Clothing Optional or Clothing Not Allowed??? Any Preferance? .

Replies

• CA

  

  Calidablue

  Nov 25, 2022

  I prefer optional. I prefer that people can make choices of their free will .I will choose naked of course, the next may not but will be there aware.
  My late wife was no nudist but enjoyed an clothing optional beach day and my, and others. nakedness.

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• EA

  

  EarlD

  Nov 25, 2022

  [quote]I prefer optional. I prefer that people can make choices of their free will .I will choose naked of course, the next may not but will be there aware. My late wife was no nudist but enjoyed an clothing optional beach day and my, and others. nakedness.[/quote] Excellent point I have often wondered why people who bemoan the fact that they arent allowed to pursue the freedom to choose to go without clothing would choose to take a choice to not be clothes free away from others. But at it seems we are in a world of extremes I chalk it up to each his own.

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• BR

  

  Brian

  Nov 27, 2022

  [quote]Really I think the rule should be reversed, I think all beaches should be nude beaches. Then someone can start a clothed optional beach.[/quote]
  No I think you are missing the point, clothing optional is not a rule one way or the other, it leaves everyone free to do what they want and that's what we need to strive for I'm not a big fan of rules, so any, "rule" that effectively says do what you want is a good rule...

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• BR

  

  Brian

  Nov 27, 2022

  I know some opinions are that if it's a nude beach everyone should be nude, but personally, as long as I can be naked, not really bothered what everyone else is doing,

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• NU

  nudeyooper

  Nov 28, 2022

  I agree that clothing optional should be the case for a lot more beaches and parks than exist today, but they can't be in so great a proportion as to keep those who are not comfortable seeing naked people or be nude themselves. What has happened in some places also should not take place again. Locations that have traditionally been places where nude is the norm get used by more and more people who do not use the nude option. Then over time they take over and before you know it, nudity has been banned.

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• BI

  

  Bill

  Nov 28, 2022

  [quote]Really I think the rule should be reversed, I think all beaches should be nude beaches. Then someone can start a clothed optional beach.[/quote] I DID catch your point, wombat - 'clothed-optional' as opposed to 'clothing-optional'. Just a few different letters makes every difference in the discussion. So many folks in True Nudists (and just about anywhere where language is written) do not, cannot or refuse to notice the subtleties of thought that must be taken into account if a point is going to get through, or in this instance, a bit of humor is introduced to the subject. A more openly-nude society is a lovely idea to me as well, though it will never happen. Rules have their place depending on the place in question. If one day every beach in the world were to begin requiring nudity, then it would be very easy to witness the hang-ups and sexualization which would follow when clothing is worn by the then rule-breakers. I understand that many European beaches are generally much more chill about allowing women to go topless and a general air of acceptance for what anyone wears, so hope does exist for those of us who know how ridiculous it is to constantly fret about everyone else's attire.

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• BR

  

  Brian

  Nov 29, 2022

  My point exactly, clothing optional is not a rule one way or the other, everyone is free to do what is comfortable for them, and has to be the way to go..

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• NU

  

  nudony

  Nov 29, 2022

  [quote]If nudity becomes a uniform the sense of freedom gets quashed.That sums it up perfectly. Yep that is so on point. And the argument that we are seeking freedom to live as we choose becomes moot.[/quote] I do have a question about "freedom." Many moons ago, I was at a resort - for an extended stay - with my then-wife. The question of "freedom" came up. My wife was a habitual "lap-sitter" at home, whether nude or not. It was her preferred way of connecting physically, but non-sexually. And she was a bit "put off" by nudist etiquette" frowning upon us sharing a lounge chair, and "perceived intimate physical contact" of her sitting on my lap. "If nudism is about freedom, why can't I "act naturally" with my husband?" It was a legitimate question. My current wife would make a similar observation many moons later. Is resort nudism truly about "freedom?" Or is the "freedom spoken of" merely about freedom from clothing? Is "true freedom" pursuable at a nudist resort? Some will say: "That's why I go to the nude beach." Sure, that seems to be the "freer" alternative. But that comes with its own issues. My favorite nude beach, Mazo, was shut down because the "authorities" deemed it "too free." I guess it's how one defines "freedom." For me, the "nude-obligatory" resort offers the freedom I'm looking for; since I'm looking for an interactive clothesfree environment with others. For someone looking for the freedom to wear "whatever", my resort probably wouldn't be a very freeing experience. They'd have to drive another couple of hours to TLR; which is "100% C/O." But even there, a woman in the pool area with a G-string (to quote a previous post) might feel out of place and get "weird looks"...so is "true freedom" really attainable?

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• EA

  

  EarlD

  Nov 29, 2022

  [quote]Why would my enjoyment of being clothes free be based on anyone elses star of dress.Well...among many of the nudist women I've spoken too, the consensus seems to be that they're more comfortable going completely naked when they can "just blend in", i.e, everyone else is naked as well.[/quote]
  
  That has not been my experience the women I have shared naturist experience with. All including my current partner prefer the opposite that being the option to choose. Isnt that what the freedom we want is all about the freedom to choose whether we wear clothes or not. Thats why clothing optional seems more safe because they can choose what is right for them
  
  On the other hand I find more men promote the clothes free requirement and complain when that isnt the rule. So at the end of the day everyones interest and intention is different so the option is best.To quote naturist philosopher author and filmmaker Marc Alain Descamps
  
  [quote]Naturism should never be imposed on those who do not want it. Many people are very ashamed of their body, their sex and are traumatized by the sight of the human body, so they can never get naked. And it is necessary to respect their state, as in the various phobias. Many people cant stand the sight of mice, spiders or snakes and you shouldnt force them.[/quote]

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• TD

  

  Tom D

  Nov 29, 2022

  Many people are very ashamed of their body, their sex and are traumatized by the sight of the human body, so they can never get naked.

  Although I wouldn't go so far as calling it traumatized, my wife is very uncomfortable seeing anyone nude other than me.
  Therefore, she would never consider going to a clothing optional location, let alone a nudity required one.

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• BI

  

  Bill

  Nov 29, 2022

  Though it has become a lively exchange, getting lost in the back and forth in this thread is the underlying reality that clothing promotes hiding part of oneself, both physically and mentally. That hiding in turn may incite some who see the 'clothers' to be drawn toward thoughts of what is under that cloth, leading those who may be more susceptible to their base emotions toward desire and even lust. Additionally, in a totally nude environment (aware of weather, sun and bug concerns which should always supersede naked needs), those who are tempted to hide their more intimate areas are pushed to address their own personal body view, and that is at its core what social nudism hopes to enjoin. When everyone is naked in a safe public setting, that lack of a hiding place quite often helps everyone involved to begin to let go of their sometimes mal-adjusted, often unrealistic view of their outward selves, and dragging their inward selves (whether kicking and screaming or calmly) toward a much healthier existence.

  So by permitting some to stay clothed when everyone else is not, it gives the mind of the clothed person a place in which to continue to hide themselves away from the world, even while bearing witness to the freedom and beautiful interaction between everyone else who is nude -- this in stark contrast to the unfortunate, internal, unhealthy fears they have convinced themselves of by not confronting the unknown, and their very wrong assumption that the mere sight of their unclothed body will bring forth rejection and revulsion from anyone who sees them. These understandable misgivings are no surprise coming from the world of textiles, and are at root, the absolute opposite of what is honestly one of the strongest arguments for social nudism.

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• ME

  Member

  Nov 29, 2022

  Well, nude beaches should have all people full nude or at least bottom nude.
  In Florida (Halouver beach), for example, there are clothes beach, clothing optional beach and nude beach. But at the nude beach, you ll find people wearing swim trunks or speedos. It should be completely nude or nude from the wait down. Otherwise, go to the clothing optional beach next to it.

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• TD

  

  Tom D

  Nov 30, 2022

  [quote]Well, nude beaches should have all people full nude or at least bottom nude. In Florida (Halouver beach), for example, there are clothes beach, clothing optional beach and nude beach. But at the nude beach, you ll find people wearing swim trunks or speedos. It should be completely nude or nude from the wait down. Otherwise, go to the clothing optional beach next to it.[/quote] Never heard that Haulover had a nudity required section. Where is it?

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• NU

  

  nudony

  Nov 30, 2022

  [quote]That has not been my experience the women I have shared naturist experience with. All including my current partner prefer the opposite that being the option to choose. Isnt that what the freedom we want is all about the freedom to choose whether we wear clothes or not. Thats why clothing optional seems more safe because they can choose what is right for them.[/quote] Well...in all fairness, perhaps it is because most of the resorts I've visited, and nudists I've known personally, were at "nudity-compulsory" venues/settings. It stands to reason that "regulars" at C/O venues are there because that is their preference. As I previously stated, my wife was very much "pro-C/O" at first; as we initially only attended C/O venues for her personal comfort (she was only willing to be nude to swim/soak or tan; and found "walking around naked" to be too "candid." Had it not been for an "accidental" excursion to a "nude-obligatory" resort, she probably would have remained "pro-C/O" indefinitely. But when she saw that the "norm" there was for everyone to remain naked, she found it "easier" to blend in, than stand out as the only one covered. It was a "different" form of freedom she found there. It may not be "universally shared"; but our women-friends at the resort do share the same experience of finding freedom in just leaving all their clothes in the car; and being amongst people who did the same. To answer the question: no, not every nudist is looking for the same type of "freedom." Nudist values are not a monolith. My wife - and our friends - have no interest in C/O venues or events; in great part because they've embraced "not having to make a choice." But...nude beach nudism is not for everybody. "Nude-obligatory" resorts are not for everybody. C/O resorts are not for everybody. Non-landed nudism is not for everybody. There is no "fits all' type of nudism.

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• MC

  

  Mcdcvs

  Dec 1, 2022

  Most of the places the wife and I have been are CO, she likes having the option and her choice is usually based on wether or not most of the other women are nude and that there are other older/bigger women as well. I dont mind CO so long as people dont mind that I choose to be nude.

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• ME

  Member

  Dec 2, 2022

  [quote]I dont mind CO so long as people dont mind that I choose to be nude.[/quote] I'm the same. I like the idea of setting a positive example for someone who might not be quite ready yet.

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• NU

  

  nudony

  Dec 2, 2022

  [quote]Most of the places the wife and I have been are CO, she likes having the option and her choice is usually based on wether or not most of the other women are nude and that there are other older/bigger women as well.[/quote]
  
  I don't know if it's the same situation; but a couple of weeks ago I had a discussion online with a gentleman on that topic. He was bemoaning the fact that his wife used to stay nude at their resort; but due to a "proliferation of sarong-clad women" at his resort over time, his wife no longer feels comfortable "walking around naked." So she also now spends a lot of time "sarong-clad" herself. It's the thing about "not wanting to be the only woman walking around naked."
  
  Stephane Deschenes's essay: "[em]The Sarong: Destroyer of Naturist Worlds![/em]" is often quoted. And I also quote:
  [em]"When I discussed the topic in more depth, some admitted that they felt uncomfortable being nude while so many other women were covered up. We now see the reintroduction of clothing as a tool of embarrassment. That is consistent with the textile world, where the sarong is commonly worn for modesty to cover up a bathing suit."[/em]
  and
  "[em]Marc-Alain Descamps, the French social psychologist who wrote many treatises on naturism, said that the reciprocal visual bestowal of complete nudity defuses the exhibitionist/voyeur relationship.1, In other words, a nude person in front of dressed people may feel somewhat exhibitionistic and perceive them as voyeuristic. That creates an imbalance that results in emotional discomfort.[/em]"
  
  But...I think that's a question women need to ask for themselves. If they're inclined to preferring nudity - but find it too "uncomfortable" due to a large presence of covered people - perhaps it is time to consider switching resorts or venues. But if they would choose to wear a sarong regardless of what everyone else is doing; then the C/O resort will work just fine.

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• JO

  

  John

  Dec 2, 2022

  The argument now seems to be: Is it appropriate to be clothed in a naked environment if it makes the naked people uncomfortable to be around you?

  If that's the case, I would think that it's on them to convey the fact that it's fine with them if you're naked, and to relieve that discomfort you may have. If they can do that, I'm OK with them being clothed around me. That's true whether I'm the only naked person and they're all clothed, or most of us are naked and they're not.

  I know that many of us are looking for places where total nudity is the norm, and that having folks with clothes on waters that down. If they can find venues like that, fine, and I would enjoy being at those places. But I'll take what I can get, and if the only venues around are C/O, that's also fine with me.

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• TD

  

  Tom D

  May 24, 2023

  [quote]Yes I will always happily strip right away but I know that not everyone is that comfortable[/quote] Did you feel that way when you first went to clothing optional locations?

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• NU

  

  Nudistinfla69

  May 25, 2023

  Every resort I have visited is clothing not allowed.

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• TB

  Tim buffkin

  May 25, 2023

  Thanks where do you go so I can not go there.

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• NU

  

  nudony

  May 25, 2023

  I think many of us by now are aware of Lake Como's decision to no longer be C/O (which is a way of avoiding saying they are now Nude-Mandatory).
  
  https://new.lakecomonaturally.com/about/faq/
  
  [em]"Lake Como is not a clothing-optional resort, but a traditional nudist resort where nudity is required in the pool and hot tub, and expected everywhere on the grounds, weather permitting. We are a clothes-free resort because we allow nudity throughout the grounds at all times."[/em]
  
  Some will applaud that decision while others will bemoan it. I'm thinking specifically of LC regular visitors and members with "accompanying but nudity-avoidant" SO's. I can imagine some responses from these SO's along the lines of: "Wait...WHAT?! Are you telling me I now have to stay completely naked the entire time I'm at LC? Well sorry; but no. I'm never going back!" I'm not going to minimize the blow this could represent to the nudist spouse who has chosen LC as their primary nudist venue. As far as newbies...well, a well-informed newbie would know what the expectation is from researching LC; and decide whether they are ready to be naked from check-in, or need to acclimate at a C/O resort.
  
  [quote]The argument now seems to be: Is it appropriate to be clothed in a naked environment if it makes the naked people uncomfortable to be around you?[/quote]
  
  To that point:
  There is probably a very good reason why LC decided on such a drastic change in policy - at the risk of losing visitors and revenue. One of the possible and plausibe - reasons being a "textilization issue" within the resort.
  
  I think most of us aren't opposed to the C/O philosophy. But. When the naked person outside the pool area ends up being the only uncovered person around and thus the odd one I think the resort has lost sight of its nudist purpose: creating an environment conducive to people being comfortable naked.
  
  The next time I'm in Florida, I will choose Lake Como as a nudist destination. I know my wife would be more comfortable getting around the resort naked if nudity is practiced everywhere on the premises. But that's just us...or is it?

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• TD

  

  Tom D

  May 25, 2023

  [quote]I think many of us by now are aware of Lake Como's decision to no longer be C/O (which is a way of avoiding saying they are now Nude-Mandatory). https://new.lakecomonaturally.com/about/faq/ "Lake Como is not a clothing-optional resort, but a traditional nudist resort where nudity is required in the pool and hot tub, and expected everywhere on the grounds, weather permitting. We are a clothes-free resort because we allow nudity throughout the grounds at all times." Some will applaud that decision while others will bemoan it. I'm thinking specifically of LC regular visitors and members with "accompanying but nudity-avoidant" SO's. I can imagine some responses from these SO's along the lines of: "Wait...WHAT?! Are you telling me I now have to stay completely naked the entire time I'm at LC? Well sorry; but no. I'm never going back!" I'm not going to minimize the blow this could represent to the nudist spouse who has chosen LC as their primary nudist venue. As far as newbies...well, a well-informed newbie would know what the expectation is from researching LC; and decide whether they are ready to be naked from check-in, or need to acclimate at a C/O resort. The argument now seems to be: Is it appropriate to be clothed in a naked environment if it makes the naked people uncomfortable to be around you? To that point: There is probably a very good reason why LC decided on such a drastic change in policy - at the risk of losing visitors and revenue. One of the possible and plausibe - reasons being a "textilization issue" within the resort. I think most of us aren't opposed to the C/O philosophy. But. When the naked person outside the pool area ends up being the only uncovered person around and thus the odd one I think the resort has lost sight of its nudist purpose: creating an environment conducive to people being comfortable naked. The next time I'm in Florida, I will choose Lake Como as a nudist destination. I know my wife would be more comfortable getting around the resort naked if nudity is practiced everywhere on the premises. But that's just us...or is it?[/quote] I have read that at many clothing optional resorts, many people were clothed for dinner and to a lesser extent breakfast in the restaurant. Was that the situation at Lake Como in the past? If so, how are people adjusting to being nude in the restaurant?

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• J

  

  J

  May 25, 2023

  Prefer clothign optional verses clothign not allowed. Wife is a textile (non-nudist). SHe does come to clothign optional events with me. Unfortunately our nearest nudist campground is couples only and mandated nude in water of pond and jacuzzi. There is no impact of clothign on chemicals in hot tubs and jacuzzis as many nudist locations claim. And there is no impact of clothing in the ponds. The mandating of being nude is to drive off gawkers i understand but it should be optional and not mandated for mixed couples to enjoy together.

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