In a society where nudism was the norm, would people dress up to be attractive?

Question

Obviously, we start out life naked, and somewhere along the way, clothes got invented.

I do wonder looking at some tribal societies where nudism or near nudism is the norm, if clothes, make up and the like got invented partly to accentuate and conceal.

That the suggestion of a body may be more attractive than the revealed body.

Certainly in the naturist type magazines I have seen, I did not find nudity to be particularly erotic (yes attractive people are still attractive, but attractive people turn heads when they walk down the street too).

In a society where nudism was the norm, would people dress up to be attractive?

Answer 1

That reminds me of one of the tribes on a remote island in Indonesia. They are virtually nude, but the men wear hollowed out pen*s gourds, a gourd that looks like you know what, so they can put things in. It covers their stuff, and for parties, no joke, they wear larger and newer ones. Kind of like when we go to a party, we wear nice new clothes.

So to answer your question, yes people develop something, whether it’s clothes or hollowed out gourds to make themselves look more attractive.

Answer 2

Perhaps, that would depend on the culture. In modern times, the media does hype what is fashionable and what's not, which is a main influence in our society.

To me, it would be so lovely to live in a place where individuals are nude and content as such, as are people in some remote villages or locations, where nudity is the norm, and only covered up here and there with cultural accessories that are considered beautiful and accentuating in their culture, but not meant to conceal the natural beauty of the human body.
I'd find such a place to be quite liberating, at least in regards to not having to uphold some sort of fashion norm, spend so much money updating clothes and accessories, which fuels capitalism.

This coming from someone who loves fabric and working with it, but I also recognise that the obsession with fashion as being attractive is circulated and maintained particularly by the media, especially in our society, so nudity will less likely be seen as what it is, naturally human.

Answer 3

It depends a lot on WHY people are nude.

If the people are of the conviction that 'clothes are bad', then the only people who are going to dress up are those who are or want to seem bad. Instead of strip clubs, you might have 'dressing clubs'. Or lovers might emphasize how naughty they are by putting on some decorative undergarments. But you wouldn't see it in 'polite' society, no.

On the other hand, if people aren't wearing clothes because 'covering yourself is bad' or 'naked is beautiful', then even tattoos and makeup might be frowned upon as these disguise the skin underneath. Those who were grotesque for some reason might wear clothes as a politeness because in their case naked isn't beautiful... but I would expect even then that those clothes might RESEMBLE a naked person. rhaps transparent clothes could be popular for people who need protection and support.

If it's just too blasted hot to wear clothes or clothes are too rare and expensive, then I would expect other forms of ornamentation to predominate. In such a society actually wearing clothes would be an ostentation, suggesting that you were wealthy and powerful enough to afford the clothes or environmental controls of some kind. Teens would rent clothes for their prom, and leaders would be regularly clothed while common people were not (though a populist leader might go naked anyway).

Go you can't just pick one facet and perceive the whole crystal. Each face affects the others...

Answer 4

YES.

Or, don't you watch National Geographic?.. with the beads, headwear, necklaces, (those cone-things over the male genitals... to um, exaggerate da stuff), plus feathers & other festoons about the head, shoulders & body... depending on the weather (if there's a winter, there's some wool pulled over the eyes)... I say, that all that EVOLVES into poofy white wigs & hoop skirts & sori's and kimonos (and burkas) and ultimately.. to long skirts and business suits, Hillary's nehru jacket, football pads & game jerseys... Santa Claus caps... and then, right BACK to something from Victoria's Secret and 5" heels not even designed for touching the floor, at all.

P.S. -- after reading Lioness's post & using my imagination... I don't think I'll be able to get up and walk around the office, for quite another while (goddamit!).

Answer 5

It would put more people in shape and we wouldn't obsess as much over clothes. But I would probably put clothes on cuz everybody being nude at all times takes away from the seductive powers. The anticipation of what's underneath and playing dress up is too fun for me to wanna give up.

Answer 6

Yes. I think so. You have seen metal rings around the neck, tattoos, piercings to include large bones through noses, opened up ear lobes, plates in the bottom lip and scarification. People just can't leave well enough alone.
I forgot jewelry. There's always a need for jewelry.
C. :)!!

Answer 7

Certainly. I've seen photos of some acquaintances who are nudists, that they put on a tie, shoes, and a hat ... or something to appear dressed up for the party ...with lots of skin showing up and of course their front and rears decorated with a ribbon ...they wear makeup too.

Answer 8

Body painting would be my choice. You could accentuate the positive--so to speak--and colour the negative. Cheap and you just wash it off when you're sick of it. Can't do that with tattoos.

Answer 9

I don't really see where you are going. We dress up now to be attractive and nudity is not the norm.

Char had a good one about the handbags.

Answer 10

In such a society one would likely paint, tattoo, or scar themselves variously according to conventions of beauty. The evolution of clothing would have had more to do with practicality (i.e. not freezing to death) than standards of beauty.