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Tattoos, Adornments, Piercings, and Pubes… Oh My!

Byournaturistlife

The debate over what’s “natural” just got pierced, inked, and freshly shaved.

Naturism and body modifications. A woman standing confidently on the beach, embracing naturism and body positivity, with the ocean in the background.

Naturism is about being real. Stripped down. Unapologetic. It’s about bodies as they are… not as they’re dressed up to be.

But let’s be honest: not everything we take off is fabric. Some of it’s inked, pierced, waxed, or… inserted.

Yep, we’re going there. Naturism and body modifications.

As our world changes, so do the ways we express identity on our skin. Tattoos, piercings, body modifications, genital jewelry, even things like cock rings and bejeweled butt plugs… these are part of the modern human landscape. They show up in naturist spaces whether we talk about them or not. So, we figured, let’s talk about them.

This isn’t about setting rules. We’re not trying to be the decorum police. We’re just offering our perspective from living, loving, and occasionally side-eyeing in nudist spaces.

So yes, take it with a grain of salt. Opinions are like assholes! Everyone has one including us. Even some with a fox tail!

Tattoos: Permanent Expressions of the Self… and Sometimes of Poor Judgment

Tattoos are personal. They can be beautiful, emotional, hilarious, or regrettable… sometimes all at once. And in a naturist setting, they’re part of the body. You can’t fold them up or toss them in the laundry. They’re just there, like freckles or laugh lines.

We’ve got no problem with that. In fact, we love seeing the stories people wear on their skin. A dolphin leaping over a scar. A memorial quote for someone lost. A tiny potato with legs (true story… we saw this, and we’re still thinking about it).

But what happens when a tattoo crosses the line into something hostile, racist, sexist, hateful, or aggressively political? That person who shows up with a swastika tattooed on their chest. Or a misogynistic slogan down their thigh. These aren’t neutral expressions of individuality. They’re visual judgments. Permanent ones! Broadcast to everyone around, and they break the unspoken trust that naturist spaces rely on.

It’s a walking billboard for judgment, and it crashes right into the core values of naturism: respect, acceptance, and shared safety.

We’re not calling for censorship. We’re calling for consciousness.

Although naturism asks us to leave our judgments at the gate, we wrote about how that’s not reality and it still exists in naturist spaces. Tattoos like those conciously bring an extreme level of judgment with them… inked permanently into skin. You can’t un-see that. And you shouldn’t have to.

We believe naturist spaces have every right to say: “Hey, this environment is for everyone.” This is where body freedom meets community responsibility.

Just as a loud, offensive t-shirt would be out of place in a peaceful textile environment, a tattoo that demeans others doesn’t belong in a space built on respect and inclusion. You can’t remove a tattoo like you would a shirt. But that doesn’t mean we must accept its message.

If your tattoo actively degrades others, we need to talk. Not to shame the person, but to protect the space.

A man sitting in a pool, partially submerged, holding a buoy with a colorful pattern, smiling at the camera.

Piercings: Just Another Hole?

Ah, piercings. The spicy sibling of tattoos.

We live in a world where piercings have become as common as haircuts. Ears, eyebrows, noses, lips, navels. Most of us are used to ear piercings. Nose rings? Cute. Eyebrow studs? Still cool. These don’t even raise eyebrows anymore. But the moment someone spots a nipple ring or a glint of jewelry down below, the record scratches. Suddenly people forget we’re all adults who claim genitals are just another body part.

So why do some naturists still get unsettled by a nipple ring, a clitoral hood piercing, or a Prince Albert?

Let’s be honest: If we truly believe that genitals are just another part, then we need to act like it. It’s a double standard, plain and simple.

We don’t say, “Look at her, she’s really trying to show off her earlobes,” so why do we assume a clitoral hood ring is a seduction device? Why does a Prince Albert suddenly turn a friendly beach day into “Nudity Gone Wild”?

One of our friends has her nipples pierced, and yes, she also has a clitoral hood piercing. Of course we noticed! She’s also had a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Yes… we noticed that too. Oh, and she has some beautiful tattoos. But beyond all of that, she’s an incredible person… kind, funny, and one of the most dedicated volunteers and supporters at our local naturist park.

Most people don’t get intimate piercings to flash strangers at a potluck. Some people pierce their genitals for sensation. Some do it for aesthetics. Some for culture, identity, or to mark a rite of passage. But almost none are doing it to turn heads in a naturist space. In fact, most genital piercings are small, subtle, and private. Only noticed if you’re looking, which, frankly, is your choice. If you’re staring hard enough to notice and feel “offended,” maybe the problem isn’t the jewelry. Maybe it’s your own gaze doing a little too much work.

The challenge isn’t the piercing. It’s the cultural conditioning we carry that still sees the genitals as inherently provocative… pierced or not.

That’s where naturism is still growing and learning to adapt.

The goal of naturism isn’t to pretend we’re blind, or that we don’t notice the details of each other’s bodies. The goal is to see without judgment. To notice without assuming intent. To observe without sexualizing.

A nipple piercing doesn’t turn a breast into a performance. A Prince Albert doesn’t make a man an exhibitionist. And a clitoral hood ring isn’t a neon sign saying “look at me” any more than a nose stud is.

And yet, some traditional naturist clubs treat genital piercings like they’re radioactive. We’ve heard the stories: quiet warnings, sideways glances, members being asked to “cover it up” like they brought a hand grenade to a bake sale. Meanwhile, Todd in cargo sandals is rubbing himself openly and that’s apparently fine?

Let’s stop pretending that metal equals intent.

Where piercings can become a problem is when they’re clearly being used to draw erotic attention. That’s rare… but it happens. When someone positions themselves provocatively, points it out, or seems to invite the sexual gaze, then it’s not really about the piercing anymore. It’s about the performance.

As always, the question isn’t “What body parts are modified?” it’s “What kind of energy is being brought into this shared space?”

We say: pierce what you want. Show up as you are. Just don’t expect applause, and don’t point it out like you’re hosting a home shopping network.

A man and a woman lounging on sunbeds outdoors, both are nude. The man is reclining with his arms behind his head, while the woman sits with one arm raised, both appearing relaxed under a partly cloudy sky.

Adornment: Where Self-Expression Starts to Wink Too Hard

Now for the tough stuff.

Cock rings. Ball stretchers. Bejeweled plugs or fox tails. We told you we weren’t going to avoid it.

Here’s the thing: not all adornments are equal. A toe ring versus a shiny metal ring encircling your genitals might send very different messages. One says, “I’m enjoying a barefoot summer vibe.” The other kinda says, “Behold, I’m ready for an OnlyFans shoot in 3… 2… 1…”

These aren’t passive body choices. They’re active presentations, and often come with sexualized symbolism that can disrupt the atmosphere naturism depends on.

Let’s be clear: we’re not talking about judgment based on who someone is. We’re talking about what energy they bring into a shared space. We’re not here to kink-shame. But we are going to naturism-protect.

Naturist spaces thrive on being a safe space where people don’t feel sexualized. That’s the whole point. It’s not about pretending genitals don’t exist. It’s about seeing them without turning them into centerpieces. So when someone walks into a naturist space wearing a butt plug with a pink jewel, it’s not self-expression anymore. It’s performance art for a captive audience.

Naturism is already radical in its vulnerability. It takes effort and trust to enter a space where bodies are naked, exposed, and equalized. When someone inserts an overtly sexualized accessory into that mix, it changes the balance. Not because bodies are inherently shameful, but because the intent behind those adornments often disrupts the unspoken agreement we’ve all entered: This is not a sexual space.

We’ve heard the justifications:

“It’s comfortable.”

“It’s not sexual for me.”

“It’s just a part of who I am.”

Cool. You do you. But maybe do it somewhere else.

Naturism isn’t a stage. If your accessories are designed to attract sexual attention, suggest kink, or make others feel like unwilling extras in your silent cosplay, then no… this isn’t the space for it. There are plenty of venues where that energy is welcome. That’s not a judgment. That’s a boundary.

And if your idea of rebellion is wearing a ball stretcher to a community picnic, congratulations… you’ve turned body acceptance into body discomfort. For everyone else.

It’s also a kind of judgment. One that says “my need to perform overrides your need for safety.”

When in doubt, ask yourself: Would this feel at home in a yoga studio, a meditation retreat, or a quiet garden? Or does it belong in a fetish club? That’s usually a good compass.

But What About “Just Expressing Myself”?

Yes, we know. The rebuttals are already lined up like tan lines on a nude beach.

“You’re just gatekeeping.”

“This is my truth.”

“You can’t tell me what’s natural for me.”

Look… we’re not trying to be the naturist version of the fashion police. But naturism is a shared space. And in shared spaces, personal expression is always balanced by communal experience. If your expression disrupts the vibe, demands attention, or makes others feel uneasy… not because of their prudishness but because of your overt signaling… then yeah! Maybe that expression isn’t right for that moment.

This isn’t about being offended. It’s about keeping naturist spaces what they were meant to be.

A person reading a book while lounging by a pool, with trees and a house visible in the background.

What We’re Not Saying

Let’s make this crystal clear, because we know nuance is in short supply on the internet.

We’re not saying don’t express yourself.

We’re not anti-kink.

We’re not saying piercings or tattoos are a problem.

We’re not saying there’s only one way to be a naturist.

What we are saying is: self-expression doesn’t mean performing at others. And naturism works best when nobody’s trying to be the center of attention. Because everyone already is, just by showing up naked.

Grooming: The Invisible Adornment

We almost forgot to discuss this one! Grooming… arguably the most universal and quietly controversial way we adorn ourselves in nudism and naturism right next to Crocs and socks!

Unlike tattoos or piercings, you won’t see anyone walk into a naturist space and announce their bikini wax. But you will notice. We all do.

Whether it’s a full bush, a clean shave, a tidy trim, or a wild jungle that hasn’t seen daylight since the ’90s, grooming choices say something. Even if we wish they didn’t. And like everything else, the naturist community has opinions. Oh, does it ever.

Some folks insist that a “natural” look is the only authentic naturism. Others feel more comfortable, or more hygienic, keeping things neat. Some say shaved genitals are inherently sexual, as if the act of handling a razor around your private parts is a public performance. Yet no one concerns themselves with the style of head or facial hair.

We recently read a post claiming that shaving genitals is sexual because you “had to touch yourself to do it.” Seriously? That’s a far reach! By that logic, cleaning your ears is foreplay. Look, the only reason we’re carefully maneuvering a razor down there is because we don’t want to bleed out on the tile trying to avoid that little bump our doctor already told us is nothing to worry about.

Grooming is just that… grooming. It’s personal, not performative. And honestly, it’s none of your damn business. The moment we start sexualizing personal hygiene, we’ve officially lost the plot.

Someone shaved their genitals? Great. Someone didn’t? Also great. It’s their crotch, not your concern.

We’ve heard it all. That shaving is sexual because it’s “revealing.” That it draws attention to the genitals. And yes… our personal favorite… that it somehow aligns someone with pedophilia. Honestly, ugh. Let’s unpack that, because it deserves a firm, uncomfortable spotlight.

First: some people shave because it’s comfortable, cleaner for them, or just the way they’ve always liked it. Guess what? That doesn’t mean they’re bringing their sex life into the club. It means they made a grooming choice. It’s not a body-modification announcement of erotic availability.

And even if it was for sexual reasons with their partners, hair doesn’t magically sprout back because they’re entering a naturist space. What do you want them to do… Velcro on a merkin?

Here’s the real issue: people are projecting. A shaved vulva or penis is not a sexual invitation. It’s just a shaved vulva or penis. If your brain leaps straight to porn tropes or moral panic, that’s about your conditioning… not their grooming.

Before we go slapping labels like “inappropriate,” “sexual,” or the absolute low-blow… “pedophilic”… ask yourself: who is actually making it weird?

If someone’s smooth, hairy, patchy, prickly, or styled like a bonsai tree, maybe we don’t assume that means anything. Maybe they just prefer it that way. Or maybe they lost a bet. Doesn’t matter.

So shave your head, face, armpits, chest, genitals, legs, eyebrows, or whatever! OK… maybe not the eyebrows. Unless your goal is to look like a surprised boiled egg.

Naturism is about accepting the body… not prescribing a style guide.

A person standing outdoors in a natural setting, posing confidently without clothing, embodying the themes of naturism and body acceptance.

So What Do We Do Now?

Well, we don’t call the Naturist Police. They don’t exist. (And if they did, we hope they’d at least show up nude and wearing sensible hats.)

Seriously though… what do we do when we’re faced with all this? Tattoos, piercings, adornments, shaved genitals, and all the grey areas in between?

First, take a breath. Let’s all agree that people are complex. Motivations aren’t always visible. And not everything is a statement, a threat, or a revolution. Sometimes a tattoo is just a tribute. A piercing is just personal taste. A shaved pubic area is… wait for it… just someone’s preference for smooth over stubble rash.

Second, check your judgment… on both sides. Yes, we’re going to have opinions. You can’t help that. But opinions aren’t mandates. Naturism thrives when it’s a conversation, not a condemnation. We can make space for individuality without turning a blind eye to things that clearly don’t belong, like hate symbols, or overt sexual displays.

Third, know the vibe. If you’re walking into a traditional naturist club where they still call the hot tub a “spa bath,” maybe don’t roll in with a butt plug tail and a matching set of cock jewelry and expect zero feedback. Likewise, if you’re managing a naturist space, maybe don’t freak out over someone’s nose ring or clitoral hood piercing like it’s the opening scene of an exorcism.

Fourth, stop sexualizing grooming. Someone shaved their genitals? Great. Someone didn’t? Also great. It’s their crotch, not your concern. The only thing personal grooming communicates is that someone has a mirror and five minutes to themselves.

Fifth, remember: naturism isn’t about policing bodies… it’s about deprogramming our reactions to them. When we start assigning meaning to every pierce, ink, trim, or accessory, we slip back into the very trap we’re trying to escape: judging bodies by surface and symbols.

Lastly… we talk. We listen. We laugh. We observe the vibe of a space. We don’t all have to agree, but we do have to be honest about what kind of environment we’re trying to create and protect.

Naturism isn’t about sameness. It’s about shared values. About respect, comfort, and choosing to show up without putting others on edge. If your piercings, your ink, your hardware, or your… tail makes the space feel sexualized or performative, that’s not an expression of freedom… that’s disruption.

So no, we’re not proposing a universal checklist of “acceptable” decorations for your body.

But we are saying: read the room. If your accessories get more eye contact than your actual eyes, maybe reconsider.

And to the folks who want to cry censorship or “you’re judging me for being different”, we say this with love: You’re right. We are judging! Just like you’re judging us when you show up with a steel-plated jockstrap and a fox tail like it’s casual Friday. That’s life in a community. People notice things. Nudity doesn’t make us magically immune to social dynamics.

We can’t pretend naturist spaces are neutral when they’re full of cues, both comforting and disruptive. And that’s the crux: naturism works best when we minimize those distractions… not amplify them.

So really… what do we do now?

We all carry our pasts into naturist spaces. But we also carry our intentions. And there’s a difference between sharing your story through body art, and using your body as a billboard.

We stay honest. We stay playful. We keep showing up as our beautifully messy, imperfect selves. We accept the tattoos, the tasteful piercings, and the awkward tan lines. We set boundaries where things cross into territory that turns connection into performance.

And above all?

We keep nudity normal, not theatrical. (Unless you’re performing Hamlet at a clothes-free Shakespeare retreat. In which case, carry on. Just… maybe leave the cock ring in your dressing room.)

And as we mentioned at the beginning, take all this with a grain of salt… or a full margarita rim if you prefer.

We’re not the arbiters of naturist morality. We’re just two people trying to make sense of this weird, wonderful, naked world… and shave ourselves without injury.

We hope you enjoy our human experiences in naturism. Please share, like, leave a comment and subscribe to get notified when we post something new.

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39 Comments

  1. I am a nudist man married to an African girl 25 years my junior but we love each other. It was a recommendation by my wife to go in for a Prince Albert piercing as we wanted to tell people we are open to showing our genitals just as normal as any other body part.

    It’s a choice I guess

    Reply

  3. Again very well written and fun to read.
    Expresses pretty much how I also see these body decoration-topics .

    B.t.w. I am shaved down there because it was kind of a next step for me with respect to body positivity.
    My wife keeps it the natural way. Being smooth down there would make her feel like a little girl rather than a woman.
    Naturism is diversity, accepting different views .

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  4. I remember when an older brother got his left ear pierced (shocking…!) back in the late 80s. The priest at our parish was visiting our house and said the oft-used phrase at that time, “Well, left is right and right is wrong.” People’s interpretations of piercings and judgment around them seem to be a longstanding issue in western society. Whereas in other cultures, piercings, tattoos, and other general scarification are used as initiatory rites, often to mark transition into adulthood, the west seems intent on keeping the body “pristine”. Carry-over Puritanical underpinnings, I assume.

    Why is it that women seem to receive such vitriol, shame, harassment, and judgment when they’re tattooed, especially if they’re heavily tattooed, while men seem to receive the same, albeit when they have piercings? Why is one pierced body part not sexual, yet another one is? If we’re de-sexualizing the body in naturist spaces, then a penis or clitoral hood is no more sexual than a navel, nipple, earlobe, or an eyebrow. There are those who think a navel piercing on a woman is very sexual and “trashy”. I’d be willing to bet for every type of piercing, there are countless others who despise said piercings and hold all sorts of judgment around them. And, the flip-side of this judgment also needs to be mentioned. Just because someone might have an attraction to, or affinity for a specific piercing does not give said individual license to just zero in on the piercing(s) and make comments about them. A Prince Albert or other genital piercing is not invitation to launch into a convo about them, especially if you don’t know the person. Assuming sexual orientation is also not a good idea. Shelve the judgments, both “positive” and “negative”.

    The short-sighted argument that genital piercings are “only meant to draw attention” is DOA. Are large penises or voluptuous breasts also only for attention? Should we ban any and all from naturist spaces who happen to be cursed (?) with a large penis & testicles, or those with big breasts? What about those with breast implants. “Hey, they made a modification to their body and it’s clearly ONLY meant to be sexual and garner sexual attention! Ban them!” Has that person addressed an issue they personally had with their body which affected their confidence and self-esteem? Had they elected to get a “mommy makeover” after having breast-fed a child or children following pregnancy?

    Are there some who get implants for show and to receive sexual attention? I think it is safe to assume there are plenty. But, I’m guessing there are more who are just wanting to “correct” something they haven’t liked about their body. Believe it or not, but there IS a parallel between piercings, tattoos, and something like breast augmentation. Just because a genital piercing/piercings CAN be seen in a naturist environment doesn’t mean they’re primary or even secondary, tertiary, etc intention is to elicit attention. Why would someone get that type of piercing, a piercing in a location that is covered most of the time in normal day to day life, if they’re looking to get attention for it? This argument from the naturist space makes no sense to me.

    There’s also the question of commitment. Genital piercings are some of the most painful and serious piercings one can elect for. Flippancy is often not a part of the equation when it comes to these. The piercings require research, commitment to the procedure, the healing and aftercare, and the upkeep. I offer this as a differentiation between the other things mentioned in the blog above, -things like plugs, cages, cock rings, etc. Those require virtually zero commitment and demand little of the bearer. Certain piercings can also close, rapidly, so there’s dedication in this respect as well. This is one of the reasons why certain jewelry can’t “just” be removed temporarily. The piercing can be lost in a short period of time.

    There’s a general saying that goes, “Be kind. Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Understand that piercings and tattoos might just be a way for someone to find peace with themselves and their body, much in the same way that a foray into social nudist spaces might also allow them to find some personal acceptance.

    Be well everyone.

    Reply

  5. A couple of interesting sidebars from the textile world.

    We have a friend who was in college shortly after Disneyland opened in Anaheim – early 1960s. Not only would he not be eligible for employment at Disney, but they wouldn’t even let him through the gates as a paying customer because he had facial hair!!

    That seems like ancient history, but it was maybe 15 years ago when our high-school-aged daughter took on corporate America when a supervisor at her grocery-store job took her to task over an eyebrow piercing. Ultimately, the corporate office came to her defense, but suffice it to say, she didn’t win any most valuable employee awards from behind the check-out counter.

    All this to say that this is not exclusively a naturist issue! The only thing that raises the bar in the nud-o-sphere is the preconceived idea that “people who run around without clothes on” are nut jobs to begin with. Banter about piercings, jewelry, shaving, and the like simply add fire to the narrative.

    But then again… here’s a fun exercise.

    Next time you go to church (even if it’s just for a wedding or a funeral) look around the room and imagine who might be concealing a nipple piercing or a freshly shaven nether-region.

    I suspect there are quite a lot more “deviants” out there than most of us would expect. LOL

    Reply

  6. On the subject of shaving, I would like to point out that it is a way for a man to have his penis appear two inches longer without surgery. Especially if you only have two inches to begin with.
    I once saw a woman on a nude beach who was bottomless but wearing a bikini top. When she was close enough I saw the bikini top was all tattooed on. A great way to be topfree in public and not get arrested.
    On term I didn’t recognize was a Prince Albert. I only know that as a brand of pipe tobacco.
    Interesting article. At 78 I believe I am a bit more liberal than some other readers. I just choose not to associate or communicate with those displaying genital jewelry. On the other hand, maybe I am just as judgemental after all.
    Gregg

    Reply

    1. I truly don’t believe it adds two inches but really… we shouldn’t care. Similar to most with genital jewelry… we shouldn’t care. We are comfortable with facial jewelry.

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  7. I still remember a time (I’m old) when shaving bald and genital piercings were considered “scandalous” by the “old-school” nudists.

    These days, you’ve got women with breast implants and BBLs (sometimes disproportionate to the rest of the body), men clearly on steroids or with penile implants (also sometimes disproportionate to the rest of the body), bodies almost entirely covered in tattoos, etc…

    And you’ve also got transgender folks. Last year at my resort I saw a male-looking individual (with a beard and hairy chest) on a paddle-board; and as he straddled the board I noticed a female vulva. On another occasion I was sitting across from another male-looking individual with a beard, receding hairline…and female breasts. I’m as open-minded as the next person (I think) but it’s a bit jarring when, as David Bowie sang, you’re “not sure if you’re a boy or a girl.”

    My point is that times have changed. Body modifications have grown exponentially over the years. Where do we draw the line when it comes to social nudity? I don’t think we can; so the focus should be more on the person’s behavior than their outward appearance, no matter how jarring we might find it at first glance.

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  8. I understand what you’re saying about “genitals are just another part” and “Look at her, she’s really trying to show off her earlobes,” but still, for me it’s a different story. And I’m mainly talking about Prince Alberts and cock rings. I don’t have much of a problem with the others.
    You’re not against piercings, and that’s perfectly fine, but for me, it remains this: genitals don’t matter in naturism and nudism, but with a (explicit) piercing/cockring, you do draw attention to your genitals, whether that’s intentional or not. Regarding the cockring, I’ve also heard: “It’s jewelry to me, women wear rings too.” However, I’ve never seen a woman with a rubber ring on her finger. For me It’s like, say, that shocking tattoo. I have to say, I consider a cockring more of a sexual attribute than a piercing, but I prefer neither.

    Despite your initial stance, you later say: “If your expression disrupts the vibe, demands attention, or makes others feel uneasy… not because of their prudishness but because of your overt signaling… then yeah! Maybe that expression isn’t right for that moment.”
    I read that as a clear no to that kind of piercings.

    And, you already mentioned ball stretchers (sidenote: I don’t understand them. As I get older, my balls go south, and I can’t tell you how much I hate that because, especially because I live naked, it’s very annoying when you’re going to sit and you sit on them) and foxtails, but I’ve also had the question more than once about penis cages and such on a nude beach, and I’ve even seen a boy wearing a diaper on a nudist beach, and no, it wasn’t because he was incontinent.
    I mean, where do you draw the line? People who enjoy those things will always push the boundaries much further than the (for lack of a better word) non-sexual naturist/nudist. And their reasons are completely different from your reasons for not doing it. And if you speak to them they always manage/try to spin things so that they’re right, no matter how twisted it may be.
    I mean, I often hear “live and let live,” but unfortunately, many people no longer know the boundaries of decency and only think of themselves. Others will see my opinion in the same light.
    But, other than a naturistsite like a camping place, a nude beach isn’t just for naturists, so should we hold them to those values?

    I often hear “naturists have to be tolerant” but how far should we go with that tolerance? I honestly think we sometimes go way too far, and that’s why we’re now dealing with the many abuses we’re all talking about. I think (although I don’t know for sure, of course) that if naturists were a little less tolerant, some nude beaches or some sites would be much better places.

    Reply

    1. We appreciate the thoughtful comment. You’ve raised some of the same concerns we hear often. To clarify, when we said, “If your expression disrupts the vibe or demands attention… maybe it’s not right for that moment,” we weren’t writing off genital piercings or cock rings altogether. We were pointing out that naturism isn’t about showing off any particular body part. It’s about being at ease with your whole self.

      You’re absolutely right that some people push boundaries on nude beaches, and that’s not really about jewelry at all. Whether it’s a cock ring, a penis cage, or even something unrelated like a loudspeaker, the real issue is when someone’s choices turn a shared naturist space into their personal stage. That’s not tolerance… that’s disruption.

      On the flip side, not every piercing or tattoo is an “overt signal.” Sometimes it’s just someone’s body, just like your stretched earlobes or my tattooed arm. We’d rather judge behavior than objects. If a person is quietly sunbathing with a piercing, that’s different from strutting around making sure everyone notices it.

      As for mixed-use nude beaches… that’s always tricky. They’re public spaces, so we can’t expect everyone there to share naturist values. But we do believe in speaking up when behavior, not just appearance, crosses the line. Tolerance doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to obvious sexual behavior; it means letting people exist as they are as long as they respect the space and others in it.

      We’re with you on this: naturism works best when it’s about shared comfort, not about who can push the limits the furthest.

      Reply

  9. Brilliant piece summarising the reality of what and how many uninformed individuals think the naked body portrays itself in general society.

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  11. Styles change, and what is considered acceptable certainly changes. It can take time to adjust to changing norms, but hopefully everyone will decide to keep judgement comments to themselves. I am not aware of anyone being perfect or walking on water in the last 2,000 years.

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  12. I came to nudism at a late age. I was scared, self-conscious, and uncomfortable but the people I met were so welcoming and kind, I soon came to love it. Now we live permanently at the site. I really appreciate the things you said and the different ways to look at the whole piercings dilemma because it can be one if you aren’t prepared. You gave me things to think about and I agree with you after reading your opinions. I also know a lot of our older members are pretty set against any piercings except facial. I am 81 but like to think I’m more open minded. Thank you for your fresh viewpoint.

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  14. As always another interesting article. We are all individuals and see things in different ways, which is a good thing. From a personal perspective I’m not a fan of piercings but I’m not going to go up to someone and say that. I don’t think that butt plugs belong in a naturist setting but each to their own. I have no tattoos and nothing is pierced, not even an ear, not even back in the 80s when it was cool. I’m not cool.

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  15. Excellent article as always!
    I have a Prince Albert, a pierced nipple, and choose to be smooth. I like it that way.
    I didn’t see any butt plugs recently at Nudefest but genital jewellery is definitely on the increase and I saw a surprising amount of cock rings (if 3 is surprising) and I share your opinions of them even
    If that seems a little hypocritical to some.
    I’ve got some; I wear them, but wouldn’t in a naturist environment as I see them as a step too far.
    Keep up the work. 👍🏻

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    1. I am 75 and I have had body piercings since the 80s. My wife I have belonged to the Naturist Society for over 30 years. It is all a matter of taste. Some like some don’t.

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  16. Another interesting post. Right off, let me say that I absolutely disapprove of tattoos and piercings! I find it very interesting that many naturists/nudists talk about clothing covering up who they really are……if they have tattoos, I would ALMOST prefer that they stay clothed!!! But my interest in the nude human body does preclude that. Some use tattoos to cover scars from operations or accidents, I consider those scars more natural than tattoos, and am not offended or repulsed by scars or by natural defects. I knew a fellow who even had his eyeballs tattooed!! Talk about weird, but that wasn’t as noticeable as his other tattoos, you had to be face to face with him to notice. This ‘piercing’ thing is sick too. People who want to be accepted into some strange type of society. Anyone who has any tattoos, piercings, or genital jewelry, should NEVER be offended or concerned about people looking at them, those items ARE for others to notice!!! And the subject of anal plugs gets into more than adornment, but I won’t get on that subject. I just appreciate the natural skin, including the signs of health issues, and aging.

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      1. I believe Gerald said he disapproves of tattoos, piercings, etc (which is his right) – not of people choosing to have them.

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        1. I appreciate you trying to soften or sanitize Gerald’s comment by framing it as a simple, personal preference. But here’s the problem: Gerald’s original comment clearly went beyond “I don’t like tattoos.”

          It included judgmental language (“sick,” “strange society,” “I’d almost prefer they stay clothed”).

          Policing of who should or shouldn’t be nude.

          The idea that anyone with tattoos or piercings should expect to be looked at, essentially waiving their right to privacy or comfort.

          That’s not just stating a personal preference. That’s assigning moral value to people’s bodies and implying they don’t belong fully in naturism.

          That’s how I read it.

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      2. I fully get what you’re saying, Kevin. Yes, it comes across as judgmental language – I agree. But remember that Gerald is 80 years old – almost from a different world than what we know. I’m not suggesting his age is an excuse, but it gives some perspective on how he’s framed his post. To say that he’s “assigning moral value to people’s bodies and implying they don’t belong fully in naturism” is a bit harsh. He’s not assessing people’s bodies – he’s expressing an opinion on what he sees as needless modification to the body. I don’t agree with everything he’s said, but I respect his right to hold his opinion.

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        1. Thanks, Andrew. I always appreciate your thoughtful takes and your willingness to hold space for nuance. And I get what you’re saying about Gerald’s age. There’s some generational context there.

          But here’s where I come from. I’m only 24 years behind him. My dad is 82. And if he made a comment like that, I’d say the same thing.

          I don’t doubt Gerald’s sincerity. But intent doesn’t erase impact. When someone says they’d “almost prefer” tattooed people stayed clothed, or calls piercings “sick,” they’re not just sharing a taste… they’re reinforcing the idea that only certain bodies are acceptable in naturism.

          I respect Gerald’s right to say it. But I don’t have to agree with the opinion itself, especially when it contradicts the values that drew many of us to naturism in the first place. And if I just let that comment sit on our website, without reply, I am also allowing that judgment to stand. Silence can look like agreement… and that doesn’t sit well with me.

          If we’re going to challenge the social norms that tell us to hide our bodies, we also have to continue to challenge the judgments that creep in once the clothes come off.

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      3. Fair comment, Kevin – particularly your last sentence.

        I suspect Gerald has simply aired his opinion as a reflection of his personal thoughts without realising the judgmental impact on others. I used to have an ear piercing (I might even get it re-done), so I would qualify as one of those “sick” people in Gerald’s eyes! But I’ve been around old people enough to know they can speak their minds hastily without much tact, and can really appear quite bigoted without intending to be so. So that’s why I’ve cut Gerald some slack and not taken offence.

        However, I also realise that others may well be taken aback so, yes, your challenge is warranted.

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  17. OK, I’m going to show my age here. I know times and styles change, but for me, the adornments you’ve written about are dumb. Now, having said that, I also remember my dad asking when I planned to get a haircut. My point? Use your head. Feel free to express yourself, but return the favor by accepting others expressing themselves. Guys, please don’t force me to view your genital piercings, torture devices, and imprisonment contraptions. Ladies, a horse tail? Seriously?

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  18. One thing I’ve learned is that people will always find something to complain about or judge. So be yourself! Life is too short too worry about what others think or judge.

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  19. Great balance. It is clear that you gave this a lot of thought as you worked to articulate it rightly. I appreciate your common sense and non-anxious approach to the topic. Thanks for sharing!

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  21. Great article !!! I’ve seen everything mentioned above at our local nude beach. And guess what ! We all looked , we all judged anx we all went on fir a great day soaking up the sun unwinding from that stressful week or getting ready for the week ahead . Sit back , relax , enjoy the sun , beach or campground,wherever you are nude , just enjoy being yourself in the nude !!

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