Sexual fetishism is a special inclination and orientation towards special objects (the respective fetishes) for sexual arousal. A fetish is therefore a stimulus of sexual desire and satisfaction.
Fetishes can be either animate or inanimate, and they can also be materials. Examples of typical fetishes include:
Stockings High Heels Trees Corsets Feet Hands Hair Paint Leather Metal
In a somewhat broader sense, the term fetish can also be used when someone becomes aroused by certain scenarios or practices. Examples of this would be:
Breeding Spanking Bondage Role playing (may overlap with uniform fetish) SM
The decisive factor in fetishism to distinguish it from non fetishistic sexual inclinations is the fact that it is independent of a person or sex partner. That means: If I have a leather fetish, I don’t care who is standing in front of me in a skin-tight leather suit – I find it insanely hot and want to let off steam, right here and now!