As the UK basks in a July heatwave with temperatures reaching record highs, many people will be searching for ways to stay cool.
Yesterday, temperatures soared, but the hottest UK day on record has been predicted for today, July 19 as the mercury is set to hit 40C. The Met Office has said it's possible that in isolated areas, highs of 41C could come today, making the country hotter than Jamaica, the Maldives and Barbados.
As people head out into the sun, women may opt to wear a bikini or men choose to leave the shirt at home - but what exactly is the law around what you can and cannot wear in the midst of the hot weather? There is no offence around being naked in public, if there is no intention to shock or upset others, Birmingham Live reports.
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However, shops may have their own rules on whether or not they want people with minimal clothing entering their stores and can ask customers to leave. In relation to the law, the Crown Prosecution Service states that every case should be taken into account on individual merit.
The CPS adds it is not usually an offence to be naked in public, provided there is the absence of sexual content and there must also clearly be no intention to cause distress to others. On the CPS website, regarding naturism, it says: "Naturism is used to describe the activities of persons who espouse nudity as part of their lifestyle.
"In the case of naturism a balance needs to be struck between the naturist's right to freedom of expression and the right of the wider public to be protected from harassment, alarm and distress."
It goes on to say: "In the absence of any sexual context and in relation to nudity where the person has no intention to cause alarm or distress it will normally be appropriate to take no action unless members of the public were actually caused harassment, alarm or distress (as opposed to considering the likelihood of this)."
For those wanting to sunbathe naked, although there is no law against doing so, the advice from the police is to let your neighbours know if you plan to sunbathe topless in your back garden to avoid any awkward situations. However, the ECHO previously reported that not wearing the correct clothing and footwear whilst driving, could mean you are in fact breaking the law.
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