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

[DustyHedgerows]

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?

Thank you. I’m going to get 👍 They look comfy.

Not sure what size as they’re not cup size 😯

I switched from bras to bralets and my bad back pain that would flare up 3 times a year disappeared! I rate marks and Spencer’s bralets. I only wear a bra for cleavage when going out!

Gosh no way . Mine are much bigger than when I was younger . I dunno why I didn’t go braless when younger I couldn’t do it now

I'm a D-cup and would be very uncomfortable without a bra.

Gosh this is opposite for me. I wear a bra 24/7. Doesn't it hurt when you walk around? However we are all different, wear what you like I think.

You are on trend with this anyway. I'm a radiographer and often have to ask patients if they are wearing a bra and to remove it. Ten years ago most women except very elderly would be wearing one, these days it's 50/50 or less. Gen z hate bras.

I don’t wear bras anymore.

in winter and colder weather I have vest tops with built in boob support.

in this sort of weather I just can’t face wearing them and tend to go braless.

Yeah, when I was a 34/36 back I got the large, I now have some small and mediums as have lost 4 stone. Maybe trial and error with them but obv as amazon returns are ok.

I’ve had to go braless following lung surgery and, being big busted, I found it very uncomfortable.
One bonus though is that I discovered non wired bralettes at M&S; I’m converted!

Thing is, when I was younger and smaller bras didn’t cause me any issues. I enjoyed buying and wearing pretty bras. Now they’re hammocks with thick wide shoulder straps so I can’t even wear a thin strapped vest top nicely.

I’m going for XL and see how that goes.

I hear u me too

Why do women need to have a 'shape' ?

I've had 5, I need a bra these days! 🫪

Yes this. I look matronly without one, and my clothes don't fit well. I'm reasonably large-busted.

A sense of pride about my personal appearance means I wear a nice supportive bra. If people don’t give a toss about walking about with saggy jiggling boobs then more fool them. I would imagine overall grooming is very low.

I haven't often worn bras since well before covid, but I'm an A-cup, and I think size does make a difference to comfort. I do wear one for my yoga class, and there are a couple of tops I wouldn't risk being braless with, but that's all these days. Don't care what anyone else thinks.

Am not quite going naked, because I don't want sunburn if outside,nor to stick to the seats I side, but I'm only in a dress and knickers, so I'm not far off.

It is so interesting reading these responses. My response to seeing a woman, irrespective of age, or breast shape or size, out and about without a bra under her clothes, wouldn't be a negative one. I don't think I'd reflect that she'd probably look better or younger with one on. I definitely wouldn't think she was aroused. But seeing that this is some posters' first concern, I'm feeling a little less relaxed about it. I was going to pop out to Boots, but will probably change into a bra before I go now.

My aunt does this. Her nipples lead the way. It’s constant stares and double takes. I think she likes the attention but it’s not for me. She’s 74 btw and has big boobs.

I hated not wearing them when I was younger. I liked having a little extra padding cos I was a bit on the smaller side I guess . I’d love to have smaller ones now .

I am well endowed and wouldn't go bra less in public but almost never wear one indoors. Its not about what others think but about what i prefer.

Sort of wish mine did! I have mostly flat/inverted nipples and they only pop out occasionally and so I felt something was wrong with me anatomically back in the 90s (especially when they started selling those things to put in your bra to make your nipples look prominent!).
I've got over it now lol

ooooo Judgy McJudgeboob!

That's probably true -I've got a kind of sporty, outdoorsy, natural low-maintenance aesthetic going on. Naturally greying, embracing ageing in midlife. So not much grooming per se.

I have got a shape. Round is a shape.

A few years ago I stopped wearing bras because I found them really uncomfortable, especially the ones with underwire and instead I started wearing bralettes.

I wear a good sports bra when I exercise but beyond that the bralettes are fine.