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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To never wear a bra again

62 replies

kendalmintcake · 21/08/2011 20:48

AIBU to give up on bras forever.
Pre kids Small perky often encased in a uncomfortable, underwire greying padded bra from M&S,
now the breastfeeding bazzokas have long gone
and I am back to a not quite so perky 38A.
For the past year I've been in vests and comfy pants.
Are bras 'essential' if you are a smaller lady?
Any one else a vest wearer or am I alone in swinging free?!

OP posts:
MumblingRagDoll · 21/08/2011 21:53

How do breasts look awful? Confused they're one of the most admired parts of a womans body.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 21/08/2011 21:57

Some do , some don't . Like all body parts. And I didn't say all breasts I said ones without bras. My opinion.
And I also said mine are fucking awful without a bra.

MumblingRagDoll · 21/08/2011 22:00

Only ones without bras!? So all breasts look awful with no bra on? What utter tosh! And I thnk you'll find that most people disagree.

Breasts are beautiful. They dont need bras to look good.

smilesy · 21/08/2011 22:04

I am not huge in the nork dept and am lucky to be able to go bra free if I want but I like to wear pretty and sexy undies as it just makes me feel good. I think I would feel about 10 years old in a vest and knicks!

worraliberty · 21/08/2011 22:05

Breasts are not necessarily beautiful at all

Some are huge sacks of fat for example with a underground map of stretch marks and veins. Some are covered in moles. Some have massive nipples that look all dark and spotty. Some are tiny little things that don't match the frame of the owner.

They're like absolutely any other part of the body...sometimes they look nice and sometimes they don't.

I still think the majority of them look better inside a bra as clothes tend to look more flattering as a rule.

TrillianAstra · 21/08/2011 22:11

Won't your nipples be visible through clothes?

I only ever wear thick-material-or-padded bras because I hate the look of visible nipple-shapes.

ChunkyMonkeyMother · 21/08/2011 22:11

My mother is practically sick if she sees a woman sans bra - It does make me chuckle as I think its a touch of the green eyes!

Personally I couldn't go without as mine still leak (2 years on) and I'd probably have to get dust caps for my nipples to stop them dragging on the floor (every 23 year olds dream!) But good for you if you can!

You're not going to be walking round totally starkers so they wont be "Naked" as such, just find some nice supportive vests to start then go for it, you may find it the best thing ever or hate it and go back ...

AfternoonDelight · 21/08/2011 22:15

I wish I didn't have to wear a bra.

sometimes I don't when I'm in the house and not going out

LolaRennt · 21/08/2011 22:26

Can't see any reason to wear one if you really think you don't need it. I would get an honest second opinion though your mum or your husband? See what they think?

Sidge · 21/08/2011 22:26

As long as they don't look like two satsumas in a pair of socks then go for it.

But I do find braless women just look sort of undressed IYKWIM. All that jiggling, even if small.

And if you move too quickly you'll get nippers joggle and be all chafed. Ow.

pigletmania · 21/08/2011 22:37

If you don't have to, don't. If I had the choice I would not, but at 32FF I have no choice,or it would be norks on the run I am afraid Grin. God mumbling wish I looked like that!

pigletmania · 21/08/2011 22:39

Nah mumbling I wear a bra so that I don't get two black eyes or look like the pendulum of Big Ben.

TaraJaime · 21/08/2011 22:54

I'm a 34GG, just too big not to ever wear a bra! But I started wearing a bra aged 9 as a AA cup & have never gone a day without wearing one since then. Even my bikinis have fitted cups. Even if I magically became a tinier cup size I couldn't imagine not wearing a bra now. (Preferably underwired, thick straps, good coverage (!!) & push up. To me it's an essential foundation garment to any outfit (even my hoodies)! But I'm envious of woman who are more relaxed about their clothes than me...(Just not those women who are sooo chilled out they can go out in wear a discoloured white bra under a racer back vest or strappy dress).

Original poster
kendalmintcake · 21/08/2011 22:54

Chestnutx3 38A rings serious alarm bells.

LeBJOF I doubt you are a 38A

ladies you have me questioning my size now...I'm off to have them measured tomorrow and will report back!

but why alarm bells and doubt?

OP posts:
Original poster
kendalmintcake · 21/08/2011 22:59

MumblingRagDoll I hear you, and salute you :)
boobs are beautiful
Biscuit Biscuit

OP posts:
TrompetteMilitaire · 21/08/2011 23:08

Jiggling? If only.

neolara · 21/08/2011 23:11

I would get yourself down to John Lewis and fitted properly and then take a view on what to do.

When I finally did this, I went from a (crap fitting and uncomfortable) M & S 36AA to a (comfortable and well fitting) 32C. I used to hardly ever wear bras because they were never comfortable. Now I've got the right size, there sort of seems a point to them. I'm still pretty perky for 42 and I can definitely get away without a bra but I just have a better shape when I wear one.

signothetimes · 21/08/2011 23:17

I've been having an argument with myself over this - desperate to ditch the bra but not got the guts to let them roam free in public Blush. Been considering the support vest type things but then got sucked in by a late night TV advert 'infomercial' (you know the ones where it's the serious hard sell, american, the best invention since sliced bread kind of thing). I succumbed and this is what I bought

ahh bra

On the upside, they are very comfortable, but with little actual support - I can live with the norkage at least being held down as opposed to propped up. On the downside, I've almost dislocated both shoulders putting it on as it rolls up as you pull it over your head.

LeBJOF · 21/08/2011 23:24

I only say that as an ex-bra fitter. In my experience, the vast majority of people who think they are an A cup are actually wearing a band-size several inches too big. What is the actual measurement in inches around your ribcage, holding the tape quite tightly?

Glenshee · 21/08/2011 23:33

I also wonder why 38A should ring alarm bells. Sounds similar to mine.

I am 36AA - which is smaller than A. Sizes like this are practically non-existent. The one and only thing that fits me (sort of) is Primark 36A. And I still hate them, hate them, hate them, because let's face it the sole purpose of AA bras is to make people around you comfortable - not you!

I do go out and about without bras, but have to wear bras for work every day (very formal dress code, often full suit, so no getting away...) Otherwise I keep an eye on tops that look ok without bras, thicker fabric or embroidery, or for a girly look - a vest and a see-through shirt as a second layer. I am always conscious of what people might think, but wearing a bra is such a torture that I really really can't stand it beyond my working hours.

I bought a Voile Maxi Dress from Boden this season and it fits me perfectly without bras too. You wouldn't be able to tell whether there are any bras underneath!

HouseOfBamboo · 21/08/2011 23:35

They certainly aren't essential, but you'll have a better 'shape' with one. How important that is is a personal choice.

I think these Sloggi ones are a good compromise for the smaller bust if you hate conventional bras. Don't give a marvellous shape admittedly, but on the other hand you don't get the urge to rip them out from under your top the minute you walk through the door when you get home, which is always a bonus.

ThatVikRinA22 · 21/08/2011 23:39

once upon a time, i went to a local bra/underwear shop and asked for the size i thought i was

i thought i was a 34A.

the old dear in there said "ill sell you one if you want, but you are not a 34A"

taken aback i asked what i was. she looked at me and said i was probably a 32C. She then clamped her hands over my breasts....then brought me a selection of bras, all 32, between a C and a D cup.

and she was absolutely right. she taught me how to fit myself for a bra. you should have 2, not 4, the bra should be worn on its loosest catch to allow for going baggy, it should not move at all when you raise your arms etc.

when i measured myself, according to the "rules" i was something stupid like a 38A - totally totally wrong! back then i was a size 10, weighed just over 8 stone, and no way on gods earth was my back a 38.

i think Lebjof is probably quite right.

Glenshee · 21/08/2011 23:39

Yes, Sloggi are good! I don't even consider them 'bras' as such... They don't add anything except an extra layer of clothing. Which is great.

HouseOfBamboo · 21/08/2011 23:41

Oh and I for one remain unconvinced that bras are only uncomfortable because I'm not wearing the band tight enough around my rib cage.

I fully accept that wearing it tighter and with a properly fitting cup will look good under clothes and might be considered a 'proper' fit. But I don't accept that wearing a narrow tight nylon band around the rib cage can ever be truly comfortable, to me anyway.

CardyMow · 21/08/2011 23:41

OP - YANBU, but I am [jealous]. If I went bra-less, I'd be tying them round my neck like a scarf. But then am still BF, and am currently a 36J. Normally I'm a 32G. Still has baby weight to lose.

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