Despite us having more open conversations about sexual wellness, there’s still a certain stigma attached to carrying condoms, especially for women.
From the unspoken assumption that men should be the ones to carry condoms, or a feeling of judgement if a woman does, there’s a clear double standard at play.
It’s something founder of Condom Covers, Katie Lettice, hopes to remedy with her new brand that reimagines sexual wellness for women through discreet, design-led cases that hold up to five condoms.
“We’ve made huge progress when it comes to conversations about sex and agency, but there’s still a subtle double standard,” Lettice tells Women’s Agenda. “If a man carries condoms, he’s often seen as prepared. If a woman does, there can still be judgement attached. That judgement might not always be loud, but it exists in small ways. The glance when something falls out of a handbag. The joke. The assumption.”
It was a pattern Lettice noticed throughout her 20s and then dating on and off through to her 40s.
“There’s often an unspoken assumption that contraception is something men will handle,” she says. “That they’ll be prepared. But in reality, there were plenty of moments where neither of us were. And it would lead to that awkward pause or last minute scramble.
“At the same time, when I was out with friends, we’d talk openly about ambition, independence and equality. Yet when it came to something as simple as carrying condoms ourselves, there was still hesitation. It felt like responsibility and control didn’t always align.”
It’s micro moments like these that reinforce the idea that women should be reactive rather than proactive when it comes to protection, Lettice says.
For Lettice, the brand isn’t about making a statement for shock value, it’s about normalising preparedness, helping women take their sexual health into their own hands.
The products are roughly the size of a small tampon box and are designed to look like a small accessory case that can fit in your handbag.
At just 7cm by 7cm, it’s roughly the size of a small tampon box and is designed to look like a little accessory case in your handbag. The intent is that it can sit there comfortably, with no questions asked.
“The final design is deliberately logo and copy free on all external layers of the box. That was a conscious decision,” Lettice explains.
“Ultimately, I want women to feel prepared without it needing to become a conversation piece if they don’t want it to be. Empowerment doesn’t have to be performative.”
The products are available online, and Lettice says she hopes to expand the brand into boutique retailers and sexual wellness stores. She’d love to see it stocked alongside everyday products, not hidden away like other sexual wellness products are.
“For me, that balance between confidence, discretion and design is what makes Condom Covers feel aligned with modern women’s lives,” she says.
“Ultimately, the vision is to build a globally recognised lifestyle brand that makes preparedness feel stylish, accessible and completely normal.
“If even a small shift happens in how women feel about carrying protection, then we’ve done something meaningful.”