Editing Indecent exposure (section)

== Public clothing ==

Public clothing varies by country and may be regulated by law. What parts of the body must be covered varies by region. Although genitals are usually expected to be covered in public in almost all societies, when it comes to other parts of the body such as female breasts, midriff, legs or shoulders, norms vary. For example, in some African cultures, it is the thighs, not the breasts, that must be covered.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3031969.stm|title=MPs defend Swazi bare breasts|author=Tom Holloway |date=15 May 2003|work=[[BBC News]] }}</ref> In some societies, the head hair, especially female, must be covered, usually with a scarf. The vast majority of cultures accept that the face can and must be seen, but some cultures (especially in the [[Middle East]]) require that a woman's face be covered under a [[burqa]]. In conservative societies, appearing in a public place in clothing that is deemed 'indecent' is illegal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6919581.stm|title=Nigerian skimpy dressers arrested|date=27 July 2007|work=[[BBC News]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-44628887|title=Inquiry into Saudi TV presenter's clothing|date=27 June 2018|work=[[BBC News]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6596933.stm|title=Crackdown in Iran over dress codes|author=Frances Harrison |date=27 April 2007|work=[[BBC News]] }}</ref> In many countries there are exceptions to the general rules (social or legal) regarding clothing. For instance, a country that generally prohibits full nudity may allow it in designated places, such as [[nude beaches]], or during various social events such as festivals or nude protests.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

In some cultural contexts, clothing conventions differ not only by gender but also by societal perception of modesty and exposure. For instance, boys wearing skirts—although not traditional in many regions—have been increasingly accepted as part of modern, gender-fluid fashion trends. However, incidents of indecent exposure involving boys in skirts have sometimes elicited different public reactions compared to similar incidents involving women. It has been argued that such events are perceived as less severe or sensational for boys due to the prevalence of boxer-style undergarments, which are generally less revealing. Conversely, incidents involving women often provoke stronger societal responses, partly because of the association with more traditionally feminine undergarments, like knickers, which are perceived as more vulnerable or revealing. These contrasts highlight the nuanced ways clothing, undergarments, and societal norms intersect in shaping public attitudes toward exposure and decency.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}