In the practice of the world outside, although the original Christian ideals remained influential, various pagan and primitive traditions in favor of nakedness still persisted, and were, to some extent, allowed to manifest themselves, alike in ordinary custom and on special occasions.
How widespread is the occasional or habitual practice of nakedness in the world generally, and how entirely concordant it is with even a most sensitive modesty, has been set forth in "The Evolution of Modesty," in vol.i of these _Studies_.
Even during the Christian era the impulse to adopt nudity, often with the feeling that it was an especially sacred practice, has persisted.

The Adamites of the second century, who read and prayed naked, and celebrated the sacrament naked, according to the statement quoted by St.Augustine, seem to have caused little scandal so long as they only practiced nudity in their sacred ceremonies.

The German Brethren of the Free Spirit, in the thirteenth century, combined so much chastity with promiscuous nakedness that orthodox Catholics believed they were assisted by the Devil.

The French Picards, at a much later date, insisted on public nakedness, believing that God had sent their leader into the world as a new Adam to reestablish the law of Nature; they were persecuted and were finally exterminated by the Hussites.
In daily life, however, a considerable degree of nakedness was tolerated during mediaeval times.

This was notably so in the public baths, frequented by men and women together.