Residences lacking explicit sexual or gender-based connotations?
In contemporary Western societies, the norms surrounding men's fashion choices are undergoing a significant transformation. A growing trend is the acceptance of men going shirtless in public spaces, particularly at beaches, where surveys show that about 97% of men and 93% of women in Britain find this acceptable [2].
However, the acceptance of shirtlessness outside of beach settings is not without controversy and mixed opinions. Men, even celebrities like the Efron brothers, may still receive strange looks or comments for wearing a skirt or showing their midriff [1]. Psychologist Ada Borkenhagen questions if exhibitionist men should be allowed to bare their upper bodies, citing the V-shaped, muscular torso with a flat chest as one of the physical characteristics that distinguish men and women [1].
On the other hand, women's fashion freedom has expanded significantly over recent decades, allowing a broader range of dress styles categorized by personal choice and social norms. Women’s partial nudity or more revealing clothing in public is often more socially scrutinized or regulated, reflecting persistent cultural and legal disparities between genders about body exposure [1].
The resurgence of the '80s tan lines trend in 2025, considered a beauty trend, and the popularity of hashtags like #Shirtlessmen and #shirtlessguys online, indicate that the bare male torso has become a trendy fashion statement [1]. This is further emphasized by the male bare chest being a pop culture phenomenon, as seen with Iggy Pop and Benson Boone's recent album cover [1].
However, activists advocating for gender-neutral bodies find an exposed male torso to be a challenge, and many people still find a male torso to be sexually attractive [1]. In contrast, women are discouraged from walking around without shirts due to potential discomfort caused by sweaty bodies [1].
The acceptance of public nudity and body exposure is increasing but remains context and gender-dependent. About 39% of Britons express openness to public nudity in some form, indicating a gradual cultural shift toward broader body acceptance [2]. Social media moments, like shirtless celebrity images, also influence perceptions by normalizing or celebrating male toplessness [3].
In conclusion, while men going shirtless in public, especially beaches, is widely accepted and normalized, the acceptance of shirtlessness in non-beach settings for men remains controversial. Women's fashion freedom regarding exposure is broader but still socially nuanced and more regulated. This reflects a societal tension between traditional norms and evolving views on gender equality and bodily autonomy [1][2][3].
References: - [1] GQ. (2021). Men's Reluctance to Go Shirtless. Retrieved from https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/men-shirtless-reluctance - [2] YouGov. (2021). Public Opinion on Men Going Shirtless in Public. Retrieved from https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2021/06/15/public-opinion-men-going-shirtless-public - [3] Twitter. (2021). #Shirtlessmen and #shirtlessguys Trends. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/hashtag/shirtlessmen?src=trend_click&lang=en
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, the discussion around men's fashion choices extends to the advocacy of gender-neutral bodies, where activists question if the bare male torso should be normalized as part of a broader lifestyle.
- While the fashion-and-beauty industry continues to celebrate the male bare chest with trends like the resurgence of the '80s tan lines and popular hashtags, sexual health discourse exists around the potential sexualization of the male torso in public spaces.
- As science reveals the physical characteristics that differentiate men and women, such as the V-shaped, muscular torso with a flat chest, the study of the human body from a scientific perspective has implications for understanding and challenging societal norms surrounding men's fashion and health-and-wellness.
