Clothing fetishes are so commonplace and culturally widespread that we seldom think of them as kinky, unless maybe they are BDSM specific such as a leather fetish or a kink for red latex catsuits.
Clothing is about covering the body, keeping warm, and self-expression, but the idea that clothes are sexy is just as universally experienced as any of these.
Nearly everyone you know finds a woman wearing high heels sexy, for example. Tight jeans are hot. The little black dress is classic sex appeal. Fishnet stockings signify sex work, and are a staple of costumes when people dress up as a prostitute.
Fur still signals mature sex appeal and luxury, even if it has largely fallen out of fashion due to cruelty concerns.
The bottom line when it comes to clothing fetishes is that most of us have some. Leaving aside the strictest definitions of “fetish,” most of us get sexual pleasure from specific favorite clothes, or find certain fashions sexy.
We wear clothes that we feel helps make us more sexy. These preferences range from the Catholic school uniform of plaid skirt and white shirt, to cowboy boots and denim. But the vast majority agree—clothes can be very sexy.
What Is Clothing Fetishism?
When an inanimate object or a particular body part is a sexual fixation, we call this a fetish. Technically speaking, a true fetish is when that object is absolutely required for sexual arousal and pleasure and preferred to traditional sex.
Read: The BIG List of Kinks: 120+ Fetishes Explained
If the fetish is part of the spectrum of things that bring you sexual pleasure, it might be more accurately described as a kink. So a clothing fetish is when you need the presence of the clothing for sexual excitement and pleasure. A clothing kink would be a strong sexual preference for that kind of clothing.
In clothing fetishism, it could be the fabric that excites desire, or a certain kind of garment, or an entire look or aesthetic.
Do you have a sexual clothing fetish? Let’s look at some of the most common clothing kinks and fetishes, including fabric fetishes, specific clothing garment fetishes, and costume kinks.
Fabric Fetishes
Leather Fetish
Leather is a classic BDSM kink or fetish with a huge underground. It is a traditional S&M clothing fetish. People experience sexual attraction to and pleasure from both leather BDSM clothing styles and leather as a fabric.
People with a leather fetish say they love the look of leather, the feel of leather, and the fact that leather is a second skin. Leather can be symbolic of dominance and submission or related power exchange relationship dynamics.
Read: Leather Fetish Explained
Latex Fetish
Latex is kind of like a fantastic plastic version of leather. It is tight and shiny. Most latex and rubber fetishists love black or red or white latex, but every color is out there.
Latex has a high-tech futuristic look that symbolizes transhumanism to some. Others simply adore the skin-tight form-fitting aesthetic and the suggested power dynamics.
Read: Latex Fetish: Slippery, Shiny, and Tight
Spandex Fetish
Stretchy, skin-tight Spandex—it’s like a body glove that athletes, dancers, and curvy women can freely move inside of.
It’s no surprise that there’s a Spandex fetish—Spandex clothing accentuates the body beautifully and moves along with it like nothing else.
Read: Spandex Fetish: From Swimsuits to Superheroes
Nylon Fetish
Pantyhose were invented with nylon fabric to help smooth out a woman’s legs, and make it so her legs looked bare but technically weren’t in the workplace.
The flesh-toned stockings that are both hosiery and panties are slippery, filmy, and totally suggestive of sex. This became a wildly popular fetish in the heyday of nylons.
Read: Nylon Fetish Dating: Meet Women in Nylons
Fur Fetish
Fur fetishism is a popular if not politically correct clothing fetish. Fur, like leather, is prized for being natural and animal. It also symbolizes luxury and status and beauty.
In the golden age of Hollywood, starlets and dancers famously declared themselves naked under fur coats at parties, igniting a million pulses forever.
Clothing Fetishes
Panty Fetish
The panty is as close to the pussy as you can get. The idea that a thin, filmy piece of fabric touches her pussy, absorbs all the essence up close and personal, and also provides a flimsy barrier of access make panties absolutely tantalizing. This is a very common form of clothing fetish.
Read: Panty Fetish Explained: What’s Your Panty Kink?
Pantyhose and Stocking Fetish
Mentioned already above, nylons are both a fabric fetish and a clothing fetish, often both. For some, nylon is all about texture and fabric, and for others, it’s a visual fashion thing.
People with a pantyhose fetish often have a strong preference for style or exact color of nude. They might like a certain style of heel or seam. Older than the pantyhose fetish is the stocking fetish, which come with garters. Fishnets are their own clothing fetish, too.
Read: Stocking Fetish: 6 Types of Stocking Kinks
Sock Fetish
From white ankle socks to striped knee highs, sock fetishism is a common clothing fetish and often crosses over too with foot fetishism.
Read: Sock Fetish: 8 Sock Kinks and How to Play
Jeans Fetish
The denim fetish can be a fabric fetish, with the denim lover getting off on the fabric itself. Jeans as a clothing fetish are also widespread—many if not most women have a thing for men in jeans and get turned on by jeans, and lots of guys prefer a girl in jeans over formal wear or skirts.
Shoe and Boot Fetishes
From cowboy boot to ballet shoe to sandal, hell, even Crocs are a fetish for some—the shoe is a nearly universal sexual symbol we all respond to at least occasionally.
Read: Shoe Fetish and Ways to Play with Refitism
Gloves Fetish
Hand fetishism is not as common as foot fetishism and hence, shoe fetishes, but many do find the hand attractive and the glove is a kind of sexual fetish then. Gloves are viewed as classy and beautiful and suggestive.
Jacket Fetishes
From leather jacket to puffer coats, many people have a jacket fetish. Most have a strong preference for a particular kind of jacket, but a few fall for any old jacket—it’s the idea of the coat as body covering, like a dress but different.
Read: Jacket Fetishism: 8 Coat and Jacket Fetishes
Fetish Wear
Of course BDSM fetish wear is hella sexy and lots of clothing fetishists want hardcore buckles, corsets, leather, lace-ups, hardware, latex, harnesses and more.
Read: Dominatrix Outfit and Femdom Clothing Ideas
Sexual Clothing and Costume Kinks
Clothing fetishes are easy and comfortable for most people to indulge in their partners. It’s a great way to experiment and explore various kinks.
Roleplay
Roleplay allows us to try on different outfits for a costume kink or clothing fetish, and also to experiment with different fetishes, without too much commitment. Acting out a role can be a one time thing or a regular scene.
You can roleplay BDSM power exchange dynamics, or a medical kinks, or be a southern belle for a day. It’s limitless!
Read: Sexual Roleplay: A Guide for Roleplay Beginners
Uniform Fetish
From cops to military to nurse, many clothing fetishists have a thing for a specific kind of uniform.
Read: Uniform Fetish: 4 Roleplays for Uniform Lovers
Clown Fetish
For those with a clown kink, putting on make-up and getting dressed up in clown costumes is a big part of the allure.
Read: Coulrophilia: The Clown Fetish is a Real Kink
Crossdressing
It’s extremely common to have a kink for women’s clothing and enjoy wearing them. Lots of wome like to try on androgyny or dress up as men as well.
Sexual Cosplay
Sexual cosplay just means dressing up in different costumes for the sake of sex and sexual roleplay. This could be any kind of costume, from Alice in Wonderland to a matador.
Read: Cosplay Sex: Why We Love Sexual Cosplay
Sexual Furries
Anthropomorphic cosplay is a whole subculture often called “furries.” Not all furry play is sexual. But some furries go all the way.
Zentai Suits
The sleek ninja-like onesies in every color of the rainbow are usually Spandex and cover toe to head, flexible and skin tight. Used by dancers and athletes and performance artist, the bodycon zentai suits have become their own form of clothing fetish.
Do you have a clothing kink or fabric fetish? Tell us all about it.
Tell us what you think