Beach Town Will Fine Louisiana Tourists for Being ‘Underdressed’

In just a few weeks many of the masses that are enrolled in higher education in Louisiana will be making a right of passage and heading to the beach for spring break. Students at LSU will take spring break from March 31 through April 4. Meanwhile, the University of Louisiana and McNeese State will take their spring break about a month later April 18 through April 27.

So, it won't be too much longer until the white sands of Florida and Lower Alabama will be covered with barely covered bodies frolicking in the surf and tossing mullets across state lines. And while being barely covered at the beach is a common and accepted practice, being barely covered when you're not at the beach is becoming quite the bone of contention.

More and more beach towns and resort communities are proposing and passing ordinances that require tourists, visitors, guests, and even townsfolk to be properly covered when not relaxing on the sand or playing in the waves.

Perhaps you've heard of "bikini bans" in some communities?

One beach resort town has recently instituted such a ban. If you're busted in your bikini or the case of a male visitor a "Speedo" style swimsuit without a proper coverup while in town you could be fined the equivalent of $150. So, no you couldn't just run into the Winn-Dixie in your swimsuit to pick up a 12-pack of beer without risking a citation.

The reason why resort communities are instituting such legislation is to "preserve the image of the municipality". The idea of "bikini bans" actually got started in resort towns in Europe. Apparently, some well "lubricated" British gentlemen decided a nearly naked dance in the town square of Albufeira Portugal was a good idea. The city fathers did not. Hence, the ban.

There are already "cover-up ordinances" in places such as Venice and Sorrento Italy, and Barcelona, Palm de Mallorca, and Malaga Spain. Some of the fines in those cities can set you back as much as $1500 depending on "how much you're letting all hang out".

Based on our research for the beaches that most of us frequent here in the Gulf South there are no ordinances against wearing beach attire when not at the beach. However, many establishments will not allow entry or offer service if a patron is not properly attired. We found that to be the case from Destin to Navarre to Panama City and also on the beaches of Alabama.

But don't be surprised as swimsuits continue to grow smaller and more revealing if those communities start to pass laws that will restrict your lack of good taste and inappropriate attire. Hey, I am all for the thongs at the beach, but I don't think any of us want to see that on display in a booth at Applebee's. Especially if we are the next ones to be using that booth after your sweaty bottom gets up to leave.