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?

@OkieDokieLemonSmokie I wore supportive bras all day every day from age 12 onwards, and I have been lifting weights for the past 15 or so years. My boobs still sagged anyway. Not sure how you think I could have avoided that?

I’m 36 and I never wear bras, haven’t for years now. I have small boobs that haven’t really changed since I was in my 20s. I hate wearing bras. I dunno why anyone would care but some people will, you just have to decide if its worth putting your own comfort ahead of the odd stare though Ive never noticed anyone staring etc at me

I have barely worn bras my life and my boobs aren’t saggy. Im 36 and had two kids etc, it’s just genetics nothing to do with wearing a bra

I don’t wear a bra unless I’m at work (school) I’m 46 but had a boob job when younger so really don’t need the support. People look, I look back, they look away, easy! Enjoy being braless, they are insufferable in summer

Small boobed so I sometimes don't wear one.

I am larger busted and would never go out without a bra on but on pyjama days (like today) or days when am not going any further than the garden I may for go the bra. Since i stopped working my husband thinks it's important that I still get up and dressed properly at least most days so I don't become lazy or complacent but when it's this hot why get changed.

Rubbish lol, my nipples are always erect and I am certainly not aroused. Go braless all the time.

In this heat I find the chances of my nipples being pointy are zero but a bra is useful to catch sweat. I won’t wear a bra if the dress or top is fitted and provides some support though.

Trouble is mine are always erect. It’s got nothing to do with weather or arousal!

Wish I could go without! At a 34L it’s impossible as it’s painful

Or 80!

Current top less im back garden (!) but, no,I wouldn't go.out braless, theybare a somewhat droopy 36 g.

Last week I was in a café and a lady had boob's to her waist. No word of a lie. They were massive and rather saggy and swayed from side to side over her belly as she walked. Her sister was the same. I can't imagine for one minute either of them were comfortable. It seemed a strange choice for two ladies well into their fifties to make, and to be honest they didn't look people in the eye when they looked. They looked away embarrassed.

All that to say I suspect it's a question if size and confidence really.

I frequently go braless. I'm 40, very slight on top and have tiny boobs so bras don't do anything for me other than cover my nipples.

My life was transformed when I worked in France and so many of my female colleagues were wafting about braless - I thought - yes! Why am I being constrained by this tight and uncomfortable piece of underwear that's not necessary? Breasts aren't something to be ashamed of or hidden away. European women are so much more liberated when it comes to this sort of thing than us.

I only wear a bra if I'm wearing something that would risk me flashing if I didn't have something on underneath my top. Otherwise I let them be free and they thank me for it.

I would say though that if I had enormous boobs, I would probably think differently, largely because I wouldn't like the sensation of my boobs hanging or swaying without support.

With all due respect you’re 36!

A hundred years ago it was frowned on for men to be topless in public (shock horror muscles and chest hair), much like it is for women to be braless today (shock horror low hanging boobs and maybe a nipple outline).

No one bats an eye at a man topless nowadays, maybe a braless woman would be the same if so many (mainly women) didn't freak out about it so much.

There's no problem with it whatever your boob size as long as you aren't going to enter the British trampolining championships- and then only as you might injure yourself, of course 😆. I wear very comfortable bras anyway though. I don't believe in this going down a strap size and up a cup size (or several) nonsense, I'd rather a bra was slightly loose/soft and allow for water retention and hormonal changes than have my boobs firmly scooped out of my armpits and thrust forward and upwards. The best person to know whether a bra is right for me is me, with 40 years experience of wearing one, not some random at Rigby and Peller or M&S.

I totally that but most of friends have had saggy boobs for years. It’s genetics. Especially after we all had kids.

Personally as a lady in her 50s, I can't think of anything worse then going braless in public.

Never, ever!

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.

i think its just a personal comfort issue.
I dont feel secure or comfortable without a elasticated crop style bra (i never wear ones with fasteners ,padding or wires) , my sister prefers not to wear bras at all but does sometime use nipple covers.
I can see that some outfits look and fit better with a bra though.
I don't think the nipple issue is faux pas these days.

I can't wear bra in this summer, neither outside or inside home....

Is that actually how it works? I've often wondered to what extent bras are supportive or actually makes the musculature around the breast more lax? I'm 51 and a fairly pert 34C (ex-extended breastfeeder of 2 DC) and have attributed this to genetics, having a smallish bust and being active rather than wearing bras (which I have always done).
Maybe it's a combination?

👏

I'm in my 50s and sometimes go bra-less, mainly just because I hate bra straps showing with strappy tops/dresses. I'd tend to avoid tops that might show my nipples, except in very casual environments. Tbh I'm quite proud of the fact that my small breasts are still perky enough for this to look ok (I think?). I can't imagine anyone really notices most of the time.

It's my pelvic floor that wouldn't survive the trampolining. My boobs would be fine.