Clothes Optional-Topless- Nudity-Can You Explain?

To me C O means wear or not wear.
Topless means women do not have to wear tops.
Nudity means your completely nude. If you wear a t shirt and no bottom you are not nude.
Can anyone explain (translate) or make sense of all this???

Seems clear to me. What exactly do you want to know?

Are you a pure nudist or pure textile

The general term for required nudity is "au natural".

I know exactly what you are talking about. I love clothing optional, but do not like the idea of "au natural". I think the idea of nude resorts is that you are free to not wear clothes. If they then enforce that you MUST not wear clothes, where has the freedom gone? My wife had a sunburn at Hedo II and was wearing a T-Shirt and no bottoms. Security made her remove it. Of course, later they had a wet t-shirt contest. Meanwhile, at Club O, you can wear as much or little as you want anywhere, anytime. N Resort claims to be "au natural", but most people dressed for dinner when we were there, so even resorts with the rule are often inconsistent. This is, BTW, from someone who did not dress for dinner...

Of course, I know why some prefer "au natural". They don't like being nude around others who are clothed. I can understand this. Being nude at Firefly made you stand out like a sore thumb. But, wearing a thong at Hedo where there are plenty of naked people about does not intimidate anyone, yet that very topic has led to online yelling matches that last for years.

JMHO...

I've always had an aversion to places that require you to be nude. Sunburns, recent surgery, whatever...lots of reasons to be partly nude. Just strange to require it when it doesn't always make sense.

I sort of agree. Because of sunburns-surgery etc. it may not make sense. But in general why go to a nudist resort and/or nude beach and wear clothes. There are plenty of textile resorts and beaches. I have no problem having a resort require nudity in most locations unless there is a good reason why a guest can't due to some medical condition.

In response to the question just above, we enjoy the option of being able to respond to weather conditions, sunburns, cool/chilly breezes, etc. using common sense - which we card carrying, AANR MEMBER, normally nude, naturist resort members and condo owners appreciate. Plus the ladies often like to wrap a pareo or sarong around their waists at times so they don't have to carry a towel to dinner or to enjoy a drink at the resort's bar for example. That is one of many reasons we love Club Orient so much...

We live in Southern Maryland about 30 minutes from a very nice, upscale nudist club that to us has one fatal flaw: it has a mandatory full nudity at all times requirement and a group of "Nude Nazi" members who will yell at you if you are wearing any cloth on your body other than a hat! Even as you get out of your car when you drive in and walk to the office! (as actually happened to nudist friends of ours who visited...once...for three minutes...)

As a result we joined Avalon Resort, a wonderful CLOTHING OPTIONAL resort in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, about 2.5 hours west of our home and LOVE it there. Eight years ago we bought a 2 bedroom condo there and are usually up there every other weekend. There are no "Nude Nazis" there, just wonderful friendly people and a very welcoming ambience.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Hear, hear, Bill!! Away with the Nude Nazis!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I agree with the above. There are often good reasons to wear clothing at a nudist resort, and I respect that. The problem that I believe many of the clubs are trying to avoid are the persistant gawkers that gravitate to nudist or CO venues, keep thier clothing on and make many of the nudists uncomfortable. I would also ask why they come to come to such resorts in the first place. Nudists also have rights. Especially in nudist clubs.

Honestly, to ME, personally, if someone comes to a nudist venue and they do not do anything out of hand, like taking pictures of people who don't consent, or opening leering at people, or propositioning people, I really couldn't give a rat's a$$ who is there and how they are dressed.

I agree Carol. I'm a nudist, and love being nude. The thing I like the most is the feeling of freedom that nudity gives. Forcing people to be nude defeats the freedom of nudity. Life is too short to worry about what other people are wearing or not wearing. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Perhaps resorts should consider the policy that singles (or anyone there by themselves) must be nude, but if your there as a couple, then one can remain partially or fully clothed. Even most CO places require nudity in the pool or hot tub. Allowing the reluctant spouse to keep a suit on in the pool would get more couples "in the door" and who knows, may lead to increase attendance and membership.

So is wearing just a t shirt on the young (family) side of orient beach allright.
I don't want to land up in a French jail for a part of my vacation... LOL <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

If you truly mean just a t-shirt, then no. You cannot legally go bottomless on the north side of Orient Beach. South side, in front of Club O, while not the norm, that would not cause problems AFAIK.

I here all this and agree. But one would hope that when the weather and temps inside and outside are cooperative that the majority of the people at the restaurants/bars at aanr joints would be nude or partially nude. It is a bummer to want to be nude and to walk in and be the only person/couple and the old dude staring at your wife........should of went to nude to the family diner to get that. And I'm talking places near/at the hub of aanr-ness. The majority should be partaking.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I agree wholeheartedly. It's a common sight on nude beaches to see couples where the man is nude and the woman is wearing a one-piece or two-piece (top as well as bottom) swimsuit.

At Baker Beach in SF, during the past few years that's becoming the rule rather than the exception. One woman I spoke to there said she would never consent to going to a resort that bills itself as C/O, as she believes there would be subtle (or even not-so-subtle) pressure for her to disrobe.

It has been years since we visited Baker Beach, is it still heavily populated with nude sunbathers closest to the Golden Gate Bridge? Remember there being a nice mix of male and female at the time, wish we could return! Parking was always an issue though.

Exactly...but that said, I like being nude at a beach and at a pool because bathing suits are bothersome. I don't shower or bathe with clothes on (for obvious reasons), so why swim and wear wet clothing?

I've tried resorts with clothing optional areas and found that it just invites too many perverts. I don't like feeling as if I'm on display like a monkey at a zoo...and there has never been a problem with someone covering up when either cold or experiencing sunburn at au-natural areas where we vacation that have enforcement of said rules.

At dinner or while eating at any eatery I prefer wearing some type of cover up. There is just no practical reason for me to be nude at an restaurant, and since most tables are waist high I also don't like dangling body parts that are designed to get rid of body waste swinging that close to my food...just my opinion and I hope no one takes offense.

With all due respect...a person is not being forced to be nude. They have a choice of being nude with everyone else that is nude, or a choice of being clothed with everyone else that is wearing a bathing suit...the key word is 'choice'. Something that those of us that like to be nude don't have...and that is a lot of choices of places to be nude...and those that want to wear clothes have plenty of choices.

I don't mind clothing optional as long as about half the boys and half the girls are naked, like us.........less than that and it is way less pleasant.

Have to agree with the post commenting on some sort of cover-up at dinner, my wife prefers a sarong or wrap, while I will put on a Rio bikini or thong just for a little coverage. Now, after dinner service, it is a different story!

dinner thong <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

It depends on the situation. When I see a woman at a nude beach wearing a swimsuit in the company of a naked man, it occurs to me that he may have spent months (or even years) convincing her just to come to a nude beach, or to be OK with him going naked at the beach. I've known men who would like to visit a nude beach, but would risk divorce court in doing so. So the "nude police" are going to try to force her to take her suit off? All that would accomplish would be her leaving, taking her husband in tow and depriving him of his body freedom.

Of course, at the other end of the spectrum are clothed men unaccompanied by women who visit nude beaches for one reason only---and guess what that is?

Perhaps the answer is to require nudity for men but allow women the choice?

The clothed people at generally the minority at the good places. When the weather is warm and there are a lot of clothed people, particularly at pools and beaches, then things are out of tilt in my view. Dinner @ night, I can get it. Sunny day lunch, I don't get it. Breakfast, one of the greatest feelings in the world is to wake up in the morning, hop out of bed and out the door after maybe brushing my teeth. Being free in the outdoors in the morning is the greatest. We really, love taking our dog out in the morning nude. We'd love to be able to do it at home everyday. Clothing optional is cool as long as the vast majority exercise the option. Otherwise, save a legit medical excuse or bad weather, the person has an odd hangup that they get sit for days watching others but can't partake. I can't think of a more comfortable thing to be doing amongst like minded beings.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I don't think I could have said it better myself, and to be with like- minded people, comfortable in their own skin, is what makes a CO holiday
even better.

We visited a local AANR Nudist campground. Not clothing optional and the manager made it pretty clear this is for Nudists not Optionists. He said that option can be exercised outside the confines. The Nude option is exercised inside. Weather is a factor and covers at dinner are fine, but the other 90+ percent of the time, members will be nude and expect guests to be. My hubby and I are 99.5% nude when able, so we said "Yee Haw". <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

Holy crap,
Color me simple, but isn't there 8 billion boobs in the world and 4 billion wieners ?
Why is this so strange ?
I am glad that the good people of this forum are here.
I just cannot understand some people.
I was talking to a well endowed woman the other day and told her about nude beaches and she was horrified at first until I told her that on a nude beach with " our " people on it that we would talking just as we were,,, eye to eye and face to face , not eye to boobs and vajayjay. She was amazed that that I acknowledged that she was large boobed but not focused on them. I told her she needs to get out more !

To all of those that are on the fence about nudity,,, I hate to break it to you but YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL.
Relax, play as a child, kiss your special other longingly, rejoice in your humanity, and yes scars, warts and other things are all part of being human and all of us either are or should be proud of it.


Sorry for the rant , but sometimes I just want to scream.
BTW, If people are in Canada, we are much more relaxed than the USA.
Sorry guys , but it is true.
PS.I have a lot of friends and a business partner in the USA

And here is a whole different viewpoint: Back in the 80's and 90's, my husband and I went to Club Orient on St. Martin and Gunnison Beach in New Jersey. Neither one of us had any qualms about being 100% nude all the time. Once we arrived at Club O, the clothes came off and stayed off until it was time to drive to the airport. Then we developed serious medical problems and I've gained 50 more pounds on an already slightly overweight body and he's gained 40 more pounds. Husband could care less about his weight and his looks but I am very self-conscious about how heavy I am. I know most people staying at the resort could care less about my size but the gawkers would have a field day with the likes of me being so large. That's just another viewpoint of how I feel about it and that's why we haven't returned since I gained so much weight. Most true nudists would never judge me by my size but I would still feel uncomfortable.

You know, I was totally with you, until you decide at the end that you want to rag on people from the US. So much for being accepting of all human beings..

Having had business dealings with Canadians for many years I find their condescending attitude toward the U.S. very annoying. Particularly since there is "no there there"

We are like most folks with our vanities, I would imagine, in that before we go on vacation we try to lose a few pounds and get in a little better shape. We usually succeed, but not to the degree we had hoped. However, once we arrive at Club Orient, amongst friends, we kinda say "Bleep, we tried our best - let's enjoy vacation!"
And as far as comparing the US's attitude toward nudity, we're probably somewhere in the middle. Consider: years after we had our senses assaulted by a split-second partial view of JJ's n*pple, our high courts were still wasting time debating this Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Coming from England, I'm confused by this. Isn't Canada one of the states? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Ah, you know, I could say something there, but I won't! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/noevil.gif" alt="" />

All is forgiven. Please come back to Club O.

I say this as someone who has been overweight all of her life, but with ups and downs, and the typical bad body-image that women have in our culture; Please try Club O again (or nudism in general) again! So many of the regulars have been going for so long that while they might have started young and slim, they're now "well aged", and still loving it. Yes, there are the gawkers that stroll down the beach, but you can stick to the back row, and I think hanging out with the rest of the gang would do your self-esteem a world of good! it's about being on a beautiful beach, not about meeting some impossible image of physical beauty. I bet making some new friends would do your mental state of mind and by association your health a world of good! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

To be fair, as a citizen of the US, I don't believe the sentiment originally expressed is completely wrong. We have some seriously whacked out ideas about sexuality and nudity (including frequently confusing the two) in this country. Not sure that Canada is totally off the hook here, but I'm willing to admit that the US is guilty as charged on this one topic! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Sorry Carol, I did not mean to be mean.
It is just that I have seen and heard from many of my dear friends in the US that nude is " gross " and " she/he " should cover that, and other such things. We truly do not get those reactions here.

I love and resect all people and no demeaning thoughts are expressed and for all those that took offense,,,, my apologies.

Don't think that broad generalization about an adverse reaction to nude (mature) bodies is just a U.S. thing, if you read the reviews of Orient Bay Beach on trip advisor you will note that many reviewers (usually female) tend to react with... "gross", "they should know better", "my grandparents", "cover your eyes" type comments when they "stumble" on the Club O section. Not all those reviewers are from the U.S.

All those negatives(gross, cover up) are defense mechanisms not being able to admit hey this natural and fun and very relaxed. Could be who they are traveling with or the tour group or their kids they are afraid might not get it yet.

My view, is the good nudists places are full of very mature nude people. But if people weren't mature it could be bad and lewd.

I bet the cruisers who don't try on visit one probably do try on visit two. And then all those negatives melt away.

I can't think of a better place to be that naked under a yellow umbrella with a Carib looking at the ocean.

My wife and I enjoyed 'au naturel' beaches in Jamaica. Mandatory nudity meant throwing off a couple who wore only thongs. We are trying Club O for the first time and the 'optional' part was a big sell. I expect we will be nude on the beach all day, but the optional part means we won;t get thrown out if she becomes uncomfortable with a gawker and puts her bottoms on.

BTW, she never would try the Jamaican nude cruise because quarters were too tight. But 'clothing optional' Tiko Tiko cruises means she can wear bottoms if she feels uncomfortable and that means we will go on that cruise.

All in all, I think we prefer the optional to the mandatory

Fact is you will find more gawkers at 'optional' areas than you will at an 'mandatory area'...for obvious reasons.

And I would guess that the couple with the thongs on were you and your wife?

I have no problem with optional, but the vast majority should exercise THE OPTION.

The clothing optional part of Club Orient got my wife to walk that beach in a suit. Next visit I went nude and she topless.
We now visit Club Orient beach every year and she still goes topless only. The option allowed her to go topless only and keep her bottoms on. If it was mandatory nude we would not be enjoying this beach for all these years. As for the cruisers and gawkers I think it is fun to watch them knowing what they are missing by not participating.

topless is enough of the option in my book!
And while of probable more importance down stairs the upstairs is what seems to attract the attention ---although I've never see anybody go bottomless with a top on.

At Club O there are women who walk the property,fitness walking.wearing sports bras,runners, determination...that's it folks.

i'll try that,give em some support

I've done it after, shall we say, some inattentive application of sun block. I'm sure I looked funny, but at least I was giving my poor shoulders a break from the sun! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Ladies at our club frequently; play tennis, jog and ride 4 wheelers with just a sports bra.
In the cool of the evening it is not uncommon to "Donald Duck" around camp wearing a hoodie or light jacket.

Now there's a new term for my glossary! Love it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for the post, as it confirms what I wrote a couple weeks ago earlier in this same thread. Try to enforce a nude mandatory policy and all you will do in most cases is to deny the nudist his enjoyment. I know I would not have enjoyed going nude at Baker Beach for all these years were it not for our agreement that my wife will come with me but wear a swimsuit.