Rubber fetishism is the fetishistic attraction to people wearing rubber, or in certain cases, to the garments themselves. Closely related to rubber fetishism is PVC fetishism, related to shiny clothes made of the synthetic plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Some "PVC" clothes are actually made from a mixture of polyester (58-80%) and polyurethane (PU) (20-42%). Just to add to the confusion, this is sometimes described as just "PU". An alternative mix includes PVC (63%), polyester (27%), and PU (10%). Pure PU clothes seem rare. The alt.lycra FAQ notes that PU "is a type of 'plastic' material that is very similar to rubber in many respects but has many superior characteristics and none of rubber's 'bad' habits."

One reason why rubber and other tight shiny fabrics may be fetishised is perhaps that the garment forms a "second skin" that acts as a fetishistic surrogate for the wearer's own skin. Thus, wearers of skin-tight rubber or PVC garments may be perceived by the viewer as being naked, or simply coated in a shiny substance like paint. Rubber and PVC can also be polished to be shiny and can also be produced in bright colours, adding further visual stimulus to add to the physical sensations produced by the material. The tightness of the garments may also be viewed as a kind of sexual bondage. The smell of latex rubber is also a turn-on for some rubber fetishists.

However, some rubber enthusiasts are also turned on by the wearing of draped rubber garments such as cloaks. Other rubber paraphernalia, such as gas masks and Wellington boots, are also often added to the scenario. Some PVC enthusiasts are turned on by PVC Hazmat suits and other forms of industrial protective clothing.

One variant of rubber fetishism involves Mackintoshes, a form of overcoat made out of rubberized fabric named after their Scottish inventor Charles Macintosh. This appears to be a peculiarly British form of rubber fetishism.

Rubber fetishism often involves dressing up in the material, or looking at it worn by sexual partners, or fantasies about wearers of skin-tight rubber garments, such as divers and workers wearing industrial protective clothing. Another common stereotype of is the image of a dominatrix wearing a skin-tight rubber or PVC catsuit.

For hygienic reasons, many sex toys such as dildos and butt plugs are made from rubber or similar materials, and this is also a factor in rubber fetishism. Some rubber fetishists are also medical fetishists or have an interest in klismaphilia.

The "Batman" films made heavy use of rubber and PVC imagery for Batman and Catwoman's costumes respectively.

A substantial industry exists to produce specialist rubber fetish clothing garments for rubber enthusiasts.

The International Association of Rubberists (http://rubberist.net) is a free online support community for those who may be struggling with their fetish. It is also a vast source of information on the rubberist subculture and its related industry.

The artworks of Allen Jones have been strongly influenced by the imagery of rubber fetishism and BDSM.

There are a number of specialist rubberist magazines devoted to this fetish, including:

• AtomAge
• Dressing for Pleasure
• Marquis
• <<O>>
• Shiny International
• Skin Two

See also

• Sexual fetishism
• Leather fetishism
• Spandex fetishism
• Neoprene
• Wetsuit
• Dry suit

External links

• The invention of the Mackintosh (http://level2.phys.strath.ac.uk/ScienceOnStreets/charlesmacintosh.html)
• The International Association of Rubberists (http://rubberist.net)(no fees)
• RubberDex index of Rubberist resources (http://rubberdex.com)
• 3xL : Lust, Love Latex! (http://www.lustlovelatex.com)(no fees)
• DMOZ category: Adult/Shopping/Clothing/Latex (http://dmoz.org/Adult/Shopping/Clothing/Latex/)