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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

Boyfriend is uncomfortable if my nipples show through clothes

289 replies

EarlyDayz · 07/09/2024 15:18

Hi everyone! Looking for a bit of advice - some background, I'm 33F and bf 29M together 11months and about to move in together - a few months ago, a got dressed quite quickly and threw on a cami top and wasnt wearing a bra - bf and I were living in a flat share at the time, and when he came into the room where I was working he could see down my top and said he could "see everything". He got super upset, not angry but uncomfortable and clearly distressed - we had a really big conversation about it and the result was he didn't want to control what I wear and wants me to feel comfortable - I apologized too as I didn't realize everything would show and didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable. Since then, I've been a bit more aware of what I choose to wear as I don't want to disrespect his boundaries.

Then yesterday, I wore a top that "covered" everything, long sleeves etc. But you could make out the shape of my nipple through the top as I wasn't wearing a bra - it's a new top and I love it, one of those that have tied bows at the front so wearing a bra kind of ruins the esthetic at the front (no actual cleavage was showing, I also have quite a small chest) well again, he looked at me and felt instantly uncomfortable, laughed nervously and put his head in his hands - I put on a bra - part of me wishes I hadn't because I didnt feel comfortable doing something just to make him feel better - I understood when you could see everything when he looked that first time, but seeing the outline of a nipple, and having small boobs so it's not like there's cleavage out for all the world to see - I'm struggling to feel comfortable with his boundary.

I was in a 10 year relationship before this and have always dressed in a similar way, never worrying about what to choose, choosing based on what I feel comfortable and good in - clothes are really important to me and I see it as an expression of who I am - not once did I ever have any problems with this in my previous relationship - he told me he sees it as exposing myself and doesn't want others to see what is private to us. Until now, there's no resolution to the discussion this time round.

He hasn't shown any other controlling behaviour and has apologized, saying he's never had a situation where you could see a gf's nipple through a shirt before and didn't know he would ever react like that, but that it makes him feel really uncomfortable.

It also makes me feel really uncomfortable not being able to choose what I want to wear.

How would you feel about this? Do you think it's a reasonable worry on his part and that I should "be more careful" in what I choose to wear? Or should he try to deal with his own insecurities and avoid projecting them on me?

Thank you for reading!

OP posts:
Negus · 07/09/2024 15:23

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

FlaggyShore · 07/09/2024 15:26

Put it this way, I wouldn’t contemplate moving in with someone who got hysterical about my nipples inside my own house.

SanFranBear · 07/09/2024 15:27

Wow... helpful first comment!

You should wear what you feel comfortable in - the second time wasn't even 'exposing' in nature, just your nipple could be seen? What if its cold and your nipples can be seen even in a bra.

I think you need to have a serious conversation because, for me, it IS him trying to control you despite what he says!

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/09/2024 15:28

Wait, he's upset by being able to see the outline of his own girlfriend's nipples. In your own house? Frankly, that's completely batshit.

Lovethatforyouhun · 07/09/2024 15:29

Is this a pervy post by a male?
Try a different bra

FumingTRex · 07/09/2024 15:29

Hmm i wouldn’t mind if i was going to work and he politely pointed it out, but at home? No!

Releasethebat · 07/09/2024 15:30

Lovethatforyouhun · 07/09/2024 15:29

Is this a pervy post by a male?
Try a different bra

Something def feels off about it.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 07/09/2024 15:30

He got super upset and distressed at seeing your nipples? I can't believe you apologised to him, what exactly were you apologising for...for having nipples?

Throw this one back OP, it will only get worse

Shortandsweet24 · 07/09/2024 15:30

She says she doesn’t wear a bra!

MissMoneyFairy · 07/09/2024 15:31

Your nipples,, your rules. i would keep them out of view if I was going out but not at home, it seems a very strong controlling reaction. What next? No bikini. Shorts, swimsuit.

Shortandsweet24 · 07/09/2024 15:32

It’s up to you op. If you wear certain tops
with no bra then your nipples will show but you don’t seem to mind that so he will have to like it or lump it.

Haroldwilson · 07/09/2024 15:32

Stick half a walnut shell in each of your bra cups and see what happens. If he protests, say it's not your actual nipples

MiddleagedBeachbum · 07/09/2024 15:32

I have large breasts but don’t need to wear a bra, it drives me mad that I do have to wear a bra anytime I go out as it clearly makes people feel so uncomfortable!
It seems a very British thing too, if you head anywhere hot, European, Spanish isle say, not one bats an eye lid about women being braless.

this is def a boyf issue, wear what you like!

Threewheeler1 · 07/09/2024 15:32

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/09/2024 15:28

Wait, he's upset by being able to see the outline of his own girlfriend's nipples. In your own house? Frankly, that's completely batshit.

Indeed. It's very odd.
I don't like the fact he's making you uncomfortable about your own body OP, that's all wrong.
Does he like to have the table legs covered, in case he gets overstimulated?

mathanxiety · 07/09/2024 15:32

Big red flag.

You need to reconsider the relationship.

Shortandsweet24 · 07/09/2024 15:33

It does seem an overreaction.

Anywherebuthere · 07/09/2024 15:35

This is control. He may have apologised but its made you think twice and you've changed to make him feel less uncomfortable.

This controlling behaviour will only get bigger.

Min133 · 07/09/2024 15:35

I'd find a way to make a point about it when he's next wearing a top where you can see his nipples so he can perhaps see how ridiculous he's being.
I wear nipple covers sometimes when I'm not wanting to wear a bra but ultimately you're not doing anything wrong and he shouldn't be making you feel uncomfortable about it. His reaction seems pretty childish at best.

Icanttakethisanymore · 07/09/2024 15:36

Can he articulate why he is uncomfortable? Is he jealous that you might get attention? Is he worried about what people might think of you? Is he worried about your safety? I’d personally find it difficult to be with someone who objected to what I wore but I’d probably try and find out what the actual issue was before ditching him.

Precipice · 07/09/2024 15:36

In terms of outside the house, the question would be: do his nipples never show through his shirts?

In terms of inside the house, no way would I be wearing a bra when just casually at home.

travelmadmum23 · 07/09/2024 15:37

I just buy nipple petals for anything I don't want to wear a bra for as I'd feel incredibly uncomfortable with nipples showing through. I don't personally like to see it

gamerchick · 07/09/2024 15:38

Tell him he started a relationship with you wearing the clothes you wear and you're not changing for him. That if he can't make his peace with it then the relationship won't work out at all and it's best to end it if so.

This won't be the end of it OP. You can't let them control anything at all of who you are. There will always be something else

Haroldwilson · 07/09/2024 15:40

Or maybe try wearing a codpiece or strap-on around the house to distract him?