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?

My boobs are too big to go outside without a bra. I would love to be braless.

Honestly it’s a bit sad seeing how many of us don’t want to wear one but feel socially obliged to do it anyway. I see so many men walking round topless, regardless of size, or boob size. Yet if women did it it would be indecent. Not only are we wearing tops (rightly, I wish men would put theirs back on), we’re wearing another layer constraining and uncomfortable so that our boobs are sitting in the right place and our nipples aren’t on show. It’s crazy really. Free the nip!

I’ve never been shy of not wearing a bra anywhere: work, home, nights out, church etc. I don’t like to show my bra straps so often it’s easier not to bother.

I don’t have particularly prominent nipples so that probably helps.

Go for it!!! Bloody middle aged men don't bother with a t shirt, and nobody does a double take at that, it's ridiculous double standards. My boob's are a bit too big and saggy so I actually find no bra at all uncomfortable but otherwise I'd be all for it. You'll embarrass your teens some other way anyway do might as well be doing something you like

Yes I think this too. I absolutely hate the feeling of a tight band around my ribs and I just can’t breathe properly. I’d also rather not have them hoisted up to my chin!

Discovered the hook on extenders and they are amazing! I’ve found the elastic material really irritating too so prefer a silky soft fabric.

I am quite busty so when out in public or people over I have to wear one. However I parted company with wired bras about 2 years ago. I work from home and when on my own, zero bra and zero shits given. I am 52

I haven't worn a bra in years, it's crop tops all the way for me. I've only got small boobs though, they might not be suitable for large breasts.

62 here. I like those tops with a shelf support in, in for lounging around at home, ie almost all the time, with tiny shorts, in hot weather. I do wear a bra and proper clothes for going out, generally.

I tend to prefer looser tops over snug fits and I go bra less if I feel like and wear one if I think it enhances how I present myself. I was a young woman in the 1970s, so it’s not a big deal to me. Even so, in a professional work setting, I’d always wear a bra.

Mine do too.

I work in the bank. It’s been hot for weeks. I do not enjoy serving Middle Age+ ladies with low hanging saggy sweaty boobs and nipples on show. Put a bra on.

There's plenty enough men with more boobage than me strutting around with it fully on display on their bare chests, so I have no issue going bra-less under my clothes on days when that's the more comfortable option for me.

I'll consider it essential to pretend I don't have nipples when it's essential for men to pretend that they don't too. Who cares if my nipples could be 15mm closer to my armpits 🤷‍♀️

It's only been an issue since padded bras became mainstream in the last couple of decades.

Mine have been prominent since the last time I breastfed, 16 years ago. They just never went flat again.

I've got a large bust and wouldn't be comfortable, but other women should do whatever they want.

I don't think its a great look, especially if a bit saggy. I would never do it as my boob's are pretty large and I would find it quite restrictive as in I wouldn't be able to run for a train or anything

I'm an A cup...55 yrs old and still pointing straight outwards...I'm pretty much "if you don't like the outline of my nipples then don't fucking look" simples 😅😅

Nope not happening here , I’d feel so uncomfortable, I’m a 32F .
I do have some nice underwired bras but also some very comfy bras that are soft , non wired but still supportive.

Good for you! Unless you work in professional capacity I’d advise nipple covers just in case but if not good for you girl 🙌🏼🙌🏼

All my bras are made of a very thin microfibre sort of material, so there isn’t any difference in terms of nipple reveal whether I wear a bra or not. I think certain clothes look better without a bra, I don’t like seeing straps or the back of them.

in the house I go braless but one of my teen girls complains. I did use the nipple covers you get on amazon but then they show too, what’s worse, nipple showing or nipple cover?

I find it really interesting that a lot of the comments are from women with larger boobs saying they find it uncomfortable to freeboob. I am a 36GG and I can’t WAIT to get my bra off when I get in. I would never, ever wear a bra if I didn’t feel I was going to get stared at for not wearing one when out and about. I guess we’re all different but even though I’m large of boob I just can’t stand the fuckers.

Very round, dense, quite firm DD / E cups here (haven’t breastfed), on a narrrow (34” band) back.

Im wildly envious of you smaller breasted women who can go bra-less or use a bralette.

It looks dreadful when I try.

I hate wearing a bra.
Unfortunately I have big breasts and always have had.
It is only for the male gaze that bras were invented. Remember women being trust up in corsets? Who did that benefit? Certainly not the poor women who had to suffer them. Or the Chinese tradition of binding females feet.
Yet men walk about topless with their sweat dripping onto public places such as seating and we are supposed to accept that.
Double standards.
Breasts are for feeding babies and infants. Males have sexualised them.
I can’t wait until we can go about our business without being subjected to bullshit patriarchal values.
I have noticed a lot of small breasted younger women don’t bother wearing a bra and good for them!

for me it depends on how my boobs look in the outfit, I have zero issue with being able to see my nipples, but after breastfeeding two children the sagging is real and I’m only 31! Honestly I think people should just do as they please, fuck what anyone else thinks!

I think it depends on how it looks if I’m honest. Don’t get me wrong you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable. But often it’s not a very flattering look and can garner attention for the wrong reasons. I’d also not wish to make my kids feel uncomfortable

my friends partner often goes bra less and honestly it makes her boobs look really saggy under her top , fine if she doesn’t care, but I’m not sure she fully realises how it looks as she moves. It’s really not like standing stationary in front of the mirror.

I wear a little lace bra let when I don’t want a bra, and a bra when I want shape/lift , and nothing if the material is thick enough and tight enough. I’ve also just ordered one of those stick on bras as I’ve a couple of dresses where a bra isn’t feasible due to the cut of the back and I’d rather have some shape.

so for me, it’s fine if you’re happy, I’d maybe wear a bralet when out with kids etc but for me, it’s a no.