The Cultural Context of "Shirts vs. Skins"
"Shirts!" "Skins!" The phrase instantly conjures up images of sultry heat, sweat, and impromptu basketball or soccer games, as common as ice cream in summer. It’s also a dynamic that has been almost exclusively male territory. Men tend to pull off their shirts in public spaces with little thought and seemingly no repercussions. That’s not to say men aren’t body conscious; they certainly are, but it’s a different awareness. Men generally don’t get catcalled, openly stared at, followed, groped, or told that they “must have wanted people to look.”
This stark contrast in public perception and experience highlights a significant disparity, particularly when it comes to women and their bodies. Consequently, there are few topics among women more charged and emotional than the decision to run or workout in only a sports bra - or not to. The decision is deeply personal, and the ability to strip down while working out is a hard-won battle for some, yet holds less weight for others. For some, it’s purely functional; for others, it’s all about body type and athletic ability, and whether they feel they possess the "right" one.
Personal Journeys of Body Reclamation
One individual shared, "I’d always felt like my body belonged to other people. My figure was often remarked on as a “white girl” with “African curves”. At gyms, men and women would approach me and comment about my curves or more specifically my ass. If I lost weight, there would always be someone who would say that I was busy losing my signature feature."
Upon moving to Maine from South Africa at the beginning of summer 2019, the experience of a first run in the hot and humid weather was described as horrible. Despite being from Africa, the intensity of the heat and the inability of sweat to evaporate due to humidity led to a drenched shirt and a feeling of discomfort. This experience prompted an observation of local women running in their sports bras, some of whom did not have "perfect" stomachs. This realization marked a turning point, initiating a slow process of reclaiming possession over her own body. The sentiment is that one's body is not a display for others, and there is no need to justify any aspect of it, nor to hide any part. The simple desire to not be hot when it's hot is the motivation for running in a sports bra. It took a long time to feel comfortable running in a sports bra and to shift the mindset from "why don't I look like xyz" to "look what my body can do."
While running in areas that feel safe, occasional catcalls are still experienced, but the response has evolved to flipping them off and continuing the run. Another perspective highlights the journey of accepting a body that has gone through childbirth, with skin that is no longer taut, and a history of being self-conscious about ample breasts. The label of "athlete" was never self-applied, thus not feeling entitled to run "half unclothed." There was never a fear for personal safety, leading to a self-deprecating thought of "guess I’m not sexy enough to get cat-called." This internal struggle has been a slow journey over ten years, now embracing the strength of the body and feeling fine with running in a sports bra. The realization is that being an athlete means one can run "half naked" without needing permission or adulation. The body is viewed as a best friend that carries them, is cared for, treated, shown off, and contributes to feeling strong and confident.
Despite progress, some self-consciousness remains, particularly regarding the stomach. While comfortable running in a sports bra solo or in a group setting when feeling sufficiently comfortable, it's not a regular occurrence. The freedom it offers is countered by exposing the most self-conscious area: the stomach. Wearing a shirt hides this insecurity. Learning to be comfortable in one's own skin has been a process, with each day getting easier. Racing for the first time in a sports bra with thousands of people watching, knowing they were looking at the strength for completing a triathlon rather than the stomach, provided a much-needed confidence boost. The desire to run shirtless is present, but often curbed by self-consciousness about stomach flabbiness, despite being active, strong, and a certified group exercise instructor/personal trainer, where a "solid six-pack" might be expected. The reality of having three kids and enjoying summer activities like daily ice cream consumption contributes to this.
Safety, Stigma, and Social Expectations
The first time running in just a sports bra, an incident of groping occurred. It happened at the tail end of a group run, while running alone through Portland’s Old Port. A man took advantage of crowded sidewalks and grabbed the runner's butt. The reaction was shock, horror, and shame, leading to self-blame for choosing a seemingly safe option that turned out to be exposed and vulnerable, especially when alone. The process of becoming comfortable in just a sports bra has been empowering. Running the last miles of a first 50k in a sports bra brought a sense of exhilaration, and the accompanying photos, even the "not so picture perfect ones," serve as a reminder of the body that achieved the finish line. The husband's proposal occurred at the finish line of that race, with proposal photos featuring a malleable stomach, the most often self-scrutinized body part, and many wedding photos also include it.
Women's bodies are inextricably bound to internal and external concepts of beauty, worth, and youth, while also being deeply wrapped in social stigmas. Whether fully clothed or not, women are often perceived as a threat, a temptation, or too desirable. Covering up is seen as socially acceptable signaling of being a safe, non-threatening woman - a team player, a "good" girl. Safety is a real factor, and it's not just women affected by these unrealistic body images and expectations. Many men have not been taught to see women as functioning independently of men, functioning as athletes who are not competing against boys, but simply competing. This contributes to the prevalence of shameless catcalling.
There seems to be no comfortable place for a woman to exist without a shirt: if athletic, not feminine enough; if too feminine, perceived as wanton, attention-seeking, or weak and requiring protection. Being comfortable showing up in public in just a sports bra is about taking back space that has always been owned - the space of one's own body.
Female Body Image Documentary Edit
The Original "Shirts vs. Skins" Game Dynamic
One advantage basketball has over other sports is the ease with which a game can come together. Since these matchups are pretty informal, it’s highly unlikely that players are coming on to the court with coordinated shirts or NBA jerseys ready to wear. However, this potential lack of clothing distinction can negatively affect the game.
Shirts vs. skins is one of the simplest ways to identify team affiliations in an intramural sports setting, physical education class, or impromptu run. Relative to the other players on the court, there are any number of combinations involving the hue and style of shirts. Similarity or difference in wardrobe can cause confusion, especially when the game gets tight and players act on instinct. For example, if the player wearing the blue shirt on defense pretends to be on offense and sells the deception by cutting to the basket with their hands in the air, they might actually end up with a cheap steal.
Additionally, most people play more than one game when getting together. Shirts vs. skins alleviates the concern of team identification on the spot. Any time there’s an enhanced possibility that a mistake could be made because players can’t properly detect who they’re playing with, the prospect that shirts vs. skins can save the day increases. While implementing ways to optimize gameplay is important, it should never be at the expense of a person’s well-being. The opposite side of that spectrum would address pickup games being played during the spring or summer, or during a warm day in general. Pinnies have long been a favored selection for determining team A from team B.
