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Original poster

Is going braless in middle age really such a social faux pas?

478 replies

DustyHedgerows · 13/08/2026 11:14

Not sure what's changed, whether it's the heat or just a general feeling of being 'done', but this summer, I have parted company with my bra. I'm middle-aged, not particularly busty, and am just not bothering to put one on in the mornings when I'm not working. I suddenly resent the idea of wearing one, as it's not as if I really need support -it really only sheilds the world from seeing a hint of my nipples under my top. DC are embarrassed to be seen with me and although I don't really care, I've noticed the odd person do a double-take when I'm out. I'm not wearing anything revealing, just a t-shirt, a buttoned shirt or loose-fitting dress.
Is going braless in middle-age really the social faux pas that my teens imply that it is?

OP posts:
Katr673 · 14/08/2026 22:01

If you don't need support you can buy nipple covers, super drug, Primark and loads of other places sell them. You can get disposable or reusable.

Stelladid · 14/08/2026 22:05

Nicewoman · 14/08/2026 19:13

I’m the greatest supporter of women (no pun intended! lol)

But listen here, I tell you something, I’m just an observer in life, and I listen, and I tell you one thing, people don’t like braless women in public.

You can even see this more generally in society, back in the day, if it was summer on the beach, women used to go topless. That’s right, why not, you might ask, it’s our natural body, boobs have fed and reared the world. Nothing wrong with that. Old women, young women, fat, thin, grannies, teenagers, the lot.

Yet in 2026, people don’t even do that now, both here and abroad, even in their own private back gardens. The islamification of the western world means that anything highlighting the female form is totally haram.

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Jesus you are spouting some nasty rubbish here 🙄

godmum56 · 14/08/2026 22:09

Stelladid · 14/08/2026 22:05

Jesus you are spouting some nasty rubbish here 🙄

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totally agree

Interested in this thread?

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Clothing
Bientot · 14/08/2026 22:13

BurntBroccoli · 13/08/2026 11:54

I’ve found a really soft silky unwired bra from M + S and added an extender to it. It honestly feels like I’m not wearing a bra yet still manages to hoist me up a bit and stops my nipples from too much protrusion!

Could you link to the bra? Sounds lovely.

tommyhoundmum · 14/08/2026 22:14

sesquipedalian · 13/08/2026 11:28

It is, unfortunately, very ageing to go braless unless you have practically no bust, and then you need a bra to give you some shape. I was in a café the other day and there was a lady at the next table, smart, white hair very well cut, very nice linen dress and boobs round her knees. It’s sadly not a good look.

I agree. My friend and I are in our 80's. She has a good figure and I say we don't need our breasts round our waists. It's OK to have them in the usual position even if it turns out to be slightly lower than when we were young. M&S do great bras for older women that are not padded or underwired, they just hold you in the correct position and are comfortable.

SignsofLife · 14/08/2026 22:15

tommyhoundmum · 14/08/2026 22:14

I agree. My friend and I are in our 80's. She has a good figure and I say we don't need our breasts round our waists. It's OK to have them in the usual position even if it turns out to be slightly lower than when we were young. M&S do great bras for older women that are not padded or underwired, they just hold you in the correct position and are comfortable.

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Please tell me which ones these are because I certainly haven't found them! I find all bras really uncomfortable now.

godmum56 · 14/08/2026 22:15

tommyhoundmum · 14/08/2026 22:14

I agree. My friend and I are in our 80's. She has a good figure and I say we don't need our breasts round our waists. It's OK to have them in the usual position even if it turns out to be slightly lower than when we were young. M&S do great bras for older women that are not padded or underwired, they just hold you in the correct position and are comfortable.

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but who judges what the "usual position" is?

tommyhoundmum · 14/08/2026 22:19

godmum56 · 14/08/2026 22:15

but who judges what the "usual position" is?

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where your breasts are comfortable

50Balesofgrey · 14/08/2026 22:26

I'm a d cup on the right and flat on the left. It would be amazing to find a bra to fit.

godmum56 · 14/08/2026 22:37

tommyhoundmum · 14/08/2026 22:19

where your breasts are comfortable

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mine are comfortable low slung with no bra

Kickinthenostalgia · 14/08/2026 22:39

I could go bra less when I get home from work however I have back problems and unfortunately a bra gives some relief. The underboob sweat right now is unreal ☹️

godmum56 · 14/08/2026 22:40

Kickinthenostalgia · 14/08/2026 22:39

I could go bra less when I get home from work however I have back problems and unfortunately a bra gives some relief. The underboob sweat right now is unreal ☹️

Have you tried Body Glide? I find it so helpful

MatriarchCaz · 14/08/2026 23:01

It's almost like over 50% of the population don't have breasts and 100% of the population don't have nipples....................................

Nursemumma92 · 14/08/2026 23:02

If I don't wear a bra I'm virtually knocking my boobs with my knees and it's not a good look at all. No way I'd go out in public with no bra on but each to their own. I do have a big chest though and after 2 babies they don't sit where they used to.

No judgement to anyone else who feels comfortable to do so, they are just body parts at the end of the day but I absolutely wouldn't feel comfortable.

Gowlett · 14/08/2026 23:03

godmum56 · 14/08/2026 20:52

and this is your opinion or did the patriarchy tell you to say it?

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It’s just my opinion, the swimsuit was doing her no favours on the high-cut leg front either.

Pics were in the Daily Mail so you have a point.

TheBlueKoala · 14/08/2026 23:08

BringBackCatsEyes · 13/08/2026 14:51

Genetics is one factor.
There is also age (skin & ligaments), pregnancy, weight change, size of breast.

I would think age & breast size are the biggest factors in breasts sagging.

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My breasts have been sagging since I was 20 due to weight change. Really small and saggy. My then 3 year old son asked me why I had to penises on my breast😅

Love to go braless at home but just feel naked outside without bra. Have to put my penises away.

AngelinaFibres · 14/08/2026 23:20

DustyHedgerows · 13/08/2026 15:03

I think it has something to do with what a previous poster highlighted -nipples are quite sexualised in Britain, and visible nipples are seen as a bit provocative, I think. And if you have visible nipples, you're somehow being deliberately provocative (because you could choose to cover them up). It's a pity.

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My husbands family are all keen cyclists. When his nephews were late teens they used to wear cycling unitards. They were so tight fitting that their cock outline was practically taking your eyes out. Grim and completely inappropriate. Personally I don't want to see wobbling breasts, anyones nipples,camel toes, moose toes, scrunchy bum arses or cocks in cycling attire. Some bits need support and coverage regardless of your sex.

Crole · 14/08/2026 23:21

I don't think it is if you have a small bust, how would people notice? Plenty of bras are thin and nipples show through anyway.

If you've got big bouncy boobs, it's a different story, everyone will notice and judge. I went braless outside for the first time in my life last weekend on a packed train because the underwire was digging into my side. Won't be repeating.

Is going braless in middle age really such a social faux pas?
godmum56 · 14/08/2026 23:22

BringBackCatsEyes · 13/08/2026 14:51

Genetics is one factor.
There is also age (skin & ligaments), pregnancy, weight change, size of breast.

I would think age & breast size are the biggest factors in breasts sagging.

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you left out menopause and the resulting lessening of breast tissue...same as losing labia.

godmum56 · 14/08/2026 23:26

Crole · 14/08/2026 23:21

I don't think it is if you have a small bust, how would people notice? Plenty of bras are thin and nipples show through anyway.

If you've got big bouncy boobs, it's a different story, everyone will notice and judge. I went braless outside for the first time in my life last weekend on a packed train because the underwire was digging into my side. Won't be repeating.

Edited

I really don't think that "everyone" will notice and of those who do, even less will judge. I do think though that if a person is uncomfortable about doing something in public then that is what it will feel like

MyDandyUmberDuck · 14/08/2026 23:31

I bought a crop top type thing and don’t know why I ever switched from them to bras as a teenager. Best purchase ever.

cobden28 · 14/08/2026 23:50

SusanJJ · 13/08/2026 11:57

Up to you OP, but I wouldn't like people doing a double-take when they see me. You could experiment with a close-fitted, thin vest top under your shirt, something I did when I had a frozen shoulder and couldn't a bra on - it helped.

Wearing a thin vest top/camisole under a normal top is fine if when you choose to go braless the weather isn't as scorching hot as it has been lately; that extra layer of clothing is like wearing a thermal vest in a heatwave. I speak from personal experience here !

In weather as hot as it has been lately I do find, as a larger-breasted lady, that I get terrrible underboob sweat which resembles a baby's nappy rash if neglected, so I have to use talcum powder under my breasts if I;m going braless. And for days when wearing a cotton vest/camisole underneath a normal top is too much. I keep a [acl of nipple covers handy. Like others of somewhat mature years I feel uncimfortable at the thought of the outline of my nipples being visible.

maxslice · 14/08/2026 23:56

TicklishReader · 14/08/2026 18:43

I love feckless hippies.

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Me,too.

maxslice · 14/08/2026 23:59

JennyBG · 14/08/2026 20:25

The fact that your children are embarrassed should be the most important reason for wearing a bra.

Good grief, you’re not a teenager, you sound as though you’re in your fifties…so stop embarrassing your kids.

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I figure, my children used to embarrass me, so it’s only fair that I embarrass them now. Oddly, they aren’t embarrassed at all. So. It all works out fine.

godmum56 · 15/08/2026 00:12

cobden28 · 14/08/2026 23:50

Wearing a thin vest top/camisole under a normal top is fine if when you choose to go braless the weather isn't as scorching hot as it has been lately; that extra layer of clothing is like wearing a thermal vest in a heatwave. I speak from personal experience here !

In weather as hot as it has been lately I do find, as a larger-breasted lady, that I get terrrible underboob sweat which resembles a baby's nappy rash if neglected, so I have to use talcum powder under my breasts if I;m going braless. And for days when wearing a cotton vest/camisole underneath a normal top is too much. I keep a [acl of nipple covers handy. Like others of somewhat mature years I feel uncimfortable at the thought of the outline of my nipples being visible.

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I have said this a few times on this thread but Body Glide is a lifesaver.