You would think the only thing that would come between you and a hot guy at the baths, would be the towels both of you are wearing. But quite often you will see guys wearing more than just their towel to try to get extra attention. This is what is known as accessorizing. The importance of accessorizing is the impression you want to make to the other guys you encounter at the tubs. It is to either send a certain signal to other guys or to try and stand out amongst the crowd. But at the other end of the spectrum, you could be accessorizing for your own comfort level. Whatever the reason, if you go to the baths with any regularity, it is always good to come prepared with a few items. Here are the most common items men come with.

Leather
Some men like to accessorize their towel look by adding leather to their appearance. Over the years, I have seen all types of men in leather at the baths. But overwhelmingly, the majority of men wearing leather at the baths are BEARS. By wearing leather, a strong signal is sent to other guys who may be interested in S&M or any other type of domination in bed. The signal being that you like that stuff too. The wearing of leather at the baths varies between men. Some just wear a leather vest with their towel. Others have leather straps over their chest and arms. While a few just wear the leather hat. However, there are men that will wear a leather strap over just one arm. That is to send a signal to other men about their preference. A strap on the left arm means top/dominate. A strap on the right arm means bottom/submissive. Straps on both arms means they can be versatile.

However a few guys disregard the towel completely and wear a full fetish leather outfit, complete with the leather pants, hat and boots. One thing I do notice is the amount of leather cock-rings worn, particularly by men over the age of sixty. By wearing a cock-ring, it supposedly keeps a man erection up for a long time, even after ejaculation.
Every time I visit the baths I see so many senior gay men wearing them. And I thought that Viagra was supposed to put the cock-ring industry out of business!

Footwear
Many guys are very paranoid about what their naked feet may step on. With many bathhouses really dark, you can never see what is on the floor. This is especially true in the bathroom, where some baths do not have urinals. Sometimes the floor where the toilet is situated in can appears "wet" at time. Also, in the porno lounge or any major cruising spot where guys get it on, ejaculate can be on the floor (men are so messy sometimes!) So a lot of guys will don sandals, flip-flops, bedroom slippers, or even socks as they cruise up and down the hallways. I personally do not recommend socks, simply because your feet will get wet and uncomfortable if you pass through the "wet" area. Generally speaking, it is usually the much older men (early sixties) and Asian men (paranoia) that I see at the baths wearing footwear. I have even seen some Asian guys wear socks AND sneakers. Now that is real paranoia and it looks just silly. Although, I have thought about wearing sandals, I have decided against it. I just think wearing something on your foot defeats the feeling of total nakedness at the baths. I love that feeling and to wear footwear it just does not feel the same.

Underwear
Some men will be at the baths naked with a towel on, but wearing a t-shirt. This is a sign to me that the man is insecure about his "physique" You might think, "well maybe he is cold" but no. In the wintertime, management usually puts the heat up to summer-like temperatures. Since 99% of the gay population is so body image obsessed, many men feel apprehensive about showing the merchandise. Gay men worry that it may hurt their chances on hooking up with someone. At the baths it can seem be both competitive and threatening being surrounded by Twinkies with 5% body fat. Because of that, some gay men tend to cover up what they are insecure about. If it is the stomach, a shirt is thrown on. If it is thinning hair, a baseball cap is put on the head. While at the opposite end of the spectrum, some men love to flaunt their body and will eschew the towel look and wear their underwear. These men are so confident they strut up and down the hallways as if they are walking the runways of a fashion show. Their briefs (or boxers) shout out names like "Calvin Klien" or "Tommy Hilfiger" I have to admit, some of the men I see wearing nothing but their undies look so SEXY!

To really stand out among the pack, some men will bring their own towel to wear at the baths. Being in a white towel, everyone sort of blends among each other. But by wearing a different color towel, with perhaps stripes, you get noticed more. Try it some time, you will see.

Just a note here, you may see a guy every now and then at the baths wearing nothing at all. That is right, completely naked as he cruises the hallways. Rules state that everyone has to wear something to cover their mid-section. But management does not really try to enforce the rule. Once in awhile a bathhouse staff person may point it out to the "nudist" but it is rare. Being nude has its drawbacks to. Since everyone has seen the merchandise, the mystery of the man is gone. Some guys may not want to bank a deposit, based on what they have seen. But on the other hand, if the merchandise is "unbelievable" then maybe it is good to advertise to get attention.

I have been asked a number of times, if it is possible to go to the baths only as an observer, without getting hit on. The answer is yes. If you are worried about men hitting on you, here is a secret. Do not get undressed. There is no rule that says you have to take off all of your clothes. Being fully clothed is a sign to other men, that you are off-limits. Some men might even think that you work at the bathhouse. And all the patrons know staff is off-limits. My friend Ari (Prime Timers) will do just that. When he goes to the baths, he stays fully clothed, sits in part of the bathhouse and watches people walk by. No one bothers him. If he sees someone interesting, he will pursue him, while still fully clothed.

Handheld Items
While cruising the halls looking for the next lay, many men carry stuff with them. This is so you can have something to do during the inevitable down periods at the baths. It can range from water bottles to avoid dehydration, cigarettes to smoke while observing others, condoms and lube just to be prepared, and books to pass the time. I have even seen some guys carry their cell phone with them. That is something I do not recommend, as it can (and probably will) be stolen or misplaced. I have seen so many guys misplace their room or locker key over the years. And a cell phone is a much more valuable and easier item to misplace. In fact I would recommend any valuable stuff be kept in your car. Some baths will allow you to keep your valuables in a separate safe, monitored by the desk clerk. But by far, the most popular item men carry with them at the baths is Amyl Nitrate better known as "poppers" For all you newbies out there, poppers (Amyl Nitrate) are sold in small bottles for inhalation. This drug is very popular in the gay community and has a reputation for both enhancing the intensity of orgasm and helping relax the anal area while you are having sex. So you can see why men love their poppers, and do not want to leave home without them. Some men will wear the small bottle of poppers on a chain around their neck, as a necklace. That is because a lot of guys want to have their poppers easily accessible. With the amount of quickies that take place at any given time at the baths, you have to be prepared. A quickie encounter may take place when you least expect. In fact I see more men carrying around poppers than condoms!

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