Pantyhose Fetishism

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Pantyhose fetishism is a relatively mild sexual fetish of women's pantyhose or (sheer) tights as they are known in the UK. Men often find sexual partners wearing an obvious highly definitive item of female clothing such as pantyhose stimulates variable amounts of increased sexual arousal. The wearing, often in secret, of pantyhose by the male partner to recreate a similar but reduced arousal is also a common occurrence however if he is 'discovered' and it is not fully explained/understood the female often assumes her partner is a transvestite which in many instances can result in mutually high levels of worry and stress. Compromise, communication and understanding from both partners is required.

Typically the fetish is first encountered during early formative years of childhood and is often if not always related to a specific 'role model(s)' such as an older sister, aunt, neighbour or friend whose legs and pantyhose are attractive enough to trigger an initial random curiosity that can and often does result in increasing admiration and envy. Many will then become inexplicably driven to obtain the pantyhose from a trash bin, linen basket, bedroom, etc.

The fetish relates strongly to stocking fetishism, the distinct sheer and absolute feminine appearance of them being the common denominator. Many males preference for pantyhose above nylon stockings may be related to the fact that they are in (almost) direct contact with female genitalia whilst also covering more of the female form. Some will also have strong desires to emulate the experience of wearing the same specific feminine item(s) as 'the girl next door' or the 'girl at school' or in later adult life a female partner. This goes some way to explaining the apparent increased incidence of pantyhose as a prevalent modern day fetish. They are now believed (in the western world) to be the third most popular clothing fetish item.

The sub-categories of pantyhose fetishism are far too many to list here as it can be endlessly sub-divided and is in many cases combined with other fetishes or paraphilias so as to make an individual's preferences as with many other common fetishes uniquely distinctive.

A few examples of sub-categories are: a focus on certain areas of the body whilst wearing pantyhose; e.g. feet (a variation of the common foot fetish); wearing pantyhose with other garments e.g. shoes, uniforms, etc; specific styles of pantyhose; sheer-to-waist, patterned, brands/shades and admiring women wearing pantyhose in public (a mild form of voyeurism).

As mentioned pantyhose fetishism often starts in or significantly before puberty perhaps instigated by events of a major emotional, sexual or sensual nature although it's common that some may start as a child by instinct alone 'exploring softer things' from as young as 6 or 7 years old, sometimes even earlier. The child can then become almost mesmerized and obsessed by looking at women's pantyhosed legs abserving, for instance such superficial details as the 'swishing' sound when legs are crossed, the soft touch when sitting on a lap, the silky appearance etc.

The adolescent (typically 10-14 years) becomes excited whenever he encounters an attractive female wearing pantyhose and will possibly start to experience pleasant fantasies about this mundane item of clothing and its wearer. Through his mid-teens he could in all probability 'progress' onto experiencing the most powerful and deeply confusing sexual and sensual emotions he will ever know. A typical scenario would be that of having a girlfriend in a 'normal' relationship but finding her far more 'sexy' when she wears her skirt and pantyhose.

In adult life males with this fetish, not unlike many other fetishists, will be predominantly respectable and responsible, heterosexual family guys. Many for whatever reason innocently enjoy admiring women's pantyhosed legs and/or wearing pantyhose themselves, perhaps this latter need being reinforced over recent years as women have, somewhat ironically, discarded their skirts and pantyhose for that most traditional of male garments; trousers. This may also play some part in explaining the significantly increased occurrence of cross-dressing behaviour patterns/aspects of fetishism now being 'explored' by men.

The typical pantyhose fetishist is not unlike most men who 'cross dress' to whatever degree or for whatever of many possible reasons. He is deeply worried and concerned about being associated with homosexuality or transsexuality, and therefore seldom wears in public although pantyhose fetishists will often wear pantyhose under their trousers/socks or simply wear traditional male garments for 'peace of mind' and just content themselves by continuing to admire and envy their partners/women's freedom, and beautiful legs of course!

Pantyhose fetishists may also use the joined pair of nylons as a buffer during masturbation. Wrapping their erections with the silk pantyhose and ejaculating into a soft, contained space.

In some instances the fetish can thus be sensual in the extreme whilst not being primarily sexual.