What to wear to a rope class

Wear something comfortable and close-fitting that lets you move freely: gym, yoga or dance clothes are what most studios suggest. Leave out anything hard that rope could press into, such as belts, jewelry and underwire bras, and avoid stiff fabrics like jeans. Beyond that, house rules differ, so check the studio’s page before you go.

This page gathers what studios and rope educators publish about clothing. What happens at a first shibari class covers the rest of the first visit, from group size to borrowed rope.

The common advice: clothes you can move in

Almost every studio says the same thing in different words. Studio Kink in Sydney compares the right outfit to gym or yoga wear. The Toronto Kinbaku Salon notes that many people being tied wear athletic or yoga clothing, bodysuits or underwear. BightBound in Austin says many people choose close-fitting yoga or workout clothes that do not restrict movement. Karada House in Berlin and House of Play in Copenhagen both simply ask for comfortable clothes that are easy to move in, and Bound Studio in Lancaster, Pennsylvania asks for comfortable clothing suited to moving and being tied. Shibari Lounge in Essex lists gym wear, bodysuits, shorts, soft layers and even pyjamas as common choices.

The reason is practical. The Voudou Ropes guide below notes that exercise clothing is a popular choice because it stretches and copes with unusual positions. Studio TIEY in Antwerp asks people to think about both movement and temperature when choosing what to tie in or be tied in, and suggests fitted, yoga-style clothing for the person being tied.

Fabrics that work, and fabrics that don’t

In a guide for the Voudou Ropes blog, Anastasia recommends soft, stretchy fabrics with a bit of grip, such as cotton, spandex blends, fishnet and athletic wear, because they move with you, help rope stay in place and reduce friction. She advises against two opposite problems:

• Stiff fabrics. Thick denim and stiff leather restrict movement and make it hard for rope to sit snugly. Shibari Lounge and Studio TIEY also name jeans as something to avoid.
• Slippery fabrics. Silky leggings or satin let rope slide instead of staying where it was placed.

She also suggests that covered outfits hug the body closely enough that rope does not slip or bunch over loose cloth.

Nothing hard under the rope

This is the one point where advice turns into a firm rule. Karada House asks people to avoid belts, underwire bras and large jewelry. Studio TIEY lists jeans, underwire bras and jewelry as things to avoid. The Toronto Kinbaku Salon advises against underwire bras for suspension. The Voudou Ropes guide explains why: underwires, zippers, buckles or jewelry trapped under rope can dig in, bruise or pinch. It suggests a soft-cup or wireless sports bra, or none, when chest harnesses are likely, and emptying your pockets, since keys or a phone under rope can hurt you or break.

Where rope sits on the body matters for safety in other ways too; rope and the body describes the areas educators treat with care.

Hair, makeup and feet

The Voudou Ropes guide suggests tying back long hair, or keeping a hair tie nearby, so it does not catch in the rope; a simple ponytail or bun works for practice. Makeup is a personal choice, but intense sessions can smear it or make you sweat, so the guide mentions waterproof products or going without. Rope is usually done barefoot, it notes, because shoes get in the way of ankle ties and can be slippery. Studio TIEY says to practice barefoot or in socks.

How much skin is fine?

This depends entirely on the room. Some studios are relaxed: the Toronto Kinbaku Salon says going topless is acceptable but that genitals must be covered, and the Voudou Ropes guide notes that many people enjoy rope on bare skin. Others draw a firmer line: Shibari Lounge does not permit full nudity. BightBound distinguishes between classes, where many people wear workout clothes, and its labs, jams and parties, where people wear anything from pyjamas to formal wear. For social events it suggests arriving in everyday clothes and changing once inside. For a class, every studio quoted on this page asks for comfortable clothes you can move in, and most of them name gym, yoga or workout wear as an example.

What to bring besides clothes

• Something warm. LB Shibari Dojo in Long Beach recommends a blanket to keep warm after tying, and the Voudou Ropes guide suggests a robe or blanket for warming up during aftercare.
• Rope, only if asked. Many studios lend rope to beginners; Studio Kink, Karada House and Shibari Lounge all have rope to borrow. If you bring your own, Studio Kink notes that 7–8 meter lengths of natural fiber, ideally jute, suit its classes. See buying rope and rope materials.
• Yourself, rested. Bound Studio asks people to arrive hydrated and rested, and to tell instructors about any physical limitations before class.

Before you go

Dress codes are part of a studio’s house rules. Read the FAQ or code of conduct of the studio you plan to visit, and ask if anything is unclear. To find one, browse beginner classes or the events calendar, and for the bigger picture of how people start, see ways into shibari.