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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is it socially acceptable to not wear a bra in public?

130 replies

AssemblyPoint · 13/07/2025 19:45

Is this genuinely unacceptable?… I know some people wear bras because they have to. But I don’t have to as they’re frickin tiny.

I hate wearing one, and often wear a bralet/crop top type one. But in work I wear a normal padded one as I don’t want my nips poking through…. But is this an unnecessary thought process?

Is it okay to not wear a padded bra in the work place, and is it okay to not wear a bra at all in public?

I obvs have a top on!

OP posts:
Sproutling · 13/07/2025 20:18

I must be old fashioned/prudish then... I work in a professional role, public facing, smart-casual. I believe we should be dressed modestly ( ie not full cleavage on display) .... I also dont want to see my male colleagues' chests/buttocks/underwear. I'm ok with that 'prude' label

We have two colleagues who dress ,in my opinion, as if they are going to the beach- one in her 60's wears no bra, loose vest tops that always have a strap slipping down her arm, full side boob and much of her cleavage on display, a colleague she leaned over got a full on sighting of nipple.
a younger colleague -early 30's, wears push up bra with low cut vest tops- full upper breasts and cleavage on display.
I mention their ages just to show its not a generational thing.
Neither have been spoken to by our manager, so it must be acceptable to them, but I make sure I'm never on a joint visit to our service users with them, when they are wearing so little.

AssemblyPoint · 13/07/2025 20:17

yfshjj · 13/07/2025 19:58

Do it! I did it today, far too hot for a bra lol

This kinda sparked my thinking!… I took it off half way through the day, but felt ‘exposed’ despite wearing a tshirt! But I was so sticky!

OP posts:
Lifestooshort71 · 13/07/2025 20:14

I've only got one boob and never wear a bra but I do sometimes wear a primark bralette if I think my top might gape.

Meadowflower2023 · 13/07/2025 20:13

I personally wouldn’t go without a moulded bra as I’m big busted for my size and I’ve always been self conscious of my nips being visible but that’s just me personally. If you don’t mind then go for it.

MyMahoosivePenis · 13/07/2025 20:13

applegingermint · 13/07/2025 19:58

As long as you are happy to be known as “Asembly Point in finance/marketing/HR, you know the one who doesn’t wear a bra”.

Why do you speak about women like that?

MyMahoosivePenis · 13/07/2025 20:12

ThatGreatMember · 13/07/2025 20:00

Eeeewwwwww

This is a forum for adults. If breasts make you feel a bit "ewwww" you should probably stick to a fortnite forum or something.

EBearhug · 13/07/2025 20:12

I'm in the office every day, and I don't wear a bra, haven't for years. There are one or two tops i would wear one with, but they're not really ones I'd wear in the office anyway. I wear a bralette for yoga.

If anyone has complained, it hasn't got back to me. And yes, I do not have the biggest tits in the office, but I am the only woman...

Tartanboots · 13/07/2025 20:11

I used to work in an office where any sign of a nipple would be greeted by one of the blokes saying loudly "packing tictacs today then?"
If you don't work with that type, you'll probably be ok.

grumpygrape · 13/07/2025 20:10

AssemblyPoint · 13/07/2025 19:45

Is this genuinely unacceptable?… I know some people wear bras because they have to. But I don’t have to as they’re frickin tiny.

I hate wearing one, and often wear a bralet/crop top type one. But in work I wear a normal padded one as I don’t want my nips poking through…. But is this an unnecessary thought process?

Is it okay to not wear a padded bra in the work place, and is it okay to not wear a bra at all in public?

I obvs have a top on!

Can’t you just wear nipple covers if you’re worried ?

I can’t go braless without bruising my knees but if you can, go for it.

Better that than the awful light coloured strappy top with the black wide strap bra showing underneath.

SpottyAardvark · 13/07/2025 20:05

Yes, of course it is. I have seen literally hundreds of braless women in this summer’s hot weather. Nobody was paying any attention.

They are just boobs. Nobody cares.

TiptoeThroughTheToadstools · 13/07/2025 20:04

AssemblyPoint · 13/07/2025 19:45

Is this genuinely unacceptable?… I know some people wear bras because they have to. But I don’t have to as they’re frickin tiny.

I hate wearing one, and often wear a bralet/crop top type one. But in work I wear a normal padded one as I don’t want my nips poking through…. But is this an unnecessary thought process?

Is it okay to not wear a padded bra in the work place, and is it okay to not wear a bra at all in public?

I obvs have a top on!

Its no one else's business what you are, or aren't wearing. Do what makes you happy and screw everyone else 😃

Givenupshopping · 13/07/2025 20:02

I have a daughter and three granddaughters, and we all go braless in these temperatures. Just wear something that your nipples don't show through, like a dark shirt, and you'll be fine.

Cleanthatup · 13/07/2025 20:02

I havnt worn a bra in years, I hate them. At work I wear a small sports bra but I am only in the office 2 days a week. The rest of the time I roam free… apart from Church/Nights out etc.

LeeLemon · 13/07/2025 20:02

I don’t wear one. At most a soft crop top. I have quite a big bust but I always wear loose clothes.
It’s a personal choice but my experience is that you will probably get stares or people trying not to look, maybe gossip or comments too. It may be different for you.

Denimrules · 13/07/2025 20:01

I can't stand padded bras, I wear bralettes and secret support type stuff. I think people who get upset by nipples showing through clothing are weird

ThatGreatMember · 13/07/2025 20:00

Eeeewwwwww

TheChosenTwo · 13/07/2025 20:00

I don’t go braless but some of the younger girls in the office keep telling me to switch to bralette things. Absolutely no chance, my tits would fall down underneath then or just look saggy and sad - mine need scaffolding for me to feel comfortable!!
As long as you’re not indecently dressed, wear what you want.

phoenixrosehere · 13/07/2025 19:59

applegingermint · 13/07/2025 19:58

As long as you are happy to be known as “Asembly Point in finance/marketing/HR, you know the one who doesn’t wear a bra”.

Where do you work that people talk like that??

K0OLA1D · 13/07/2025 19:59

I don't wear a bra sometimes and the bra i wear when I do isnt remotely padded.

I can't wear one at the minute because I have really hurt my ribs. So if people are bothered its tough tits (no pun intended!)

ArtTheClown · 13/07/2025 19:59

I don't have small boobs at all but I just wear soft bralettes all the time, no padding. I don't think I get very visible nipples ever? Maybe you've got big nips.

chocolatemuffin75 · 13/07/2025 19:59

I don’t wear one in this weather, they give me an itchy rash, I think my dress looks fine without one on.

applegingermint · 13/07/2025 19:58

As long as you are happy to be known as “Asembly Point in finance/marketing/HR, you know the one who doesn’t wear a bra”.

yfshjj · 13/07/2025 19:58

Do it! I did it today, far too hot for a bra lol

RayOfRainbow · 13/07/2025 19:57

what I find awkward is the nips issue. It’s all fine until you suddenly feel cold or there’s aircon!

BCBird · 13/07/2025 19:57

isthesolution · 13/07/2025 19:53

Yes it’s absolutely fine. Men do it all the time 😂

Hilarious 😂