Shoe fetishism is the attribution of attractive sexual qualities to shoes or other footwear as a matter of sexual preference, psychosexual disorder, and an alternative or complement to a relationship with a partner.[1][2] It has also been known as retifism, after Nicolas-Edme Rétif (October 23, 1734–February 2, 1806), called Rétif de la Bretonne, a French novelist. Individuals with shoe fetishism can be erotically interested in either men's or women's shoes.[3][4] Although shoes may appear to carry sexual connotations in mainstream culture (for example, women's shoes are commonly sold as being "sexy") this opinion refers to an ethnographic or cultural context, and is likely not intended to be taken literally.[5] Feet and pantyhose are related fetishes which are common among shoe fetishists, but this is not always the case.
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In order to determine the relative prevalences of different types of fetishes, scientists obtained a sample of at least 5000 individuals worldwide from 381 Internet discussion groups. The relative prevalences were estimated based on (a) the number of groups devoted to a particular fetish, (b) the number of individuals participating in the groups and (c) the number of messages exchanged. Using these measures, feet and shoes were found to be the most common target of preferences. This is consistent with an analysis of millions of search queries by users from the USA that were accidentally released during the AOL search data scandal.[6] Sixty-four (64) percent of the sampled population that had a preference for an object associated with the body had a preference for shoes, boots, and other footwear.[7][8]
During the late-1960's the media brought the case of serial killer Jerry Brudos to the public's attention. Brudos known as the Shoe Fetish Slayer would amputate his female victims' feet and dress them up in his large collection of ladies' shoes.[9]
In 2006 the Thurnscoe Shoe Rapist was arrested 20 years after his first attack. He raped women and had over 200 pairs of stiletto shoes that he kept at his workplace as trophies.[10]
The mid-1960s British TV series The Avengers often featured fetishistic clothing, and Patrick Macnee and Honor Blackman released a 45 RPM single in 1964 titled "Kinky Boots".[11][12]
The Sex and the City episode, "La Douleur Exquise!" featured a shoe salesman with a shoe and foot fetish, who allowed Charlotte York to have expensive shoes for free simply for allowing him to assist her in trying on various pairs of open shoes whilst he openly complimented her on the state of her feet and offered reflexology. The relationship came to an end when Charlotte figured out she had been getting discounts because she was letting him hold her feet, and was further discomforted by the salesman obviously climaxing while assisting her with the sixth pair of the day.
The movie There's Something About Mary featured a former boyfriend of Mary with a shoe fetish. He tried to steal her shoes.
In the animated comedy show Family Guy the character Glenn Quagmire has a foot and shoe fetish, among other fetishes.
In the 1995 movie, While You Were Sleeping starring Sandra Bullock, the main character's landlord played by Michael Rispoli has a shoe fetish.
In the 2000 Japanese television series, Bus Stop the main character, Musashi, has a strong interest in high heels, and at one point repairs a broken high heel for the woman he is pursuing.
In Lady Gaga's music video "Paparazzi (Explicit)[13]" by Johnas Akerlund there is a scene in which a man is licking the singer's black high heeled pump.
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