorgeous. If you’re a size 12 or smaller, I’m happy to recommend this piece. For those of us like me who are curvier, though, the problems with the fit are too great for me to be able to wholeheartedly recommend it.

The Lustre Quarter Cup Body Harness retails for £39.99 but at time of writing is on sale for £23.99.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this piece in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are, as always, my own. Affiliate links appear in this post. Images are courtesy of Lovehoney and reproduced with permission.

[Accessories Review] Bondage Boutique Rainbow Leather Harness with Collar

[Update 30/01/20: this harness has been discontinued,. I’ve removed the dead links but I’m leaving this post up for reference.]

Happy Pride, friends!

Today is Pride in London. I am, sadly, not there. Aforementioned health issues, plus lack of spoons for travel and huge crowds, means I’ve sat this one out this year. However, in the spirit of celebrating a little bit at home, Pride day felt like the appropriate time to share my review of this rainbow-themed piece with you all.

Whether you’re celebrating in the Capital today or not, I hope you’ve all had a very happy Pride.

Boutique Bondage Gear…

Bondage Boutique is Lovehoney’s in-house range of kink and BDSM gear. With pieces ranging from cuffs to wax play candles, from nipple clamps to rope, they’re a great place to find affordable and entry-level kinky things. In honour of Pride season, they’ve recently added a line of rainbow themed items, one of which I was only too happy to try out!

Rainbows, Leather and Kink: A Few of My Favourite Things

The Bondage Boutique pride rainbow harness laid out on a white sheet

The Bondage Boutique Rainbow and Leather Harness with Collar is a really versatile kinky piece. It’s a unisex design, suitable for any type of body. The aesthetic is fairly androgynous, too, neither particularly femme or particularly masculine. You could totally femme or masc it up depending on what you wore it with!

Perhaps pair it with killer heels and cute stockings… or with some sexy as fuck leather trousers? Or even just throw it on over a t-shirt to add some public-safe queer joy to your Pride ensemble! I love the little rainbow panels, which give an otherwise fairly standard bondage piece a fun and playful edge.

The Bondage Boutique rainbow pride harness laid out on a white sheet

This harness also features two D-rings, one in the front centre of the collar and one in the front centre of the waist band. This means it’s practical for play as well as decorative. You could clip a leash to the collar, use the lower D-ring to tie off a crotch rope, or cuff your submissive’s hands to the harness to restrict their movement.

Materials & Care

This harness is made of real leather. For some this will be a huge advantage, and for others such as vegetarians or vegans it may be a serious downside. I personally love leather (even though I’m a vegetarian – yes, I know, I’m a hypocrite!) The softness, the smell and the undeniable associations of real leather all really do it for me. Leather is also exceptionally durable, and tends to get softer and more supple over time.

The small rainbow panels are stitched over the leather. The fastenings are made of metal.

Care for this harness the way you would with any other leather item. Cleaning after every wear isn’t typically necessary, but clean it occasionally with a special product designed for leather – many leather enthusiasts recommend saddle soap. If it needs a bit of extra shine, use a little gentle leather polish plenty of time before you next want to wear it. (Or have your sub do so – a fun service play task, perhaps?) Store your harness unfastened and as flat as you can. Don’t store or transport it with anything that could scratch the leather.

Remember that leather is a porous material and will therefore absorb traces of sweat, your skin’s natural oils, and any other bodily fluids it comes into contact with – including blood and sexual fluids.

Harness Fit

This harness is adjustable in three places for a versatile and customisable fit. The adjustable parts are the collar, the waist belt, and the strap that runs down the centre of the chest.

Lovehoney’s site conveniently lists the measurement ranges, so you can check this piece will fit you before buying. The collar fits a neck circumference of 13.5 – 18 inches, the waist belt ranges from 26 to 34 inches, and the connecting strap can be anything from 5.5 to 10 inches in length.

I currently have a 34 inch waist (UK size 14) and found this harness comfortable on the loosest setting. As a short person, I really appreciated being able to shorten the connecting strap too.

Unfortunately, this harness does not currently come in a Plus Size version. Please consider making one, Lovehoney pals!

So do I recommend it?

I love this harness! It’s super cute, relatively comfy, and pretty affordable. I’m always recommending Bondage Boutique to kink newbies, but wherever you are on your journey, grab this piece if you want to add a little rainbow sparkle to your kinky life.

The Bondage Boutique Rainbow and Leather Harness with Collar retails for £39.99.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this piece to review. All opinions are my own. This review contains affiliate links!

[Toy Review] Temptasia Harness Briefs & Jezebel Dildo

I’ve had these harness briefs and this dildo in my “to review” pile for ages.

Unfortunately, I don’t have sex with vulva owners super often, and the dildo is a little too big for my current pegging adventures with my penis-owning partner, so it took a while for me to have chance to test them. However, I’ve now tested from both the giving and receiving perspective, so I feel prepared to tell you all about them!

I’m reviewing these items together, even though you purchase them separately, because I received them – and tested them – as a pair. Do I think it’s a match made in sexy heaven? Read on to find out…

Temptasia: Affordable Delights

I’ve previously reviewed Temptasia’s jewelled butt plug, which you may recall I was really impressed with, and overall I’m a big fan of this product line from Blush Novelties. Everything is body-safe and great quality for the price.

Temptasia Harness Briefs

I LOVE these briefs! The material is a soft and stretchy black cotton/spandex blend, which makes them super comfortable against the skin. They also didn’t leave me over hot or unnecessarily sweaty.

They come equipped with a 1.5″ O-ring (slightly stretchy) which can accommodate most harness-compatible dildos or packers. There are also two strategically-placed inner pockets where you can put a vibrating bullet, ideal for giving some clitoral stimulation to the wearer.

Though I’m cis and pretty femme, I really enjoyed the masculine aesthetic of these boxer-style harness briefs. As they’re comfy enough for day to day wear, they’re ideal for trans-masculine folks who want to wear a packer as well as for play purposes. I enjoyed pairing them with my glitteriest, most ridiculously colourful femme dildo, because fucking with gendered norms is my jam.

They’re even machine washable! Just stick them on a gentle 30 degrees cycle and air-dry, and you’re good to go.

A note on sizing:

The product listing helpfully contains the waist circumference of each size of briefs. However, as they’re super stretchy, don’t worry if you’re between sizes or a bit over or under.

Mine are a size Medium. My play partner wears a UK 8 and she was able to wear these comfortably, though they were a touch big for her. I’m currently wearing a UK 16 and the Medium was, though wearable, a little on the small side. I’d be more comfortable in a size up. I’m actually seriously considering buying another pair in Large because I love them so much.

Broadly, I’d recommend a Small if you’re a size 6-10, Medium for 12-14, Large for 16-18, and XL for 18-20 (all UK sizes, I don’t know how that translates across the pond!) Sadly, XL is the largest size they go up to.

Jezebel Silicone Dildo

I was given the choice of three dildos with my Temptasia harness briefs, and I chose the Jezebel – in part for the beautiful red colour! It’s a gorgeous bright crimson, and the base is a heart shape. Cuteness galore!

The Jezebel is a 6.1″ long (5.3″ insertable) dildo with a diameter of 1.5″ and a gentle curve, making it ideal for g-spot stimulation. The flared suction-cup base makes it ideal for harness play, for sticking to surfaces for hands free fun, and even for anal play.

The Jezebel is made of 100% smooth, body-safe silicone. Clean with a sterile medical wipe or gentle soap and water, and stick it in a pan of boiling water or in the top rack of the dishwasher to completely sterilise. It’s latex and non-latex condom compatible, and will play best with water-based lube.

How do they play together?

Brilliantly! The positioning of the Jezebel dildo inside the Temptasia harness briefs was perfect for g-spot stimulation (as the receiver) and easy positioning and thrusting (as the giver). These items were clearly designed with use together in mind.

Do I recommend them?

Yes! This is the most comfortable and user-friendly strap on harness I’ve ever tried, and these items pair perfectly together. And at $29.99 for the briefs and $29.99 for the dildo, you really can’t go far wrong!

Thank you to Peepshow Toys for sending me these products to review. As ever, all views are my own. If you make a purchase through any of the affiliate links in this post, I make a small commission.