Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DH's attire on family holiday

145 replies

onesinglepringle · 27/08/2026 08:28

Just looking for some opinions as I don't know if I'm being weird about this!

On a big extended family holiday, all staying in the same house with aunts/ uncles/ cousins/ kids etc that we don't see that often.

DH (late 40's if relevant) is walking around in just the shorts he slept in in the morning whilst he is sorting out our toddler's breakfast etc. No one else seems to be doing this, everyone else is wearing t-shirts.

Is this OK/ normal?

It is warm, and I don't want to tell him to cover up if I'm just being a bit weird and prudish about it.

At the same time, I'm hoping people aren't looking at him and wondering why he's wearing only his sleep shorts from like 6.30-9am, socialising, playing with the kids etc, so it's not just popping down for a coffee. He's unshowered, messy hair etc.

YABU - It's fine, chill out, it's family (even though extended family we don't see)
YANBU - he should cover up like everyone else

OP posts:
Bloozie · 27/08/2026 13:05

I can't think of anything more normal.

CreativeGreen · 27/08/2026 13:02

I think he should wear a t-shirt as well, if I'm honest.

thefourthbeatle · 27/08/2026 12:58

Flamingojune · 27/08/2026 08:57

I would focus on and be grateful that he's doing the early shift. What a ledge

Surely if he is on the ledge he should - bare minimum - be wearing sturdy shoes with some sort of 'grip'??

Pistachiocake · 27/08/2026 12:57

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 27/08/2026 08:32

Assuming they are actual shorts and not underwear, I’m not seeing an issue

Exactly, most men wear this at the pool.
Though if he's sweaty-then cover up! And I'd say the same for women, so it's not a sexist thing-just wearing a bikini top with no Tshirt when you're sweaty, then sitting next to me on the sofa-no thanks.

Yupstillhere · 27/08/2026 12:52

Good for him. He's on holiday.

thislittlelife · 27/08/2026 12:52

gabsdot45 · 27/08/2026 11:59

People are forgetting the important question. Is he fit?

😂😂😂

thislittlelife · 27/08/2026 12:51

My brother in law used to walk around my PIL's house in just his boxers when he still lived at home (in his 20's). I occasionally told him to put some clothes on in a jokey way, but nobody batted an eyelid as it was just family popping in and out.

thisismeithinkorisit · 27/08/2026 12:49

mochimoons · 27/08/2026 12:07

He's wearing shorts not boxers. Do you have a problem with dads playing with kids at the beach or by the pool?

Show quote history

If there's a chance his penis will drop out, yes. That was the point. Not about being half naked with his kids.

thisismeithinkorisit · 27/08/2026 12:48

houseonthehill · 27/08/2026 12:10

"Don't tell the boys what to wear - tell the girls not to stare"

❤️

thisismeithinkorisit · 27/08/2026 12:48

gabsdot45 · 27/08/2026 11:59

People are forgetting the important question. Is he fit?

I was going to ask "will the sight put me off my cornflakes I na bad way or an inappropriate way" but sounds like it's his family not hers lol

DaisyDooley · 27/08/2026 12:27

I think it’s rather grim.
Maybe I’m a bit too middle class/old school but I really don’t like the constant dropping of standards.
Im not a stickler for tiaras at dinner but hells bells - get dressed fgs.

MyMilchick · 27/08/2026 12:11

ChamonixMountainBum · 27/08/2026 11:57

What are 'sleep shorts'?

Pajama bottoms I presume (but shorts rather than long ones)

MyMilchick · 27/08/2026 12:10

Oh fgs, they're shorts, give over 😂

houseonthehill · 27/08/2026 12:10

"Don't tell the boys what to wear - tell the girls not to stare"

Goodmorningeveryone26 · 27/08/2026 12:08

I think he should be wearing a t shirt with non-immediate family

mochimoons · 27/08/2026 12:07

MonteStory · 27/08/2026 08:31

I wouldn’t be comfortable with that, especially not playing with the kids. He’s essentially in just boxers so if he’s rough housing, chasing or even just sitting with his legs too wide there’s a change we’ll all get a view we didn’t ask for.

He’s not in his own house - he needs to be suitably dressed. Pants (UNDER shorts) and a T-shirt or a dressing gown. Bare minimum.

He's wearing shorts not boxers. Do you have a problem with dads playing with kids at the beach or by the pool?

gabsdot45 · 27/08/2026 11:59

People are forgetting the important question. Is he fit?

ChamonixMountainBum · 27/08/2026 11:57

What are 'sleep shorts'?

NeelyOHara · 27/08/2026 11:56

Flamingojune · 27/08/2026 08:57

I would focus on and be grateful that he's doing the early shift. What a ledge

A ledge? For doing something that one parent or the other has to do? Fuck me what a low bar.

Instructions · 27/08/2026 11:55

I can't imagine caring

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 27/08/2026 11:55

I can’t imagine the level of up-tightness needed to be worrying about this! Indoors, early, among your own family?

The only thing I hate seeing on men on holiday are those vest-type singlets worn in public. Thank goodness dh has never shown the slightest tendency in that direction.

thisismeithinkorisit · 27/08/2026 11:53

Flamingojune · 27/08/2026 08:57

I would focus on and be grateful that he's doing the early shift. What a ledge

Or you know, just a parent doing what's necessary. Would op be worthy of legendary status and gratitude as she sits around the house in just pants and bra for getting up with her child?

OP I wouldn't care so long as there's no risk of seeing his penis or bum crack, he's not sweating with his hairy belly over the breakfast table etc.

getthroughonemoreday · 27/08/2026 11:50

Around his family, I'd let them/him set the tone (and try to follow suit, as much as possible; 'when in Rome'). Around your own family, I'd say he should do as you wish, within reason. Pulling on a shirt and smoothing your hair isn't a big ask. (And yes, he needs to be wearing shorts that don't show outline/movement. That's more important than the shirt, honestly!)

ginasevern · 27/08/2026 11:47

It depends on the "audience" really. I think you need to read the room. If walking around bare chested isn't the general vibe, then put a T shirt on and drag a comb through your hair. It's no hardship.

nomas · 27/08/2026 11:45

NancyThompson · 27/08/2026 11:42

Those jersey type pajama shorts can show quite an outline if there's no underwear beneath them.

Show quote history

Jinx.

Nobody needs that when they’re eating breakfast.

Swipe left for the next trending thread