The first time I ordered latex I got several things wrong. Not catastrophically wrong — the piece arrived, it was wearable, I wore it. But I made decisions based on assumptions that turned out not to apply to this material, and the result was a piece that was fine rather than right.
These are the things I'd tell someone ordering for the first time.
The size guide is not the same as your clothing size
This is the one that catches most people. You wear a size 12. The size guide says size 12. You order a size 12. The piece arrives and it's slightly off in three different ways, none of which are dramatic, all of which are visible in latex.
Standard sizing in latex is built around averaged proportions. If your proportions match the average closely, it works. If they don't — longer torso, narrower shoulders, fuller thighs — the piece will show it. Measure yourself against the size guide carefully, and if you're between sizes or your proportions diverge in any way, contact the maker before ordering. Most makers would rather answer a question than remake a piece.
If bespoke is an option, take it. The difference between a piece made for your measurements and a piece made for averaged measurements is immediately visible in latex in a way it isn't in fabric.
Colour looks different on the body than it does on a screen
Latex is reflective. The colour you see in a product image is the colour under specific lighting conditions, photographed at a specific angle. On your body, in your lighting, it will look different. Not wrong — different. Reds read warmer or cooler depending on the light source. Blacks vary from deep matte to high gloss depending on how much polish is applied. Metallics shift dramatically between natural and artificial light.
If colour accuracy matters to you, ask for a swatch before ordering. Most makers can provide one. It's a small thing that removes a significant variable.
You will need dressing aid
Latex doesn't go on like fabric. It needs lubrication to slide over the skin without dragging or risking a tear at the entry points. Silicone-based dressing aid is the standard — applied to the skin, not the latex, before dressing. Some people use talc on the inside of the piece instead, which also works.
Don't use oil-based products. Oil degrades latex. This includes most body lotions, massage oils, and anything with a petroleum base. Check the ingredients before anything goes near the material.
The first time you dress in latex will take longer than you expect. The second time will be faster. By the fifth time it's routine.
Care is not complicated but it is specific
Rinse after wearing, in cool water. Dry completely before storing — completely, not mostly. Apply silicone polish before putting it away. Store away from direct light and away from anything copper or bronze, which causes a chemical reaction that permanently stains latex.
That's most of it. The care routine takes about ten minutes and extends the life of a piece significantly. Skip it consistently and the material degrades faster than it should.
The lead time is real
A bespoke latex piece takes time. Four to eight weeks is typical for a quality maker, sometimes longer during busy periods. This is not a material you order the week before you need it. If there's an event or occasion you're ordering for, work backwards from the date and add a buffer.
Rush orders are sometimes possible but they cost more and they put pressure on the maker that can affect the result. Order early.
It's worth asking questions before you order
A good maker expects questions from first-time buyers. What gauge is the material? How are the seams bonded? What's the returns policy if the fit is wrong? How do I measure for the size guide? These are reasonable things to ask and the answers tell you something about the maker as well as the piece.
If a maker is difficult to reach before you've spent any money, that's useful information.
The first piece is the one you learn from. The second one is usually better, because you know more. But getting the first one right — or as close to right as possible — starts with knowing what questions to ask before you order.
Mayfair Latex — Made in Britain, fully bespoke.