Need advice on how to handle something weird my boyfriend did with my clothes

r/

This might sound small but it’s been bothering me more than I expected. My boyfriend and I don’t live together, but I stay over at his place pretty often. A couple nights ago I left a gym bag with some clothes in it, including a shirt and a pair of leggings I wore that day.

When I went to grab the bag this morning, the clothes smelled like his cologne. Not just a little either, it was strong enough that it seemed like he sprayed it directly on them. I asked him about it and he got kind of awkward and just said he thought it was cute or whatever, like marking them with his scent.

I don’t know what to make of that. On one hand maybe he thought it was romantic, but on the other hand I didn’t ask for that and it kind of weirded me out. I’ve never had someone do something like this before.

How should I bring this up again without making it a huge thing. Would really appreciate advice from people who’ve been in long-term relationships. Is this something to just brush off or does it cross a line?

Comments

  1. Fit-Marionberry-1272 Avatar

    If it bugs you just ask him not to spray your clothes without asking. Setting boundaries is okay!

  2. ReeseZapZap Avatar

    That’s a weird move, spraying his scent on your clothes without asking is low key territorial. Call it out gently but firmly because today it’s cologne, tomorrow it’s crossing bigger lines under the guise of cute.

  3. Yolandi2802 Avatar

    Is she wondering subconsciously if he wore her clothes for some reason?

  4. skeeballbob37 Avatar

    let him know your clothes are off limits, and yes he was marking his scent so that guys at the gym would know you are his.

  5. WasabiAficianado Avatar

    Marking it with his scent? That’s not his scent. Strange.

  6. PkmnTrainerSofia Avatar

    It is possible that he wore your clothes.

  7. ImaginaryScientist93 Avatar

    Just tell him you appreciate the thought but would like him ask first setting boundaries is important, even with small stuff

  8. Copper939 Avatar

    It crosses a line. It’s one thing for him to hug you and have his scent on your clothes that way. It’s a lot different than spraying a lot of cologne on them, especially without your consent.

    If he does other “territorial” things to make sure others know you are his, it’s red flags for me. Again, it’s one thing to be protective of you in a potentially dangerous situation (you two are in a bar and another man starts flirting and doesn’t take the hint you are not interested) and it’s another thing to behave that way when there are no threats (you’re attending a funeral/calling hours and he’s constantly by your side making sure he’s touching you at all times, especially around the other males who are present whom you’ve known since before him).

  9. KingProfessional8363 Avatar

    You’re right. On one hand it could be considered cute, just a little spray to remind you of him, if he told you he was doing it. On the other hand it is controlling behaviour and as another mentioned territorial to absolutely douse your clothes in his scent to, I assume, warn off other men. Be firm in your stance, a lot of controlling partners start off with small things at the beginning. They undoubtedly get bigger.

  10. Patback20 Avatar

    How is his cologne supposed to mark you with his scent? Every other guy that also bought that cologne is now gonna think you’re theirs. He should have rubbed his sweaty balls on your clothes, then you’d really be marked with his scent.

    For real, though, that’s weird and makes no sense.

  11. invisiblebrowser Avatar

    Maybe your gym bag and or worn clothes stink and it bothered him so he tried to cover the offending smell and didn’t want to offend you.

  12. naughtybeany Avatar

    lol – he put your clothes on – it’s obvious. His only response without admitting that is to say he deliberately sprayed the clothes which makes no sense, however, it’s the only available lie aside from outright denial

  13. ZammoGrangeHill Avatar

    You know what you have to do. Get hold of his phone and examine it forensically. Pay particular attention to his browser history.

  14. 2muchmascara Avatar

    Anyone else think he sprayed the clothing while doing a little spin in front of the mirror wearing it?

  15. CdmanKhaos Avatar

    “Hey babe I know you meant well but please dont spray your cologne on my clothes again I know you meant well” men like straight up statements theres no need for it to be a big deal and it sounds like he meant well by it

    Just remember the most important part of all relationships is communication and honesty he cant fix what he doesn’t know about

  16. Full-Possibility-190 Avatar

    My real guess is that he was crossdressing in your clothes. I’m not sure confronting him will get you anywhere. But you can try to tempt him and ask him if your gym clothes turn him on when you are wearing them. Rub against him. His penis will not lie.