Retail therapy

Going shopping with my girlfriend on a Saturday afternoon is not generally something that I look forward to. However, as it was the beginning of fall, the winter clothing collections were already being put in display. You see, I have a thing with thick long down coats, which this time of the year were appearing in stores. At least I could look at the displays as my girlfriend tries on top after top, asking for my opinion for each one, yet ignoring it every single time.
I was really surprised when upon entering the department store, Erin stopped in front of the coats section. She passed the more formal wool clothes, the fake fur coats, and ski jackets, going directly to display of long down coats.
I was ecstatic when I saw she was perusing the thicker long down coats. The type of coat that she would always, much to my chagrin,  refuse to get for herself, even for the most frigid days. They were not cute enough according to her.
One of the sales attendants approached us: "Erin, how are you? Great to see you. How can I help you today?" So Erin was such a regular that the sales attendant knew her on a first name basis... Not something that I would like to know about the girl I was soon  to propose.
"Hi Jackie, I'm looking for a long down coat. Something really warm for those cold windy days."
"Humm... Let me see."
I tried not to seem too eager as Jackie was shifting through the different coats.
"We have this maxi down puffy coat. It has a very elegant long length. It comes down just below your knees. Wear it with knee high boots and you'll be super cozy. It's very heavy weight, I would say it's the warmest coat we have in stock." It was truly something, long and thick, with a big hood. I tried to remain calm, but was already imagining Erin wearing such a nice thick coat.
"Humm, it does look nice and warm."
"Yes, the stretchy belt will show your silhouette. And the faux fur trim on the hood and the cuffs give it a very cozy feminine feeling." Jackie replied. The coat was definitely feminine. All of the hardware was gold toned, the zippers, the snaps, and also the metallic badge with the designers logo, sewn onto the upper sleeve. It also had epaulettes on the shoulders, giving it an air of military elegance.
"So what size do you need? Medium?"
"I think he's a large." What?
"Sure thing, I'll be right back."
I tried to mumble something, but didn't even know what to say.
"Don't give those eyes. I know what you like. I've seen you stare at the displays. I've seen you stare at women wearing coats like this. Plus you're always complaining how your legs get cold when waiting for the train or bus, and there are no long coats for men. I know you're too shy to get one yourself, but today I'm going to help you pick your long thick down coat."
Jacket arrived carrying the large brown feather and down garment. She opened the coat, and started sliding my arm into one of the sleeves. I immediately pulled away, mostly an involuntary reaction out of embarrassment.
Erin grabbed my arm and whispered into my ear.
"If you resist, you're going home alone. Understand?" Erin asked, with a dominant tone I had never heard in her voice. I nodded. Without releasing my arm, Erin proceeded to slip my other arm into the sleeve of the coat. Jackie took the zipper and closed it all the way up. The stand up collar was snug and cozy, reaching all the way to my chin. She fished closing the snaps on the placard covering the zipper, and buckling the belt. I was frozen. I could feel my face getting red. I wanted to run my hands over the thick quilting of the coat, but I restrained myself. The coat was form fitting, but my frame was slight enough that it wasn't too tight. Between my embarrassment and the heavy weight of the coat, I could tell it was extremely warm. Wearing a coat like this for the first time was quite an experience.
Erin asked me to turn around so that she could see how it fitted me.
"Just was I was looking for. But I'm sure you want to see for yourself." She grabbed my arm and dragged me in front of one of the mirrors. I kept my head down, trying to avoid eye contact with anybody saying.
"So what do you think?"
I looked in the mirror, but couldn't get my self to say anything. The coat was gorgeous, but the image looked bizarre to me.
"Come on, I'm pretty sure this is what you wanted. You can be more expressive. Now go ahead, run your hand and feel the material, feel how cozy and warm it is."
I tried to remain still, but the temptation soon became too much. It was warm and plush. A fantastic feeling, but still a mix of humiliation and excitement. I dared not look around, fearing people would be looking at me.
Erin came behind my back and put up my hood.
"Much better," she says. The hood was nice and thick, with the faux fur trim limiting my vision. I tried to move, feeling the weight of the huge coat, feeling the snugness of the down material against my arms. Feeling my legs trapped by the length of the coat.
Then Erin snapped her fingers in front of my face, and I came out of it.
"I guess that means a yes! I know you're enjoying the coat, but you'll have plenty of chances to wear it soon enough. Plus it's not cheap, so you better make good use of it. Let's go to the cashier." I took of the coat, which is not as simple given how long it was. I looked around and saw that nobody was staring, at least not currently. I wrapped the coat around my arm and headed to the checkout line. Walking out with coat neatly folded in a large shopping bag, I wondered if people knew what I had just bought. But more importantly, I wondered when Erin would have me wear it. I was sure this was only the beginning. But the beginning of what? But one thing was certain, I knew what Erin was getting for Christmas. After all, what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

A quick detour, and what this blog is about

What motivates me to write? I decided to start writing to keep a record of the things that interest me. Those things have changed through the ages, but the same themes keep recurring over and over.  Of course I also appreciate the opportunity of getting feedback regarding what I write.
So what interests me in general? For the most part I am attracted to confining clothing. Fashion that goes too far and restricts the wearer. Heavy coats that are cozy, but too tight, too heavy, or too voluminous. High heel boots that dictate the stance and stride of the wearer. Corsets, bustles, crinolines, heavy and cumbersome hats. A lot of these themes are particular to wintertime clothing, which tends to be more restrictive and onerous. But at the end, it's about the blurred line between fashion and bondage. And of course what motivates people into these kinds of fashion (willingly or unwillingly).
I'll keep posting as the inspiration surfaces, and hopefully some of you will enjoy some of my writings. I'll also try to find some more ways to advertise my stories and hopefully reach more people.

Deep freeze (part 7)

After an uncomfortable ride home in the tight and unforgiving straitsuit, I started to not fight the suit. There was nothing to gain, and I could do little more than squirm inside my tight bonds . Ela took me to my room, I was resigned to whatever fate may come my way. I imagined she would further tighten my already crushing sleeves. I even felt her grabbing the locked buckle that ensured my bondage, she was testing its tension. I just stood there, as still as possible. Suddenly I felt her lightly hugging me from behind.
"If you promise to behave, I'll let you change into your regular suit. I know you've been trough a lot. I still feel that your heavier suits do help to calm you down when you become agitated, but I really want you to feel as comfortable as possible. Tomorrow is the funeral, and if you promise to be good you won't be forced to wear the straitsuit." I nodded.
Getting released from the straitsuit was a great relief, but I knew that making the wrong move would soon get me locked in again.
"You can go to sleep wearing your inner suit. It will get cold tonight."
Funeral came and went like a whirlwind, for the most part I did not recognize the people that came to show their condolences, but it was nice to see my friends there. I assume most were dad's coworkers. 
Ela had me wear a new black winter outer suit that I didn't even know had been ordered for me. Despite its bulk, I was glad I was not locked in the straitsuit. I looked bad enough crying my eyes out. However, once we returned home, after the all of the fuzz had passed, it felt really quiet at home. I felt alone. I sat alone in my room. I called Jane, but really neither one of us had a lot to say. It was a short call. I called Leigh, and she was much more sympathetic, but couldn't bring up my spirits. Little by little I fell asleep. I had a restless asleep, waking up disoriented and crying. I started to panic. In no time at all Mary and Ela had me locked up in my straitsuit. Mary returned with my black cape, and started to put it around me, but Ela stopped her.
"She's had enough for one day. The straitsuit, as it is, should help her calm down."
I continued to cry, until I fell asleep again. When I woke up, and Ela was sitting in chair near my bed. I was dark, so I couldn't see well, but I imagined she was asleep. I was sweating, but otherwise not too uncomfortable. I shifted my weight around, as much as my down prison would permit, and quickly fell asleep again.
The next morning, Ela helped me out of my straitsuit, and into a regular suit. It was nice to be able to regain the use of my arms. I was served a light breakfast, and I realized I hadn't eaten since yesterday's breakfast before the funeral.
"My dear, I was so sorry we had to use the straitsuit last night, but we were afraid you would harm yourself. I'm here by your side, if you need to talk."
I wanted to talk, but didn't know what to say. I want to scream, but didn't have the strength. I wanted to kick off the cumbersome suit that was confining me, but I knew I would just end up in some thing worse. Without a word I went back to my room.  There lying in my room I caught a glance of a small booklet inside one of the massive garment bags that held my suits.

Ms. Brightwood's professional advice to guardians of young ladies regarding the proper application of the helpless suit regime.
The suit is designed to protect the trainee, whether a young girl or a proper lady. This protection is on a physical level, due to the materials that will shield the trainee from the harsh elements. However, the suit also has a powerful and vital mental element, which helps protect the trainee from unladylike behaviors, instilling a sense of modesty and submission  and preventing undue physical activity. In order to ensure proper protection, the suit must be applied appropriately, all day, every day.
The prospect of wearing a strict helpless suit year in and year out will seem daunting to most girls, no matter how well the benefits of the regime have been advocated. Therefore consistency is of outmost importance. Ideally the girl will be kept in a suit constantly , day and night, day in and day out. Undoubtedly, the young lady will find this restricting and irksome, and will try to rebel. Constant wear will allow the wearer to get used to the suit and in no time will be become resigned and stop rebelling. In order to allow proper constant wear, it's important ensure that the girl has the appropriate wardrobe of suits for the different situations she will encounter. As a minimum, this wardrobe must contain:
Two regular day suits, to be worn regularly during the temperate months of the year.
Two under suits. To be worn during winter under a winner over suit. During the cold nights of winter the under suits can be used during sleep.
One winter over suit, to be worn during colder days.
Two sleep suits, to be worn during sleep during the temperate months.
One correction suit, even for ladies exhibiting willingness to submit to the regime imposed on them.
One formal suit, for special occasions.
Additional suits are appropriate depending on the social commitments of the lady. All suits must be fabricated according to the regulations of the Ministry of Modesty. Trainees and their guardians risk penalties if a trainee is found by the Modesty Police without a Ministry approved suit. Similar penalties exist for cases in which the suit is not properly applied. Proper discipline is, therefore, a matter of law.
Guardians must ensure that the suit is properly applied at all time.  All zippers in modern suits are designed to automatically lock once they reach their fully engaged position, providing great convenience in enforcing the regime. Once locked, only the key holder can grant respite to the lady contained in the suit.
It must be insisted the hoods be worn whenever outside. Indoor hood wearing is left to the discretion of the guardians, as the added nuisance might encourage submissiveness, and prove to be beneficial in the discipline regime. The added heat and more limited sight will certainly help prevent any physical activity inappropriate for a lady.
Now let's examine the reactions of the young lady once first placed in a helpless suit. Once the suit has been properly applied, the trainee will be limited by the design and cut of the suit. All regulation helpless suits are cut close to the body, so that the lady can't move independently of her garment. The sleeves of the suit are cut so that arms can't be lifted above the shoulders. Therefore ladies need the help of their guardians of servants to reach high places. All suits have integrated gloves (or mittens in more severe cases). These gloves cannot be removed, and reduce the fine motor skills of the wearer, preventing activities unbecoming of the lady. Also, the skirt of all the suits is snug enough around the legs to prevent unladylike long steps. Some suits might provide a walking slit that can be unzipped (with the proper key) to ease the restriction. 
The suit has not only a physical effect on the trainee, but also a psychological one. Therefore there will be reaction to these effects. She will resent her loss of freedom. The fact that the garment she is wearing is out of her control will cause resentment in all but the submissive girls. The loss of control and having to rely on others for even basic activities will have an unsettling effect on the trainee. The fact that here she can't remove her garments on her own whim, will intensify some of her negative feelings. Her boots will seem tighter, her heels more  pronounced, her arms more encumbered, and her apron more binding. She will sometimes feel the suit to be unbearable, despite fitting perfectly to her measurements. Even the most disciplined trainee will hold some level of resentment to the restrictions imposed by the suit.
Ladies subjected to a suit wearing regime might at times become restless in their suits and the accompanying restrictions of dressing like a lady, and plead, sometimes in cunning ways, for some respite from the suit. Guardians must refuse any such requests, and remember that the best way quell this restlessness is to adhere to the daily routine already established. The suit itself will soon instill a sense a submission, after which the lady will accept her fate, and any rebellious outbursts will cease. Soon after, the lady will become dependent on her suit, and feel incomplete without a well fitting suit. At that point the lady will eagerly request to be locked onto her suit, willing to submit to the inhering restrictions, in order to feel properly attired. The suit will become an irksome and restrictive necessity. Even after the urge to gain a little release by undoing a snap or lowering a zipper has subsided, it is imperative to still maintain the regime of locking all zippers and other fasteners.
In practical terms, the suit should always be completely closed, using the provided zippers.
While suits daily suits are designed to be as to not cause undue discomfort while  accomplishing the desired effects, the same cannot be said about correction garments. Correction garments are created with the purpose of preventing unladylike behavior. This can be achieved can be achieved in two main ways:
By actually imposing the garment when an offense has occurred, therefore deterring future occurrences.
By instilling the fear of a possible punishment, therefore preventing offenses.
It's vital to keep a clean separation between daily wear and correction garments. The correction garment should never be imposed without a clear violation, and as such any transgressions should be duly followed by the corresponding correction. The proper and strict application of correction garments, with all the burden it imposes on wearer, will be enough to subdue even the most headstrong trainee. The initial fear of having a correction garment fitted will undoubtedly lead to fits of hysteria and crying. The lady under correction will plead to correct any undue behavior in order to secure quicker release. This must be avoided in all circumstances. All corrections, regardless of how harsh, must be carried out to terms. Guardians must remember that while the lady in the correction suit might not be entirely comfortable, she is not in any sort of agonizing pain.  
For more information see the brochure "Ms Brightwood's complete line of corrective apparel for young ladies".

This regime is a privilege, afforded to only a select number of girls, and the subject must be taught to appreciate and embrace this practice. It must be emphasized that the slight discomfort endured while wearing a suit better prepares the lady for her duties in society, and will get her in short notice the proper respect for the authorities in her life. The final result will be a charming, disciplined, compliant, and demure lady that will be a credit to her guardian.