How Do Modesty Garments Stay On During Sex Scenes?

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about what happens when an actor gets aroused during a sex scene.

But we have another, more fundamental question: how do the medesty garments, or the little devices actors use to ensure thay’re not actually fully nude in naked scenes, stay on?

After all, many of the pieces look really flimsy – and it’s not like they’ve got straps or waistbands to hold them in place.

Luckily, intimacy co-ordinator Dr Jessica Steinrock shared an informative video on her TikTok page – and she’s not the only expert with helpful insights.

Well, it (obviously) depends on your anatomy and what you’re wearing. In her video, Dr Steinrock used three examples: the “classic modesty pouch” (also known as a cock sock), a strapless thong, and a combination padded pouch.

The modern modesty pouch is a newer model of a very old garment, she explained – it looks like a little drawstring bag.

“Shaft and testicles go into the pouch, and then there’s a drawstring to kind of tighten everything up – not too tight!” she shared. Some newer versions also have a small rectangle at the top onto which tape can be attached for added security.

“We wouldn’t use just these for a scene of stimulated sex,” though, she continued, as it’s a bit flimsy.

For more security, a strapless thong – a kind of tapering triangle with a kind of whale tail shape at the end – can be used.

“This gets worn where a regular thong would get worn, except there’s obviously no straps, and so there’s adhesvie on the tail [at the back] and on the front to keep everything nice and secure,” Dr Steinrock continued.

The tail can also be hidden “twixt the cheeks,” and there’s extra room in the front for padding or a barrier top. This makes it suitable for a sex scene.

Lastly, she ran us through the combination padded pouch, which uses the same drawstring and tape combo as the regular modesty pouch but also contains an area for a barrier insert.

She said, “In particular, something like this is really great for stimulated sex from behind, where we might want to see an actor’s full rear buttocks, but we still want some protection up front”.

These options are especially useful for people with penises. For those with breasts, the adhesive nipple covers or strapless bras you might wear with a sleeveless or backless dress will do, acting magazine Backstage explained.

Meanwhile, the strapless thongs Dr Steinrock mentioned earlier can work for those with vaginas too – these are called “shibues”, while those designed for penises are nicknamed “hibues”.

In less exposed scenes, briefs and shorts can be used instead.

Intimacy coordinator Alicia Rodis shared with Backstage that during sex scenes, “We take a shibue, open it up, and put a silicone guard underneath so everyone becomes like a Barbie doll.”

No matter what you’re wearing, though, the expert stressed that tape and body-safe adhesive are key.

“Whether they’re adding an extra layer of protection or ensuring the pieces stay in place, sticker, liquid, and tape adhesives are vital. They will be part of any costume department and/or intimacy coordinator’s go-bag (alongside wet wipes and baby oil),” the publication reads.