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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Partner asking me to 'cover up'

676 replies

Hurryupchristmas · 23/01/2024 16:16

I abolutely adore my boyfriend, he is wonderful and treats me so well.

However he can be quite jealous/paranoid in certain situations.
One of which is when I go out with friends he's asked me to wear tops that completely cover my breasts, so no cleavage shows.
I have large boobs and yes they can attract attention from men on nights out, however it's not something I can control nor would I act on now I'm in a relationship.

He is quite adamant I'm not to wear certain tops and wants to see what I'm wearing before I go out. I understand his concerns about men looking at my chest, but feel a bit miffed I can't wear what I want. I dress pretty conservatively but a lot of my tops show the size of my boobs and I can't help that.

I don't know who is in the right to be honest, he says its like him going out showing off his crotch area but I don't think it's a similar comparison 🤔

I don't want to make him annoyed and feel uneasy when I'm out, but at the same time I want to dress up and look nice when I go out with friends. Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
LooksLikeIPickedTheWrongWeekToQuitDrinking · 24/01/2024 07:51

Unbelievable that some posters - claiming to be women - have come on to defend this arseholery.

Reread the OP... this isn't just a man gently expressing his dislike of an outfit.

SamW98 · 24/01/2024 07:53

mintyfresh01 · 24/01/2024 05:48

@kkloo I disagree, I have boundaries in what I will accept in a partner and I would 100% put them to him and ask him to change to give him a chance to stay with me. I don't see where the OP wrote that he checks what she wears every day unless it was in one of her replies, I took that as what she wears before she goes on nights out. For a man I cared about who otherwise treated me well I would not show cleavage, then again I find going on nights out separately when you're in a relationship a bit tasteless so I don't think we will find any common ground.

Why on earth are having separate nights out tasteless? I believe it’s essential to have separate Ives as well as joint ones in a healthy relationship.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 24/01/2024 07:58

SparklyOwls · 23/01/2024 22:11

Sounds like my husband, it isn't abusive. He just has standards about how women should respectfully dress themselves.

Who appointed your DH the women's clothes police and the expert on 'respectfully'? respectfully to who? (as if I couldn't guess)

Shoxfordian · 24/01/2024 08:23

@mintyfresh01
Yeah we have very different values, what's wrong with a separate night out? I go out separately with my friends and sometimes even have a bit of cleavage but I'm happily married to a secure man who doesn't want to police me or my outfits.

whatsitcalledwhen · 24/01/2024 08:38

@mintyfresh01

For a man I cared about who otherwise treated me well I would not show cleavage, then again I find going on nights out separately when you're in a relationship a bit tasteless so I don't think we will find any common ground.

I'm sorry your relationship is so fragile that you can enjoy the company of your friends on a night out without your husband present. I find that really sad.

In a healthy relationship where both parties trust each other and are secure in the relationship, it wouldn't be an issue whatsoever.

ShakeNvacStevens · 24/01/2024 08:40

I’m presuming OP managed to cope just fine on nights out before her newish boyfriend came along to rescue her from herself.

The description that stuck out for me is of him being “caring” because it’s how I’d have described my ExH at the time - door-to-door lifts everywhere, checking in on me when I was on work nights out, telling me not to wear make up or jewellery lest I receive unwanted attention that would be unpleasant for me to deal with etc - his concern made me feel loved and wanted. All this alongside the big romantic gestures. Being with him made me feel safe and looked out for. By the time I was married to him I wasn’t allowed access to my own bank account (this was before online banking), music was banned if he didn’t like the artist, I wasn’t allowed to eat certain foods if he didn’t like them (innocuous stuff like sweetcorn or rice!). And of course, no contact with my friends or family.

Unfortunately “caring” is how controlling behaviour hides in plain sight and it was only when I was referred for counselling for depression (which ExH pooh-pooh’d as nonsense of course) and I was telling the counsellor how ExH would do anything for me and she asked “would he have driven you here?” that the penny finally dropped.

Of course I’m not saying that a caring partner = controlling partner - the crucial factor is whether or not those behaviours have any conditions attached and what the overall balance of power is within the relationship. I realise now my ex and I had a parent-child dynamic and me deferring to his opinion had become so ingrained that I simply didn’t recognise it. Any choices I was given only gave me the illusion of free will, just like asking a young child to choose between this outfit or that outfit to go out in - child thinks they’re choosing what to wear when actually the real objective is to get the child out of the door so parent can take them to XYZ place.

I really do hope OP throws this one back.

StarlightLady · 24/01/2024 08:52

To add to my earlier comments as the thread has evolved, this is from someone who goes topless at the beach and in my own garden in the summer months. And yes, if someone tries really hard, and is determined, l can be seen in the garden.

Some of the language here to justify male controlling is getting silly. Women have boobs, get over it. There are neither rude or offensive. i’m in my 40s now, one of 2 sisters, and my late mother used to tell us that there is nothing wrong or rude about bodies but some people were silly about it.

What’s more, to use expressions such as “boobs out” to sum up a dress or a top that shows some cleavageis gross exaggeration; it is so different. Likewise attempts to justify the “cover up demand suggests a male right to control a woman.

rainbowstardrops · 24/01/2024 09:29

So he's jealous of other men staring at your cleavage, is he judging all men by his very low own standards?!

VinegarTrio · 24/01/2024 09:38

I have boundaries in what I will accept in a partner and I would 100% put them to him and ask him to change to give him a chance to stay with me.

you should apply those boundaries before getting into a relationship. Starting a relationship and then telling someone how to dress is not about boundaries. It’s about control.

But most controlling people don’t seem to realise they’re controlling.

How many other asks to change for the privilege of staying with you will there be? How many things will you decide are crass or tasteless and therefore not allowed?

CatamaranViper · 24/01/2024 10:18

This is to the poster who don't think the BF is in the wrong.

Imagine you go out shopping and you spot a top you really like. You try it on and you feel amazing in it. It fits perfectly, you look great in it and feel even better. You buy it.
The first time you wear it, you feel amazing again. But your partner sees this and tells you you can't wear it because he doesn't like it. He thinks it's too [insert reason].

Would you feel hurt? Sad?
Would you go and change?
Would you take the top back to the shop?

So despite your own opinion on the clothing, youre putting his opinion above yours. You end up showing that your opinion clearly doesn't mean as much as his.

I'm honestly unsure how anyone can read into this situation and see it differently.

SweetBirdsong · 24/01/2024 11:48

You don't know who is in the right @Hurryupchristmas ????? Well I will give you a clue. It's not HIM! As has been said he is abusive and controlling. I am worried that you are not seeing this though, because your posts sound light-hearted and breezy. Why are you not more ANGRY?!

I had a boyfriend when I was in my early 20s who (after 3-4 weeks of dating,) suddenly started getting huffy at me wearing figure-hugging clothes that showed off my rather nice figure. (Big boobs, cleavage showing, peachy bum, narrow waist, and great legs!) Yet this was what attracted him to me in the first place. I also had big bouncy hair and wore moderate make up - lots around the eyes. He said I need to 'dress down' and tone down the make up and the blonde in my hair ...

Soooo, I like the way you look babe, your figure is amazing and you're gorgeous, but now you're with me, you wear a sackcloth, rub that face clean, dye your hair mousy brown, and pull your hair back in a ponytail. He wanted me to go from pic 1 here to pic 2.

When I refused and said 'what you see is what you get. I am NOT changing who I am for you' he started a different tactic. He started to neg me, and tell me I looked 'fat' in the dress I was in, and I 'couldn't get away with tight clothes' and I could not only pinch and inch, but could pinch 3! I am 5 ft 3 and had a 24" waist, and was 8 stone 12! I WAS NOT FAT! I ignored him. As I said, he also said I should dye my hair darker as blonde was 'a bit brassy,' and made me look like a whore. Hmm I was naturally fucking BLONDE! Just lightened it one shade!

When we got to his house one day (been dating 3 months at this point,) his feisty and opinionated - but lovely, warm and friendly mum came in from the shops, and I told her what he had said. I said 'John thinks I look fat in this dress, what do you think Helen?' She laughed and said 'this lass is gorgeous, and her figure is to die for. Fat indeed you ridiculous boy. She's too good for you I tell ya.'

'You know what?' I thought, she's right! 'I am too fucking good for him.' And even though I liked his mum very much, his dad was an absolute nob, and I was was slowly realising that HE was too! So I ditched him over the phone the next day. He told me I was fucking lucky to have him and it was MY LOSS. 😆 Went on to say I was never going to get anyone as good as him as men don't like fat girls! (Errr hello, whatever I am, YOU chased me and asked me out 3 months ago!)

Then he spent about a MONTH trying to get me to go back with him saying how sorry he was and he didn't mean anything la la la la la. At that point I was over him and told him to fuck off. He didn't leave me alone til my dad threatened to deck him!

But yeah, some men are unbelievable how they neg women and try and bring them down so they will feel lucky to have them, and fucking grateful! Hmm

Going for a woman who is attractive and pretty and sexy etc etc etc, and then trying to make her the opposite of what she was when you met her! WTF is that about?!!! And some people say it's women who try to change MEN. Errrr, nope, it's the other way around.

tl;dr BIN HIM!!! He will only get worse!

Rosscameasdoody · 24/01/2024 12:11

SparklyOwls · 23/01/2024 22:11

Sounds like my husband, it isn't abusive. He just has standards about how women should respectfully dress themselves.

Of course it’s abusive. It’s not about ‘standards’ it’s about control. Women should be dressing to please themselves, not men.

SamW98 · 24/01/2024 12:17

SparklyOwls · 23/01/2024 22:11

Sounds like my husband, it isn't abusive. He just has standards about how women should respectfully dress themselves.

Probably telling you to cover up because he’s leering at other women

IncompleteSenten · 24/01/2024 12:28

mintyfresh01 · 24/01/2024 05:25

@Shoxfordian I disagree, what other way is there to voice that you're not okay with your partner showing cleavage? Is he just not meant to say it ever, and be uncomfortable? I'm not okay with my partner viewing porn, does that make me controlling? Where is the line between declaring your boundaries and abusive controlling behaviour?

Oh , I can help you here.

Boundaries is having the following attitude (however verbalised ) - the clothes you wear are really not something I'm at all comfortable with, it's my issue, I neither expect nor require you to change, it's simply not what I'm looking for in a partner, I don't feel we are compatible and I think we should call it a day.

Control is having the following attitude (however verbalised) - the clothes you wear are revealing and make you look like a whore. Men look at you. You are no longer allowed to wear this top, this top, this one and that one ever and from now on you need to send me a photo of what you plan to wear so that I can decide if you are allowed to wear it. If I say no then you are required to change your outfit to one that I approve of.

Hth.

LooksLikeIPickedTheWrongWeekToQuitDrinking · 24/01/2024 12:55

"I disagree, what other way is there to voice that you're not okay with your partner showing cleavage? Is he just not meant to say it ever, and be uncomfortable?"

Yes.

StarlightLady · 24/01/2024 13:17

Rosscameasdoody · 24/01/2024 12:11

Of course it’s abusive. It’s not about ‘standards’ it’s about control. Women should be dressing to please themselves, not men.

Exactly this!

Otherwise it’s next stop Afghanistan!

TheSandHurtsMyFeelings · 24/01/2024 13:21

then again I find going on nights out separately when you're in a relationship a bit tasteless

WTAF have I just read?

JenniferBooth · 24/01/2024 13:27

mintyfresh01 · 24/01/2024 04:58

Op's boyfriend is allowed to express he does not like his partner to show cleavage. It's not controlling imo as finances are not entangled, no kids, she is free to leave. Some men don't like to be with a woman who likes cleavage, he's free to express that to the OP.

Op is allowed to leave her boyfriend if she finds this too stifling. If she wants to stay with him, and her showing cleavage makes him uncomfortable, she should stop showing cleavage. If she wants to keep showing cleavage, she should leave him and find someone who doesn't mind.

No need to start linking domestic abuse advice pages, she's free to go, he's free to have an opinion.

Another one for the child free by choice bingo card. Domestic abuse only matters if you have kids.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 24/01/2024 13:45

If she wants to stay with him, and her showing cleavage makes him uncomfortable, she should stop showing cleavage

If her showing cleavage makes him uncomfortable, then he should realise that it's his responsibility to deal with his insecurity and not her's and that she can dress how she wants.

FTFY.

dimllaishebiaith · 24/01/2024 13:48

JenniferBooth · 24/01/2024 13:27

Another one for the child free by choice bingo card. Domestic abuse only matters if you have kids.

Who knew we measured whether or not a man was controlling based on the output of a woman's uterus, almost like women are considered responsible for the severity of a mans behaviour by some 😲

StarlightLady · 24/01/2024 13:48

If someone tried to control me like this, l’d go out in a sheer top sans bra! Cover up? I’d give him cover up!

SamW98 · 24/01/2024 13:49

If she wants to stay with him, and her showing cleavage makes him uncomfortable, she should stop showing cleavage. If she wants to keep showing cleavage, she should leave him and find someone who doesn't mind

Or maybe HE should have thought about that before dating a lady with big breasts who likes wearing cleavage enhancing tops at times rather than trying to enforce his rules on her clothes.

Gowlett · 24/01/2024 13:57

Can you suggest any nice going out gear for him?
Perhaps a fun furry mascot suit? With giant feet?

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 24/01/2024 14:05

SamW98 · 24/01/2024 13:49

If she wants to stay with him, and her showing cleavage makes him uncomfortable, she should stop showing cleavage. If she wants to keep showing cleavage, she should leave him and find someone who doesn't mind

Or maybe HE should have thought about that before dating a lady with big breasts who likes wearing cleavage enhancing tops at times rather than trying to enforce his rules on her clothes.

Edited

OP doesn't even say she wears cleavage enhancing tops but that she dresses conservatively. Basically it's 'you've got big tits and I don't want men looking at you full stop.'

Hurryupchristmas · 24/01/2024 14:19

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 24/01/2024 14:05

OP doesn't even say she wears cleavage enhancing tops but that she dresses conservatively. Basically it's 'you've got big tits and I don't want men looking at you full stop.'

Yes thank you! Reading some comments some people have misunderstood, I'm not going out with just nipple tassles on!
Literally just not a high neck top, maybe just a hint of cleavage showing.

OP posts:
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