Fetishism is sexual interest focused on an object, symbol, or body part. Articles of clothing such as panties, bras, shoes, stockings, or handkerchiefs may be objects of intense sexual interest. Fetishists, usually male, also fixate upon body parts such as eyes, ears, hair, hands, or feet.
A minimal degree of fetishism can probably be found in most people. Fetishism as a psychosexual abnormality exists when individuals have strong preferences for a fetish, or believe they must have the fetish in order to achieve sexual gratification. The fetish may even be preferred to a sexual partner.