The Bottom Line: Why Bum Towels Matter in clothing-optional Culture

Societat Naturista Instagram post meme

Wednesday 21st May | Societat Naturista

Let’s talk about the true MVP of naturism. Not freedom. Not sunshine. Not even body confidence.

We’re talking about the bum towel.

Yes, that humble square of fabric you slide under your cheeks at the beach, at a café, during yoga, or while chatting at a picnic. It might sound quirky to the uninitiated — but for those of us living the clothing-optional life, the bum towel isn’t just etiquette.

It’s about respect — for shared spaces, for our bodies, for each other. And in clothing-optional lifestyles, respect is everything.

What Is a Bum Towel — and Why Should You Care?

A bum towel (a.k.a. sit cloth, hygiene towel, naturist napkin — pick your flavour) is simply what we sit on when we’re nude in shared spaces.

It’s about being considerate.

Picture this: you’re bare-skinned in a naturist café, about to sit on a communal chair. Now picture the person before you did the same — no towel. No barrier. No thanks.

Bum towels are the invisible handshake of naturist culture. They say, “I see you. I respect this space. I’m part of this community, and I respect your right to be here too.”

The Sit Cloth: A Cultural Signal, Not Just a Habit

Every culture has its subtle social codes. In naturism, the bum towel is one of the loudest — without saying a word.

Naturism isn’t just about naked bodies. It’s about shared values: openness, freedom, equality — and also cleanliness, care, and mindfulness.

From German FKK beaches to French naturist resorts and saunas, the bum towel is standard kit.

Why?

Because when you ditch clothes, you add intentionality. The towel is that intentionality.

Let’s Talk Hygiene (and Let’s Keep It Sexy)

Whether you are a naturist, a nudist or a something else/label-less — hygiene matters.

Between sunscreen, saltwater, sweat, and body oils, surfaces get grimy fast. Multiply that by a crowd, and the case for bum towels is crystal clear.

In today’s world, everyone’s rethinking hygiene. Naturists and nudists, we’ve been ahead of the curve. Bum towels aren’t about fear — they’re about care.

Societat Naturista’s Take: Towels That Carry Culture

At Societat Naturista, we’re not just posting blog articles and nudging people in forums.

We’re acting.

We’ve launched our own line of Societat Naturista bum towels — designed to look great, feel great, and represent naturist values with pride.

Our towels are:

• 🏖️ Compact, lightweight & quick-drying — perfect for beach dips and spontaneous adventures

• 🎨 Designed to be beautiful, humorous and — a visual reflection of naturism

• 💬 A conversation starter — not just a place to sit

Take a look: www.etsy.com/shop/societatnaturista

Bum here - customisable bum towel

"Where are the younger women in naturism?" - Part 2

Wednesday 7th May 2025 | Societat Naturista

Part 2 of Societat Naturista’s piece on "where are the younger women in naturism?".

What’s Changing—and What’s Working

There are signs of change. And they’re worth celebrating.

From the first organised naturist event I attended, to the nude glamping we experienced at Sunfolk, to the clothes-free museum tours in Barcelona led by the CCN (which even made the news - TV and print)—these moments show that naturism is evolving. And on social media, I see more and more women stepping forward, sharing their stories, and showing what real, unfiltered naturism can look like.

There are more advocates for women in naturism now than ever before.

This shift isn't confined to local events; it's part of a broader movement.

In the UK, British Naturism has been making real efforts to shift the balance and open doors for younger people and women. From gender balance policies to events specifically aimed at first-timers and younger audiences, it’s clear they’re listening. The inclusion of body-positive speakers, mental health advocates, and a visible presence on platforms like Instagram shows a willingness to adapt and grow. It’s not perfect—but it’s a start. And it matters to members - current and prospective.

See: https://www.bn.org.uk / https://www.instagram.com/british_naturism

Then there’s The Füde Experience—a space that’s not “naturist,” but undeniably part of the same conversation.

They’re led by women, mostly attended by women, and centred around shared food, art, and a kind of gentle openness you don’t often find. No labels, no agenda—just an invitation to be in your body without performance or apology.

And, I think that’s why it resonates with so many. It’s not trying to replicate traditional naturism. It’s creating a new kind of space. One where nudity isn’t the point, but it’s welcome. One where the room does look like your friends.

Füde isn’t the answer to naturism’s generational problem.

But it shows something important: younger women are open to social nudity.

They’re just doing it differently.

See: https://thefudeexperience.com / https://www.instagram.com/thefudeexperience

There are inspirations to Naturism and nudism from a female perspective all over social media. To name a few that I follow personally:

• Linda Weber - AANR president

• Helen Berriman - Women in Focus podcast / BerrimansBareAll

• Dr Vian Aziz - Mena_Naturists (Naturism in Middle East/North Africa)

• Donna Pryce - Promoting naturism. through "Women Naturally"/ British Naturism

But there is a lacking of younger women in these spaces. That is where I hope my voice can be apart of.

Let’s Stop Waiting for Them to Find Us

Naturist organisations, communities, clubs—this part’s for you.

If we want a future that’s more inclusive, we have to stop waiting for young women to “show up.” We need to create spaces that actively welcome them. That means:

• Making our communities safe from objectification

• Having visible women’s voices—not just as members, but as leaders

• Offering real conversations, not just rules and guidelines

• Making it clear that naturism is about freedom, not perfection

We can’t just say “everyone is welcome.” We have to show it. Loudly. Consistently.

This Isn’t Just About Naturism

It’s about changing the narrative.

Naturism isn’t just a pastime—it’s a quiet rebellion. A soft refusal to hate our bodies. A gentle but radical act of choosing presence over performance.

And it would be a shame—a real, generational shame—if young women missed the chance to experience that.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to be seen without being judged…If you’ve ever wanted to feel comfortable in your skin without filters, poses, or edits…Then naturism might be calling you, too.

You don’t have to be fearless to answer. You just have to be open to trying.

So—are you one of us? Have you ever felt this way? Or are you helping build a space where more of us can belong?

Share this post, or just start a quiet conversation with someone you trust. Ask that friend, a sibling or a partner to go with you to the nude beach, a naked hike or host your own clothing-optional movie night. Reach out to like minded groups on social media, ask about an event. Or just open your mind to the possibility that it is not wrong, no one will leer, stare or comment or make you feel self-concious.

Because freedom—real freedom—shouldn’t have a gender. And it does not have to have an age limit.

Final thoughts and my passion for Societat Naturista

I don’t know what the answer is to getting more younger women involved in naturism, nudism or social nudity.

Maybe it’s more visual representation—more real people sharing what naturism actually looks and feels like. Maybe it’s social media doing what it does best: making things feel normal, accessible, everyday.

Maybe it’s more experiences like Füde, where nudity isn’t a headline but simply part of the setting.

Maybe it’s better education, or hearing from voices like Linda Weber or Dr. Vian Aziz.

Or maybe… it’s just a quiet conversation between two people.

This is why I helped found Societat Naturista, I want to be a voice for younger women. A voice to the those who like me prefer to not wear expensive, uncomfortable and ecologically damaging clothing. To those like me that just like to feel the sun on my skin, the sand between my toes and the sea splashing over me without the clinging of wet pieces of man-made materials.

I am proud to be a naturist. Label, or not. I am proud of who I am. And that person prefers to be naked.