# Clothes suck **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890 "2013-09-15T04:39:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/21 "2013-09-15T22:41:03Z")
> [@Gateway](#): > > They have practical uses but I don’t think 1 should b forced 2 wear them if we value freedom and b/c nakedness doesn’t hurt NE1. Well, strictly speaking, you’re not FORCED to wear them. You can certainly go naked in the comfort of your own home. There are entire nudist communities where you can walk about all the time naked without getting arrested. I’m not sure where you live, though - much of the year where I live it’s just too damn _cold_ not to wear something. Also, assuming you’re a guy, there is [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=700901) on why so many women view bras as a necessary item. I’ve know quite a few women happy to go naked _except_ for some of those reasons for bras. You might find the thread educational as well as interesting (I’m assuming you’re a typical male who likes BOOBIES!) > [@](#): > > The more have to’s you have the less free u r. Plus too often we see the clothose and not the person. A crowd would prolly do something if they see some random guy hit a woman, but not in a badge n uniform. I disagree on that - crowds are notoriously unreliable at coming to the aid of others. > [@](#): > > I think they make us mispercieve what ppl really are and we disconnect from the physical side of ourselves. This might b a huge reason y ppl r uncomfortable with their bodies, what is the hidden message if you only feel comfortable when others cant see your real physical form? Clothes can conceal physical scars that people do not wish to discuss with others or that others might find disturbing. While it’s nice to preach we should judge the inner character and not the exterior seeing extensive burns scars and skin grafting or the scarring from surgical reconstruction or reattachment of a limb is unusual enough that it can be distracting in social interactions. For people with certain skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis clothes not only conceal the problem they also provide protection for damaged skin. Skin infections are not fun at any time, but if severe enough can land you in the hospital so for such people it’s as much guarding their health as anything else. A lot of people are not attractive by society’s standards: they’re fat, they’re flabby, they have wrinkles or scars or discolorations. Not everyone looks good naked. For a lot of people clothes do improve their appearance, so why not? > [@](#): > > Clothes keep you warm but can make you believe the illusion. When it’s -10F I’ll deal with the illusion as long as I am able to stay warm. > [@](#): > > Live the dream: go streaking. Only if I’m allowed sneakers to protect my feet and a good sports bra to keep the girls from slapping me in the face when I run. But would that still count as streaking? ---
**Author:** ![Gateway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Gateway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gateway)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/22 "2013-09-15T23:46:32Z")
As a quick reply, not necessarily to every point, What I am saying is that while clothes DO serve a practical function, I don’t believe you should have to wear them, but wearing them is not wrong (at least in and of itself). I think it likely goes against the natural primal part of ourselves, especially as (all?) animals don’t care about if they are clothed or not. It seems to me that the main reason why people are _expected_ to be clothed in society is because we are conditioned against it, not becauese it is inherently wrong. Especially if you look at certain tribes who don’t seem to care if they can fully see anothers naked body. In other words I feel that it’s a right that we should have to where instead of nudists needing a colony, at least they are more commonly accepted/mainstream. Instead of nudist colonies you have only a minority of places like that for people who want to wear clothes. Also, I don’t feel people ought to only feel comfortable around others by wearing clothing because what is that saying? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/23 "2013-09-15T23:47:10Z")
Doesn’t “streaking” involve running? I remember when that was called “double time” and I did not like it back then. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/24 "2013-09-15T23:52:54Z")
Like others, I don’t feel comfortable without clothes. I’m rather fat and flabby and feel as if I perform a public service by adequately covering myself up. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/25 "2013-09-16T00:11:18Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Id-10-t Despite the amusing key posted above your post, don’t call others names in this forum. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/26 "2013-09-16T00:21:43Z")
I don’t think anyone wants to see me naked. :eek:🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/27 "2013-09-16T00:26:33Z")
> [@Gateway](#): > > As a quick reply, not necessarily to every point, > > What I am saying is that while clothes DO serve a practical function, I don’t believe you should have to wear them, but wearing them is not wrong (at least in and of itself). I think it likely goes against the natural primal part of ourselves, especially as (all?) animals don’t care about if they are clothed or not. As I often say, going against our natural instincts is often a good thing. Our natural instinct is to fear and hate what is different. Our natural instinct is to be selfish, caring only for the good of ourselves and our packmates and to hell with everybody else. > [@](#): > > It seems to me that the main reason why people are _expected_ to be clothed in society is because we are conditioned against it, not becauese it is inherently wrong. Especially if you look at certain tribes who don’t seem to care if they can fully see anothers naked body. No argument there. But, this may surprise some people, I’m generally in favor of clothing. When I sit down on public transportation, I want a few layers of cloth between me and the seat. During peak hours, clothing keeps strangers on a crowded car from having unwanted genital contact. When at any restaurant with a buffet, I feel shirts keep breasts and chest hair from getting in the food. ETA- Clothes also provide places to put pockets. I feel you can never have too many pockets. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/28 "2013-09-16T00:58:04Z")
If clothes really sucked, men would have no problem wearing them. For a couple of minutes anyway. Eventually it would get bothersome. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/29 "2013-09-16T01:04:53Z")
> [@Gateway](#): > > I think it likely goes against the natural primal part of ourselves, especially as (all?) animals don’t care about if they are clothed or not. Part of animals not caring whether they are clothed or not is because animals can’t make clothes for themselves. Animals living in climates colder than their species or sub-species evolved to live in might well learn to wearing “clothes” of a sort, to the point they’ll seek out a human to “dress” them for comfort. Examples are small, short-haired dogs wearing sweaters in cold weather. (Of course, this is not always voluntary on the dog’s part) A not-quite-clothes related example is my pet conure - he’s a tropical parrot. When it gets cold in the house he’ll try to crawl into a shirt or up a sleeve to get warm. I’ve had lovebirds - another tropical species - that would seek out towels, flannel shirts, and the like to crawl under and go to sleep. None of this is natural to those parrots, but the birds learned the utility of cloth items for warmth. > [@](#): > > It seems to me that the main reason why people are _expected_ to be clothed in society is because we are conditioned against it, not becauese it is inherently wrong. Especially if you look at certain tribes who don’t seem to care if they can fully see anothers naked body. A lot of those tribes actually _do_ have a clothing requirement of sorts, but their “clothing” is so different from ours we might not recognize it. Some of those tribes mandate body paint, for example. If a tribe is naked save for everyone wearing a string of beads around their waist it might be those beads are mandatory and appearing without them would mark you as naked. It’s not uncommon for clothing/body paint/hairstyles/jewelry/etc to serve as social cues even for “naked” tribes. For some groups, they are more constrained than westerners even if they are wandering around largely unclothed. > [@](#): > > In other words I feel that it’s a right that we should have to where instead of nudists needing a colony, at least they are more commonly accepted/mainstream. Instead of nudist colonies you have only a minority of places like that for people who want to wear clothes. Personally, I wish Americans (I can’t speak for other peoples) were a LOT less hung up by nudity, but I don’t think that reversing the situation by forbidding/discouraging clothing is an improvement. I’d rather people be able to wear (or not wear) what’s comfortable for them and appropriate to what they’re doing. > [@](#): > > Also, I don’t feel people ought to only feel comfortable around others by wearing clothing because what is that saying? It’s saying that someone doesn’t want something they perceive as a physical flaw in themselves causing distraction during social interactions. Yes, sometimes it’s an over the top shame reaction. Other times its someone thinking a particular outfit is more attractive than a wrinkled, flabby, saggy body and they want to look their best, as they see it. I’m wondering if you’re imagining buff, attractive young people walking around unclothed or if you have a really good idea of what a true demographic of people walking around naked would look like. Non-utilitarian clothing appeals to a human desire for ornament, to wear something pretty. Not everyone has that impulse to the same degree, and as I said, I’d rather my own society was less prudish about naked people. I think the ideal is a happy medium. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/30 "2013-09-16T01:38:05Z")
If we were all walking around naked, I’d imagine most of us would be spending a hell of a lot more time in the gym. As it is, we’re able to cover up the results of poor lifestyle choices behind layers of clothing, to an extent. In my case, lots of layers. Wearing just a t-shirt, I still look like a jelly donut, so it’s sweaters and hoodies in all kinds of weather, baby. If my flabby self was on display for all to see, I’d make sure to shape up in a hurry. So… maybe that would be a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/31 "2013-09-16T01:53:04Z")
To each their own. You want to go nakkid in public and I want to shoot rubberbands at the naughty bits of people who go nakkid in public. Let the games begin. Party on, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Gateway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Gateway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gateway)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/32 "2013-09-16T02:04:21Z")
I’m not advocating giving up clothing period. It has practical uses so I am not saying to never wear it. I think, however, that if you want to not wear clothes you should not be frowned upon or made to be wrong in some way. Also I don’t think people should have their physical self image connected to clothes so they don’t feel comfortable with their REAL self image. To me saying, “my real self CANNOT stand alone, I need to cover my real form up to be comfortable,” that is a smack to your own face as well as anti confidence and anti self esteem. To some they still have self esteem, but how powerful is it if it goes away when they aren’t wearing clothes? ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/33 "2013-09-16T02:11:16Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > . . . When I sit down on public transportation, I want a few layers of cloth between me and the seat. During peak hours, clothing keeps strangers on a crowded car from having unwanted genital contact. . . . I believe the etiquette among advocates of public nudity is to put a towel down on bus seats and restaurant chairs and so on. I see the problem with strap-hangers on a crowded bus having unwanted genital contact. Of course, the problem is in overcrowding itself, not in nudity. We shouldn’t be forced into any kind of physical contact with others. You can’t get on a crowded bus without committing involuntary assault and battery, and often sexual assault. (Obviously, the law doesn’t view it that way, but if I were to rub myself against someone in a park or at church, the way I have to rub them on a bus, it could be a matter for the police!) Clothing? It’s an unfunded mandate! Government intrusion! Boo! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/34 "2013-09-16T02:12:20Z")
> [@Gateway](#): > > 1 b 2 b/c NE1 u r clothose prolly n ppl b a y ppl r Does this communicate anything to you? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/35 "2013-09-16T02:17:56Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Does this communicate anything to you? Nope ---
**Author:** ![Gateway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Gateway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gateway)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/36 "2013-09-16T03:08:06Z")
> [@Gateway](#): > > They have practical uses but I don’t think 1 should b forced 2 wear them if we value freedom and b/c nakedness doesn’t hurt NE1. The more have to’s you have the less free u r. Plus too often we see the clothose and not the person. A crowd would prolly do something if they see some random guy hit a woman, but not in a badge n uniform. I think they make us mispercieve what ppl really are and we disconnect from the physical side of ourselves. This might b a huge reason y ppl r uncomfortable with their bodies, what is the hidden message if you only feel comfortable when others cant see your real physical form? Clothes keep you warm but can make you believe the illusion. > > Live the dream: go streaking. For those of you who couldn’t undestand this, here is a standard English version: They have practical uses but I don’t think one should be forced to wear them if we value freedom and because nakedness doesn’t hurt anyone. The more have-to’s you have, the less free you are. Plus too often we see the clothes and not the person. A crowd would probably do something if they see some random guy hit a woman, but not [if he’s wearing] a badge and uniform. I think [clothes] make us mispercieve what people really are and we disconnect from the physical side of ourselves. This might be a huge reason why people are uncomfortable with their bodies: what is the hidden message if you [are only] comfortable when others can’t see your real physical form? Clothes keep you warm but can make you believe the illusion. Live the dream: go streaking. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/37 "2013-09-16T03:09:58Z")
Got your [clot hose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compression_stockings#Anti-Embolism_Compression_Stockings) [right here](http://www.compressionstockings.com/ted-anti-embolism-stockings-c-34.html). ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/38 "2013-09-16T03:20:41Z")
> [@Fubaya](#): > > Where would you put your keys? > [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I keep just about everything in my purse. I do put a bandana in my pocket when I go out. The bandana is carefully color-coordinated with my outfit. Do you think that every single post on this board is directed at you, or just all of the posts in all of the threads that you participate in? In case you were wondering, **Fubaya** , I keep my keys in my pants pocket. I often wear shoes, but in the summer mostly sandals. Thanks for asking! ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/39 "2013-09-16T03:32:11Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > The bandana is carefully color-coordinated with my outfit. Is that brown, or pink? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890/40 "2013-09-16T05:08:50Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Do you think that every single post on this board is directed at you, or just all of the posts in all of the threads that you participate in? > > In case you were wondering, **Fubaya** , I keep my keys in my pants pocket. I often wear shoes, but in the summer mostly sandals. Thanks for asking! I thought that the post was addressed to all the people reading the thread. As I am one of the people reading this thread, I answered. Do you think that I’m not supposed to answer questions that are directed at the readers of the thread? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-suck/668890.md?page=3)