A 1930's Business Woman's First Experience with Nudism

The Naturist #4 March 1938

Hello! This time we are looking at the March 1938 issue of the British nudist magazine The Naturist.

As we move out of the frigid winter to the warm summer, (sorry southern hemisphere) these British nudists do the same.

Here are a few of the articles in this issue.

I JOIN THE "NUDISTS"

By A BUSINESS GIRL

Let me say straight off that I am not a nudist by inclination. I am inclined to be shy, and prim and proper, greatly due to a very Victorian upbringing by my grandmother, who, for reasons of " modesty," even taught me to undress under cover of my little "nightie."

This modesty, so-called, I have always observed, and have never, even with women friends, been in the habit of walking about completely nude. I have, however, enjoyed an air-bath very often, in the privacy of my own room. But that is as far as it went.

As a matter-of-fact, I have always considered that Naturists went a bit too far, and when I made up my mind to attend a Naturist Clinic, for reasons to be shortly outlined, I worried and bothered and shrank from it as from an ordeal. I hated the thought of going. I loitered along the way until I was late. I nearly fled at the last moment.

All the same, as I was not predisposed to naturism, and not definitely against, I can be regarded as having a fairly open mind, and as such, my opinions may be valuable to those who are wondering about the movement.

Let me tell you that though I have often felt a desire for liberation from the restrictions of ordinary life, I did not know in what manner. When I expressed impatience, my friends told me to go away and get married, but I knew that was not a solution, for one's inner self remains the same after marriage as before. What I yearned for was a sort of spiritual marriage- to be at one again with trees and flowers, as when I was a little child and went wandering in bluebell woods, imagining a nymph or dryad behind every tree, wishing that wee beasties like squirrels and birds would come down and talk to me and not be afraid. Wanting so badly to be at one with myself and the universe. Wanting yes, wanting to be good.

I did not know this was waiting for me when I attended my first Nudist beg pardon I mean Naturist meeting last week. They do not like the word " Nudist," since Nudism alone is not their aim, but only a means to complete freedom. I was persuaded to go by a friend, one of the best persons I know, and I was curious really to find what she, whom I admire as a very high type, could see in going naked" among a lot of other women and men. So I took the plunge, also because I was frightened, I think, as much as anything. I always face up to things which frighten me. It may take me some time, but I do it in the end. (I don't always win, either, but then, I renew the battle later.)

My friend gave me the address of the Clinic, which is also a fully equipped gymnasium, with hot and cold showers, and the latest sun-ray lamps. I had to meet her inside, as our hours of business finished differently. Screwing my courage to the sticking point, I pressed the door-bell. I heard no sound, and wondered timidly if the bell had rung, or if I should ring again, but then steps were heard, and the door opened. A man stood there, keen-faced, and kindly-eyed. He was fully dressed. (' Thank goodness!') I thought, and nearly fled, even then, while he was explaining that the naturist class was held away inside, in very strict privacy, and that was the reason I did not hear the bell ring. It was the proprietor in person. He answers

the door, for obvious sensible reasons. I followed him and found myself looking at several naked men, blinked, looked round, saw my friend coming to meet me, from among a group of naked men and women. One girl I noticed immediately, with a crown of raven hair, and a perfect figure, a veritable goddess. My heart sank! And I, five feet two, with fairly good arms and legs, but thin ribs and a heart that was nearly beating through them, I was so shy and miserable! But I set my teeth. I had determined to be a naturist "for one night only," at any rate; face up to something I was nervous of; and also discover what my friend had found in it all.

Passing through the group, who were in a large, comfy room, a cross between a kitchen and a restroom, with a blazing fire, and a large table covered with refreshments, we went upstairs.

"I can't! I can't take off every stitch of my clothes and go down and face that crowd!" I wailed. "Look over the top of the partition," she said. " Everyone else is without clothes."

I looked. Some were playing badminton. Even in spite of figure faults I noticed how the naked figures, seen together, took on a different aspect from when one sees a single naked body; quite different; like children, playing innocently together; or, like statues come to life.

It was very strange, but that agonising moment of shyness and embarrassment as I was shedding my clothes quite passed as soon as I had joined the other people, It was while I was clothed, I felt shy. As soon as I was like the rest, I felt at ease. I never would have believed one's feelings could change so quickly. It was as if a moment before I had been Tom, the sweep, and now I was Tom, the clean little water-baby.

I drank my cup of tea, which was most refreshing, as I had had a worrying day, and had only taken a cup of cocoa at lunch-time through anxiety over my work. The tea was delicious, so was the glow of the fire on my body. The pretty girl began to talk to me, so did the others. Men looked at me. I looked at them, but I did not feel naked, and I did not feel ashamed. I felt " All right."

Then a call went out for the physical culture class and for an hour we twisted and bent, and marched, and drilled, and relaxed, alternately. After that, some played games, some sun-bathed under the lamps, myself included. I wanted the rays right on that spot on my back which had a "chair-ache." One of the members adjusted my goggles and as I was a newcomer, timed me until I was " done " on all sides. "You'll feel this nicely, tomorrow," he said. I did, too, for I was the same pale pink that one is after one's first sun-bathe in summer.

Then I went back to the refreshment room, drank more tea, and started talking to a group of members. We had a most interesting discussion on naturism. I asked if people with sex obsessions ever joined. Sometimes, was the answer, but when curiosity was satisfied, such folk either dropped out for the classes are very strict and no laxity would be permitted- or became converted to a normal way of thinking.

There are several things the ordinary person wonders about naturism, and we may as well be frank about them and settle them. Sex organs, for instance. Well, there is no having to avoid looking at the opposite sex, out of politeness. You just don't think of them as " men," but more as if you were an innocent boy, yourself, among others the same. Not a single sexy thought entered my head. I did not feel sexually conscious, or shy. I shall never forget that my first reaction to Naturism was one of innocence. I felt good. The childhood longing was satisfied, And when you get a crowd-instinct for goodness, it is very strong, " There cannot be anything wrong with a movement that makes me feel so good," was my thought.

One question women put is, how is it possible to go nude at certain times? You simply wear trunks, then. One girl was wearing them, short, dark, gym. trunks. What about ladies' hand-bags? Do they carry them around? You do as you like. If you think you will want some powder on your nose, you just put the bag somewhere handy, but you are too busy with exercising, talking, and playing games to worry much about powdering your nose.

I had imagined myself leaving the class as early as possible and going home saying to myself " Well, I've done it. I've been to a nudist class." Instead, I was so happy, so contented, so eager to experience more of this freer life, that I became a permanent member, and am looking forward to my next class in a few days' time. If the Editor permits me to step into these pages again, I will give you more details, as I go on.

There is another article on how the businessman Gerald Findler got into nudism as well.

Literacy Competition Winner

February, 1938.

Dear Sir,

My first experience of Naturism occurred when I was only about 10 or 11 years old.

I was a member of a boy scout troop at the time, at a weekend camp. About a dozen of us had gone for a walk. We arrived at a canal and those who hadn't brought costumes were soon wishing they had, until one of the older chaps decided to go in " in the raw," and the rest soon followed, myself included.

Of course, I didn't think of it as Nudism, as I'd never heard of such a thing, but two or three years ago I got hold of a nudist journal and became interested. I soon began to take every opportunity of sun, air, and water-bathing naked. Whenever I could, off came my clothes and I felt comfortable and healthy and pleased with the world generally.

The best chances I had were two summers ago, when my friend and I went camping on land which my uncle owned, outside the town. It was not overlooked, so from the Saturday night, until we left on Sunday, we were both entirely nude. The most thrilling experience I had was standing naked outside in a thunderstorm, with the rain pelting down on my bare skin and the lightning crackling round me.

I do think that the best way to convert people to naturism is to treat it as naturism and not “nudism” If there is any risk of giving offence by being seen unclothed, it is better to wear a small slip than to gain opposition to the movement.

The ideal state is, of course, fully nude, but this can only be gained by tact, and not by "brazen cheek," as our opponents say.

“J. H. S”

Back in the early 20th century, “naturists” were those who wore small bathing suits to conform to strict nudity laws while the “nudists” did not.

Here is a PDF of the full issue.

The Naturist #4 March 1938

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