Nudism as a subculture?
Technically, yes, but everyone is naturally naked, eh.
I’ve never really thought of naturism/nudism as a subculture. But an article I came across recently about a “subculture tourist” who spent some time with the British Naturists reminded me that, yes, naturists are part of a subculture — at least the various landed and unlanded clubs are, anyway.
One “Lucy Leonelli, 29, quit her executive role to hang out with aristocrats, circus performers, vampires, Morris dancers, goths and naturists,” reports Bristol Live.
I covered a report about Lucy last year, probably shortly after her book came out (A Year in the Life: Adventures in British Subcultures).
So there we are, in the company of vampires, goths, circus performers and others.
Still, I have a tough time wrapping my head around the “subculture” word, given that every single human being on the planet is naturally naked. We don’t put on makeup and costumes to appear like vampires and goths; we don’t do high-wire acts under the Big Top. We simply take off our clothes more often than most, I suppose, and sometimes we socialize with others in the buff. It’s that last part that makes us a subculture, but I still find it a bit of a stretch.
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I apologize for the lack of reports this month. Normally, we like to publish at least four posts a month, and often we do more than that. But it has been a crazy month for me at work, both my day job and some chores that have to be done on my house outdoors before the cold weather sets in. Meanwhile, to make up for the slow month here, subscribers who pay should see their subscriptions extended by at least a month.
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A shoutout to Planet Nude on substack and their great writers. I had a chance to peruse their site this weekend, and it is packed with great features. I’m sure many of you are members there. If not, do check it out.
I’ve reviewed other fine naturism/nudism sites on substack before, among them A Comfort of Naturists. But I haven’t had time to catch up with them all. So, please feel free to share links and info about some of your favourite ones on substack.
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It has been a weird summer in these parts with rain and more rain. But the past couple of weeks have been great — hence the rush to get outdoor chores done like sanding and staining the deck. The forecast is great for the next two weeks, with daytime temperatures in the 20s C (70s F). So, there is still some good naturism weather left before it gets cold in October.
Hope you are all having a great autumn, and for our friends Down Under, a nice spring followed by a fine summer without any extreme weather events!
Cheers
Jillian
I have been in the doldrums too. It often feels like I have said everything I want to say and writing a new post I'd just be rehashing something I said before. Hoping to go on a nude hike with a group in the mountains south of LA this weekend. It is looking more and more like I'll have to replace the knee if I'm going to keep hiking.
We are definitely a subculture. "a cultural group within a larger culture, often having beliefs or interests at variance with those of the larger culture." - Oxford Languages Dictionary
Funny! I've never regarded not wearing anything as a subculture! To be honest, every since early childhood I've never really carried the nudist / naturist label either. Being naked to my family is simply another optional dress code that makes sense when it's too hot or uncomfortable for clothes - or if I'm simply too lazy to put any clothes on!