What is a collar?
Collars are ribbons that are worn around the neck as a piece of jewelry or for fixation or guidance purposes. They are best known for their use on dogs, cats and other animals. It is a band that can be made of a variety of materials that encloses the neck. It is also known from the BDSM area. However, the collar not only serves practical purposes, but also has great meaning. Typically, it indicates that a submissive person belongs to a dominant person. However, sometimes collars are also worn by dominant people as a sign of identification to express belonging to the scene.
The so-called chokers, tight-fitting necklaces that can be bought in many jewelry and fashion stores, are visually similar. On the one hand, this makes wearing collars socially acceptable in everyday life, but on the other hand, it also makes it more difficult to recognize scene followers at a glance. Alternatively, there are also so-called neck corsets.
What types of collars are there?
The range of collars is almost endless. Starting with the materials, from sturdy or vegan leather to metal to denim, silk or even wood. The design can be simple and plain, smooth, decorated with studs or lace, V-shaped or straight, gold or silver. There are no limits to your imagination and manufacturers are constantly coming up with something new.
Most collars have a so-called O-ring attached to the front, an eyelet for tying them on, for example with a leash. The already powerful symbolism of this ring was popularized by the film “The Story of the O.” But there are also collars without an O-ring or with the option of attaching or sliding it on. Most collars can be taken off, but there are also some that can be locked.
As already mentioned at the beginning, mainly subs and bottoms wear collars. A basic distinction is made between collars for sessions and decorative collars. The former are often made of sturdy material such as leather or stainless steel and equipped with eyelets or a lock to offer many options for strenuous sessions. For example in pet play, as a role-appropriate accessory for dogs and cats or in bondage to leash, tie or otherwise fix the bottom.
A decorative collar, on the other hand, is more simple and stylish made of softer materials or padding on the edges. Nevertheless, it can be observed that the metal versions are increasingly being worn as a collar in public.
What does the community think about collars?
If you ask the community itself what they think about collars, the answers are varied and exciting. From “a sign of deep connection” or “a symbol of devotion” or “the ultimate symbol of submission” or the “wedding ring” on the one hand to “only important when playing” or “a fashion accessory” as well as a ” “Identifying symbols for the scene” can be found in all sorts of personal interpretations.
What do I need to know about a BDSM collar?
Like almost everything in BDSM, how much or what exactly the collar means to the wearer and their partner is very individual. In this context, it is also important to talk about whether a collar means something to you personally and, if so, what, so as not to unknowingly hurt the other person’s feelings. Some people even refuse to wear collars as a soft or hard limit because they disagree with the meaning or because they cannot tolerate the tight feeling around their neck. As always, make sure things are consensual.
Since collars cover an extremely sensitive part of the body, a certain degree of caution should be exercised when using them. They must not be so narrow that the blood supply to the head or the supply of breathing air is cut off. If possible, they should not be used to restrain a standing person. If this collapses for any reason, strangulation, unconsciousness or brain damage can occur due to insufficient supply – and even death.
Where can I get the right BDSM collar?
Whether you buy your own collar or whether the awarding of the collar is a meaningful act between the people in question is up to each person. Beautiful rituals can often be tied to the handing over or putting on of a collar. In some D/s constellations, the collar always belongs to the person playing on top and remains in their possession in the event of a separation.
