Zentai - Body art in fabric

[Tatsuboshi]

You may find this strange, and you may not agree, but to me spandex is very comfortable for lounging around as well as for working out. I even find that I sleep better when totally encased in snug spandex. (zentai is a Japanese word meaning "complete body" and is the common term for such garments)

Anyway, I occasionally take photos of myself, on the chance that I might happen upon a particularly artistic shot. From my most recent batch, this one stands out:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/TBZentai/LounginginRed.jpg

Not entirely professional, I know, but I like the lighting on the suit... the way you can see my toes, the subtle features of the face... and the pose almost portays a sense of mystery fitting for zentai.

[Melody]

ur weird!

Where do you get the material? It looks comfy.

[jittus rye]

Woah, that's a bit intense for me.

[Tatsuboshi]

Thanks, Melody! It is really comfy. The slinky smooth feeling is quite unique.

There are a number of online shops that create these kinds of suits:

This one is from www.iitywykm.com , which I think is best for simple suits like this. They did a great job with the custom fitting, and I really like the seamwork.

I've also bought from these shops:

www.spandexwear.com
www.bodyweaver.com

[Strephonade]

It does look rather cuddly--I like stretchy material as well, although I am a bit nervous about wearing things that cover my ears. A scuba wetsuit hood is the only exception--I'm certified to 60ft (sport diver) so far. Lots to see at that depth. Might be interesting to get certified to 100ft though. I aspire someday to do more with underwater photography. ^_^ The lighting quality in your photo is lovely--the image has a feeling of relaxing energy, with the beautiful red color. I especially like the combination of white, red, and maple/beech with the wall behind--is it a grasscloth pattern/texture? Very purry.

[Vagabond]

I would be going claustrophobic with anything covering my face like that. In fact, I am almost going claustrophobic by looking at this picture as well. :blink:

[Avengardh]

I agree, the lighting is good. I like the warm colors in the picture, but to me it's missing something...perhaps some green, the human form itself gets lost a little bit due to the red on the curtain.

Of course, that is just looking at it from the "green and red are complementary colors"-stance, oh yes, and I wanted to ask, so the actualy material doesn't cut your circulation? I am having a bit of trouble imagining how someone can sleep more comfortable in that (I have low blood pressure so I get sleeping-limbs a lot).

I used to do gymnastics, and I can understand the material being comfy (and slippery) my brother loved the texture of it, I just thought it was soft.

~*Aven*~

[Tatsuboshi]

It does look rather cuddly--I like stretchy material as well, although I am a bit nervous about wearing things that cover my ears. A scuba wetsuit hood is the only exception--I'm certified to 60ft (sport diver) so far. Lots to see at that depth. Might be interesting to get certified to 100ft though. I aspire someday to do more with underwater photography. ^_^ The lighting quality in your photo is lovely--the image has a feeling of relaxing energy, with the beautiful red color. I especially like the combination of white, red, and maple/beech with the wall behind--is it a grasscloth pattern/texture? Very purry.

You're right... the overall palette of the photo gives that warm cozy feeling. I don't remember exactly what pattern it was on the walls... I took the photo in a hotel room.

Scuba must be lots of fun... lots of beautiful sights to see under the water (I've snorkled a little in nice vacation spots). I'm curious what those wetsuits feel like too. Not a lot of great opportunity for scuba in the MidWest, though.

I can see how claustrophobic people might not be too keen on zentai. The hood on this suit is a tight fit, but partly because of that I can see through the fabric. And breathing isn't a problem with any spandex suit. Speaking and hearing aren't either.

[Tatsuboshi]

I agree, the lighting is good. I like the warm colors in the picture, but to me it's missing something...perhaps some green, the human form itself gets lost a little bit due to the red on the curtain.

Of course, that is just looking at it from the "green and red are complementary colors"-stance, oh yes, and I wanted to ask, so the actualy material doesn't cut your circulation? I am having a bit of trouble imagining how someone can sleep more comfortable in that (I have low blood pressure so I get sleeping-limbs a lot).

I used to do gymnastics, and I can understand the material being comfy (and slippery) my brother loved the texture of it, I just thought it was soft.

~*Aven*~

Hmm... some green might be interesting, like a plant perhaps.

I don't have any problems with circulation. The only physical problem I have with this suit is the nose smooshing. If I sleep in it all night long, my nose hurts a bit from being pressed. But I'm still breaking it in, so that's getting a little better... and I have to admit I asked them to make it nice and tight. I have a cheap suit that's supposed to be "one size fits all", but it squashes my nose so bad that I can't sleep in it, and the seam on the toes presses on me too hard, which makes the ends of my toes sore after a few hours. I have a black custom fit suit that slides nicely over my whole body... not exactly tight, but snug. I think that if you get a custom fit suit and give good measurements, it'll fit you nice and snug but not too tight.

As for sleeping... it's hard to describe. It's probably a combination of the comfy feeling of being hugged all over and the soothing feeling of slinking around against the sheets (wish I had a girlfriend to do the hugging and slinking with, though =P). It's fun to wake up all covered in shiny spandex too, basking in the rays of the early sun.

[file cabinet]

do you walk around wearing it or only to bed?

[nobarcode]

I would be going claustrophobic with anything covering my face like that.............. :blink:
lol, once again.... ;)

Yeah, um. Are you able to see out of such a "conTRAPPED-tion?

[Tatsuboshi]

do you walk around wearing it or only to bed?

Yup, at times.

[Tatsuboshi]

I would be going claustrophobic with anything covering my face like that.............. :blink:
lol, once again.... ;)

Yeah, um. Are you able to see out of such a "conTRAPPED-tion?

It depends on the fabric. This red fabric is thin enough that I can see well enough to get around. I can't read anything unless the font is huge, though. My favorite suit for lounging covers everything except my hands and head, so I can cook, eat, and read.

[file cabinet]

after reading more about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zentai
what got you started with zentai?

[Tatsuboshi]

after reading more about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zentai
what got you started with zentai?

I started off as just curiosity about what things like tights felt like, so I tried that. Finding that I liked the sensation I eventually got a catsuit and found that to be comfortable too. So then finally I discovered zentai and had to give it a try.

[Tatsuboshi]

This was fun...

http://www.milwaukeewood.com/flamesrising/gencon04/pictures/monica49.jpg

I dressed up as PepsiMan (http://www.pepsinut.com/pepsiman.htm) for GenCon (http://www.gencon.com). :D

[Jkrs]

Neat. For some reason I'm reminded of the Blue Man Group, though I've only heard of them in passing and seen the occasional commercial.

[Tatsuboshi]

Oh yeah... they use body paint, but the effect gives that same alien aesthetic. It's a great show. I find their quirky humor quite amusing. And the music is super cool... I bought the CD.

[Tatsuboshi]

I recently purchased a camo suit. Perfect for when you need to infiltrate your enemy's forest enshrouded fortresses....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/TBZentai/Ninjacamo0.jpg

Or if you're just out for a jog in the park. =P I don't wear the hood up for that though, it'd be a bit dangerous.

(lighting isn't very good on this... I should take a better photo)

[file cabinet]

is that you in that picture?? and for the first picture.. I think the part that really makes it is the red curtains.

[Tatsuboshi]

Yup, I'm the one suited up in all these pictures. Wish I had a lovely female assistant to either pose or run the camera for me, though. =P

Good point about the curtains.

[cloakable]

Whoa, how much are they?
It would be quite fun to get one in black.
I like black.

[Tatsuboshi]

The best place I've found for simple suits (like basic black zentai) is here: www.iitywykm.com Custom fitting is well worth it.

Black is comfy to sleep in... the morning sun makes you nice and warm, but the glare of it doesn't bother your eyes. Very nice for catnapping on a lazy weekend afternoon as well. :)

[jingyan]

I don't think it is strange.Everyone has his taste.I feel zentai from hihotbuy.com is ok.where can I buy it from?