Straitjacket

Rubber skinhead in a straitjacket and gas mask

Karina Santos in a straitjacket

A straitjacket is a garment shaped like a jacket with overlong sleeves which can be tied to the back of the wearer, so that the arms are kept close to the chest, usually in a crossed over position, restraining the wearer's movement.

Although straitjacket is the most common form, strait-jacket is also frequently used. The spellings straightjacket and straight-jacket are erroneous, when in fact, "strait" means "tight" or "narrow". The old word “strait” has survived mainly in geography referring to a narrow body of water and in a few specific uses such as "strait-laced" (literally laced up tightly, presumabnly in a corset, but usually meaning narrow-minded).

Traditionally it is a tough fabric garment designed to prevent violent patients and prisoners from causing harm to themselves and other people. Straitjackets can be anything from a simple smock with closed sleeve ends and tie tapes, to deliberately intimidating constructions of sail-cloth, leather straps and metal hardware. Usually, straitjackets have a crotch strap to stop the wearer lifting the jacket over their head, which would make escaping from it easier.

The existence of such equipment has led to it being used as punishment as well as a last resort. In places where such an item would find very little actual use, to have some form of restrainer hanging around serves as a useful threat, to keep would-be trouble-makers in line. Inevitably, staitjackets have been used as the ultimate feitsh bondage accessory. Many models and types are available in rubber and leather.

Seeing someone restrained by, strapping someone into, or being strapped into a straitjacket may result in sexual arousal. Whether as a challenge or punishment, here is a situation in which energy and aggression can be worked off harmlessly. Although straitjackets are now seldom used in bondage scenes, it is still recognised by aficionados that the hugging tightness of a well-applied straitjacket is unbeatable in preventing all attempts by the wearers to free themselves.

Latex straitjackets should be made of rather thicker material than ordinary clothing, to make them more escape-proof. Typical values are 0.002"-0.03" or 0.5-0.8mm; thicker ones should be better.

The picture below shows a rubber straitjacket by d.vote from different angles.

See also

• Straitjacket catsuit
• Straitjacket hoodie
• Hogsack