A 1938 issue of LIFE magazine ran this article on the controversial issue of TOPLESS MEN AT THE BEACH:
LIFE Magazine / Via elventano.blogspot.com
While this was "no novelty" in the exotic locales of "Europe and the West Coast," it had recently become legal for men to bear their chests on Long Beach, New York.
SCANDAL.
LIFE apparently did not think that all bodies were good bodies.
LIFE Magazine / Via elventano.blogspot.com
LEAVE TOPLESS CURVY MEN ALONE, 1938 LIFE MAGAZINE.
They also took a moment to wedgie-shame some poor dude, as well:
LIFE Magazine / Via elventano.blogspot.com
Although apparently if you are attractive, going topless at the beach is totally OK.
LIFE Magazine / Via elventano.blogspot.com
Look, even '30s-era LIFE magazine gets really thirsty, OK?
Thank goodness we now live in a world where male toplessness is fully embraced.
Old Spice / Via giphy.com