Underwear fetishism

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Some people are attracted to the feel or look of certain underwear

Underwear fetishism is a sexual fetishism relating to undergarments, and refers to the sexual excitement which some people experience from observing or handling certain types of underwear. Some people experience sexual excitement from wearing certain types of underwear. Other people experience sexual excitement when observing or handling certain types of underwear worn by another, or watching somebody putting underwear on, or taking it off. As well as this, other people experience sexual excitement from printed or electronic material which includes underwear.

Underwear fetishism is not considered as paraphilia unless it causes distress or serious problems for the person or those associated with him or her.



Panty fetishism is a paraphilia in which one eroticizes panties (or similar styles of underwear).

Fetishistic behavior can involve sharing printed or electronic material depicting exposure of panties, usually of a softcore nature, or direct sight and physical contact with the panties.

Some individuals have a paraphilia for a specific type of panty. For example, a common subclass of panty fetishism are panties that show the exposed buttocks (i.e. thongs and g-strings). Further, some individuals have the opposite preference, and are attracted to panties that cover the buttocks.


To determine relative prevalences of different fetishes, Italian researchers obtained an international sample of 5,000 individuals from 381 fetish-themed 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. Within the sample population (a population of adults online involved in sexual discussion), 12 percent indicated a fetish related to an "object associated with the body + external event" .[1][2] This includes, but is not limited to, objects such as underwear, socks, shoes, etc. (see Table 1 in the .pdf of the first article cited).


Pantyhose fetishism is a very common fetish involving women's pantyhose (known as “tights” in the UK). As with many other common fetishes it has been suggested that it first surfaces in early childhood and/or during adolescence.[3]

Often a pantyhose fetishist may also engage in stocking fetishism, the unique silky sheer aspect and allure of both items being the common denominator. Many current day males' fetishistic preferences for pantyhose over stockings may be related to the fact that pantyhose are, unlike stockings, in virtual direct contact with female genitalia and/or perhaps even more important are the preferred hosiery for most women when skirts and dresses are worn.

In very basic simple terms pantyhose fetishism most commonly manifests itself in one or more of the following ways:

Specifically during the lone activity of a young fetishist in his early formative years it is sometimes preferable for the pair of pantyhose to have been seen to be worn by a specific 'role model', be it a family member such as their Mother, an aunt or Grandmother; or others such as a neighbor, family friend or teacher.

The sub-categories and degrees of pantyhose fetishism are too many to list and is in many cases combined with other fetishes or paraphilias of the fetishist (and often his partner too) so as to make an individual's preferences as with many other popular fetishes unique.

A few typical examples of sub-categories perhaps would be:



Female attractiveness

There are several reasons for women to wear pantyhose, each a possible reason for the allure of pantyhose fetishism:

Men wearing pantyhose

Man in tights

Some males with a pantyhose fetish may wear them for some of the reasons mentioned above. Men who are discovered wearing women's pantyhose for fetishistic purposes may be labeled as transvestites by their partners, families, workmates and society.

A man who likes to wear pantyhose may be deeply anxious and worried about being associated with homosexuality or transvestism, and as such most will endeavour to keep the fetish totally private, commonly hiding it from their wives/partners (though some do have the ultimate trust and understanding of their partners) due to such enormous fears that are invariably completely out of context with such relatively mild desires.

The wearing of pantyhose by men can then become a strong, and much reinforced fetish aided and abetted by this 'pressure' which can consume some as it serves to expand the already highly charged fetish in itself.

Typically, a man who shares his pantyhose fetish with his partner wants to believe that the fetish generates as much arousal for her as it does for him. He may like his partner to encourage him in his fetish to the extent of her buying him pantyhose to wear and encouraging him to wear them. Sexual activity with his partner will likely be heightened if both parties are wearing pantyhose. Any feeling that his fetish is amusing to his partner or that she is only grudgingly accepting of it is likely to cause the wearer to stop and return to wearing his pantyhose in private.

There is a small number of women, perhaps due to the nature of the garment who will also find them stimulating.

For most men with a pantyhose fetish, the simple sensual feel of the material against their body is amply sufficient and they have no intention of wearing any other items of female attire and in this instance these men will take offense at being labeled as 'transvestite'. In recent years with the access to the internet an increasing amount of men have shared their fetish for pantyhose/tights with other male wearers, with online chat rooms and webcam to webcam masturbation in pantyhose/tights and real meets through the online chat rooms and crossdressing websites.

It is recommended to tell the women about this fetish right away before getting into a serious relationship and for sure before marriage. Forums are full of men who sadly admit that their wives do not share their interest in hosiery and sometimes refuse to wear it all together. Such negative reactions from partners may not be caused by the fetish itself, rather than by the fact that their partner was not completely honest about his sexual preferences and expectations before marriage.


A woman wearing stockings and garters.

Some people experience sexual excitement from the look or feel of women's stockings. The attraction may be to the look or feel of the material, such as sheer nylon or silk, to the use of a garter belt, or to the act of a person donning or removing stockings. The attraction of stockings may include the perception that stockings, and the associated use of garters, lace, high fashion, appliqué and the exposure of the thigh, are aesthetically pleasing or erotic.

Stocking fetishism may include other feminine clothing which contributes to enhance the fantasy. Some men find it arousing to collect and wear stockings, panties and suspender belts. In some cases, this is done for the purpose of momentary sexual stimulation. Others wear such a complete combination under a pair of trousers or beneath a business suit on a regular daily basis.[4]

A survey completed by over one thousand British males during July and August 1995, as well as some other authorities related to this matter, suggest quite a sizable percentage – perhaps 5 to 10% – of the adult male population in various western European developed countries have sampled the experience of wearing different lingerie items and combinations. These trials have ranged from a single garment to a complete intimate set, at least once in their lifetimes. And, the study concludes based upon an especially designed questionnaire, a significant majority of these lingerie users are heterosexual individuals who apparently lead normal lives and are very likely married, with children.[5]

According to these findings, stocking fetishists highly favor the visual and tactile feedback provided by the smoothness, sheerness and resiliency, characteristic of nylon and nylon/spandex items, as compared to the roughness and lack of appeal typical of male underwear. The responses given by such males, who regularly wear lingerie and other assorted feminine items, usually refer to sensual, rather than sexual, stimulus, with an overall feeling of relaxation and well-being.

The increasing acceptance with which modern societies have viewed this particular subject since the middle of the 1950s decade enabled many men to indulge in this practice to such an extent that it has been branded as a 20th century social phenomenon.[6]

In contrast to conventional face-to-face purchasing, the growth of internet purchasing has enabled men to browse through many different assorted underwear offerings anonymously. Presently, many manufacturers and retailers specializing in lingerie and associated women’s apparel throughout the world cater to the need of an ever growing population of men who usually invest significant amounts of effort and expense in order to acquire whatever intimate garments may suit their particular needs.[7]

Such fetishists may also be divided into many sub-categories relative to their attraction to certain types of stockings.[8] Some find fishnet stockings more arousing compared to other forms of stockings, for example. Other preferences include fully fashioned (seamed) stockings, seamless stockings, designer stockings, luxury stockings, reinforced heel and toe stockings (RHT), stay-ups, etc.

Garter belts can be very tricky to attach to a lace welt, therefore it is much easier to start wearing garter belts with old-fashioned regular stockings that have a plain welt without any lace, designs, or silicon lining. Usually garter belt fits around the waist or just a little lower, but it is not a good idea to have a garter belt too low on the hips because it may begin to slide down when walking as stockings tug on the straps.

In the Anime and Manga subculture Zettai Ryouiki (絶対領域) (lit. Absolute Area/Domain/Region/Territory) refers to the bare skin between thigh-high stockings or socks and the skirt (though in some cases shorts also).


Girl in a lace bra.
Silky full slip and stockings

Some people experience sexual excitement from the look or feel of a women's bra. The attraction may be to the look or feel of the material, such as lace, or how it looks on a person. Some people get excitement from removing a bra.

Silk and satin

Some people experience sexual excitement from the look or feel of articles made of silk or satin fabric. Such interest is usually directed towards the person wearing silk or satin, but it can also be directed towards the garment itself, or to the feel of the garment when worn.

The attraction can be to the physical properties of the garment, such as softness, smoothness, drape and shine, and to its association with elegance, glamour, romance and opulence.

The principal materials which are considered erotic are charmeuse silk (silk woven so that it has a sheen) and satins (such as acetate satin and rayon satin), but other materials with similar properties, such as spandex and polyester are also admired.[9][10]

See also


  2. ^ Dobson, Roger (2007). Heels are the world's No 1 fetish. The Independent Online Edition, http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/article2303022.ece, accessed February 2007.
  3. ^ Lothstein, L.M. (1997), "Pantyhose Fetishism and Self Cohesion: A Paraphilic Solution?", Gender and Psychoanalysis 2: 103–121, http://www.pep-web.org/document.php?id=GAP.002.0103A, retrieved 2008-09-25
  4. ^ Jeanette, Doris, PsyD. (2011). Sexual Empowerment for Men: Love and Understanding for Men Who Wear Panties. http://www.drjeanette.com/galstuff.html (retrieved on December 31, 2012)
  5. ^ Coleman, Vernon (1996). Men in Dresses: a study of Transvestism and Cross-dressing. ISBN 1-898947-99-6. (retrieved on July 26, 2007)
  6. ^ Wiki Answers (2012). Do Men wear Ladies Underwear?. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_Men_wear_Ladies_Underwear (retrieved on December 31, 2012)
  7. ^ HerRoom: Lingerie we buy for ourselves... and more (2012). Lingerie Tips for Men. http://www.herroom.com/lingerie-for-men.aspx (retrieved on December 31, 2012)
  8. ^ The Stocking Passion: Imagination and beyond (retrieved on May 9, 2007)
  9. ^ Steele, Valerie (1985). Fashion and Eroticism: Ideals of Feminine Beauty from the Victorian Era to the Jazz Age. Oxford University Press, New York. ISBN 0-19-503530-5.
  10. ^ Browne, Ray B. (1982). Objects of special devotion: fetishism in popular culture. Bowling Green University Popular Press. ISBN 0-87972-191-X.