Once upon a time, in a land far, far away from the mundane reality of 9-to-5 routines, a trend emerged, breathing new life into bedrooms across Britain.
It’s called castlecore, and it’s not just about throwing some tapestries on the walls or playing lute music in the background.
This trend has people tightening corsets, brandishing dragon-themed sex toys, and, perhaps unwittingly, flirting with danger.
Sexually adventurous Brits experimenting with ‘castlecore-rotica’ — dubbed Britain’s fastest growing fetish — may be putting their health at risk, experts have warned.
Castlecore is an emerging design trend inspired by the Medieval era that’s become a hit on social media platforms such as TikTok and Pinterest in recent months.
Castlecore, for the uninitiated, takes the medieval aesthetic—think knights, dragons, and damsels in distress—and transplants it into modern erotic escapades.
Inspired by the pages of romantasy novels (that’s romantic fantasy, for those who haven’t been bewitched by this genre yet), castlecore is sweeping the nation, or at least the more adventurous corners of it.
The appeal is obvious: who wouldn’t want to spice up their love life with a bit of chivalrous charm?
But, as with any quest worth its salt, there are dragons to slay—figuratively speaking.
Leading sex toy retailer Lovehoney reports that castlecore-themed products are flying off the shelves, from corsets that promise to whisk your waist back to the 1400s to dildos inspired by mythical creatures that have never roamed the earth.
But before you saddle up your steed and charge headlong into this medieval fantasy, beware—the path is fraught with peril.
Experts are waving red flags about the physical risks involved.
Corsets, while undeniably fetching, can tighten around your torso like a boa constrictor, hampering your ability to breathe and potentially wreaking havoc on your digestive system.
And those dragon-inspired toys?
They might look exciting, but their exotic shapes can lead to awkward, if not downright dangerous, ER visits.
According to medical professionals, the incidence of sex toy-related injuries is on the rise, with objects getting stuck where the sun doesn’t shine becoming a more common—and embarrassing—issue.
It seems that in the heat of the moment, some adventurers are finding themselves a little too entrapped in their fantasies, leading to a spike in hospital visits.
The brand also noted that interest in sex toys with designs evoking the genitals of fantasy creatures, like dragons, had exploded ‘sevenfold’ in the same period.
The irony of castlecore’s risqué revival isn’t lost on us. In an effort to escape the drudgery of modern life, enthusiasts dive headfirst into a world of fantasy, only to find themselves bound by very real constraints, like corsets that are too tight or sex toys that defy easy removal.
Restriction of movement while wearing a corset can cause back muscles to weaken, potentially causing back pain and muscle weakness further down the line.
Poorly designed options can lack a flared base designed to prevent them from getting lodged inside the body.
Despite these warnings, the trend shows no signs of waning.
Social media is ablaze with posts and videos of castlecore enthusiasts showing off their medieval-inspired boudoirs and sharing tales of romantic escapades worthy of any troubadour’s song.
Lovehoney’s own Annabelle Knight sums it up best when she says, “Let’s face it, reality can be a bit dull sometimes, so who wouldn’t want to dive into a world filled with sexy fairies and forbidden romance?”
As we ponder the rise of castlecore, it’s clear that its followers are engaged in a delicate dance with danger.
So, if you’re tempted to turn your bedroom into a feudal fantasy, consider this a friendly reminder: even in the most enchanting fairy tales, dragons are best approached with caution.
Featured image credits: Amazon
