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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:
Tooting33 · 07/09/2024 15:40

Everyone has nipples! Tell him to get over himself. I can't believe people are bothered about the outline of a nipple through clothing. I'm assuming the clothes aren't actually see-through?!

SilverBranchGoldenPears · 07/09/2024 15:42

Where I live (not uk) it’s clearly a thing nowadays to not wear a bra and i felt my heart sing a little bit the other day walking around the city seeing all this women footloose and fancy free with their boobs jiggling happily. I too would do it but they’d hang around my middle and be sore.

Joking aside, I would not put up with a man who was unreasonably putting restrictions on what I wear. This is the thin end of the wedge mark my words. It won’t get better. Just worse.

There is better out there.

housemaus · 07/09/2024 15:43

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

Christ he needs to get a grip. None of my bras have padding/cups because I hate them, so - even if I am wearing a bra - when my top is fitted you can see the shape of my nipples sometimes. It hadn't even occured to me that this was a problem - it'd be like saying "I can see the shape of your bum because you're wearing skinny jeans".

What he's doing here is equating the mere outline of your nipples as being sexual, with the implication that them being visible is bad in some way - either that you're trying to attract attention, or that other people will see them and be attracted to them. Which suggests either he doesn't trust you or he thinks you should have to dress in a particular way to stop other people finding you sexually attractive. The fact that he's head-in-hands guilt tripping you about that is fucking batshit, honestly.

Ivegotaboneinmyleg · 07/09/2024 15:46

Personally, I would wander about my own home totally naked if I so desired ...my children have all left home. There wouldn't be any "see my nipples top" to consider then! 😁

CombatLingerie · 07/09/2024 15:47

Listen to @gamerchick OP she’s right. I don’t like to see my own nipples showing through clothes but it’s not my business if anyone else’s do show through clothes. I still remember some bloke when I was young walking past me in the street saying ‘bloody hell they look like ships rivets’ and I was wearing a bra one of those Glossies ones that were fashionable years ago.

Just4thisthreadtoday · 07/09/2024 16:04

@EarlyDayz
I'm guessing the first issue was because you were 'at home', but it being a flat share, it's not really private in communal areas. Why wouldn't he tell you that he could see down your top & see everything? Would you be comfortable if your flatmates could see your boobs?

I've got large boobs & often when wearing a bra my nipples still make themselves known. I don't care.

I don't think going Braless is a good look on anyone. No matter how big or small IMO no one else needs to be subject to them jiggling about.

it is very sexual & it's not surprising he doesn't like other men coping an eye full.

How would you feel going out with him
in light trousers outlining his penis??

But it's up to you whether you want to take his opinion in to consideration or whether it's something you feel strongly enough about to say no, this is how I like to dress, get over it or let's go our own ways

I think I'd try to take his opinion into consideration when going out with him, but not when going to work or out with my friends 🤷🏻‍♀️

wearing a soft bra under a top doesn't spoil the look.

KreedKafer · 07/09/2024 16:04

He sounds like a controlling weirdo.

MzHz · 07/09/2024 16:07

This is where a controlling relationship starts @EarlyDayz

dont move in with him. Wear what you want and fade him out.

trust me, if you tolerate this, it will only ever get worse

Just4thisthreadtoday · 07/09/2024 16:07

Ivegotaboneinmyleg · 07/09/2024 15:46

Personally, I would wander about my own home totally naked if I so desired ...my children have all left home. There wouldn't be any "see my nipples top" to consider then! 😁

@Ivegotaboneinmyleg

well that would be very inconsiderate in a house share.

lazzapazza · 07/09/2024 16:07

Slight deviation from the specific topic.

Would any of us have an issue if we saw a male out and about in tight white shorts, no underwear and the outline of his knob clearly visible?

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 07/09/2024 16:07

The first time it happened I'd be telling him to get over himself. The second time he'd be an ex.

Mikunia · 07/09/2024 16:08

Tooting33 · 07/09/2024 15:40

Everyone has nipples! Tell him to get over himself. I can't believe people are bothered about the outline of a nipple through clothing. I'm assuming the clothes aren't actually see-through?!

This. My nipples naturally protrude and so can generally been seen in outline through clothes, and I often go without a bra because it's more comfortable. There's nothing at all wrong with it, we all know women have nipples.

I would be telling him to get over it and stop with the testerical reactions.

LifeExperience · 07/09/2024 16:08

You're incompatible. That being said, I don't like seeing a woman's nipples through her clothes in the same way I don't like being able to tell if a man is circumcised by seeing his penis through way too thin gym shorts. (yes that happened.) It's vulgar and unnecessary in public.

SuperHanss · 07/09/2024 16:09

This reply has been deleted

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

KreedKafer · 07/09/2024 16:09

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

OK, but so what? Whether or not you’re comfortable with your nipples showing is irrelevant, because you are not the one being ordered to cover up. The fact that you prefer to cover your nips up doesn’t mean it’s OK for the OP’s boyfriend to tell her she should do the same.

Lifeomars · 07/09/2024 16:09

This is the start of control. He is testing the waters to see how you react and if you change your behaviour. Your body, your fashion choices, and as for nipples showing causing him "distress", how prudish and juvenile.

MzHz · 07/09/2024 16:10

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

YET. He hasn’t shown other controlling tendencies YET. Now he has.

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

so you’ll modify what you wear and he HAS controlled/influenced your choices.

You’re now second guessing yourself.

His work here is done, by you.

KreedKafer · 07/09/2024 16:10

lazzapazza · 07/09/2024 16:07

Slight deviation from the specific topic.

Would any of us have an issue if we saw a male out and about in tight white shorts, no underwear and the outline of his knob clearly visible?

Edited

Depends what he looks like. If he’s some kind of hot Adonis, I’m all for it.

viques · 07/09/2024 16:10

he hasnt got any other controlling habits.

Yet.

We all have to start somewhere.

RedRobyn2021 · 07/09/2024 16:11

It's your body

I wouldn't want to be with someone like this 🚩

ymemanresu · 07/09/2024 16:11

Im confused, are you still in a house share?

MzHz · 07/09/2024 16:12

lazzapazza · 07/09/2024 16:07

Slight deviation from the specific topic.

Would any of us have an issue if we saw a male out and about in tight white shorts, no underwear and the outline of his knob clearly visible?

Edited

Are we now saying nipples are genitalia?

really?? 🤔

lollylo · 07/09/2024 16:13

He’s very young to be so bothered. Of a much more casual generation, some of whom only wear bralets and bra tops. Really strange, epescially when you were just at home. Would he care if you were in pyjamas

redtrain123 · 07/09/2024 16:14

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.

Good point. Maybe it wasn’t a done thing in his home growing up, so for him, it’s more normal for bras to be worn all the time.

I rarely wear a bra when home. However, when going out, I always will wear a bra, as I hate a protruding nipped shape under tops s etc (love T-shirt bras), and I don’t even have big boobs.

FoxtrotOscarKindaDay · 07/09/2024 16:14

lazzapazza · 07/09/2024 16:07

Slight deviation from the specific topic.

Would any of us have an issue if we saw a male out and about in tight white shorts, no underwear and the outline of his knob clearly visible?

Edited

A knob isn't nipples. Everyone has nipples.

My partners nipples show through his t-shirt sometimes and mine show through a padded bra and top sometimes. It happens.

@EarlyDayz Your boyfriend has issues. He's over sexualising you for having nipples, just like he has. Commenting on what you are wearing when it's normal every day clothes is a red flag for control further down the line. Either get rid or put him straight.