When it comes to sex and foreplay, there are countless ways people get in the mood. From gentle kisses on the neck, a go at role-play, to some more provocative exploits, like leather, whips and chains, sexual arousal can be brought on by many things. When a particular object, situation or body part that is not conventionally viewed as being sexual in nature excites a person however- it is considered to be a sexual fetish (e.g. rubber masks, wearing diapers and acting like a baby, sexual fixation to feet). While modern psychology assumes that fetishism is conditioned as a result of a strong emotional or traumatic experience, many people embrace their fetishes and do not feel a need to seek treatment. Clothing accounts for 58.3% of fetishes, rubber and rubber items, 22.9%, footwear 14.6%, body parts 14.6%, leather and leather items 10.4%, and soft materials and fabrics 6.3%. Here is a look at some of the notable sex fashion fetishes out there.

Furry Fandom

Some people never grow out of the stuffed animal phase but instead of dragging around their favourite Teddy Bear they literally slip into Teddy Bear’s skin. There are thousands of self-proclaimed “Furries” that feel they have an “animal soul” trapped inside of them. “Furries” feel a strong connection with anthropomorphic characters (fictional characters or objects that possesses human qualities, e.g. Donald Duck) and this connection becomes an obsession which can also be sexual. Though not all furries are in it for the sex, furverts enjoy sex or yiffing (sound a fox makes when mating) in their fursuits. Within furry subculture, plush animals are traditionally very popular and a significant number of furries might be considered plushophiles (devoted appreciation of and love for stuffed animals or plushies and plush toys).

Vampirism

The idea of drinking blood, living forever and keeping one’s eternal youth has always piqued our human curiosity about vampires. People playing out their vampire fetish will wear dark clothes, and engage in neck-biting to the point of even drawing blood.  There have been cases of people developing an obsession with drinking blood, a mental disorder called Renfield syndrome, traditionally known as clinical vampirism. The term was first coined by Richard Noll and is named after Dracula’s insect-eating assistant, Renfield, in Bram Stoker’s novel. There is an erotic attraction to blood and the idea that it has certain powers. According to Noll, a key event in childhood causes the experience of blood injury or the ingestion of blood to be exciting. After puberty, the excitement is experienced as sexual arousal. Throughout adolescence and adulthood, blood, its presence, and its consumption can also stimulate a sense of power and control. Noll explains that Renfield’s syndrome begins with autovampirism and then progresses to the consumption of the blood of other creatures.

Dominatrix

A dominatrix also referred to as ”mistress” is a woman who takes the dominant role in bondage and discipline, domainance and submission or BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism). The woman usually wears a corset or bustier, stockings with high heeled footwear and high boots to enhace her domination. Most women in dominatrix costumes carry an accessory such as a whip.

Rubber Fetish

Useful not only for making tires and wires, wearable rubber also fulfills an increasingly popular fetish, from its smell, to the feeling of raincoats and rainboots, or skin-tight constricitng rubbersuits. Rubber masks that make breathing difficult as well as gas masks are also highly appealing to rubber fetishists.

Nylon

For stocking fetishists, the act of a person donning or removing a pair of stockings is incredibly arousing. Some men with this fetish find it exciting to collect and wear stockings, sometimes wearing them hidden under their pants.

Ballet Boots

With elements of bondage and submission many feet fetishists adore ballet boots and shoes because of their difficulty to put on and take off, and how painful they are to stand on, making them especially appealing to masochists.  Arch-training devices are sometimes used to increase the wearer’s instep in order to fit into the high heels.

Stiletto Heels

 Trampling, worship and female domination make stilettos a very kinky accoutrement. Foot massage, stocking foot worship and footjobs are also very popular.

Leather

After World War II, leather-wearing became a big part of the homosexual biker-culture in London’s underground.  Nowadys there is a prominent leather-wearing subculture, especially visible within the gay community. Wearing leather expresses heightened masculinity and sexual power.

Latex

Similar to PVC, leather and rubber, the smell and feel of latex is highly arousing to this community of fetishists.

Plastic

The feeling of plastic seems to get some people really riled up. An anonymous post on a plastic fetish forum says “i have a fetish with anything made from plastic to pvc and vinyl. it can be trash bags, vinyl shower curtains to clothing made from pvc. i have thought about being a sanitation man. then i would have to sleep with my work.”

Nazi chic

The symbolism of extreme ideologies such as fascism has strong elements of dominance/submission but Nazi chic is a controversial topic in the fetish clothing subculture. Sometimes substitute symbols are used, with designs that clearly reference the design styles of Nazi symbols without directly copying them.

The techno fashion world is a smooth blending of technology and futuristic museum pieces rolled together to make up a line of clothing like nothing else to hit the runways. Sleek and full of artistry, there are no limits or boundaries for the techno fashion enthusiast. What was once a fashion faux pas with the likes of Barbarella, the techno fashion movement has captured with an inspiring collection of comfortable and practical garments to usher in a celebration of science and technology while maintaining style and grace.

The characteristics of the elite techno fashion market pays close attention to detail with fabrics, cuts, and clean defining lines. Not for everyone, the techno circuit can also intimidate with sheer and contouring lines that magnify body flaws to the hilt. So, if you were contemplating a gym membership, perhaps now is the time to sign on the dotted line. However, in the same vein as affliction clothing, the techno fashion statement sets the body free to express itself in its own unique way.

With your techno fashion clothing, complimentary accessories are a must. The techno fashion hand bags serve not only a fashion companion to the clothing line, but have proved to be some of the most practical and functional bags for gals on the go. The small, medium and large DJ bags are made with form fitting straps to hold tight when its time to hit the dance floor. No more flimsy straps and useless open compartments. The techno fashion bags are designed for utility, and lots of it with compartments for your cell phone and more, neatly arranged and secured for your active lifestyle.

The timing is right for the techno fashion wave, as women have had enough of binding clothing and restrictive shoes and accessories. The techno fashion line makes a bold statement that says you are a free spirit and refused to be defined by ruffles and frills. Power, strength and aggression are celebrated with a line of clothing that lets your inner strength shine through. The techno fashion line may not be for everybody, but for those who wear it well, it might just be the most liberating line of clothing ever created.

Today’s woman will do her own self definition, thank you, and the fashion moguls have finally caught on. Techno fashion offers a bevy of creations appropriate for street ware to Saturday night specials, with a boundless collection to reach the innermost expression of every woman. Choose from light and wispy dresses to full metal motifs, all created to shout it out that you are a leader, not a follower.

The female body was made to bend, stretch and take part in every aspect of physical activity, and for centuries, this basic human function has been ignored by the fashion industry. Whether by suggestion or by revolt, the tide has turned. Techno fashion clothing makes a bold statement that says “we are mad as hell and not going to take it anymore”. Be confident and be yourself with bold techno fashion garments for a dynamic statement that comfort and utility trumps everything else. Strong women are outspoken and assertive and have finally demanded a clothing line that agrees.

Tech gadgets are becoming increasingly incorporated into clothing, enhancing function and giving it a modern edge. Living in our fast-paced, highly tech-driven society, it is no wonder the fashion industry is becoming a number one hotspot for inserting gizmos. Turning snaps into switches, sneaking tracking devices into earrings for kids, electronics are being integrated into fabrics and here are some really neat wearable tech fashions merging fashion and practicality for the future.

Sports EyeTap

A very cool, sci-fi looking device that may one day come to replace eye glasses- the Sports EyeTap allows the wearer, while in a stadium, to follow a particular player in a field and have the EyeTap display statistics relevant to that player in a floating box above. This kind of technology would be useful in just about any field where a user would benefit from real-time interactive information. The EyeTap is also being explored as a potential tool for individuals with visual disabilities.

Pollution Dress

Designed to raise environmental awareness, the LED-Equipped “Climate” Gown responds to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere using conductive embroidery that transmits information to hundreds of tiny LED’s laced into the dress. This results in patterns that range from slow pulses to rapid flashes depending on the concentration of the greenhouse gas.

AK-39

Though for now the AK-39 is a wearable keyboard intended specifically for military use, devices like it are already underway for the general public, providing instant and reliable means of communication. Designed by iKey to be worn on the arm, this rugged keyboard provides a simple compact data-input solution that does not restrict the user’s arm movements. It is designed to meet MIL-461 standards and is intended for use in very harsh electro magnetic interference (EMI) environments, as well as withstand harsh environmental conditions such as rain, dirt or extreme temperatures.

Hug Shirt

The shirt that lets you give love even when you’re far away, the Hug Shirt, made by Cute Circuit, allows you to send and feel hugs to and from other Hug Shirt owning friends. The Hug Shirt is filled with wearable sensors and actuators, with a Bluetooth and Java enabled mobile phone- running on the ‘Hug Me’ Java software application. The sensors feel the strength of the touch, the warmth of the skin and the heart-rate.

MOTION RESPONSE sportswear

Designed by Kerri Wallace, MOTION RESPONSE sportswear, uses thermochromic printing techniques which enable fabric to change color in response to the wearer’s heart rate and body temperature. Much like the concept of a mood ring, the fabrics change colours based on the change in temperature. The technical term for this is thermochromism and as the athlete heats up, the Thermochromic ink disappears while the Thermochromic Liquid Crystal (TLC) ink becomes colorful. The color spectrum ranges from clear to turquoise to black and allows you, as well as others, to see the intensity of your workout.

HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam

Every lady needs a good clutch and now it seems she also won’t leave the house without her computer. Vivienne Tam’s stylish computer clutch has a 60GB hard drive and weighs 1kg. It has a 10-inch LCD display, a built-in webcam, and is powered by Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processors. Designed for the fashion-forward, woman on-the-go; the HP Mini 1000 sells for $1,199.

Dream Jammies

There is an element of creepy to this wearable tech fashion. Dream Jammies allow you to see how your loved ones are sleeping, even if they are on the other side of the world. The pajamas’ sensors are embedded into the embroidery and connect you to your loved ones’ phone which then displays an ambient colour that represents the state of sleep.

Designer and inventor, Alexander Reeder explains: “As you lay down to sleep, the screen fades from green to blue, the shade of blue reflecting your body temperature. As you roll around, the screen flickers red. By shaking the iPhone your partner is able to reach out, causing the chest of your pajamas to vibrate. Not pleasant while you sleep, but a perfect alarm clock. Not only are you able to keep in touch while living on opposite sides of the world, Dream Jammies offer insight into how you sleep by capturing data as you snooze.”

The phrase “dressed to kill” just got more literal. Most gang members and self-defense nuts will be aware of a lot of these but the regular person on the street wouldn’t dream of anyone stabbing them with a tie. Until now…

Boot or Neck Knife

The next time you spot a woman wearing a necklace which is partially obscured by her shirt take caution. These double-edged knives are often worn on the inside of a boot or on a belt; but as you can see the clip on the sheath can be attached to a chain and worn around your neck.

Brass-Knuckles Belt Buckle

The idea of using a belt as a weapon is not new a new one. The old ’swinging the buckle like a mace’ technique bares that out. For a more contemporary beatdown, you might want to invest in a creative brass knuckle belt buckle design. Despite their name, brass knuckles are most often created from a piece of steel that is shaped to fit around your knuckles. The point of this design is to increase the power of you strike by delivering it through a smaller and much harder contact zone. A punch thrown with a pair of these can lead to cuts and has the possibility of fracturing a bone.

Pocket Knife Tie-Clip

A tie-clip is a common addition to any suit ensemble. It not only looks good but it serves a purpose as well; it has the added benefit of holding your tie in place. However, when a compact, lightweight and flashy pocket knife is used as a tie-clip, the purpose becomes violent. The above knife has the perfect size and weight to serve as both a self-defense weapon and tie-clip; in fact the company that produces the above knife states that it can be used as a money or tie-clip. As if that wasn’t the intended purpose…

Garrote Watch

Fans of the popular British spy films will recognize this deadly fashion accessory. Concealed in this watch is a tough cord that is called a garrote. This weapon was used as a form of capital punishment in Spain where the condemned individual would have the collar tightened around his neck until death occurred due to the damage to the spinal column or strangulation.

Pen with Concealed Blade

Personally I believe in carrying a pen on my person because there are times when you need to write down something important. That is why people tend to carry fancy looking pens in their shirt or jacket pockets. However, the owner of this knife is less concerned with writing down appointments or taking down phone numbers; he is more worried about self-defense.

Dagger Shoe

Here is another fashionable weapon for all of you espionage fans out there. These ‘overly pointy’ shoes can be seen in the 007 film “From Russia with Love”. They have also made appearances in other action movies such as “The Punisher”, “Wild Wild West” and “The Dark Knight”. The idea is that there is a concealed blade in the shoe which can be triggered to emerge from the tip, similar to a switch blade. With the addition of this footwear all kicks have the potential to do lethal damage.

Chinese Prayer Beads

These beads can be worn around your neck or a shorter version can be placed around your wrist. The beads can be carved out of material like wood, amber and other more precious sources. This fashionable and religious accessory becomes dangerous when a durable cord is used to string the beads together since it can then be used as a garrote. Take a look at the first fight scene in this Jet Li video and you can see how deadly this item can be in the hands of an expert.

The Steel Rimmed Bowler Hat

Here is another deadly item of clothing from the James Bond film franchise; this dangerous headwear was sported by the assassin Oddjob in Goldfinger. It is a modified version of the late 19th Century design by William and Thomas Bowler called a Bowler hat. In the movie Oddjob was able to throw this hat at his victims and the brim was so sharp that it could cut through bone. This may not be completely realistic; but being hit in the face by a steel brimmed hat would do some damage.

Stiletto Heel

This vicious looking piece of footwear has intimidated me for many years; not only does it seem dangerous to the owner’s ankles but the heels look extremely sharp. In fact, the heel was named after a thin Italian dagger. These heels can be as long as five inches and have a narrow point with a diameter of only three-eighths of an inch. Some films have picked up on this potential for violence. In the film “Single White Female” Jennifer Jason Leigh used the spike of her stiletto to kill someone.

Machine Gun Briefcase

A briefcase is a necessary accessory to the attire of many businessmen. Most of the time these stylish cases contain business papers; however, this version has been modified to contain a sub-machine. The handle of the briefcase has been rigged with a trigger to enable the owner to fire rounds through a hole in the briefcase. Surprisingly this device is rumored to be quite accurate.

T-handle Knife Worn as a Belt Accessory

With an overall length of 2 5/8’’ this pair of t-handle knives can fit snugly into their sheath and be attached to your belt to look like a harmless accessory. However, as Sly Stallone demonstrates in this clip from Rambo: First Blood part 2, these knives can change the direction of a conflict once they have been unsheathed

With all of these potential fashion weapons I think that I’ll be a little more aware of the people surrounding me the next time I go shopping for some clothes.