Corsets, tool belts, men and women

Power tools are almost exclusively the preserve of men. They help feed the primeval instinct to be hunter, provider or creator that so often goes unsatisfied or appears to be dormant in modern society. They can re-empower even the most sedentary of office worker with the feeling of power they provide and the suggestion of brutish masculinity that accompanies the stereotypical manual labourer. Where men have tools to underscore their masculinity, women have sex appeal, clothes jewellery and lingerie. One particular type of garment has a special allure. While they are not actually lingerie, nor strictly undergarments, this strictly feminine clothing is undergoing a sort of renaissance and becoming increasingly popular amongst women today. Whether they are worn in the boudoir or out to a formal event, corsets get noticed.

Call up an image of a dominatrix, and undoubtedly she will be wearing something in flash black leather or PVC. Likewise, think back to your favourite Victorian period movie, and, more likely than not the heroine is depicted well supported in a tightly laced number. These strange garments strike a chord with both the men who admire them as well as the women who wear them. Whether they provide a feeling of nostalgia, help us remember a bygone era, or feed our fantasies, it is hard to deny that these things are just plain sexy. Be it hammer drills or satin lace up-numbers, we all have our preferences, but you would be hard pressed to find both men and women admiring a band saw.