They’re naked and unafraid.
A UK nudist organization has reported a 100% increase in new members amid the coronavirus pandemic as isolationists increasingly become comfortable with letting it all hang out during lockdown.
British Naturism, a group that promotes living everyday life without clothing, gained 210 members over the past two months — a substantial increase from the pre-pandemic days — while online promotional events have seen more signups than usual, reports Inews.
“Nude sunbathing seems to be the new national pastime,” British Naturism’s Andrew Welch tells the Daily Mail of the uptick in nudism, which is legal in the UK.
The marketing director of the organization for naturism tells Inews he got hooked on the butt-baring fad after ending up on a nude beach at age 14 while vacationing in France.
But Welch largely credits social isolation for the recent disrobing deluge. “I’m sure a healthy proportion of those people are suddenly able to experience nudity at home because they don’t have to get dressed,” he tells Inews. Online events people are signing up for include naked yoga, virtual pub meetups and a nude coffee morning gathering.
A spokesperson for British Naturism, which aims to make nudity more socially acceptable nationwide, tells the Daily Mail that it’s likely people are disrobing for practical reasons too, including saving money and time on laundry.
Naturism advocates around the globe seem to agree with the sentiment and aren’t shy about baring all on social media to prove it.
“Can I stay in lockdown forever?” writes British Naturism ambassador Pam Fraser on an Instagram photo of her posing buck-naked with her hair cleverly draped over her breasts. “I’m loving not having to get dressed every morning. Plus I have like zero washing to do.”
Another quaran-tease from Spain was all smiles sitting by the pool while enjoying a Popsicle in the nude.
The coronavirus nudism craze is also taking off in celebrity circles. “Baby Driver” actor Ansel Elgort memorably stripped down in April to raise money for COVID-19 first responders, and fans have been going gaga over Instagram photos of UFC hottie Paige VanZant doing everything from working out to gardening while in the nude.
And it’s not the first time people have found delight in letting their private parts see the light of day. In November, wellness influencers and even biohacker Dave Asprey were riding the “perineum sunning” trend, soaking up rays where the sun don’t shine.
British Naturism representatives hope others will follow suit in their birthday suits. “We want people to realize how liberating it can be,” Welch tells Daily Mail, adding humans “weren’t designed to be wrapped up in clothes 24/7.”
Despite the rise of people stripping during lockdown, nudism is still largely viewed as a taboo pursuit. “Unfortunately, a lot of people still link nudity directly with sex,” Belgian naturalists Nick and Lins tell Inews. “But we’re not just a bunch of weird naked people.”