Kendra Holliday and Wraith Dandridge, photo by Danny Wicentowski.
- Clothing-Optional is Not Nudity Required
- Clothing is Optional, Consent is Mandatory
- No Photography Without Permission
- Bring a Towel
- Relax – Everyone Was New Once
Why Do This?
Most people imagine a clothing-optional event as awkward, sexual, or intimidating.
In reality, it’s usually one of the most relaxed, accepting, social experiences you’ll ever have.
So why do people keep coming back?
Think about all the ways clothing affects how we behave. We wear costumes on Halloween. We wear black to funerals. We dress up for job interviews and weddings. Some workplaces require suits, while others allow Casual Fridays. Nightclubs often enforce dress codes because what people wear influences how they act.
If clothing changes our mood and behavior, why wouldn’t the absence of clothing change the atmosphere as well?
Formal clothing creates formality. Social nudity creates vulnerability, authenticity, and a different kind of connection.
And… some people just enjoy being naked.
Clothing-Optional Doesn’t Mean Nudity Required
This is the biggest misconception newcomers have.
I invite someone to their first clothing-optional event, and they immediately say,
“I don’t know if I’m ready to get naked in front of a room full of people.”
They’re overlooking the most important word: Optional.
Think of it like karaoke. If absolutely nobody sings, it’s a pretty wack karaoke party. But nobody expects everyone to sing. A handful of people perform. Most people watch, cheer, socialize, and have a great time.
Clothing-optional events work much the same way.
Over the years I’ve found that roughly:
- 10% stay fully clothed
- 25% go fully nude
- Everyone else lands somewhere in between—underwear, lingerie, topless, bottomless, costumes, etc.
The point isn’t getting naked. The point is that you decide your own comfort level.
Source: merriam-webster.com.
Will I Feel Safe?
Safety is the foundation of every good clothing-optional event.
Being allowed to remove your clothes does not mean normal rules disappear.
Quite the opposite.
People sometimes assume that because we’re talking openly about sex – or because some people are naked – anything goes. It doesn’t.
Consent always comes first. No one should touch another person without permission. Even gestures that might seem harmless while clothed can feel very different when someone is naked.
If you’re unsure whether something is appropriate… ask.
If you aren’t sure the answer is yes… assume it’s no.
That’s how we keep these spaces comfortable for everyone.
What If I Get an Erection?
This is the question I hear most from first-time male guests. Ironically, it almost never becomes an issue. After years of hosting and attending clothing-optional events, it’s happened to me only twice. I’ve probably been asked this question hundreds of times.
If it does happen? Relax. Don’t panic. Ignore it. It almost always goes away on its own.
Most people will either not notice—or politely pretend not to.
If you feel self-conscious, sit down or wrap your towel around your waist.
And yes… If it lasts more than four hours, consult your doctor.
Kendra Holliday and Wraith Dandridge, photo by AG Shaw.
Gender Balance
Every organizer wrestles with gender balance. Some solve the problem by refusing admission to single men. Others charge them more. I’ve chosen not to do either. What I’ve consistently observed is that single men usually RSVP first, followed by couples, and finally single women.
My conclusion is fairly simple. Women often face greater personal safety concerns than men. They naturally spend more time deciding whether an unfamiliar event feels safe.
That isn’t paranoia. It’s risk assessment. My job as an organizer is to create an environment where everyone—especially first-time guests—feels welcome, respected, and safe enough to come back.
Respect Every Body
One criticism I hear outside nudist communities goes something like:
“The people at nudist events aren’t the people you actually want to see naked.”
Here’s the thing. Nobody attends these events to meet someone else’s standards of attractiveness. This isn’t a strip club. It’s not entertainment. It’s participation. Bodies come in every age, shape, size, color, ability level, and gender identity. If you don’t have something respectful to say about another person’s body… say nothing.
Photography
If you want a quick selfie with your friends, that’s perfectly fine—as long as everyone in the picture has agreed to it and you’re nowhere near guests who haven’t consented to being photographed.
The rule is simple: Always ask first. Consent applies to cameras just as much as it applies to touch.
Bring a Towel
Every experienced nudist knows this rule. Bring a towel. It’s polite. It’s hygienic. And it gives you something to sit on.
Bringing Guests
When you invite someone, you’re vouching for them. Please make sure your guests understand the event rules before they arrive. Your guests arrive with you. They leave with you. They reflect on you. It’s like the mafia; don’t bring nobody fucked up into the organization.
In Conclusion
Wow, if you’ve read this far, you’re obviously pretty committed to getting this whole “clothing-optional event” thing right. If you really want to impress me, send an email to planetwraithstl@gmail.com with “The Naked Truth” in the subject line and “I question your commitment to Sparkle Motion.” in the body of the email. It will let me know that you actually read the whole article and didn’t just skim the page for the naked pictures. Attaching a nude selfie to your email is not required, but hey, it couldn’t hurt.