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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to go topless at the local outdoor swimming pool?

276 replies

BrightBlueStar · 18/06/2017 11:21

It's a glorious day & I'm at the local outdoor pool. It was a right hassle getting here (3 children under 5, queue to get in etc.) but now I'm here it's amazing! HOWEVER realised I've forgotten my bikini top!!! Not wearing a bra so can't use that instead. Going back for a bikini top isn't an option (it's a long round trip, would have to pay/queue again yadayadayada). This has made me think - Could I go topless? Im desperate for a swim and don't care about other people seeing my breasts. I'm not English and where I'm from going topless is more common. But here none of the women are topless.

Is it against the law? Would I be told off?

Would you go topless and if not why not?

OP posts:
RebelRogue · 18/06/2017 17:36

Why don't you ask your husband what he thinks?

The husband is not the "owner" of the breasts so it's irrelevant .

However,let's say he thinks it's totally fine,would that suddenly make OP being topless fine?

Brittbugs80 · 18/06/2017 17:44

#freethenipple

It's a campaign that's been running for a while.

Breasts have been over sexualised that they are seen as shameful. And as for females not wanting their males to stare, it's not the females fault that this happens. A female has every right to be topless without being made to feel uncomfortable by a male who can't get his round the fact that the primary function of the breast is to feed, not for him to whack one out to when his wife has a headache for the fourth night in a row.

Mexxi · 18/06/2017 17:47

Oh come off it, all those people who say female nipples are no different from male nipples. It's totally different and we all know it.

RebelRogue · 18/06/2017 17:49

@Mexxi how are they different? Nipples are nipples.

Clalpolly · 18/06/2017 17:49

It's subjective as a pp said. My subjective view is that it is exhibitionism. Obviously no reason why op can't bf in public but that is different to waving your baps around.
But again, that's just my subjective view.

babybell89 · 18/06/2017 18:03

Womblingthree "No woman is suggesting getting her muff out. "
GrinGrinGrinGrinGrin

Amazing. Glad not everyone on here is a miserable sod past few comments are a relief! X

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 18/06/2017 18:09

I don't particularly want to see moobs in the supermarket you won't men have to wear tops to go in supermarkets , or at least they do where I live

This always gets mentioned - I can't think of a single occasion I've seen a topless man in a supermarket.

DarthMaiden · 18/06/2017 18:15

Wouldn't bother me on the slightest if you got your breasts out OP.

At least 50% of the population have a pair Grin.

obviouslymarvellous · 18/06/2017 18:15

Is the heat getting to a lot of you or what? So if the op was breastfeeding and asked to cover up they'd be uproar but because she wants to go topless you are laying into her! And by all accounts she should have stayed home because she has three children a singleton and twins???? I think if she wants to why not I have twins and a singleton and believe me it's hard enough getting out in the first place so why are you being such a bunch of nasty arses??!!

WomblingThree · 18/06/2017 18:17

Obviously I'm lying then LassWiTheDelicateAir. I'll take a picture next time.

Hothothotsummer · 18/06/2017 18:18

I suggested she asks her husband as he is there and I'm wondering why she is online on mumsnet when she is out with her family for the day.

WomblingThree · 18/06/2017 18:21

Actually thinking about it, the Tesco in the next town has a sign saying "tops must be worn by everyone", so I guess if moobs weren't an issue they wouldn't need a sign. I mean it's not like women are in Tesco "with their baps out" is it ffs.

allegretto · 18/06/2017 18:24

You could probably get away with it in France or Italy.

Definitely not in Italy in a pool - you have to have a swimming cap on too!

FWIW OP, it's not really "appropriate" but maybe you could turn the breastfeeding to your advantage? The pool might be able to complain that you are not dressed correctly but they aren't allowed to stop you breastfeeding. May I suggest you try feeding and swimming at the same time?*

*Backstroke obviously, health and safety and all that.

GladAllOver · 18/06/2017 18:26

I was topless yesterday on an ordinary English beach, and didn't receive any nasty looks or words. Nudity is not illegal unless intended to offend.
But I wouldn't try it in a swimming pool because someone is likely to swallow their pearls.

babybell89 · 18/06/2017 19:27

Womblingthree I just choked on my water GrinGrin

Joey7t8 · 18/06/2017 19:40

So did the OP get her boobs out or not then? That's what I want to know.

ForalltheSaints · 18/06/2017 19:44

If the OP did I expect she would have been the only woman to sunbathe topless.

Presumably if the DUP found out they would want a ban as part of the deal to prop up the Tories.

Original poster
BrightBlueStar · 18/06/2017 20:23

Hey! I didn't go topless in the end, someone brought me a top. I kind of tuned out of this thread because of all the people thinking I was a troll (because of the twins🤔, they do exist you know); also the people suggesting I was smug/bragging (what the hell?); and then to top it all off the poster saying I should ask my husband...! Anyway lots of friendly and interesting responses, too, thanks for those!

OP posts:
Peewee23 · 18/06/2017 20:27

Do people still go topless abroad? Seems to be a bit 90's nowadays.

RippleEffects · 18/06/2017 20:29

Hope you had a lovely time.

Someone once had a funny thread about when you know you're a real mumsnetter. Being called a troll at some point was considered essential.

damewithaname · 19/06/2017 17:32

@Mexxi on point! Great comment!

moyesp · 19/06/2017 17:35

First of all at UK swimming pool they have shops for swimwear and if that's too expensive for you they have lost property, so I am sure they would have loaned you something, even if its a tee shirt!!
As for going topless if the UK it is a criminal offence - (indecent exposure), unless it is at a nudist beach wherein it is acceptable and permitted.
So, if you don't want the staff to ask you to leave. And spoil not only you but your children's day. do the recommended options above.

AnnaBe · 19/06/2017 17:35

I don't think it's good manners here in UK, kids and teenagers shouldn't be seeing neighbour's breasts. That's why you have strip clubs in U.K. So men can go and see ladies without a bra there, not in your local swimming pool.

Mulledwine1 · 19/06/2017 17:41

This always gets mentioned - I can't think of a single occasion I've seen a topless man in a supermarket

I have - and on trains and in plenty of other public places.

And at my son's athletics club - if I were a coach there, I'd refuse to coach them until they got their tops back on.

I have to say I didn't know that you can't go topless at an open air swimming pool though. Surely women go topless on beaches? I'm not a beach person and haven't been to a lido in years, but I can't believe that it's a criminal offence?

Brittbugs80 · 19/06/2017 17:47

Moyesp it's not a criminal offence to be naked outside in the UK.

It can become a criminal offence if the person is becoming naked with the intention to offend or upset.

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