Fashion or Feel: Understanding Latex Gauges
- debauchlatex
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
When embarking on the journey of designing or purchasing latex clothing, one of the most important factors is deciding on the gauge or thickness of the latex. Different gauges of latex offer varying experiences and knowing your preferences will guide your decision making process. While some people are drawn to the sensation of latex as a second skin often prefer thinner gauges around 0.33mm, others are obsessed with latex for it’s restrictive qualities gravitating toward thicker latex - typically 0.5mm and above. You’ll find me somewhere in the middle! I enjoy the feeling of latex while being able to use different thicknesses to create a defined silhouette.
Latex sheeting typically comes in thicknesses from 0.25mm up to 1.05mm. For the latex makers, it’s important to assess your level of experience when choosing the gauge. If you’re new to the craft, gear up. If you’ve already dabbled in latex creation or make latex clothing on the regular, you’ve likely encountered the common issue of the latex edges curling when solvent and glue are applied. As a general rule, the thicker the latex, the less it tends to curl. While I wouldn’t recommend diving straight into making an entire wardrobe with 0.60mm to 0.8mm gauge latex (unless it’s your thing - then go wild!), it’s a great place to start. It's also important to note that the thicker the latex, the less it stretches.
As you gain more experience with latex making, you may choose to experiment with thinner gauges. Most people are happy to stay in the 0.40mm to 0.50mm gauge range as these thicknesses are quite durable and reasonably priced. You can learn techniques such as ‘doubling the latex,’ where two layers are glued on top of each other to create a thicker piece. While this method is limited by the width of your roller, it is a valuable skill to learn.
For those who have been wearing latex garments for some time, you may have noticed the inner elbows or forearms can become sore while wearing tight, long sleeves. When you get undressed, you also might notice visible friction marks. This is a common result of the latex in this area being too tight. When working with thicker gauges in particular, using the correct measurements for areas like the elbows and wrists becomes essential to prevent discomfort and visible marks. While areas like the knees and ankles can tolerate more stress if your latex is a bit too tight, ideally you want to try and get these measurements right. Always remember to account for the seam in your measurements!
The latex gauges commonly used in the industry:
0.25 Hoods, Stockings
0.33 Hoods, Stockings
0.40 Dresses, Hoods, Skirts, Tight Tops, Leggings
0.50 Dresses, Hoods, Skirts, Tight Tops, Leggings
0.60 Skirts, Loose Tops, Loose Pants
0.70 Loose Tops, Loose Pants
0.80 Jeans, Loose Tops, Loose Pants, Jackets
1.05 Belts, Harnesses, Jackets
*Measurement are in millimeters (mm)
Don’t be limited by the table above as you can make any item from any gauge of latex, it sometimes just takes a bit of skill and creativity.
While it would be ideal to have all gauges of latex on hand, it’s not always realistic given the cost of latex sheeting and the fact that latex degrades over time. For most of us practicality also needs to come into play. Thinner latex, while versatile, can be more time consuming to work with and is more prone to tearing especially if it comes into contact with sharp objects. Thicker latex is a dream to work with but it comes at a higher cost and can be quite heavy, particularly when making larger items with meters of latex or if trying to pack carry-on only for a weekend away.
We've recently started selling latex sheeting and will be increasing our range in colour and gauge shortly.