Why 'hotwifing' trend growing in popularity with couples is massively different from swinging

You've probably seen the 'hotwifing' trend doing the rounds online in recent weeks, but how does this craze compare to previous relationship trends?

Searches for 'what's a hotwife' have skyrocketed by 450 percent over the past month, but it's far from the first polyamorous trend on the block.

When most people think of non-monogamous lifestyles, their minds will turn to swinging, which gained popularity in the mid-20th century in the US.

In the decades since, this trend hasn't gone anywhere and has become more accepted into society.

A brand new swingers' cruise from Killing Kittens has even been announced for the summer of 2026, adding to the numerous existing cruises already available to polyamorous couples.

Monogamy seems to be a thing of the past, as more open marriages and undefined relationships are popping up.

But what's the difference between swinging and the new hot trend in hotwifing?

What is hotwifing?

Couples are a lot more adventurous nowadays (Getty Stock Image)

It's the new trend on the block which has caused waves on social media, and it involves a husband getting pleasure from his wife fooling around outside the confines of their heterosexual marriage.

Basically, she will be allowed to take part in sexual acts with others, with the husband either aware of her activities, or in the room to watch it all.

It involves her being given the consent to do as she pleases, while both people in the marriage enjoy getting sexual satisfaction out of it.

However, boundaries are usually set to avoid jealousy or crossing the line into infidelity.

Why is it popular?

People who subscribe to this lifestyle have compared it to 'letting your friend test drive your car'.

"He gets to see how well it rides. He’s got to give it back, but it creates a sense of pride. You get a little taste of what my life is like," one said in an interview with MailOnline.

It's about a sense of being proud, as adult content creator and hotwife Holly Jones admitted in an interview with the Holly Randall Unfiltered podcast that her partner would say: "I have the hottest woman in the world, why would I not want to share?"

She doesn't think about the 'degrading aspect' either, adding that it's like a 'trophy thing' that 'fulfils his fantasies'.

The trend is growing in popularity (Getty Stock Image)

What is swinging?

The classic polyamorous lifestyle is more balanced when it comes to the sexual freedom of both people in the relationship.

Both people are allowed to sleep around, with meet ups such as 'key-parties' gaining popularity in the 1970s, where married couples would often 'swap' partners.

Usually, four people are involved in swinging and all of them have sex, which is where the term 'partner swapping' comes from.

It is often done in the same room as well.

People are more openly adventurous with their relationships nowadays (Getty Stock Image)

What are the differences between hotwifing and swinging?

Obviously, hotwifing involves one person carrying out sexual acts on someone outside the relationship, while swinging has been coined as more of a 'team sport'.

With hotwifing, the husband can even have sex with his wife after she sleeps with someone else, something known as 'reconnection sex'.

Swinging is also somewhat more sociable, often meaning that a couple is friends with another before carrying out the deed.

This can be going out for a meal or drinks, before taking it back to the bedroom, or elsewhere. Think of it as a social activity.

When it comes to hotwifing, the wife does not need to be friends with their sexual partners, and may want to have sex with a physically attractive male, regardless of his personality.

Feelings are usually out of the question, though there are situations where she may trust the man more.

With both though, everyone involves knows their roles and communication is key in making it all work smoothly.