Topless bathing on the wane
Bondi Beach is not alone in seeing a decline in topless bathing
When it first appeared on Bondi in the early 1980s, going topless was associated with the counter-culture. It was a sign of the surging confidence of young women, disdain for authority and an affinity with cosmopolitan lifestyles, particularly those in Europe. This was reinforced by the reaction of beach inspectors, councillors and religious leaders and, when bare-chested women were forced to congregate at the southern (less desirable) end of the beach, it cemented the cool factor.
Check out our handy History of Bondi Beach.
Toplessness spread to other beaches, usually in less crowded strips of sand, but its fame at Bondi was such that it ended up on the Sydney tourist map - koalas at Taronga Zoo, cappuccinos at the Opera House and bare-breasted beauties at Bondi.
Last year, when Modern Family shot its special Australian episode, it had a topless model coming to the aid of Luke and Manny in the shallows of Bondi. But, like many of our tourism touchstones - marauding sharks, boxing kangaroos - it was more postcard than reality. Around Australia and the world, especially France, the cover-up is under way.
Full story at The Australian
Photo Credit: Netfalls - CanStockPhoto.com