Exhibitionism - the fetish, art and reasoning of it
The first step to disambiguate this aspect of human sexuality is to try and define it. I will not try to do it. But rather, let's take a look at that a crowd-sourced encyclopedia has to say:
Exhibitionism is the act of exposing in a public or semi-public context those parts of one's body that are not normally exposed – specifically the genitals or buttocks of a man or woman, or the breasts of a woman. The practice may arise from a desire or compulsion to expose themselves in such a manner to groups of friends or acquaintances, or to strangers for their amusement or sexual satisfaction or to shock the bystander.
Clearly, there is a whole lot missing in the crowd attempt at defining exhibitionism. So, let's take a look at it the Sapien Sexuality way.
The big W(hy) - The reason of Negativity
The first big question we humans ask is "why". So why exhibitionism. I could give no better example for the reason of negativity. While I was researching this post, I came across a pornographic website which tagged, "public nudity where it's not allowed". In essence, the line pretty much sums up the statement. Or rather, a part of the line - where it is not allowed.
The act of desirable punishment has long been known and I will not try to still drive home any new revelations along those lines. I did however gave a half-hearted attempt to find some work done upon the very basics of idea. Like many other things, the seeds of such psychological behaviour are seeded in one's upbringing.
Upon searching for keys such as "punishment and children, effects", I started spotting results like "why do kids like to be punished" and "I don't like spanking kids but I do it anyway". Apparently, the society is looking at the right end of the key-hole.
Doing something that feels good and which is in generally shunned by a system which we believe we care about. Or, doing something that is shunned and hence feeling good about it, has been the deep-seeded cause for innumerable "societal misdeeds". Hence, I the aspect of the sinful gratification of punishment will be left at that. Moving on;
The acceptance for the love of sex and sexuality
Sex feels good. Insanely good. In fact, in my opinion, the most basic arterial instinct (let's talk about it some other day). But sex in it's any lest "chaste" form is locked away and thrown into the prison on ridicule. But every once in a while, one wants to be known for one's passion and love for sex and sexuality. To put it for the "Fetishism for the Dummies" way -- every once in a while, you like being known as a slut. Where you do not have to pretend anymore to adore that piece of beautiful sexual organ(s). When you exhibit, you give the world or at least the onlooker a glimpse of that love.
The various levels of exhibitionism (and the art of it)
Perhaps no other fetish has such a massive spectrum of variations or levels of indulgence. In my view, we can fairly describe the levels such:
** Oops episode (and the thin line of innocent sin) **
Perhaps the most common form of fetishism. However, there is a very, very thin line of difference between unwanted show and innocent sin (yes, I get the paradox). Keeping on the side of fetishism, here the exhibitionist remains within the realm of modesty but knows and enjoys what the tabloid word has termed the "oops moment". The slight drift of the neckline and just the hint of the areola. Or the slip of the hem for the glimpse of the bikini line. The subject feels the cooler breeze which is the tell-tale symptom of unorthodox exposure and lets it linger for just that extra moment. Or that extra hour.
** Frivolous Dressing **
From the most common to the most erotic in many opinions. Frivolous dressing is several steps above "oops" where there is deliberate exhibitionism, but scores away from fetishist clothing. Here the dress either is a common-day wear fashioned for exposure or just borders on intentional tailoring.
The exhibitionist wears regular clothes but goes that extra mile to exhibit sexually. Sometimes it can be as simple as keeping those extra two buttons open and at other times it means wearing a particularly sheer piece of fabric.
The most common way this is accomplished is by wearing a thin, white T-shirt. Thin, white dress shirts, dresses, and such work just as well. There's also mesh and see-through material. The problem is all of these tend to be glaringly obvious. Tight fitness clothes ,of varying colors, and thin material of any color that cling tight and make the areola just barely visible is excellent.
Tube-tops have been put out-of-date. Such clothing is usually worn in public places like the supermarket, or the mall, somewhere where there are strangers walking around in close quarters.
With basic exhibitionism, clothes become the most important tool, after the location. Essentially, one does not have to be completely naked to showoff. The first rule for this form is usually: no bra. In the most basic forms of exhibitionism one exhibits her nipples through the shirt. Bras are never useful, unless that's what is intended to be shown.
Clothes may do well on their own, but there's one other thing that goes a little beyond enhance the effect: water.
~ On Part II of Exhibitionism - the fetish, art and reasoning of it ~
On Deliberate Show (and how different it is from frivolous dressing)
On Fetishist Clothings
Being Caught in the actual act or rather, a willing display of it.
The internet escape