Every summer, the question of the appropriateness of tourists wearing swimwear in town streets is raised again. This issue concerns not only the aesthetic perception of public spaces but also the potential need for introducing legal provisions that would sanction such behaviour in all relevant municipalities.
While certain larger centres, such as Pula and Poreč, have already taken concrete steps and introduced regulations regarding dress in public spaces, the situation in other towns remains unclear. In many local communities, rules governing this issue have not yet been specifically defined, creating legal and social uncertainty during the tourist season.
Temperatures during the summer months often rise significantly, and intense heat can be highly uncomfortable for everyone. Some members of the public consider it understandable that tourists would wear minimal clothing to feel more comfortable in high temperatures, especially if they have recently left the beach or pool.
On the other hand, many citizens and local officials insist that there are rules of conduct in public spaces that apply regardless of weather conditions. Opponents of walking in swimwear argue that coastal towns are not solely tourist destinations but places where thousands of residents live and work daily.
In their view, swimwear is clothing appropriate only for beaches and pools, not for strolling through town centres. In the town centres, where commercial activity takes place and where families with children move about, it is considered that basic standards of dress respecting the dignity of public space should be observed.
