7 Comments

It's really concerning about the rising levels of micro plastics in the environment, especially in sea waters. Wherever climate is not harsh, as you said rightly, municipal corporations must encourage naked swimming which may help at least a little in reducing the micro plastic levels...

Expand full comment

Just to highlight the ridiculous hold that “fashion” has over at least some people, the fashion column headline from today’s paper:

“The new rules of wearing brown for men – and yes, you can wear it in town”

Expand full comment

In these days of growing concern over climate change and pollution, it certainly would be appropriate to use that to encourage the acceptability of public nudity. I think that most people don't realise just how significant is the contribution of the textile industry to matters such as carbon emission, fresh water pollution, and worse still - child labour and sweat shops. A few facts and figures are summarised on our Youtube clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnU9ESyX9H4

Expand full comment

Hi, reminds me of the 50s and 60s period where some schools allowed nudity in the school pool [ single sex ]. More the exception but common at the boys school I went to in Christchurch. There was also the policy that fabric of swim suits would disintergate and clog up the pool filter system. The Tepid Baths in Auckland had single sex clothing option for a short period.

Expand full comment

My English boarding boys' school in England, 1952-59, was swim-in-the-nude except when there were visitors present (competitions etc.) The school is now co-ed, I don't know what the current protocol may be - but I can guess :-(

Expand full comment

My understanding is that swimming costumes are a relatively recent phenomenon and that for most of human history, people swam nude. It seems bathing suits for women began appearing around the late 1600s and it took much longer for swimwear for men to become common.

Expand full comment

I recall reading (many years ago!) a newspaper report from late Georgian/early Victorian Brighton (UK) of a man being dragged from the sea because onlookers thought he was committing suicide - he was dressed in a (sharp intake of breath) swimming costume. Up until then swimming had been a naked pursuit. But then came .... fashion 😩

Expand full comment