The Right to Go Sleeveless or Shirtless in Public

Legal Perspective: Decency Laws and Freedom of Dress

Most countries do not have explicit “clothing required” laws, but they enforce public decency through indecent exposure or nudity statutes . These laws typically prohibit exposure of intimate areas judged indecent by community standards . In many jurisdictions, female breasts are classified as intimate parts, meaning a woman going topless can be deemed to violate public decency whereas a bare-chested man would not . This gender-based distinction has been justified by courts on the basis that female breasts are viewed as sexual in many societies . For example, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld a Seattle ordinance barring female toplessness, reasoning that women’s breasts, “unlike male breasts, constitute an erogenous zone and are commonly associated with sexual arousal” . Such laws aim to “maintain a decent society” by requiring women (but not men) to cover their chests in public .

Differences by country and region are stark. In the United States, there is no federal dress code; each state sets its own indecency laws . State laws vary: only a few states (e.g. Indiana and Tennessee) explicitly make the mere showing of female breasts in public illegal . The vast majority of U.S. states do not criminalize women’s toplessness under state law when it’s non-sexual and in a context where men can be shirtless . However, many cities and towns impose local ordinances that prohibit female toplessness despite permissive state laws . This patchwork leads to confusion: for instance, California law doesn’t forbid women going topless, yet Los Angeles County has ordinances against it . Even where toplessness is legal, police may use catch-all charges like “disorderly conduct” if they deem the exposure offensive . Notably, courts have begun to question these disparities. In 2019, the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a city ban on female toplessness as unconstitutional sex discrimination, prompting several Western states and cities to repeal such bans . By contrast, in 2020 the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a New Hampshire ordinance barring women (but not men) from baring their chests, as the state court had ruled this did not violate equal protection due to “traditional understanding” of nudity differences . Thus, the legal right to go shirtless in U.S. public spaces varies widely, and battles over gender equality in dress continue in the courts .

In Canada, topless equality has effectively been achieved. A landmark 1996 Ontario Court of Appeal case (R. v. Gwen Jacob) overturned a woman’s indecency conviction for baring her breasts, finding that her conduct was not harmful or indecent under the Criminal Code . While no broad constitutional right was declared, this precedent led other provinces to acquit women charged for going topless, and no further such prosecutions have occurred in Canada since . Similarly, many European countries have decriminalized non-sexual toplessness. It is legal for women to sunbathe topless on beaches in countries like France, Spain, Greece, Denmark, and Italy, among others . Spain, for example, has no national law against public nudity, meaning both genders may be topless (or even fully nude) in public as long as the context is non-sexual . Italy’s Supreme Court explicitly ruled in 2000 that exposed female breasts on a beach were a “commonly accepted behavior” and not indecent, legalizing topless sunbathing nationwide (absent local bylaws) . In the UK, the law does not explicitly forbid female toplessness either – simple nudity in public is not an offense unless it is intended to cause alarm or distress. Prosecutors are advised that in the absence of lewd behavior or public disturbance, “it will normally be appropriate to take no action” for mere nudity . In practice, this means a woman being shirtless in public in Britain might technically be legal so long as it’s not sexual and no one is harassed or alarmed by it .

On the other end of the spectrum, conservative and religiously governed countries often have formal dress codes enshrined in law. In some Middle Eastern nations, both men and women are required to dress modestly by law, effectively prohibiting sleeveless or revealing attire in public. For instance, Saudi Arabia’s Public Decency Code (2019) lists “immodest dress” as an offense and mandates that men and women wear modest, non-tight clothing in public . In practice this means shoulders, cleavage, and knees should be covered in public spaces. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates has indecency laws and guidelines urging individuals to cover from shoulders to knees in public places like malls and government buildings . Tourists in Dubai or Abu Dhabi have faced legal trouble for wearing bikinis or going shirtless outside of beaches, as this is deemed a public decency violation . In Iran, strict Islamic dress laws require women to cover their hair and arms/legs; appearing sleeveless or without a hijab can lead to arrest under laws against violating public morality. Thus, in many regions of the world the “right” to bare arms or chests in public is limited by law in the interest of cultural or religious norms.

It’s worth noting that freedom of expression arguments occasionally arise in these debates. Some advocates claim that clothing choices – including going shirtless – are a form of personal expression or political speech. Courts, however, have been reluctant to broadly protect nudity or partial nudity as expression unless it is clearly part of a protest or artistic performance. In the U.S., for example, nude dancing and public nudity ordinances have been upheld despite First Amendment challenges, with courts finding the state’s interest in public order or morality can outweigh the expressive element. Still, there have been cases where toplessness was deemed expressive conduct: women participating in “Free the Nipple” protests, or activists like the Ukrainian group FEMEN who protest topless, have argued their exposure is symbolic speech. In one notable instance, a federal court in Colorado issued an injunction against a toplessness ban partly on equal-rights grounds, but also recognizing that the law burdened women’s ability to express messages (e.g. protests) that men could freely convey shirtless . In sum, legal perspectives on going shirtless vary widely – from permissive regimes treating it as a matter of equality and expression, to restrictive regimes treating it as indecency – depending on the country’s laws and prevailing values.

Cultural Norms and Dress Codes

Beyond the letter of the law, cultural norms largely dictate where going sleeveless or shirtless is socially acceptable. These norms can differ by region, community, and setting:

• Urban Public Spaces: In many Western countries, it is legal for men to be shirtless in public, but it’s often culturally frowned upon in urban settings like city streets, shops, or public transport. A recent UK survey found 75% of people felt it was unacceptable for men to go shirtless in public unless at a pool or beach . In fact, nearly a quarter of respondents thought men who remove their shirts in city streets should potentially face fines . This reflects a common view that walking around a downtown or entering businesses without a shirt is too casual or disrespectful, even if not illegal. Many establishments reinforce this with the familiar dress code sign: “No shirt, no shoes, no service.” By contrast, in parks or during exercise (jogging, cycling), a shirtless man might be more tolerated, though opinions vary. Notably, social tolerance can depend on context and even the perceived attractiveness of the individual – the same UK poll humorously noted almost half of respondents said a very fit man’s public shirtlessness was more acceptable than an average man’s , highlighting a cultural double standard in who “gets away” with breaking dress norms. Generally, in North America and Europe, sleeveless attire (tank tops, sleeveless dresses) is completely normal for all genders in casual contexts and hot weather. However, in more formal urban settings (offices, churches, upscale restaurants), sleeveless tops might be seen as too informal or revealing. Some traditional dress codes still bar sleeveless outfits – for example, until recently the U.S. Congress had an old rule requiring women’s shoulders be covered in the House chambers. But as everyday wear, a shirt covering one’s torso (at least minimally) is expected in cities; being fully shirtless in a downtown area is often considered “underdressed” even for men.
• Beaches and Recreational Areas: Beaches, swimming pools, and resorts have their own subculture of dress which is far more revealing than everyday city life. It’s broadly acceptable in most countries for men to be shirtless and for both men and women to wear minimal swimwear at beaches or poolside. In Europe, topless sunbathing for women has become relatively common in many coastal areas – several European countries have normalized female toplessness on beaches . For example, on the beaches of Spain, France, Greece, etc., one will routinely see women sunbathing bare-chested, and this is considered normal and lawful . A French interior minister even publicly defended women’s right to sunbathe topless in 2020 after an incident where police asked topless beachgoers to cover up, affirming that there was no law against it and it’s part of French beach culture . In contrast, North American beaches have been more conservative; topless sunbathing is still relatively rare in the United States outside of designated nude beaches or certain progressive cities. Nonetheless, social norms are evolving — topless gatherings (e.g. on annual “Go Topless Day”) occur in some U.S. cities to normalize it, and places like New York City have explicitly embraced equal topless rights, so women occasionally sunbathe topless in Central Park, which is legal. It’s notable that even where women’s toplessness is lawful, many women may choose not to exercise that right due to lingering social stigma or personal comfort. Nude beaches or clothing-optional resorts represent special contexts where both genders being fully unclothed is accepted. Countries like Spain and New Zealand have a tolerant approach to nude beaches, so long as nudity stays in traditionally nude areas . On the other hand, many Asian and Middle Eastern beach areas require more coverage. In popular tourist destinations like Thailand or Dubai, standard swimwear (bikinis, trunks) is fine on the beach, but women going topless is generally not accepted and can result in complaints or fines. Tourists sometimes get in trouble for wearing swimwear off the beach – for instance, Barcelona (Spain) and Palma de Mallorca have city ordinances banning people from walking in just bikinis or shirtless through town away from the beach, with fines up to a few hundred euros . These rules aim to keep a decorum in city streets, requiring visitors to cover up when leaving the sand. Likewise, in some French Riviera towns like Cannes, local rules prohibit overly revealing swim attire or shirtlessness once you’re off the beach promenade . In sum, context is key: beach culture permits near-nudity that would be inappropriate on a city sidewalk just a few blocks away.
• Gyms and Athletic Facilities: Dress codes at gyms often require a shirt or at least a tank top, for both hygiene and comfort reasons. While working out shirtless might help with cooling off, most chain gyms in the U.S. and Europe do not allow men to go fully shirtless on the gym floor – it’s seen as unsanitary (sweat on equipment) and potentially making others uncomfortable. Typically, men wear sleeveless tops or t-shirts, and women wear athletic tops or sports bras. Some gyms even restrict tank tops that are too revealing (such as string tank tops) as part of their dress code. However, there are exceptions: certain small or hardcore training facilities might allow shirtless training, and outdoor bootcamp classes or running groups commonly see men go shirtless in hot weather. Cultural attitudes in gyms also vary; for example, in a more traditional gym in a conservative region, both genders are expected to cover their torsos fully, whereas in a CrossFit box or a beachside outdoor gym, shirtless men (and women in sports bras) are routine. Public pools often have rules too – some require women to wear swimsuits that cover their chest (even if topless sunbathing might be allowed poolside in that locale, the pool management might enforce a top). Interestingly, this is changing in a few places: as of 2023, the cities of Edmonton and Calgary in Canada adopted policies allowing women to go topless in city-operated pools if they choose, aligning with equal rights laws . Generally though, dress codes in semi-public spaces like gyms, restaurants, and stores are enforced by the establishment’s policies, not by law. These codes reflect cultural expectations of modesty or propriety in that context. For instance, an upscale restaurant might require men to wear jackets (and certainly not allow tank tops), whereas a casual beach bar might allow patrons in swimsuits and flip-flops. Such norms are not static: over time, what’s considered acceptable casual dress has become more relaxed in many places (e.g. men in shorts and sandals in restaurants are common now where once it was verboten). But completely shirtless patrons are still beyond the pale for almost any indoor establishment – it’s virtually always expected to at least throw on a shirt to enter a shop or café.
• Conservative Cultures: In much of the world – particularly regions with conservative social or religious norms – going sleeveless or shirtless is not only illegal in many cases (as discussed above) but also highly stigmatized. In many Muslim-majority countries, social norms dictate modest dress: women are expected to cover their shoulders, arms, and legs, and often hair, in public. Men generally wear at least t-shirts and long pants in public; a man walking around bare-chested in the Middle East would attract disapproval and possibly police intervention. In some places like Afghanistan under Taliban rule or Iran, even men wearing shorts in public is frowned upon or discouraged as immodest, and women must cover even their arms. Even where laws aren’t as strict, visitors are advised to respect local customs: for example, in the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), one should not walk around a mall in a strapless top or with no shirt – while you might not be arrested, security might reprimand you or ask you to cover up . These norms extend to many South Asian and African societies as well, where traditional values favor modesty. In India, for instance, there is no law against men going shirtless in public, but outside of contexts like manual labor or farming, it’s uncommon in cities – a man strolling shirtless in an urban market would likely be seen as uncouth. For Indian women, wearing sleeveless tops or shorts in cosmopolitan cities is normal nowadays among younger generations, but going completely topless in public would be considered obscene and could lead to an “outraging public modesty” criminal charge. Even breastfeeding in public, which is legal virtually everywhere, can sometimes draw cultural disapproval (though many countries, including India and the U.S., explicitly protect the right of women to breastfeed publicly ). In some African cultures, there is a dual set of norms: in certain rural or traditional contexts, it’s customary for women to be bare-breasted (for example, in some indigenous communities or cultural ceremonies), and locals do not view it as sexual or indecent in those settings. But in modern urban areas of those same countries, a woman going shirtless would violate social expectations influenced by Western and Victorian norms that were imported in the colonial era. This shows how cultural context heavily defines decency – the same act (female toplessness) might be completely acceptable in one context (a tribal festival or remote village) and scandalous in another (a city street or mixed-gender urban setting).

In summary, social norms often impose stricter limits than laws do. Even where it’s legally permissible to bare some skin, people may refrain because it’s not culturally normal or they fear harassment. For example, topfreedom advocates note that women theoretically allowed to go topless (like in New York or Ontario) still face social stigma or harassment if they do so . Conversely, in very hot climates or relaxed communities, people might push the boundaries of norms for comfort. One striking example of culture-driven regulation is in China: there, a common sight used to be men beating the heat by rolling up their shirts or even walking around with no shirt – a practice nicknamed the “Beijing bikini.” In recent years, however, Chinese cities have cracked down on this as uncivilized behavior. Cities like Jinan and Tianjin launched campaigns to ban men from going shirtless or exposing their bellies in public, arguing it harmed the city’s image . In 2020, Beijing’s municipal authorities even issued new rules mandating residents “dress appropriately” and forbidding going shirtless in public, partly for public hygiene reasons (this came during the COVID-19 pandemic) . These developments show how what was once a tolerated cultural norm (men with shirts rolled up) can shift, with authorities codifying a stricter dress expectation in public.

Gender Differences in Treatment

Gender is at the heart of the shirtless debate. Historically, men and women have not enjoyed equal freedom to go bare-chested. As surprising as it sounds today, even men had to fight for the right to go shirtless: in the early 20th century Western world, men were expected to wear modest swimwear covering their torso (tank-top style swimsuits). In the 1930s, men in the U.S. were actually arrested and fined on beaches for baring their chests, until a series of protests and shifting norms led cities like Atlantic City and New York to drop the bans by 1937 . Once male toplessness became socially acceptable, the focus shifted to women, who remained legally required to cover their chests in public in most places.

The disparity in how male vs female toplessness is treated has prompted both legal challenges and social movements. In legal terms, many laws have been explicitly gendered – often using language like “exposure of female breast” in indecency definitions. For example, a city ordinance might prohibit exposure of genitals for anyone, but only prohibit exposure of “that portion of the breast below the top of the areola” for females . This creates a clear double standard on its face. Courts have split on whether such distinctions are constitutional. Supporters of these laws argue that biological and societal differences justify treating women’s chests differently. Detractors argue it’s a form of sex discrimination and outdated moralism.

Some notable cases: In New York, a group of women intentionally got arrested in 1986 by having a topless picnic to challenge the state law. The case reached New York’s highest court in People v. Santorelli (1992). The Court of Appeals ultimately reversed the convictions, effectively allowing women to be topless anywhere men can be . The court noted that the law was drafted to stop “topless waitress” establishments (commercial sexualized context) and should not be applied to non-lewd public behavior . One concurring judge went further and said if the law were applied here, it would be unconstitutional because the state had shown no important interest in banning female but not male toplessness . Thanks to this decision, New York State (and particularly NYC) has since recognized women’s right to go topless in public parks, streets, etc., on equal terms with men. Police in New York City were even formally reminded in 2013 that “simply exposing [women’s] breasts in public” is not a crime and they must not arrest women for being shirtless where men could be as well .

In Canada, as mentioned, the Gwen Jacob case set a precedent for equal treatment – the court held that a bare female chest, in a non-sexual context, was not indecent “by community standards” any longer . This was framed more as an interpretation of indecency law than an explicit equality ruling, but it had the effect of legalizing toplessness for women in Ontario. After that, no other province wanted to litigate the issue and charges elsewhere have been dropped, essentially making top-optional equality the norm across Canada .

However, not all jurisdictions have moved in this direction. In the United States, some courts have upheld bans on female toplessness. For instance, the New Hampshire Supreme Court in 2019 upheld a city ordinance outlawing female toplessness (in a case involving women protesting on a beach), accepting the argument that this did not violate equal protection because the law applied to both men and women – it just defined nudity differently for each based on “traditional” norms . The women activists (part of the “Free the Nipple” movement) appealed, but the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case in 2020 , leaving that law in place. This contrasts with the 10th Circuit federal decision the same year which found a similar ban unconstitutional in Colorado . Because of the 10th Circuit ruling, as of 2019 women can legally go topless in the six states under that circuit’s jurisdiction (e.g. Colorado, Utah, Kansas) – effectively granting topfreedom in those states . (Utah technically still has a state law against female toplessness on the books, but after the 10th Circuit decision its enforceability is questionable .) Meanwhile, in Tennessee and Indiana, state laws continue to flatly ban female breast exposure in public, and those haven’t yet been overturned .

The ongoing “Free the Nipple” movement is a global effort challenging these double standards. Advocates argue that if a man’s bare chest is considered innocuous, a woman’s bare chest should be as well – sexualization is a social construct, not an inherent truth . They point out that both men and women have breast tissue and nipples; men’s can be erotic too, yet only women’s are censored. Activists have staged topless protests and engaged in legal campaigns. There have been symbolic victories: for example, after a court battle, the city of Fort Collins, Colorado repealed its ban and spent over $300,000 in legal fees defending it before giving up . Likewise, some cities voluntarily updated their policies – e.g. in 2020, Madison, Wisconsin explicitly allowed women to be topless in public (except for erotic contexts), and some other liberal cities have similar ordinances or unofficial tolerance.

Beyond legality, social attitudes toward a shirtless woman vs. a shirtless man remain unequal. Even in locales where a woman may lawfully go bare-chested, she might face harassment, lewd comments, or police scrutiny due to entrenched norms viewing female nudity as inherently sexual or provocative . Conversely, a shirtless man is rarely sexualized by default – he might be viewed as merely casual or, at worst, a bit rude in the wrong setting, but not immoral. This imbalance is reinforced in media and online platforms: for instance, Instagram famously allows male nipples in photos but will remove photos of female nipples as violating “community standards.” High-profile women like Chelsea Handler and Miley Cyrus protested this policy as absurd, pointing out that what’s banned for one gender is allowed for the other . This has further popularized the hashtag #FreeTheNipple in pop culture and social media.

It’s also worth noting differences in dress expectations within genders: Men generally have broad freedom to be shirtless in appropriate settings, but women also face dress codes that men don’t. For example, many schools or workplaces have rules against women wearing sleeveless tops or low-cut dresses, citing professionalism or distraction, whereas men’s equivalent dress (short-sleeve shirts) aren’t policed in the same way. In some cultures, a man walking around without a shirt might be seen as laboring or exercising (and thus acceptable), but a woman in a sports bra jogging might draw undue attention or rebuke. The gendered double standard thus cuts both ways: men’s bodies are treated as non-sexual by default (so they can show more skin except genitals), and women’s bodies are sexualized by default (so even a glimpse of the female torso is treated as potentially indecent).

Examples from Different Regions

To illustrate how the right (or lack thereof) to go sleeveless/shirtless varies around the world, consider these regional examples:

• North America: In the United States, the freedom to go topless varies by state and city. As of mid-2020s, advocates count 33 U.S. states where women going topless is not illegal under state law (in theory), and only a few states with clear bans . For instance, in New York City it has been legal for women to be topless in public since the 1992 court decision . Cities like Austin, Texas and Madison, Wisconsin have also embraced topfree equality by local ordinance. On the other hand, places like Laconia, New Hampshire or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina continue to enforce laws against female toplessness, reflecting local conservatism. Public indecency statutes in most states do not mention female breasts – they focus on exposure of genitals. But police have sometimes stretched “disorderly conduct” or “lewd act” definitions to arrest women without explicit topless bans . For men, it’s generally legal to be shirtless in public in all states, though local bylaws (and social norms) might discourage it in downtown areas. In Canada, as noted, a series of cases in the 1990s (in Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan) affirmed women’s right to be topless in public, and no woman has been charged for non-sexual toplessness in Canada for many years . It’s not uncommon at some Canadian beaches or parks (especially in Ontario or British Columbia) to see women sunbathing topless. Culturally, though, many Canadian women still don’t, indicating personal preference and societal attitudes lag behind the law. In Mexico, topless sunbathing is not widely legal except in specific zones – the country’s only officially topless-friendly public beach is Zipolite in Oaxaca (a designated nude beach legalized in 2016) . Nonetheless, in tourist resorts like parts of Cancun and Tulum, authorities often turn a blind eye to discreet topless sunbathing by foreign tourists, even though it’s technically not sanctioned. Off the beach, Mexican norms are conservative: walking shirtless or in a bikini on city streets would be considered improper and might get you stopped by police for indecency.
• Europe: Europe spans a range from very liberal to somewhat conservative on dress. Scandinavia tends to be socially liberal; for example, in Denmark there is no law against nudity or toplessness even in public parks, unless it rises to “offensive conduct” (a rarely used charge) . Danish beaches explicitly allow nude bathing . Sweden similarly has no explicit ban on toplessness; it’s nominally allowed, though rarely practiced outside of beaches and pools. Some Swedish women staged protests (“Bare Breasts” campaign) pushing municipal pools to let women swim topless; one city, Malmö, changed its pool rules in 2009 to require everyone wear a bathing suit but not specifically a top for women . Southern Europe has a long tradition of topless sunbathing: on the French Riviera, Spanish Costas, Greek isles, etc., women going topless on the beach is commonplace and unremarkable. In France, there is no national law against it, and after a minor controversy in 2020, even government ministers defended topless sunbathers as part of French culture . Spain is particularly permissive: public nudity in non-sexual contexts is legal nationwide . As a result, not only is topless sunbathing ubiquitous on Spanish beaches, but full nudity is practiced at many beaches as well. That said, some local governments in Spain have curbed nudity in town areas – Barcelona, for example, bans going bare-chested or in swimwear in the city streets (beyond beach adjacent areas), enforcing modesty in town with fines . In Italy, toplessness on beaches was formally legalized by a court decision in 2000, which recognized that social customs had evolved to accept bare breasts at the seaside . Italy’s beaches, especially in tourist areas, often have women sunbathing without bikini tops. Germany and Austria have the concept of Freikörperkultur (“free body culture”), and nude sunbathing or sauna use is more normalized; topless or nude areas in public parks (like in Munich’s Englischer Garten or some Berlin parks) are legally tolerated. In contrast, Eastern Europe and Russia tend to be more conservative about women’s dress in public, though topless sunbathing is still fairly common on resort beaches at the Black Sea or Adriatic. UK: As mentioned, British law doesn’t criminalize simple toplessness, and indeed topless models (Page 3 girls) were part of UK media culture for decades. Yet, culturally, British people generally do not go shirtless except at beaches or maybe in their own garden. You wouldn’t see women walking downtown London topless – they’d likely be stopped for disturbing the peace. Men in the UK also face social disapproval for shirtlessness in cities: it’s a stereotype of rowdy tourists or “lads on holiday” to strip off shirts in public. In fact, many UK seaside towns have local orders against street shirtlessness similar to Spain’s rules. In sum, Western Europe leans toward legal permissiveness (especially for beaches) but maintains some modesty norms in urban/public squares, while Central/Eastern Europe is a bit more restrained, and local bylaws can override national freedom in specific cities.
• Middle East and North Africa: Generally, modesty laws prevail in this region. In countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, etc., women are expected (by law or strong custom) to cover their arms, legs, and hair in public. A woman wearing a sleeveless top or going with hair uncovered can face anything from social censure to legal penalty (e.g. Iran’s morality police enforcing hijab rules). Men are usually not allowed to be shirtless in public either – it would be seen as disrespectful. These countries do not have a concept of co-ed public topless beaches; beaches are often gender-segregated or require covered swimwear (except at some private resorts). One of the more liberal countries in the region, the United Arab Emirates, still insists on modest dress: authorities have issued guidance that shoulders and knees should be covered in public areas, and they have charged people for “indecent” clothing in extreme cases . Tourists in Dubai have been arrested for wearing bikinis in the city or for men going shirtless on the streets – it’s simply not tolerated off the beach. Egypt and Morocco, while tourist-friendly, similarly expect tourists to cover up away from beach resorts; local women in these countries do not wear revealing clothes publicly as a rule. Notably, Israel is a bit of an outlier in the region: it has a more European approach in its coastal cities – for example, topless sunbathing is seen occasionally on some Mediterranean beaches in Israel (like Tel Aviv) and is not illegal. But in conservative areas (Jerusalem or religious towns), even sleeveless tops might be considered inappropriate. Overall, in the Middle East/North Africa, the legal right to bare skin is heavily curtailed – public decency and religious morality laws override individual expression in dress. Even men driving shirtless can be fined in some places (for instance, it’s reported to be illegal to drive a car shirtless in parts of Iran and UAE, viewed as improper behavior).
• Asia: Asia’s vast, but broadly, South and East Asian cultures value modesty in public attire. In South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh), traditional dress covers the body, especially for women. In urban India today, you’ll see Western clothing, but revealing outfits are still controversial in many areas. There have been cases of harassment (and victim-blaming) when women wear very short or revealing clothes in public there. No Indian law specifically bans sleeveless tops or shorts, but a woman going topless in public would certainly be breaking laws against obscenity. For Indian men, going shirtless is limited to specific contexts (like farmers in fields, or perhaps during the festival of Holi when shirts get wet/colored and are removed). In East Asia, countries like China, Japan, Korea traditionally have conservative dress norms. Women rarely show cleavage or go sleeveless in formal settings (though sleeveless fashion is common among young women in big cities during summer). Men do not usually walk shirtless in cities. As mentioned, China has recently begun enforcing rules against the once-common sight of shirtless men in public, labeling it uncivilized . In Japan, while there’s no law against a man being shirtless, it’s rarely seen except perhaps at festivals or sporting events (even at the beach, some Japanese men keep t-shirts on to avoid tanning). Japanese women, outside of beaches or pools, would never be topless in public and even wearing something like a strapless top might be considered bold in smaller cities. Southeast Asia: In predominantly Muslim countries like Indonesia (except Bali) or Malaysia, modest dress is encouraged by religion; tourists are advised to not go around scantily clad. In Thailand, which is Buddhist but culturally modest, it’s actually illegal (under decency laws) to drive shirtless and generally frowned upon to walk around town without a shirt . Thai police have fined tourists in places like Chiang Mai for going shirtless or wearing only bikinis away from the beach . That said, on the beaches of Thailand or the Philippines, foreigners in swimwear are accepted, though local women usually still swim in T-shirts or one-piece suits rather than bikinis. East Asian beaches (like in China, Japan, Korea) rarely have women topless – it’s virtually nonexistent due to social norms, even if not always explicitly illegal.
• Africa: Dress norms vary widely across Africa. In many traditional societies, bare chests (even for women) were historically normal – for example, in parts of West and Central Africa, women didn’t traditionally cover their breasts. But with urbanization and external cultural influences, most African cities expect “Western modest” dress now. In places like Kenya or Nigeria, a woman going topless in a city would likely be arrested for public indecency under broadly written laws. However, during cultural ceremonies or in remote villages, you may still find customary dress that includes bare-chested women, which the community views through a non-sexual lens. South Africa allows topless sunbathing on some beaches (like Clifton in Cape Town), but generally, South African decency laws would prohibit public nudity in non-designated areas. Some African nations have even had controversies over women wearing too little – for instance, Uganda’s short-lived “anti-pornography” law was interpreted by some as banning miniskirts, reflecting a legal push to enforce conservative dress. For men in Africa, it’s usually fine to be shirtless if working outdoors or playing sports, but walking shirtless in a downtown area might be seen as odd or low-class. One exception might be in very hot, rural areas where nobody minds a shirtless farmer or laborer.
• Oceania: In Australia and New Zealand, laws and norms are relatively relaxed. Australian indecent exposure laws focus on genital exposure; female toplessness is technically legal in Australia on that basis . In practice, many Australian local councils have their own rules – if a woman were topless at a family park and people complained, police might cite her for “public nuisance” or ask her to cover up . But on public beaches, topless sunbathing by women is fairly common in Australia and widely tolerated . Bondi Beach in Sydney, for example, regularly has some topless bathers. Australian culture at beaches is similar to Europe in that regard. In the cities, casual dress is common (e.g. shorts and tank tops), but being fully shirtless is limited to appropriate contexts (beachfront streets, perhaps). New Zealand has no specific law against public nudity; it’s only an issue if someone’s behavior is lewd or it causes offense . In one case, New Zealand’s High Court upheld a disorderly conduct conviction for a man walking nude down a city street where nudity wasn’t customary , indicating context matters – a random nude stroll in a busy town was deemed improper. However, topless or nude sunbathing on some NZ beaches is quietly accepted; police generally won’t intervene unless there are complaints . Culturally, Aussies and Kiwis are pretty laid-back about beachwear, but you’d still rarely see someone shirtless inside a shopping center or office.

In conclusion, the “literal right” to go sleeveless or shirtless in public is a complex mix of law, culture, and context. In liberal democracies, there’s a general trend toward allowing people freedom of dress, with legal restrictions only on what the community overwhelmingly deems indecent (genital exposure, and in some places female nipples). Yet even there, local ordinances and social conventions modulate what is actually done. In more conservative societies, laws codify stricter dress codes reflecting cultural or religious values. Gender differences remain a salient issue globally: what’s bare skin versus indecency often hinges on whether that skin is on a male or female body, though activists and some courts are working to level that field in the name of equality . Finally, freedom of expression through attire is not absolute – when personal dress clashes with public decency standards, individuals often have to cover up or face consequences. The debate – from topless protestors demanding equality to tourist cities enforcing modesty fines – shows that the simple act of going shirtless can touch on deeper issues of gender rights, cultural identity, and societal comfort.

Sources:

• World Population Review. “Free the Nipple States 2025.” (overview of U.S. laws on toplessness) .
• TIME Magazine. “Here’s Where It’s Legal for Women to Go Topless in the U.S.” (Sarah Begley, 2015) .
• Wikipedia: Topfreedom – social and legal attitudes and country-by-country status of female toplessness .
• Wikipedia: Public Decency Law in Saudi Arabia – dress rules issued in 2019 (modest dress requirements) .
• Reuters. “U.S. Supreme Court refuses to ‘Free the Nipple’ in topless women case.” (Jan 13, 2020) .
• The Guardian. “Topless men: should they be banned if they’re not at the pool or the beach?” (Lifestyle, Aug 2024) – UK survey on attitudes .
• Catalan News. “Barcelona City Council bans nudity and semi-nudity on the streets.” (2011) – ban on swimwear/shirtlessness off beach .
• Washington Post. “Men were once arrested for baring their chests on the beach” (Petula Dvorak, Jan 2019) .
• Justia Law. Seattle v. Buchanan 90 Wn.2d 584 (Wash. Supreme Court 1978) – court opinion upholding ban on female toplessness .
• New York Court of Appeals. People v. Santorelli, 80 N.Y.2d 875 (1992) – decision allowing female toplessness in NY (via statutory interpretation) .
• Wikipedia: “Beijing bikini” – description of Chinese cities’ measures against men going shirtless .
• Topfreedom in Europe: e.g. Italy Supreme Court case legalizing topless beachgoing ; Spain’s lack of anti-nudity law ; UK Crown Prosecution Service guidance on public nudity ; Denmark and Sweden topless equality efforts .
• Wikimedia Commons: Map of female toplessness laws in U.S. (visual reference, cited in text as data source).