At first glance, sexual fetishes may seem like a taboo but, really, do we see them that way? As long as it doesn’t threaten your overall wellbeing in any way, a little fetishism here and there can be perfectly normal for your sexual health and wellness. In fact, under the right circumstances, we’re perfectly happy to dish the dirt on what turns us on – are these fetishes? Technically speaking, turn-ons that seem “normal” are, in fact, fetishes. The definition of a fetish is an intense focus on an something that’s essential to your arousal but does not have any inherent sensuality in and of itself. In the more common use of the term, a fetish simply plays a supporting role, not the lead, in your sexual experience. So, do you have a sexual fetish? Let’s look at a few of the more common ones to find out:
1. Body Piercing: If you’re over 40, this one may not be so appealing, but tongue, lip, nipple and genital piercings have particularly high fetish value as they can aid in sex acts almost directly. For piercing fetishists, the arousal also comes from the piercing itself; the thought of the piercing act, the feel of the cold metal, the contrast of hard-on-soft and even the perceived deviance. In a similar way, young people commonly have a thing for tattoos, while ear discs and surgical implants (which can make a human look, say, alien or demonic) have deep sex appeal for a select group.
2. Hair: Hair can be a very sensual thing; as any tousled, wind-blown Victoria’s Secret ad will attest. However, a hair fetish goes beyond the obvious. Primarily, it’s men who like to involve women’s hair in the sexual experience in some way, and it can be highly specific. While some men will only go for women with long blond hair, others are only interested in curly brown hair or very short hair. For women, a hair fetish will often lie in the facial realm, with a nice beard making all the difference to a sexual experience. Moreover, there is a smaller group that appreciates a lack of hair, with men finding bald women to have an irresistible appeal.
3. Leather: You probably could have guessed that leather would appear on this list, as there are even entire clubs dedicated to it. Leather – and black leather in particular (apparently tan just won’t do it) – is almost inextricably associated with sex. This is certainly the case when a woman wears it, but there’s little denying the appeal of a bad boy in a leather biker jacket. However, when the appeal of leather becomes a fetish, it’s more often associated with sadomasochistic sex play. The outfits can range from leather boots, gloves and trousers to full-body costumes, masks and corsets. The fetish may derive from the animalistic origins of leather; the way it can act as a shield for tender, human skin, or because it looks kind of tough and scary and for some, there’s nothing hotter than fear.
4. Shoes: In the realm of inanimate objects, shoe fetishes are the most prevalent of them all. Mostly, this applies to men who find high heels very appealing, particularly when a woman wearing them (and possibly nothing else) during sex. Some say it’s the proximity to the leg, which inevitably leads to the genital region, that makes shoes so very titillating to so many, however, it all comes down to the appearance of the shoe; how high the heel is, the pointiness of the toe, the shaft length of a boot, etc.