Distinction between Clothesfree, Topfree and Bottomfree

[NudonyII]

I was reading a couple of posts and had a thought...:confused:

I know a lot of people are going to say: "I don't make a distinction"; "everyone is an equal in my eyes." But really, do you make a distinction between a clothefree, a topfree (in the case of a female), and a bottomfree individual? Are varying degrees of nudity a factor when assessing a nudist environment or a particular individual?

Let me be more precise. Personally, I've considered bottomfree people to be more nude than dressed. Sure, from a physical standpoint, they are still half-dressed; but to me, being bottomfree is a committed act, a forward move towards nudism. Topfreedom, on the other hand, seems to lack commitment; I've known many (growing up in France) proponents of topfreedom who had no inclinations towards being completely nude.

My then wife frequently went bottomfree in our early years of nudism; I had no problem with it and supported it. On a couple of occasions, she opted to go topfree. I questionned her about it, and she replied that she did not see a difference between the two; she was partially nude either way. But it made a difference to me.
Of course this is my own perception, based on my individual experiences, biases, etc..., so I can accept that it is flawed. After all, technically, whether bottomfree or topfree, half of the body is still covered, right? Yet, I still make a distinction.

So I was wondering if anyone else considers bottomfree to be "more nudist" than topfree, or less, or exactly the same?:shrug:

[DoctorSurferDude]

So being half free isn't really free.

I agree :)

[DenitaLC]

I understand what you are saying. To me, going bottom free is definately more naked. Maybe not in the amount of skin shown but in the mindset that the pelvic region is the most "taboo" of the body's areas, followed by women's breasts. So, to me, a woman who would be bottom free is more comfortable with herself and nudity than one that never would "bare her bum" but go topless.

[NakedSailor]

No doubt in my mind< bottomless is more naked than topless> there are a lot of women that will go topless than bottomless

[Sigmund]

My wife will often work out topfree, but feels too exposed going without shorts - this is at home.

[nudeM]

I guess it's up to the individual. It depends on what part of the body that is most 'covered' that finally gets exposed. More females feel comfortable going topfree, but once the bottom is exposed, then they've pretty 'showed it all', per se.

[NudonyII]

I guess it's up to the individual. It depends on what part of the body that is most 'covered' that finally gets exposed.

That's also very true. In the eye of the beholder, bottomless may be closer to nude than topless. But that may not necessarily be the case in the eye of the owner. My wife, for example, went bottomless years before she went fully nude. That was because she was self concious about her upper body; but also felt there was nothing particularily revealing about her lower body. Which sort of goes against the "norm" when it comes to body acceptance. I used to tell her that losing the T-shirt was no big deal since she was pretty much nude anyway; but she really didn't see it that way. So in fact, her "big leap" occurred not when she took off her bottom, as it is in most scenarios, but when she finally took off her T-shirt.

Of course, my wife was not an everyday case scenario. But individual perceptions of what nudity, or how much of it means, can be a fascinating and sometimes odd thing.
I've told the story before of my stepsister and her "new" bathing suit; the one that became totally transparent when wet. In the eye of the beholder, which in this case was mine, she was nude, since I could see her body completely revealed through her bathing suit. But in her mind, she was covered, since it was a large, one-piece bathing suit. She remained in that bathing suit, playing and swimming as if nothing was different; I was totally perplexed (it was before I became a nudist). Keep in mind, she was as gymnophobic as it gets.:confused:


This is a collage I put together some time ago: "Different degrees of undress."

[alex09]

this is an interesting topic. I go bottomfree alot in the winter because it is simply too cold to go completely nude. I generally wear tops that go as far as my hips so that I am very much nude from the waist down and it does feel more "nude" than if I was topless. I wouldn't be bottomless in my home in winter if I wasn't a nudist. And I wouldn't have anything on at all if it was the summer. I am the only nudist in the family and I wouldn't show anyone who doesn't know I am a nudist family photos where I am bottomless, whereas topless would be acceptable to many of my friends.

[rgpilot]

if i had a choice i would prefer to be bottomless as wearing just boxers or shorts just doesnt feel right now that i have become accoustomed to being with out clothes. i know my girlfriend prefers to wear long shirts and no underwear instead of underwear and no shirts.

[MoonShadow]

So I was wondering if anyone else considers bottomfree to be "more nudist" than topfree, or less, or exactly the same?:shrug:

In my opinion, no. You are not more of a nudist if you only go with only half of your clothing. It might be comfortable and that is fine, however you do it, but neither is "more nudist".

[bocanude]

I agree with Denita in as much as the intent of the post. Because it seems the bottom half is more "taboo" to most people.

[oddbutterfly1]

Being a woman, myself, I feel that I am nude whether I am top-free, bottom-free, or completely nude. It is for me anyway, and it is just what is comfortable for me at the time. For woman reasons I can not always go bottom-free, but I still like the feel of the air and sun on what ever part I want to bare.

Connie

[barefoot]

I have gone bottomfree at home for so many years, that I often forget, that I'm not properly dressed. I have often been told, that it's more "indecent" to be bottomfree, than just to be plain naked. Nevertheless, I feel, that it so pleasant to be naked from the waist and below, and I can't see, why it's "indecent". Even if it's a cool day, I can still be bottomfree and wear a thick shirt to keep me warm.
Being a male, I especially enjoy being bottomfree every time, I have to move my legs to extreme positions, where clothing would certainly crush my testicles.
As a matter of fact, I had gone bottomfree for many years, before I felt comfortable quite naked. But if I am bottomfree on a warm summers day, and I feel like taking off my shirt - then I'm suddenly naked.
Sometimes, when I'm naked in the garden, and a neighbor comes to my place, it feels right to put on the shirt and not my shorts. The neighbors have often looked relaxed, as soon as I have put on the shirt - as if it's OK since I have done "something" to cover up.

[Rick_42]

To me, being nude is as much an attitude as it is a state of undress. Often, when I feel a chill, I'll put on just a T-shirt and I'll feel warmer. I've seen this at various nudist venues too. And I guess I do feel more "nude" than when wearing just shorts or something.

[Ken Palmer]

Hey Denita LC. I have to completely agree with you here 100%. To me, when a woman goes topfree and not bottomfree, she is really not comfortable with being completely nude. But I am also not going to be judgemental about it. It is an observation though, but it is nevertheless her right.

Ken Palmer


I understand what you are saying. To me, going bottom free is definately more naked. Maybe not in the amount of skin shown but in the mindset that the pelvic region is the most "taboo" of the body's areas, followed by women's breasts. So, to me, a woman who would be bottom free is more comfortable with herself and nudity than one that never would "bare her bum" but go topless.

[DenitaLC]

Thanks Ken............that's just my take on the issue. Everyone has their own opinion and view.
:)

[RalphVa]

I've never gotten any feeling of being naked when I'm just topfree. Maybe women feel something in it, but I don't.

Being naked is being totally uncovered. However, for propriety when others MIGHT see me, I put on a bottom of some sort. I prefer bottoms that barely cover the legal essentials; I'll even take a towel and grab it at opposite tips and tie it around my waist with 2 angle flaps in front and back. This method of wearing it shortens it on both top and bottom. For warmth, I prefer to put a t-shirt or a long sleeved shirt either opened in front or closed, depending on how cold it is, but my bottom preferably stays uncovered.

When I might meet others up close or have to do something very active, I'll wear just a monokini with ties at the sides. I've 4 of these that are modeled after the guayucos that the Venezuelan Indians in the forest wear. Two of them have velcro fasteners for the sides instead of the ties.