Wet T-Shirt Contest Mechanics Explained

Wet T-shirt contests are competitions that typically feature young female contestants at a nightclub, bar, or resort. Contestants usually wear thin white or light-coloured T-shirts without bras, bikini tops, or other garments underneath. Water, often ice water, is then sprayed or poured onto the participants' chests, causing their T-shirts to turn translucent and cling to their breasts. The outcome is decided either by crowd reaction or judges' votes. The competition has been called sexist and exploitative, and its popularity has declined in recent years, especially with the rise of social media and camera phones.

Contestants' clothing

Wet T-shirt contests are a form of exhibitionism, and the clothing worn by contestants is typically thin, white or light-coloured T-shirts without any bras, bikini tops, or other garments underneath. The T-shirts are usually made from a translucent material that clings to the body when wet, often accentuating the breasts and nipples of contestants. In some cases, contestants may also tear or crop their T-shirts to expose their midriffs, cleavage, or the undersides of their breasts.

The choice of clothing is an essential aspect of the contest, as it allows for the creation of a translucent and clingy effect when wet. This effect is a key element of the competition, as it provides a level of exposure and sensuality that captivates the audience and judges. The use of thin, light-coloured fabrics, particularly white T-shirts, is strategic and intentional to achieve the desired visual impact.

While the primary focus is on the T-shirts, the lack of undergarments or additional clothing layers is also a significant component of the contest's attire. By forgoing bras, bikini tops, or other coverings, contestants create a more revealing and daring presentation. This absence of clothing enhances the visual impact of the wet T-shirts and further contributes to the exhibitionist nature of the event.

In some instances, contestants may also be provided with numbered T-shirts to wear during the competition. This numbering system helps judges and the audience distinguish between participants, especially during voting or scoring rounds.

It is worth noting that, depending on local laws and the specific rules of the contest, participants may be allowed to remove their T-shirts completely or strip down to varying degrees during their performance. This adds an element of spontaneity and further pushes the boundaries of exhibitionism.

The clothing choices in a wet T-shirt contest are carefully curated to achieve a specific visual effect and adhere to the nature of the competition. The combination of thin, light-coloured T-shirts and the absence of undergarments creates a sensual display that has become synonymous with this type of event.

The role of the audience

Audience participation can take several forms. In some contests, the audience may be invited to vote for their favourite contestant, with the winner being determined by the loudest cheers or applause. In other cases, the audience may be encouraged to actively participate in the contest by drenching the contestants with water or even joining them on stage for a more interactive experience.

The atmosphere created by the audience is an essential aspect of the contest. Their enthusiasm, whistles, and hoots can heighten the excitement and encourage the contestants to perform with more confidence and energy. A lively audience can also enhance the overall experience for everyone involved, creating a sense of community and shared enjoyment.

However, it is important to note that audience behaviour can sometimes cross the line into harassment or objectification. With the rise of camera phones and social media, there is a risk that participants may be subjected to unwanted attention or have their images shared without their consent. This has led to increased concerns about privacy and consent, with some venues implementing strict bans on photography and filming during the contests.

Despite these concerns, wet t-shirt contests continue to attract audiences who view them as a form of entertainment and a throwback to a different era. Audience members may attend out of curiosity, a desire for nostalgia, or simply to join in the communal experience of cheering on the contestants and celebrating their confidence and self-expression.

Prizes

The cash prizes can sometimes be substantial, with some contestants being able to pay for their entire vacation with the money they win. In one instance, the winner of a wet t-shirt contest received a pair of skis as a prize.

In addition to the prizes, contestants may also be motivated by the attention and admiration they receive from the audience and judges.

The origins of the contest

The exact origins of the wet t-shirt contest are disputed, with a few different sources claiming to be the first. However, the first known mention of the term "wet t-shirt contest" in the press was in 1975, in The Palm Beach Post, which described the contest's appearance at New Orleans discotheques. The article was headlined "Wet T-Shirt Contests Pack Pubs" and detailed how several "discotheques" in New Orleans had started putting on "a contest gimmick that would drive feminists prematurely grey".

In his memoir, skiing filmmaker Dick Barrymore claims to have held the first wet t-shirt contest at Sun Valley, Idaho's Boiler Room Bar in January 1971, as part of a promotion for K2 skis. The contest was promoted as a simple "t-shirt contest" in which airline stewardesses would dance to music wearing K2 promotional t-shirts. However, the first contestant to appear was a professional stripper who danced topless, and the amateur contestants responded by drenching their t-shirts before competing. Barrymore held a second "K2 Wet T-Shirt Contest" at the Rusty Nail in Stowe, Vermont, in order to film it, despite the Stowe City Council having passed a resolution banning nudity at the event.

Another possible origin of the contest is said to be the Spanish festival of La Tomatina, a large public tomato fight where participants become soaked with tomato juice, with their clothing damp and transparent. However, this festival began in 1945, predating the first mentions of the wet t-shirt contest by over two decades.

By the late 1970s, wet t-shirt contests had become a part of Fort Lauderdale spring break tradition, and bar owners began to face public indecency charges for hosting them. In 1979, a track on Frank Zappa's album Joe's Garage, "Fembot in a Wet T-Shirt", told the story of a woman taking part in a wet t-shirt contest to raise money to return home after being abandoned by a rock group in Miami.

Controversies

Wet T-shirt contests have been a source of controversy since their inception. The contests, which typically feature young female contestants, involve exhibitionism and are often considered degrading and sexist.

In 1983, the law firm King & Spalding in Atlanta asked female summer interns to participate in a wet T-shirt contest at their annual picnic. The proposed contest was replaced with a swimsuit competition, and the winner was promised a permanent job upon graduation. Some participants said they felt humiliated but did not protest as they were candidates for jobs at the firm. The incident made the front page of The Wall Street Journal in an article on sex discrimination in large law firms.

In 1998, teenagers from Portland, Oregon, held a wet T-shirt contest on a plane en route to Mexico. The pilots, who were judging the contest, were disciplined by the FAA for sexual misconduct.

Underage contestants have also been a source of controversy, with lawsuits filed on behalf of minors who lied about their age to participate. In one case, the parents of 16-year-old Monica Pippin sued Playboy Entertainment, Anheuser-Busch, and other companies after their daughter appeared topless in a wet T-shirt contest, with footage circulating on television and online.

In 2003, Youngstown, Ohio, TV news anchor Catherine Bosley caused a stir by entering a wet T-shirt contest in Key West, during which she stripped and appeared fully nude. Footage of the competition was broadcast online and on local television, leading to her resignation.

The contests have faced opposition from regulators and the public, with bar owners fined under public indecency laws and spring break destinations like Fort Lauderdale and Daytona Beach pushing to end the "lewd" activity. Despite this, wet T-shirt contests and similar events persist, fueled by alcohol and a desire for exhibitionism.

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