Uniform fetishism is a particular type of in which an individual is sexually aroused by uniforms. It is a form of sexual fetishism. Uniform fetishism has been associated with a variety of different uniforms, including schoolgirl and cheerleader uniforms, French maid uniforms, and uniforms associated with police or military organisations.
Types of uniforms
Among the most common uniforms in uniform fetish are those of a police officer, prison officer, soldier, schoolgirl,
cheerleader, nurse,
French maid, waitress or
fast food and
Playboy Bunny. Some people also regard nuns'
religious habit or even
as uniforms. The uniforms may be genuine, realistic, or they may be
sexualization through the use of a very short
miniskirt, a very long
hobble skirt or a
corset, through the use of
,
fishnet tights, or high heels, or by being made of
leather or
latex, according to preference. Sometimes uniforms are used according to the activity being done. For example, someone may wear a nurse's uniform to administer an
enema or a police uniform to
handcuff and cage someone. Two people may dress as inmates for cellmate-on-cellmate activities in a
prison setting or as a
submissive to a third (prison guard) roleplayer. This may add a sense of authenticity to the game play.
[The Visual Dictionary of Sex, Dr. Eric J Trimmer (editor), ; A & W Publishers, 1977] A
stripper dressed as a police officer is a popular fixture at birthday and
bachelor parties. The "officer" begins with a mock "
arrest", often using handcuffs, of the guest of honor before going into a dance routine.
Schoolgirl uniform
A schoolgirl uniform fetish is a
sexual fetish in which someone derives sexual pleasure from viewing others dressed in the typical schoolgirl uniform, or from themselves dressing in that manner. The fetish is common in both Japanese and Western pornography, prostitution, and other forms of adult entertainment, making it one of the most widespread clothing-oriented fetishes worldwide. In Japan, the fetish often uses a modified version of the traditional Japanese school uniform adapted to the more sexualized form of the
Kogal fashion style.
The schoolgirl image may appeal to women because it allows them to project a more youthful, innocent, or virginal image. These same reasons can explain part of the look's appeal to males as well.
In practice, the schoolgirl role is usually one that is sexually compliant or playfully "naughty" and submissive, while the schoolgirl's partner plays an adult authority figure such as a stern parent, teacher, or principal. This can include fantasies or reenactments of childhood events, including corporal punishments such as Erotic spanking, , or paddlings, among others, or dominating situations such as bullying or seduction.
Cheerleader uniform
Another popular clothing fetish involves cheerleader uniforms. The popularity of the provocative Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in the 1970s established the cheerleader as an American icon of wholesome sex appeal. An entire subgenre of
sexploitation films emerged, with titles such as
The Swinging Cheerleaders (1974) and
Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend (1979), plus countless pornographic films starting with
Debbie Does Dallas in 1978. As a result, the uniform remains an American favorite for Halloween costumes,
Costume party, exotic dancers, specialty prostitutes, and role-playing couples.
French maid uniform
A popular
costume for
sexual roleplay, the
French maid uniform, worn by a servant who traditionally defers to her wealthy master, carries an implicit dominance and submission symbolism. When worn during sexual foreplay or by practitioners of the
BDSM lifestyle, the maid may perform humbling (or even humiliating) acts of servitude, such as dusting, mopping, serving drinks, or
forniphilia (e.g., posing as a footstool or other forms of
human furniture). In
Friends with Money (2006),
Jennifer Aniston's character (who is a
maid service), dresses as a French maid for her boyfriend, first vacuuming and using a feather duster, then having sexual intercourse whilst still in costume. On the NBC TV series
30 Rock (May 2009, season 3, episode 3), Aniston (guest-starring) once again wore a skimpy maid costume in an attempt to seduce
Alec Baldwin's character,
Jack Donaghy. In
Desperate Housewives (Season 1, Episode 21), Lynette (
Felicity Huffman) wears a French maid outfit bought at a lingerie store to spice up her marriage.
Though not strict to historically accurate uniforms, the French maid outfit has an easily recognizable pattern and black-and white theme that remains the template for other forms of the costume.
The typical French maid costume includes:
-
A black dress with white trim, with a full skirt at or above knee length
-
White half-apron, usually with ruffle or lace
-
A ruffled or lace headpiece
-
Long stockings or tights. These can be white or black and vary from design to design
-
High heels
-
Feather duster
-
White or black lace garter
Optional accessories depend on design and context:
-
Choker necklace
-
Pearls
-
Other cleaning equipment
The outfits are frequently worn to fancy dress or costume parties, and also used in drama/theater.
Military, police, and Nazi chic
Uniforms worn by military personnel, firefighters, and police officers present an image of enhanced masculinity and authority that often has a strong sexual appeal to straight women, straight men, and gay men. For example, the popular 1970s disco group
Village People dressed up as gay fetish stereotypes, including a police officer, military man, and leather-clad biker.
Nazi chic, particularly the SS officer's black uniform, has been widely adopted and fetishized by underground gay and BDSM lifestyle groups, as well as cosplay. Parts (and variations) of the uniform, such as the leather boots and peaked cap, have become standard wear for the female dominatrix and male master or dominant. In the 1970s, the uniform's association with sadomasochism and forbidden sexuality was embodied in a wave of violent Nazisploitation films such as Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS (1975) and the controversial art-house film The Night Porter (1974). In the latter film, a topless Charlotte Rampling has an iconic scene performing a Marlene Dietrich song for a group of concentration camp guards while wearing parts of an SS uniform. Her ensemble of army boots and pants, suspenders, peaked cap, and black has often been imitated, such as Madonna's banned "Justify My Love" video in 1990. A slightly less revealing version of this outfit was worn by Lady Gaga in her 2009 music video for the single "LoveGame".
See also
