Aesthetic attraction is a form of physical attraction to a person's appearance. It is defined as an attraction to the way someone looks, or how they present themselves. It is typically based on a desire to observe someone because one finds them aesthetically pleasing. It is often described as a similar feeling to looking at a nice painting or landscape. In the a-spec community, it is typically useful to distinguish aesthetic attraction from sexual attraction and romantic attraction.
Among allosexuals and/or alloromantics aesthetic attraction is commonly felt alongside sexual and/or romantic attraction, this is sometimes considered a necessary element of the experience. However, aesthetic attraction can sometimes be felt separately from other forms of attraction.
One of the earliest uses of the term "aesthetic attraction" among asexuals was in 2005, on the AVEN forums.[1] Since then it has been commonly included in lists of subtypes of attraction.[2]
An aesthetic crush is known as a swish, although the term is not widely used. One who does not experience aesthetic attraction may identify as a-aesthetic or nonaesthetic.