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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:
kennyjeanne · 29/04/2025 12:28

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

The13thFairy · 29/04/2025 19:52

Let's leave your nipples out of it for a mo - you're moving in together after knowing him for eleven months? Where is your head? What are you thinking? Don't, don't do it. You have the rest of your life to hitch your wagon to a nipple-skittish bloke - you don't have to do it right now!

EarlyDayz · 29/04/2025 23:09

The13thFairy · 29/04/2025 19:52

Let's leave your nipples out of it for a mo - you're moving in together after knowing him for eleven months? Where is your head? What are you thinking? Don't, don't do it. You have the rest of your life to hitch your wagon to a nipple-skittish bloke - you don't have to do it right now!

We actually broke up since I posted this thread 🙈 we lived together for the whole of 3 months, then did long distance for another 2 months because he decided he needed to live in the city for work (he told this over a videocall while in the city), then broke up just 3 weeks ago - an emotional roller-coaster from start to finish and I can finally say now that I can breathe again.. And wear what I want 🥲😂

OP posts:
EarlyDayz · 29/04/2025 23:13

EarlyDayz · 29/04/2025 23:09

We actually broke up since I posted this thread 🙈 we lived together for the whole of 3 months, then did long distance for another 2 months because he decided he needed to live in the city for work (he told this over a videocall while in the city), then broke up just 3 weeks ago - an emotional roller-coaster from start to finish and I can finally say now that I can breathe again.. And wear what I want 🥲😂

@The13thFairy So yes, I should have trusted my boundaries about living together so soon - I was really apprehensive about it as I'd lived with someone before in a very long term relationship and didn't want to do it again until I was certain about my person - I shared all of this with him - but alas he reassured me everything would be OK and that it's normal to be scared about moving in together.. only for him to then move 500km away and then break up with me after 2 months of long distance - feeling like a div is an understatement, but I wanted to trust love

OP posts:
EarlyDayz · 29/04/2025 23:21

And that was all after I had decided myself to be more aware of how I dressed becuase I didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable and lose a relationship over something that was an 'easy fix' on my side, but I now see that I was bending to try and make him feel comfortable, and he left anyway, all while I was editing myself for his insecurities

OP posts:
Twilight7777 · 29/04/2025 23:28

Delete please

Boyfriend is uncomfortable if my nipples show through clothes
MeganM3 · 29/04/2025 23:30

I thought it was kinda trendy look, the no bra / little bit of nipple showing..

I think it generally looks great on a certain physique.
He shouldn’t have a say in what you wear. A bit of nipples is a non issue and he’s being ridiculous.

GivenUpOnSleep · 30/04/2025 00:04

How’s he going to cope if you have a child one day and need to breastfeed them in a public space?

What will he do if you go to the beach on holiday and wear a bikini?

He sounds like a lunatic control freak. 🚩🚩🚩

GivenUpOnSleep · 30/04/2025 00:05

Lucky escape OP!!!

TheSilentSister · 30/04/2025 00:08

Nipples on show isn't a good look, outside of the home. Same as I don't want to see the exact outline of a blokes knob outside of the home (or inside tbh, lol).
Anyone asking why blokes nipples are ok but females aren't - well, doh.

H112 · 30/04/2025 01:20

EarlyDayz · 29/04/2025 23:09

We actually broke up since I posted this thread 🙈 we lived together for the whole of 3 months, then did long distance for another 2 months because he decided he needed to live in the city for work (he told this over a videocall while in the city), then broke up just 3 weeks ago - an emotional roller-coaster from start to finish and I can finally say now that I can breathe again.. And wear what I want 🥲😂

You deserve so much better, I'm delighted you broke up .

No one can tell you what to wear.

Write a list of your dream man's personality and stick to it

Cactusesflower · 30/04/2025 07:35

OP your desperation will likely lead you into an abusive relationship if you don't wake up and realise how deeply unhealthy your boundaries are.

Do the www.freedomprogramme.co.uk before you attempt another relationship.

Read "Women who love too much" Robin Norwood.

EarlyDayz · 30/04/2025 07:58

Cactusesflower · 30/04/2025 07:35

OP your desperation will likely lead you into an abusive relationship if you don't wake up and realise how deeply unhealthy your boundaries are.

Do the www.freedomprogramme.co.uk before you attempt another relationship.

Read "Women who love too much" Robin Norwood.

I am actually going to read into these - thank you @Cactusesflower 🙏

OP posts:
Branleuse · 30/04/2025 07:58

Rumshotsandrainshowers · 08/09/2024 11:41

Ach op, I beleive you’re being disingenuous. And the well my ex didn’t mind is a silly answer. You know what’s being said. It is his issue, but also millions of others. And you know full well what happens if you have your nipples in visible display and you are comfortable with it, so stop pretending and just say yes, I know, I like it or I’m good with the attention, whatever it is, and if you don’t like the fact I wish to display like this then end it.

thats bullshit. Nipples are just there, Theyre not on display just because someone can see the outline behind clothes while at home fgs.

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