Well, I have always seen it as leather for the rich, PVC and latex for the poorer (though the latter can be really expensive) and normal clothes for a Dom/me who simply does not feel they need props to look dominant (I am looking at you, Jennifer... ).

Seriously, I think many seem to assume that what you wear and what you do are all part of the same kink but in reality they are not. BDSM includes Bondage, Domination, Sadism and Masochism and you can do all of those in any dress at all. Wearing of latex or any other kink material is a different thing altogether - thats a fetish. There are people out there who ONLY wear latex clothes. That's their kink, thier fetish, but they have very little interest in anything else other than having sex while wearing latex. Some may endure other things such as Domination from (or Dominating) someone in order to compromise with someone who may allow them to fulfull this fantasy but they are still primarily fetishists.

So, my answer: latex is nice to look at (it gets used a lot in porn) it is sometimes less nice to wear (some enjoy it, some don't) it is certainly a faff to wear but it is not essential for BDSM. I am always interested in the differences between the sensual feel, look and smell of latex, leather and PVC.