What is a fetish?

1. Questions and answers about fetishes.

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What is a fetish and what is fetishism? Well, according to Webster's Unabridged Encyclopaedic Dictionary, (1989 edition) the definitions are as follows:

Fetish:
1. An object regarded with awe as being the embodiment or habitation of a potent spirit or as having magical potency.

2. Any object, idea etc., eliciting unquestioning reverence, respect, or devotion.

3. (Psychology). Any object, part of the body etc., that, although not of a sexual nature, causes an erotic response or fixation.

Also spelled fetich.

Fetishism:
1. Belief in, or use of fetiches.
2. (Psychiatry). The compulsive use of some object or part of the body as a stimulus in the course of attaining sexual gratification.
3. Blind devotion.

Also spelled fetichism.

For our use it is clearly the definitions 2 and 3 (for fetish) and 2 plus perhaps 3 (for fetishism) that is relevant, the object being some form of clothing, outfit or footwear.

Who are wearing fetish fashion?

All kinds of people! - There's secretaries, editors, presidents, housewives, students, workmen, politicians, models and even unemployed among those known to enjoy the fashions. Perhaps you're next?

Is it true that high heels damage the foot?

No, not when we're talking quality footwear and healthy feet. All footwear may cause damage to the feet if too small or too badly designed. High heels are no exception, but studies even show that it actually may be healthy (better) to wear heels in the range 2"-3" than to wear flats!

Lani Teshima-Miller writes:

The problem is not with feet--it's with your back and your posture. High heels throw your whole spine out of whack because of the way it makes you stand--makes it curve differently. I think it used to lead to sore backs for me.

Why do some women (and men) enjoy (or even prefer)
to wear high heels?

Ask them! - No, seriously, it may be that they both find them comfortable and enjoy what they're doing to the posture. There can be no doubt that high heels enhance both the legs and the overall posture and this makes the appearance much more sexy. And sex is power...

Do some women really find high heels to be comfortable?

Yes! - Most prefer more ordinary heel heights like 3", but some find higher heels even more preferable, and some even find 5" heels to be comfortable! Some even wear 6" heels on a regular basis, although those are more often to be found in connection with a scene - worn in the bedroom. Even 7" heels exist, but these are rarely seen.

Can excessive wearing of high heels in any way be damaging?

Yes, but in no way permanent. Non-stop wear can cause a shortening of the tendons in the back of the legs, causing pain when wearing heels lower than usual. Ignoring this pain can damage the tendon permanently, but the condition can be cured by wearing slightly lower and lower heels for an extended period. Some of the people suffering from this problem chose to handle it by wearing high heels all the time.

It is a die-hard myth that all high heels damage the foot. This is not true! - Badly designed (cheap) heels might cause corns or worse, but well-designed, well-fitting high heels DOES NOT damage anything when worn even on a daily basis, as long as the feet gets to rest at least during the sleep period or similar (the feet needs shoeless rest). Fanatic 24h wear is another story...

Is there anything important to know when starting to wear high heels?

Lani Teshima-Miller writes:

There is one very important thing to remember about high heels and starting to wear them, is that many people don't have trained ankles. You have to first learn how to walk in them, learn how not to wobble (by training your balance and ankles), and learn how to react when you happen to bend your ankle. I used to do this A LOT but never sprained it because I'd worn high heels all the time. But if your ankle's not used to it, watch out!

How do I get my girlfriend to wear high heels (or boots or clogs) more often, particularly in the bedroom?

Ms. Margo writes:

First good thing to try is to ask her, but not when you're already in bed. Try some evening after dinner, "I really think you have beautiful legs and feet. I would love it if you would wear heels to bed some time." It's always easier if the other person feels that they are giving you a gift rather than being pressured into doing something that might make them uncomfortable. Buy her a really nice pair of heels. Well made, and unfortunately expensive, shoes will fit better and be much more comfortable than the $20 "all man made materials" throwaways that most shoe stores carry. I have a pair of extremely expensive thigh-high leather boots that fit perfectly. I can be on my feet all night, either at home
or out at an event like ManRay, and my feet don't hurt. Shoe pads are good. The little Dr. Scholls (sp?) pads for the balls of the feet will make any high heels more comfortable. More comfortable = worn more often!

Other good tricks are to rub the feet with hand lotion and go to bed with cotton socks on. Three nights in a row of this will make even my 6" heels comfortable for a full evening. Exercise will help to stretch the tendons in the ankles and calves. A good one is just to walk on your toes for a bit each day. Another good one is one skiers do - put your toes on the edge of a phonebook with your heels hanging off, raise and lower your heels stretching gently. If she is walking in high heels on a pile rug, offer your arm for support. Many women feel "unstable" in high heels and the extra support is comforting.

To get her into bed with the shoes on, you might just try carrying her to the bed while she is dressed, and removing everything but the shoes. If all else fails, you could always go for the bondage shoe straps which lock the heels on, but I suspect this would freak her out worse than the shoes.

Talk to her if she seems uncomfortable about your requests. Find out exactly what makes her feel uncomfortable and help her with those issues. Many women have been raised to see this kind of behaviour as "kinky", "sick", or "slutty". Assure her that whatever makes two people happy is just fine. Assure her that you hold her in the highest respect and don't question her virtue. Assure her that you want to be perfectly honest with her, rather than hiding your desires from her.

And last, but not least, compliment her if she does wear heels for you. Best of luck in your quest. A love for high heels is a wonderful, abet expensive, joy.

Why do some women (and men) enjoy (or even prefer) to wear high heels?

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