This was cute. Vive la pudeur :)

January 20th, 2010


SUN SEEKERS: Three women sunbake topless at a Surf Coast beach recently.

ON THE surface, the days of semi-naked women bathing in the blistering sun appear over.

Fewer and fewer women can be seen strapless and without a care in the world on Surf Coast beaches.

It begs the question: Is topless still trendy? Or has the sun smart message finally taken hold?

East Malvern's Kirsty Connors, 39, said topless was a dying trend.

``I never see anyone do it any more,'' she said.

``When we were young, we'd do it all the time but attitudes have changed and the skin care message is so strong.''


What are your thoughts on this story. Tell us using the feedback form below

Mrs Connors' close friend Jo Ward, a topless sunbaker of the past, said beach-goers has entered a new era.

``People prefer to cover up from the harshness of the sun. And in this environment (Torquay beach), it's not appropriate.''

However, Cathy, of Reservoir, is proof topless sun seekers still exist on the Surf Coast.

``I'm considering doing it now . . . but not around children and young families,'' she said as she panned along the beach.

``I want to feel what it's like and be able to say to myself `I've done that, what's next?'. But I would only do it if there was a few of us around it would be a secluded thing.

``It's OK for a few minutes, but not for half an hour that's ludicrous.''

Anglesea lifesaver Andy Doyle, who chatted to the Geelong Advertiser while patrolling Torquay beach, agreed topless sunbaking a popular pastime in the 1980s, was still seen.

``It does happen, and there are still people doing it . . . I've had people come up and complain just recently and we had to approach two women and say would you mind putting your clothes back on.''

However, sightings are few and far between.

Free Beaches Australia member and Nudist Association of Victoria representative Rob Stephenson said fashion trends, not fears of skin cancer, had caused some topless sunbakers to suit up.

``If there's a trend away from toplessness I don't think it's because of the concerns of the sun it's more people's comfort levels and fashion,'' he said.