My first experience with bondage was leather, leather hoods to be exact. My first few hoods were not the best quality, but they looked the part. A big brass zip up the back, and lacing to ensure absolute tightness. Some had eye holes with optional blindfold. Some had mouth holes with optional flaps to close up the mouth, or leave open for access.
The Straps & Buckles On Those Hoods!
All the hoods had straps and buckles. Not just enough straps and buckles to do the job, but LOTS of straps and buckles which can be a bit overwhelming for a new Domme. Which strap belongs in which buckle...re-doing the wrong combinations...without breaking a nail and then dreading the lacing in case it all ends up in a knot. As a new Domme all those years ago, I was so conscious of time. The longer I took to figure out the straps and buckles and laces, the shorter the time the sub had in the actual bondage. I started to pride myself on the speed and dexterity on how quickly I could buckle, buckle buckle, and laaaaaaace up!
Some Great Advice
It was during one of my super-fast strap identifying, quick buckling, nimble lacing times that my sub quietly gave me some great advice. Up to this point I realised that I didn't quite get the point of bondage. In fact, I think I would be more honest if I admitted that I really didn't get it at all.
"Take your time with it. Slow down. I enjoy the sound of each buckle being done up. I like each strap being tightened up, one hole at a time".
I froze. "Really? You don't mind that I would need to slow down and you would be sending less time in the actual bondage?"
"No. It's part of the experience".
The Epiphany
I suddenly got it. It suddenly all made sense. It also taught me a valuable lession. Don't assume you know. Ask. Find out. Understand.
From that point on, for the rest of my sessions i slowed right down. I started to enjoy those straps. I would take my time identifying the bucle for each strap. I would talk about how each buckle would tighten the hood. I would place, and replace the strap so that the head inside could feel it laying across his head, or around his neck, or under his jaw. I would buckle firmly, but not tightly. Over the course of the sesson I would tighten each strap. I would lace up the back of the hood. Then I would tighten the lacing, testing the tightness, slowly savouring the tension in the hood as it tightened. The tighter the bondage, the more the sub would relax.
Leather Body Bags
I eventually got my first leather body bag. Similar to a hood, there is a heavy duty brass zip the length of the bag. Several thick, sturdy straps. Several huge and strong buckles. Thick lacing from feet to neck. Velcro on the flaps that allowed easy access to certain parts of the body. As with the hoods, they took time. Care needed to be given to ensure comfort. Pain giving should only ever be intentional, so comfort before play starts is important. I also wanted my body bag to be kept in extremely good condition.
Slowly zip up the body.
Pull the bottom strap across the body, and slowly buckle up. Firmly but not tightly.
Repeat with each strap and buckle working up the body to the neck.
Gather up the lacing and pull firmly.
Then go back to the bottom strap and buckle, and tighten by another hole.
Repeat up the body.
Pull the lacing tighter.
Comment regularly on how tight the bondage is.
Give hints on what is coming next.
When the senses are reduced by hoods with blindfolds, and lack of voluntary movement, the hearing becomes acute. The soothing words of Mistress talking about their predicament and what wil be done to them now they are helpless, is comforting, thrilling, and terrifying to a prostrate sub. Touch becomes acute as they feel every incremental desent into inescapable bondage.
Bondage is never a quick session. It's best enjoyed in a long, slow, deliberate power exchange that carefully and slowly tips into Mistress's favour.