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A clothing fetish or garment fetish is a sexual fetish that revolves around a fixation upon a particular article or type of clothing, a collection of garments that appear as part of a fashion or uniform, or a person dressed in such a garment.

The clinical definition of a sexual fetish would require that a person is fixated on a specific garment to the extent that it exists as an exclusive (or recurrent) stimulus for sexual gratification.^[1][2]

One who exhibits a clothing fetish may be aroused by the sight of a person (same or opposite sex) wearing a particular garment, and may go as far as desiring conversation, friendship, or sexual relations with that person due to this. However the attraction may die down when that person removes the garment and is seen by the fetishist wearing something else.

Others with a clothing fetish may be aroused by the sight of such garments, even in the absence of a person wearing them. The fetishist may derive pleasure from wearing them, collecting them, or observing them in pictures.Sometimes the garment becomes the main reason for sexual arousal.PVC fetishism seems to have began in the late 1960s and early 1970s.During that era boots and garments made of PVC were made.Using a crinkle version of the PVC garments which were worn by high school students caused arousal in boys.Some men that grew up in that era still find PVC garments reminding them of their early arousal's during puberty.

Contents 1 Relative prevalence of garment fetishism 2 By garment type 2.1 Outerwear 2.1.1 Jackets 2.1.2 Jeans 2.1.3 Sweaters 2.2 Restrictive clothing 2.2.1 Corsets 2.2.2 Hobble skirts 2.3 Underwear 2.4 Uniforms 2.4.1 Schoolgirl uniform 2.4.2 Cheerleader uniform 2.4.3 French maid uniform 2.4.4 Military, police, and Nazi chic 3 By fabric type 3.1 Fur 3.2 Leather 3.3 Latex/PVC 3.4 Spandex 4 See also 5 References 6 Sources

[edit] Relative prevalence of garment fetishism

In order to determine the relative prevalences of different fetishes, scientists obtained a sample of at least 5000 individuals worldwide from 381 Internet discussion groups. The relative prevalences were estimated based on (a) the number of groups devoted to a particular fetish, (b) the number of individuals participating in the groups and (c) the number of messages exchanged. The top garment fetish was footwear related (high heels).^[3][4]

[edit] By garment type

Though almost any type of garment in theory can be the subject of a fetish, common clothing fetishes include footwear, female underwear and uniforms. A wide range of other garments have been the subject of less common fetishes.

Separate from fetishes as a paraphilia, are garments worn to enhance appearance (tight jeans, other eyecatching clothing); in this case the differentiator is whether for the person concerned, the clothing is the focus of a sexual fetish, or is merely appreciated and found pleasing and enhancing.

[edit] Outerwear

[edit] Jackets

Jacket fetishism is most usually associated with the fixation or attraction to padded nylon jackets -- though can also be associated with leather jackets, particularly in association with bondage. In a survey, researchers at the University of Bologna found that 9 percent of people were turned on by jackets, making it the third most popular garment fetish after shoes and costumes.^[4]. The most popular jackets amongst jacket fetishists are the Snorkel Parka, the MA-1 bomber jacket, leather motorcycle jackets, leather blazer/sportcoats and down jackets with a nylon shell.

[edit] Jeans

The style and cut of jeans can also enhance their sexual appeal to fetishists. Jeans without pockets on the back are often viewed as showing off one's buttocks and therefore more flattering. Stretch jeans are often viewed as attractive because they have the appearance of being skin tight, while not binding as regular denim jeans would. An extreme example of fetish denim would be "Zip Around Jeans", so called because their zipper unzips starting in the front and continues all the way to the back. Styles that do not immediately evoke sexual appeal, such as bellbottom jeans, could also be an object of sexual fantasy to some fetishists, largely due to the figure hugging cut and the eye-catching flare that cover the wearer's feet. Other popular styles include the lace up jean and multi button style jeans.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Sweaters

While this sweater fetishism can be a general term, it tends to break down into subcategories based on material preference: such as wool, mohair, alpaca, cashmere, etc. Some fetishists focus on certain aspects, such as hats, gloves, scarves, etc or such adornments as bows, buttons or belts.
Others prefer particular kinds of sweaters such as turtleneck sweaters or cardigans.
The B-movies director Ed Wood was known to have a love for angora sweaters.^[5]

[edit] Restrictive clothing

Clothing that limits the wearer's movement is commonly used for this property, particularly among bondage enthusiasts and it has common appearance in bondage-related fetish fashion. Such restrictive fashion, among others, includes corsets, hobble skirts and high-heeled footwear (particularly ballet boots in extreme case). Because items it includes are what in modern western society mostly belongs to women's fashion, male restrictive clothing fetishists can have problems in obtaining and using such items without being labeled as transvestites.

[edit] Corsets

The training corset and bondage corset has also become a staple in fetish wear, particularly among dominatrices. A submissive or slave may also be forced to wear a tightly laced corset as a form of punishment or simply restriction. And the masochistic practice known as tightlacing creates a particular type of pleasure for the wearer. In the 1980s, pop music performers such as Madonna and Cyndi Lauper reintroduced and popularized the corset as a daring outerwear garment. This influence continues to the present day in both fetish and mainstream fashion.

[edit] Hobble skirts

A hobble skirt is a long, tight skirt, extending below the knees and often ankle length, which is so tight that it is difficult to walk in. When used as fetish clothing, it is often made of latex or PVC and sometimes corseted, to increase the restriction.

Such skirts were briefly a mainstream fashion in the 1910s, however, they were soon abandoned as impractical. They were revived in the 1950s by John Willie and others as a bondage/fetish style.

[edit] Underwear

Stocking fetishists usually find sexual partners clothed in sheer nylon or silk stockings to be sexually stimulating, or find the act of a person donning or removing a pair of stockings arousing. Some men find it arousing to collect and wear stockings, sometimes hidden under a pair of trousers.^[6]

[edit] Uniforms

Among the most common uniforms in heterosexual uniform fetish are those of a schoolgirl, nurse, French maid, waitress, cheerleader and Playboy Bunny. For example, in one episode of the TV show Rescue Me (TV series) (season 5, episode 15), Callie Thorne's character plays a seductress dressed as a cheerleader, Playboy bunny, and dominatrix. Some people also regard Nuns' habits or even aprons as uniforms. The uniforms may be realistic, or made more sexual by for example a very short skirt, stockings, fishnet tights or high heels, or being made of leather or latex according to preference. Sometimes, a uniform may be used appropriate to what is being done. For example, someone may wear a nurse's uniform to administer an enema, or a police uniform to handcuff and cage someone. This may add a sense of authenticity to the game play.^[7] A stripper dressed as a police officer is a popular fixture at birthday and bachelor parties. The "officer" begins with a mock arrest, often using handcuffs, of the guest of honor before going into her dance routine.

[edit] Schoolgirl uniform

A schoolgirl uniform fetish is a sexual fetish in which someone derives sexual pleasure from viewing others dressed like schoolgirls or someone enjoys dressing in the typical uniform of a schoolgirl in either a school skirt or culottes. The schoolgirl uniform fetish is common in both Japanese and Western pornography, prostitution, and other forms of adult entertainment, making it one of the most widespread clothing-oriented fetishes worldwide.^[8]

In Japanese pornography, the female often wears a Japanese school uniform, known in the sex industry as burusera (anglicized Japanese slang for "bloomer/sailor" outfit, they are comprised of "bloomer" as bottoms of gym suits and sailor suit as school uniforms). Typically this is based on the summer sailor fuku type (white blouse with blue sailor collar and red tie, as well as a blue pleated skirt), except the skirt is shortened significantly. However, numerous variants exist; these can be based on Catholic schoolgirls or uniforms from anime or hentai, such as the "bustier plus miniskirt" outfit seen in Bible Black. Generally, "authentic" uniform design maximizes the display of the body's curves with minimal skin exposure.^[7]

The schoolgirl image may appeal to women because it allows them to project a more youthful, innocent, or virginal image. These same reasons can explain part of the look's appeal to males as well. It may also have a less sexual aspect of nostalgia, recalling memories of a simpler time in one's life. Indeed, fetishes often start to develop at puberty, when for males schoolgirls often feature as objects of desire which (particularly where men attended all-boys schools) were seemingly unattainable. Often the contrast of a fully-developed woman in a "childlike" role is appealing, in the same manner as other forms of sexual role-playing.^[8]

It should be noted that a schoolgirl fetish is essentially a clothing fetish, not a sexual preference for schoolgirls: the sexual arousal lies in a person of the fetishist's sexual preference (i.e. an adult woman) in the school uniform. This difference is subtle but important, as it means that the majority of people with this fetish would not be sexually attracted to a genuine schoolgirl because the person in the uniform does not fit with their sexual preference (this is more closely linked with paedophilia or ephebophilia). However, this is not always the case and to some individuals, and in some cultures, this difference can be blurred. For instance, in Japan, adolescent schoolgirls have become objects of sexual attraction among men ^[9]

Among couples (and cosplay specialty prostitutes), the schoolgirl role is usually a sexually compliant or playfully "naughty" submissive, while her partner plays an adult authority figure such as a parent, teacher, or stern principal. This can include fantasies or re-enactments of childhood events including corporal punishments such as spanking, school canings or paddling, etc.

[edit] Cheerleader uniform

Another popular clothing fetish involves cheerleader uniforms. The popularity of the provocative Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in the 1970s established the cheerleader as an American icon of wholesome sex appeal. An entire subgenre of sexploitation films emerged with titles such as The Swinging Cheerleaders (1974) and Cheerleaders's Wild Weekend (1979) plus countless pornographic films starting with Debbie Does Dallas in 1978. As a result, the uniform remains one of the most popular outfits for Halloween, costume parties, exotic dancers, specialty prostitutes, and role-playing couples. As with the schoolgirl, the role-playing cheerleader is a submissive character dominated by her partner who plays an authority figure such as a coach, teacher or headmaster.

[edit] French maid uniform

A popular costume for sexual roleplay, the uniform, worn by a servant who traditionally defers to her wealthy master, carries an implicit dominance and submission symbolism. When worn during sexual foreplay or by practitioners of the BDSM lifestyle, the maid may perform humbling (or even humiliating) acts of servitude such as dusting, mopping, serving drinks, or forniphilia — posing as a footstool or other forms of human furniture. For example, in the film Friends with Money, Jennifer Aniston puts on a sexy French maid uniform and cleans her boyfriend's apartment then goes to bed with him, still wearing the outfit. On the NBC TV series 30 Rock (May 2009, season 3, episode 3), Aniston once again wore a skimpy maid costume in an attempt to seduce Alec Baldwin's character. And, on the Desperate Housewives series (Season 1, Episode 21), Lynette (Felicity Huffman) wears a French maid outfit bought at a lingerie store to spice up her marriage.

There is also an extensive Sissy (transgender) subculture among cross-dressing female-dominated men who roleplay as submissive "sissy maids" while wearing a feminine French maid uniform.

[edit] Military, police, and Nazi chic

Uniforms worn by military men and police officers present an image of enhanced masculinity and authority that often has a strong sexual appeal to both women and the gay male subculture. For example, the popular 1970s disco group The Village People dressed up as gay fetish stereotypes including a police officer, military man, and leather-clad biker.

Nazi chic, particularly the sinister-looking black SS officer's uniform, has been widely adopted and fetishized by underground gay and BDSM lifestyle groups. Parts (and variations) of the uniform, such as the leather boots and peaked cap, have become standard wear for the female dominatrix and male master or dominant. In the 1970s the uniform's association with sadomasochism and forbidden sexuality was embodied in a wave of violent Nazisploitation films such as Ilsa, She-Wolf of the SS and the controversial art-house film The Night Porter (1974). In the latter film, a topless Charlotte Rampling has an iconic scene performing a Marlene Dietrich song for a group of concentration camp guards while wearing parts of an SS uniform. Her ensemble of army boots and pants, suspenders, peaked cap, and black opera gloves has been imitated countless times, most notably in pop singer Madonna's banned Justify My Love video in 1990.

[edit] By fabric type

[edit] Fur

Fur fetishism refers to the sexual fetishism that revolves around people wearing fur, or in certain cases, to the garments themselves.

These materials may be fetishised because the garment acts as a fetishistic surrogate or second skin for the wearer's own skin. The material may be regarded as providing a superstimulus that is more intense than the normal response associated with real skin. This is heightened by the fact that the fur was originally an animal's skin and hair.

The most famous, and one of the earliest depictions of the topic was the semi-autobiographical novel Venus in Furs (1870) by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. After the novel´s success, Sacher-Masoch apparently decided to take on a fetish sadomasochism-lifestyle.^[10] In 1884, he had sent a copy of the novel to Richard von Krafft-Ebing, who gave Sacher-Masoch immortality when, in 1891 he used this ancient austrian nobility name as an eponym for what today is called bottoming.

[edit] Leather

Leather fetishism is the name popularly used to describe a sexual attraction to people wearing leather and or to the garments themselves. The smell and the sound of leather is often an erotic stimulus for people with a leather fetish. Leather uniforms may also become a fetish. Leather is occasionally finished with a glossy surface and produced in bright colors, providing visual stimuli for some leather fetishists.

The feel of tight leather garments worn may be experienced as a form of sexual bondage. Bondage equipment is made from leather straps. The term "leather culture" was applied in the 1960s in the USA gay sadomasochistic subculture as an umbrella term for alternate sexual practices. The pony fetish involves the use of equestrian like gear fitted to humans.

[edit] Latex/PVC

Latex fetish is the fetishistic attraction latex latex clothing or garments and sometimes called rubber fetishism as latex is a type of rubber. Latex or rubber fetishists may refer to themselves as "Rubberists". One example is Mr. Blowup.^[11] He wears air inflated latex suits .^[12] One variety of latex fetish involves the attraction to transparent rubber.

PVC fetishism is closely related to latex fetishism and involves a sexual attraction to shiny plastic clothes made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurathane or similar man made materials. PVC may be mistaken for shiny patent leather.

Nylon fetishism is similar to PVC and latex fetishism and includes the wearing of shiny raincoats, jackets and trousers, especially those belonging to the other sex.

Latex fetish involves wearing clothing made from latex, observing it worn by others, and having sexual fantasies about wearing latex garments, catsuits, hoods, divers or industrial protective clothing. A common latex fetish icon is the dominatrix wearing a skin-tight glossy black latex or PVC catsuit.

A subgroup of the PVC fetishism is clear PVC clothing such as clear plastic raincoats, slipcovers, and custom clothing made out of clear PVC.

Many sex toys such as dildos and butt plugs are made from rubber or similar materials, and this may be factor contributing to a type of rubber fetish.^{[citation needed]} Some rubber fetishists have what is termed a medical fetish or have a sexual interest in klismaphilia - medical gloves and catheters of latex, as well as condoms. Other fetish objects may include disposable diapers and plastic pants.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Spandex

Spandex fetishism is a fetishistic attraction to people wearing stretch fabrics or, in certain cases, to the garments themselves, such as leotards. One reason why spandex and other tight fabrics may be fetishised is that the garment forms a "second skin," acting as a fetishistic surrogate for the wearer's own skin. Wearers of skin-tight nylon and cotton spandex garments can appear naked or coated in a shiny or matte substance like paint. The tightness of the garments may also be seen as sexual bondage. Another reason is that nylon-spandex fabric (preferred by many spandex fetishists) is often produced with a very smooth and silk-like finish, which lends a tactile dimension to the fetish - as well as a visual one.

In comic books, superheroes, superheroines, and supervillains are generally depicted as wearing costumes made of spandex or a similar material. The superheroines always wear skintight, very flashy and bright-coloured costumes that usually cover only just enough of the body to be presentable. Fantasies involving superheroes or the wearing of superhero costumes are commonly associated with spandex fetishism.

Full-body suits called zentai entirely immerse the wearer in skin tight fabric. The suits are essentially catsuits with gloves, feet, and a hood. The wearer gets to experience total enclosure and those who enjoy erotic objectification might make use of the garment's anonymizing aspect. Zentai fetishism appears to be quite popular in Japan and Europe. The word zentai means whole body in Japanese.

[edit] See also

• Fetish fashion
• Boot fetishism
• Glasses fetishism
• Glove fetishism
• Panty fetishism
• Pantyhose fetishism
• Sexual fetishism
• Shoe fetishism
• Stocking fetishism

[edit] References

[edit] Sources

• de Silva WP (1999). "ABC of sexual health. Sexual variations" (PDF). BMJ 318 (7184): 654–6. PMID 10066212. http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/318/7184/654.pdf. 
• "Fetishists can't take eyes off sexy specs". Mainichi Shimbun. March 13, 2002. http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai/archive/news/2002/03/20020313p2g00m0dm999000c.html. Retrieved 2007-04-26.  (Article on glasses fetishism in Japan)^{[dead link]}
• Dr. Trimmer, Eric J. The Visual Dictionary of Sex, ISBN 0-89479-011-0; A & W Publishers, 1977
• Kunzle, David (2004). Fashion and Fetishism. Sutton. ISBN 0-7509-3808-0
• Mario Perniola (2004). The Sex Appeal of the Inorganic. Continuum, New York-London. ISBN 9780826462459

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