Think kink

^{Photo: CONOR DOHERTY | Model: TESSA OF MAGGIE INC. | Hair: KARA HURSTON OF SHAG | Makeup: LIZ WASHER}

This season, there are some fetish-y styles in fashion. Leading the pack is Louis Vuitton: his Fall/Winter collection had models marching down the catwalk in a naughty-meets-nice mix of binding corsets, spy-type trenches, and schoolgirl tops. Then - as they always seem to do - other fashion houses followed suit with troves of kinky couture. But looks like this can be intimidating. High-gloss leathers, sheer black gauze, and S&M-hinting hardware certainly don't scream wearability. So here are a few pointers to help you bring the trend off the runway, out of the bedroom, and into the real world.

• Sample the style in small doses, and keep it a bit coy. For example, go for a sheer blouse, like this long-sleeved shirt ($45) from American Apparel (330 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.236.1636), that you can button all the way up to the top. (A cheeky Peter Pan collar is a plus.) Tuck it into a curve-hugging pencil skirt, and pair it with sleek boots or sky-high Mary Janes.

• Seek out classic, ladylike shapes and sharp-as-a-whip tailoring. For your go-to color palette, you can't go wrong with French-maid-inspired blacks and whites, punched up with textural details.

• If you're brave enough to bring daring styles into the corporate world, remember: layering is the name of the game. A gauzy blouse over a simple cami, topped with a fitted blazer, is a perfect nine-to-five look.

• On the other hand, an equestrian-inspired body harness won't go over well at work. (Unless your job involves "safety words.") But if you want to make a dramatic entrance to the dance floor, the Ayame maxi dress ($335), seen on our cover and on page 12, is totally club-appropriate. You'll find it at AllSaints Spitalfields (122 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.517.0894).

• Other must-have pieces include an attention-grabbing leather skirt, like this one by The Cue ($90) from LIT (236 Hanover Street, Boston, 617.391.0086), and high-impact heels, like this studded pair ($320) from Marc by Marc Jacobs (81 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.425.0404).

• Accessorize with attitude. A pair of femme fatale-style gloves will add extra edge if the rest of your ensemble plays it on the safer side. So will a strong, structured bag (and a little hardware doesn't hurt).