Underwear fetishism is a sexual fetishism

Sexual fetishism

Sexual fetishism, or erotic fetishism, is the sexual arousal a person receives from a physical object, or from a specific situation. The object or situation of interest is called the fetish, the person a fetishist who has a fetish for that object/situation. Sexual fetishism may be regarded, e.g...

 relating to undergarment

Undergarment

Undergarments or underwear are clothes worn under other clothes, often next to the skin. They keep outer garments from being soiled by bodily secretions and discharges, shape the body, and provide support for parts of it. In cold weather, long underwear is sometimes worn to provide additional...

s, 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. Some person experience sexual excitement when observing or handling certain types of underwear worn by another, or watching somebody putting underwear on or taking it off. Also, some person experience sexually excitement from printed or electronic material which includes underwear.

Underwear fetishism is not considered as paraphilia

Paraphilia

Paraphilia is a biomedical term used to describe sexual arousal to objects, situations, or individuals that are not part of normative stimulation and that may cause distress or serious problems for the paraphiliac or persons associated with him or her...

 unless it causes distress or serious problems for the person or those associated with him or her.

Panties

Panty fetishism is a paraphilia

Paraphilia

Paraphilia is a biomedical term used to describe sexual arousal to objects, situations, or individuals that are not part of normative stimulation and that may cause distress or serious problems for the paraphiliac or persons associated with him or her...

 in which one eroticizes panties

Panties

Panties are a form of underwear, usually light and snug-fitting, designed to be worn by women or girls in the area directly below the waist. Typical components include an elastic waistband, a crotch panel to cover the genital area , and a pair of leg openings which, like the waistband, are often...

 (or similar styles of underwear).

Fetishistic behavior can involve sharing printed or electronic material depicting exposure of panties, usually of a softcore

Softcore

Softcore pornography is a form of filmic or photographic pornography or erotica that is less sexually explicit than hardcore pornography. It is intended to tickle and arouse men and women. Softcore pornography depicts nude and semi-nude performers engaging in casual social nudity or non-graphic...

 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

Thong (clothing)

The thong is a garment generally worn as either underwear or as a swimsuit in many industrialized societies around the world. It may also be worn for traditional ceremonies or competitions such as sumo wrestling...

 and g-strings). Further, some individuals have the opposite preference, and are attracted to panties that cover the buttocks.

Prevalence

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" . 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

Pantyhose fetishism is a very common fetish involving women's pantyhose

Pantyhose

Pantyhose are sheer, close-fitting legwear, covering the wearer's body from the waist to the feet. Mostly considered to be a woman's and girl's garment, pantyhose appeared in the 1960s, and they provided a convenient alternative to stockings...

 (known as “tights

Tights

Tights are a kind of cloth leg garment, most often sheathing the body from about the waist to the feet with a more or less tight fit, hence the name....

” in the UK). As with many other common fetishes it has been suggested that it first surfaces in early childhood and/or during adolescence.

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

Hosiery

Hosiery, also referred to as legwear, describes garments worn directly on the feet and legs. The term originated as the collective term for products of which a maker or seller is termed a hosier; and those products are also known generically as hose...

 for most women when skirt

Skirt

A skirt is a tube- or cone-shaped garment that hangs from the waist and covers all or part of the legs.In the western world, skirts are usually considered women's clothing. However, there are exceptions...

s and dresses are worn.

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

• Wearing of pantyhose by either or both partners during sexual activity.
• A male wearing pantyhose while alone and sexually aroused.
• Interacting with pantyhose in any other way or form during sexual activity.
• Simply observing/admiring and experiencing heightened arousal/interest of females who are wearing pantyhose.
• Viewing and collection of photography, video or pornography of both professional and amateur models wearing pantyhose.
• A man or woman in pantyhose encasement.

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 fetish

Sexual fetishism

Sexual fetishism, or erotic fetishism, is the sexual arousal a person receives from a physical object, or from a specific situation. The object or situation of interest is called the fetish, the person a fetishist who has a fetish for that object/situation. Sexual fetishism may be regarded, e.g...

es 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:

• a focus on certain areas of the body while wearing pantyhose, e.g. feet
  Foot
  The foot is an anatomical structure found in many vertebrates. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg made up of one or more segments or bones, generally including claws...
  
   a variation of the very common foot fetishism
  Foot fetishism
  Foot fetishism, foot partialism, foot worship, or podophilia is a pronounced sexual interest in feet. It is the most common form of sexual preference for otherwise non-sexual objects or body parts.-Characteristics:...
  
  ,
• wearing pantyhose with other specific garments, e.g. shoes, boots, or skirt
  Skirt
  A skirt is a tube- or cone-shaped garment that hangs from the waist and covers all or part of the legs.In the western world, skirts are usually considered women's clothing. However, there are exceptions...
  
  s, uniforms that usually include pantyhose (girl at work, secretary, flight stewardess, policewoman, Hooters waitress, girl next door etc.,)
• certain styles e.g. sheer-to-waist, opaque, patterned or specific deniers; certain brands or shades,
• simply admiring women who wear pantyhose (a mild form of voyeurism
  Voyeurism
  In clinical psychology, voyeurism is the sexual interest in or practice of spying on people engaged in intimate behaviors, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other activity usually considered to be of a private nature....
  
  ),
• finding the wearing of them to be a primarily sensual comforting experience, rather than sexual.

The pantyhose covered foot can be extremely arousing to men who often find satisfaction in just looking at or more in that of rubbing, sucking/licking, and massage of the penis with the nylon clad feet. Others find arousal in sniffing the sour and pungent smell of soles made by excessive sweat when in pantyhose. Foot-jobs can be very intense and stimulating and covering a woman in pantyhose in semen is a common fantasy with some men. Pantyhose fetish can also be linked to that of the women dressing as the schoolgirl where stockings, knee high socks and pantyhose can be worn with a short skirt.

The act of purchasing pantyhose, especially when aided by a female assistant, can also generate a degree of arousal.

Female attractiveness

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

• They remove the appearance of blemishes, making the legs “perfect”.
• The reflectiveness of the material, coupled with the way they appear less transparent at the edges, often gives legs more contrast and definition, as though lit by dramatic lighting. This accentuates the curves of the legs, making them less “flat”, and can also make legs appear slimmer (with dark pantyhose).
• They often have a silky texture which is pleasing to both the wearer and her partner.
• They enhance the pleasure (and anticipation) associated with the removal of a woman’s clothes. Not only serving as an additional item to be removed; they allow the exciting moment of exposure to be drawn out much longer than other clothing items, as the pantyhose are slowly pulled down the legs. In addition to this, they do not actually hide what they cover.
• The slipperiness and smoothness of sheer pantyhose and stockings also makes women's low cut court shoe
  Court shoe
  Court shoes or pumps are shoes with a low-cut front and usually without a fastening. However, some have ankle straps...
  
  s slip off more easily. This vulnerability is often sexually attractive, and can often result in the women engaging in shoe dangling or shoe play which is also appealing to shoe and foot fetishists.

Men wearing pantyhose

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

Transvestism

Transvestism is the practice of cross-dressing, which is wearing clothing traditionally associated with the opposite sex. Transvestite refers to a person who cross-dresses; however, the word often has additional connotations. -History:Although the word transvestism was coined as late as the 1910s,...

 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

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...

 or transvestism

Transvestism

Transvestism is the practice of cross-dressing, which is wearing clothing traditionally associated with the opposite sex. Transvestite refers to a person who cross-dresses; however, the word often has additional connotations. -History:Although the word transvestism was coined as late as the 1910s,...

, 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 whom will also find them stimulating.

Finally, it must be noted that 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.

Stockings

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

Nylon

Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...

 or silk

Silk

Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...

, 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 garter

Garter (stockings)

Garters are articles of clothing: narrow bands of fabric fastened about the leg, used to keep up stockings, and sometimes socks. Normally just a few inches in width, they are usually made of leather or heavy cloth, and adorned with small bells and/or ribbons...

s, lace, high fashion, appliqué

Applique

In its broadest sense, an appliqué is a smaller ornament or device applied to another surface. In the context of ceramics, for example, an appliqué is a separate piece of clay added to the primary work, generally for the purpose of decoration...

 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.

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.

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.

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.

Such fetishists may also be divided into many sub-categories relative to their attraction to certain types of stockings. Some find fishnet stocking

Fishnet (material)

In the field of textiles, fishnet is hosiery with an open, diamond shaped knit; it is most often used as a material for stockings, tights or bodystockings. Fishnet is available in a multitude of colors, although it is most often sported in traditional matte black...

s more arousing compared to other forms of stockings, for example. Other preferences include fully fashioned (seam

Seam (sewing)

In sewing, a seam is the join where two or more layers of fabric, leather, or other materials are held together with stitches. Prior to the invention of the sewing machine, all sewing was done by hand...

ed) stockings, seam

Seam (sewing)

In sewing, a seam is the join where two or more layers of fabric, leather, or other materials are held together with stitches. Prior to the invention of the sewing machine, all sewing was done by hand...

less stockings, designer stockings, luxury stockings, reinforced heel and toe stockings (RHT), stay-ups, etc.

Bras

Some people experience sexual excitement from the look or feel of a women's bra

Brassiere

A brassiere is an undergarment that covers, supports, and elevates the breasts. Since the late 19th century, it has replaced the corset as the most widely accepted method for supporting breasts....

. The attraction may be to the look or feel of the material, such as lace

Lace

Lace is an openwork fabric, patterned with open holes in the work, made by machine or by hand. The holes can be formed via removal of threads or cloth from a previously woven fabric, but more often open spaces are created as part of the lace fabric. Lace-making is an ancient craft. True lace was...

, 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

Silk

Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...

 or satin

Satin

Satin is a weave that typically has a glossy surface and a dull back. It is a warp-dominated weaving technique that forms a minimum number of interlacings in a fabric. If a fabric is formed with a satin weave using filament fibres such as silk, nylon, or polyester, the corresponding fabric is...

 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

Elegance

Elegance is a synonym for beauty that has come to acquire the additional connotations of unusual effectiveness and simplicity. It is frequently used as a standard of tastefulness particularly in the areas of visual design, decoration, the sciences, and the esthetics of mathematics...

, glamour

Glamour (presentation)

Glamour originally was a magical-occult spell cast on somebody to make them believe that something or somebody was attractive. In the late 19th century terminology a non magical item used to help create a more attractive appearance gradually became 'a glamour'...

, romance

Romantic love

Romance is the pleasurable feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.In the context of romantic love relationships, romance usually implies an expression of one's love, or one's deep emotional desires to connect with another person....

 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

Spandex fetishism

Spandex fetishism is a fetishistic attraction to people wearing stretch fabrics. Spandex garments are often worn by swimmers, dancers, rowers, contortionists and circus performers, and spandex fetishists may incorporate fantasies about these activities into their fetish.One reason why spandex and...

 and polyester

Polyester

Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...

are also admired.