My partner and I wanted to try incorporating collars, but we didn't want to spend a lot of money on one if we decided it wasn't for us. Enter S&M's leash and collar set. At such a low price, we figured it was worth a shot. We ordered it in black, which turned out to be a different design from the red version, which was good in some ways but bad in others.

Unlike the red collar, the black one has a Velcro fastener, so you get a lot more options with sizing, but if you need it tight, you will have the end of the Velcro sticking out. Not particularly sexy.



The largest size it can be adjusted to is about 21" around. The smallest size is about 14.5".

If you have a small neck (like me), keep in mind that because it's stiff and tall, you won't want it to fit snugly anyway, so the gap likely won't be a problem there.

The height of the collar is about 2 inches. Unless you have a long neck, this can significantly limit the wearer's range of motion. I'd say I spent about half of the time I was wearing it just worrying about accidentally being choked or maimed by the collar. This and the fact that I felt like it limited the positions I could use it in tended to put a damper on the fun.

The leash is about 3' long, so it's perfect for short range play. It's removable, although the clasp on ours is a little difficult to open. It comes with a standard loop on the end.

The collar itself is very plain. There's a single metal stud in the front, just above the ring, and the inside is lined with a soft but very thin material. If the inside material wrapped around to the edges, I might find it more comfortable, but as is, the edge of the outer material cuts into my neck. My partner also mentioned it feeling hot after a while due to the inside lining.

We've only ended up using the collar a few times because, honestly, we'd prefer to just use a tie over this. We never had any problems with it coming off during play and the Velcro never snagged my hair or anything else, but the height of the collar just makes it impractical for active play. It would work fine for dress-up, but that wasn't what we were interested in.

We haven't had any problems with keeping it clean and we just keep it in a box with our other toys.

The packaging is not discreet, including both the brand name and an image of the product being worn by a nude woman.

This is a very affordable option when it comes to collars, but I think my boyfriend and I will just go down to the pet store next time. For me, this collar isn't worth the amount of anxiety or discomfort it causes and I don't find it pretty enough to use just for visual stimulation (nor do I feel sexy while wearing it - I just feel like there's a vice around my neck). If you have a larger, longer, or less sensitive neck, this may be a good option for you, but if you're petite or turtle necks drive you crazy, I would put your money towards something that's less bulky or consists of higher quality materials.