From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (September 2007)

This article does not cite any references or sources. (July 2006) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Pantyhose

Pantyhose fetishism is predominantly a mild sexual fetish involving women's pantyhose (sheer tights in UK). As with many other common fetishes it can first surface in childhood during adolescence.

Often a pantyhose fetishist may also engage in stocking fetishism, the unique silky sheer aspect, feminine 'association' and allure of both being the link. Many current day male's fetishistic preference for pantyhose over stockings may be related to the fact that pantyhose are in almost direct contact with female genitalia or perhaps more importantly are the preferred hosiery for most females when skirts and dresses are worn.

In simple terms pantyhose fetishism usually manifests itself in one or more of the following ways:

• Wearing of pantyhose by either the female or male during sexual activity with a sexual partner or 'cross-dressing' in them whilst alone (male).
• Interacting in any way with pantyhose in any other way or form during such sexual activity.
• Simply observing/admiring and experiencing heightened arousal by females who are wearing pantyhose.
• Wearing pantyhose over the legs, arms, genitals and face.
• Somethings used as gags--either as the stuffing in the mouth or the item to secure the gag.
• Some enjoy the feeling of themselves - or seeing a partner - urinating while wearing pantyhose, although this would tend to be more associated with the fetish of watersports, or urolagnia.

In the first two instances, during the lone activity of a young fetishist it is often desirable for some that the pantyhose have been worn by a specific 'role model', be it an aunt, neighbor or friend. This sometimes leads to the fetishist stealing pantyhose from stocking drawers, laundry baskets, trash bins, and washing machines. This is as suggested perhaps far more common during the earlier years of childhood and adolescence when a youngster is still 'exploring' his whole sexuality as an aspect of 'growing up'.

The sub-categories and degrees of pantyhose fetishism are far, far too many to list as it can be endlessly sub-divided and is in many cases combined with other fetishes or paraphilias of the fetishist (and his partner too) so as to make an individual's preferences as with many other common fetishes totally unique.

(A few typical examples of sub-categories would be: a focus on certain areas of the body whilst wearing pantyhose, e.g. feet (a variation of the very common foot fetishism), genitals/posterior; wearing pantyhose with other specific garments; e.g. shoes or panties or skirts, uniforms [girl at work, secretary, flight stewardess, policewoman, Hooters waitress, girl next door etc are all very common]; certain styles eg. sheer-to-waist, opaque, patterned, specific deniers (predominantly sheer), brands, or shades, or simply admiring women who wear pantyhose (a mild form of voyeurism) or even finding the wearing of them to be a primarily sensual and most pleasant experience.

See also: Transvestic fetishism

Men who enjoy wearing pantyhose for fetishistic purposes if 'discovered' will almost invariably be labeled as a transvestites by their partners, families, workmates and society as a whole, most of whom will be somewhat understandably ignorant of the subject and its complex degrees of incidence, regularity and patterns. In addition there are so many different reasons for cross-dressing, numerous of them not being a part of a fetish.

A man who cross-dresses may be deeply anxious and worried about being associated with homosexuality or transsexuality, and as such most will endeavour to keep the fetish totally private, commonly hiding it from their wives/partners (though many do have an ultimate trust and understanding of their partners who are happy include it within their relationships) due to such enormous fears that are invariably and totally out of context with such relatively mild desires.

The wearing of pantyhose by men thus can become a strong fetish which does consume some and often opens up a charged transvestitic fetish in itself. Men or women once they have slipped on a pair of pantyhose, will most likely start masturbating. However, this has nothing to do with being a transvestite. Masturbation is only a part of wearing pantyhose, and is not practiced by all. Remember these behavoirs are not only practiced by men. Women too can have a fetish for pantyhose, and do use them for sexual use such as masturbating. This may also occur outside the home. If a male or female becomes aroused while wearing pantyhose they may choose to masturbate in their car, in the bathroom at work or more extreme, masturbating in their pantyhose at their desk. The escapism and fantasy of wearing pantyhose, especially when highly visible (ie wearing pantyhose with a short skirt or dress) remains one of the leading "kicks" for men with this heightened and expanded fetish. The thought of being seen looking like a woman in such attire can be a huge turn on for men of this leaning,

It must be noted however 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.

For a discussion of the non-fetish aspects of male pantyhose wearing, see Pantyhose for men.