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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I being unreasonable not to wear a bra?

151 replies

Nomorebras · 06/03/2016 21:17

Reasons being that:

  1. I find them uncomfortable
  2. They make my boobs look weird
  3. I don't think I need one.

Why do we see them as such a vital piece of clothing?

OP posts:
228agreenend · 06/03/2016 22:19

I went bra-less today and layered up. I quite like it (have small boobs).

However, I would never go bra-less for work, in the summer etc because I don't like my nipples showing. I'd rather wear a t-shirt bra and have a nice, smooth shape. (Obviously, I don't expose my nipples to the unsuspecting public, but would rather their shape hidden, if that makes sense)

SoupDragon · 06/03/2016 22:20

Why do we see them as such a vital piece of clothing

Because I don't want my breasts down by my knees.

If you don't want or need to wear one, go ahead. I don't care. I'm sure no one does.

EBearhug · 06/03/2016 22:20

I am small-chested, and mostly don't wear one. I do wear one for exercise (except swimming), but that's more to do with having done yoga poses where my T-shirt didn't stay in place when I was upside down, and that's just less embarrassing with a bra than without. It would be uncomfortable if I ran, but a history of ankle injuries means I don't run. I do have bras (indeed, I bought a new one yesterday), and there are some dresses and tops I wear a bra with. But most days, I am braless.

OttiliaVonBCup · 06/03/2016 22:21

I didn't wear one until my late 20s.
Then I discovered how pretty they can be.

SecretWitch · 06/03/2016 22:25

I would love to tell my bras to FOTTFSOF but my boobs are ginormous. I wear them during the day and during work outs. The minute I am home, I fling them off and run free. Bliss.

abbsismyhero · 06/03/2016 22:29

i war them because my nipples stick out an awful lot and i cant get a man to look me in the face once they have spotted that fact its like they are hypnotised or something (not every man of course im exaggerating)

horseygeorgie · 06/03/2016 22:31

When I was younger, I used to desperately want bigger boobs. Now I'm older I dream of a nice B cup! Would love to go braless but it just isn't pretty as mine are a bit saggy. Also they just feel uncomfortable. And I do alot of riding and it could get painful!

duckyneedsaclean · 06/03/2016 22:32

Oh I get all sweaty underneath if I don't wear a bra. Plus they keep getting caught on things.

TriJo · 06/03/2016 22:36

I can't imagine leaving the house without wearing one. I'm not very comfortable without one, but then again I'm 38 weeks pregnant and up to a 32J-JJ (an increase of 6-7 cup sizes) so I have an excuse!

It's an individual choice though - if you don't like them or don't find them comfortable that's your own choice.

TheWeeBabySeamus1 · 06/03/2016 22:37

I haven't worn a bra since I was pregnant with DS (15mo). I don't know what happened, I just suddenly found them unbearable and still do. I've bought loads of "comfy" styles and still feel like I'm in a vice.

I really need to start wearing one soon though - I had to wear a coat all last summer Blush.

Ohdearohdearme · 06/03/2016 22:38

YANBU.

The first thing I do when I get home is take my bra off.

I find them insanely uncomfortable (and yes, I have been fitted properly.)

Over the years (due to weight gain / loss) I have been many different bra sizes. At present I am a 36DD and find it very difficult to exercise without a sports bra, otherwise I'm jiggling all over the place.

However, if I'm sitting still or doing everyday activities, I don't feel as if I need a bra at all. The only reason why I feel I have to wear one in public is because I have sticky out nippes and without the cushioning effect of a bra, it looks as though I'm smuggling peanuts!

queenMab99 · 06/03/2016 22:40

When I was aged under 40, I was comfortable without a bra, and stayed a good shape, the only problem was that my niipples stuck out like chapel hat pegs, attracting unwanted attention from the wrong sort of men. I did think of disguising them with cornplasters but decided to conform and wear a bra.

GreatFuckability · 06/03/2016 22:44

I hate going bra-less. I wear one at all timed unless I'm in the shower/bath or having sex. But you do what works for you!

PaulAnkaTheDog · 06/03/2016 22:45

I pray for the day I win the lottery and can have a reduction and I'm not even that big! 32E and permanently jealous of my small breasted friends who can wear vest tops without a bra. Envy

EmbroideryQueen · 06/03/2016 22:48

YADNBU

However, I would be a bit careful about wearing white shirts to work, given even wearing no tights is considered very unprofessional in many workplaces.

honeylulu · 06/03/2016 22:48

I'm very small chested but hate not wearing a bra. Reasons: seem to have no shape or structure to fit my clothes without one. Have quite prominent and upwardly pointing nips. Feel physically more comfy with one on- I'm quite active and sporty but even everyday stuff is the same. Feel like I'm slobbing in pjs without one.
I've heard people say before that they hate wearing bras, that they're so uncomfortable, that it's a true pleasure to come home and take it off asap. Given that a bra is supposed to add structure and support I always think "you're wearing the wrong bra mate, or at least the wrong size!"
But if you're happier without, why do you care?

welcometouniversallychallenged · 06/03/2016 22:57

YANBU - I've not worn one for over a year. They suck.

Sixinabed · 06/03/2016 22:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sallystyle · 06/03/2016 23:02

I don't wear them. Well, I wear one very rarely, mostly if i'm wearing a low cut top and want to look like I have some cleavage. To deal with nipples showing in every day clothes and work uniform I wear a vest top underneath.

I am small chested, about an A, maybe a B if I measure them the MN way.

LeaveMyWingsBehindMe · 06/03/2016 23:03

I used to work in the same building as a woman who was quite big chested and er …floppy but never wore a bra. It was quite the most off-putting and weird thing having to walk towards or stand near her and find myself really not knowing where to look. I can only imagine that she was the absolute laughing stock of her office. I shudder to think about it.

I can't wait to take my bra off as soon as I am home for the rest of the day but there's no way on earth I'd leave the house without one. Apart from very small boobed slender people with a small cup size I can't help thinking that anyone who does this must be a bit weird, sorry.

GingerCuddleMonsterThe2nd · 06/03/2016 23:04

My breasticles are shop bought not home grown, I can go bra less in dark clothing at the office and nobody notices, I've only however done this when I'm behind on the laundry Blush

Usually I do Luke to wear a pretty bra, you are not being unreasonable however it is a nice feeling being bra less

ohtheholidays · 06/03/2016 23:05

I have to wear one,breastfed all 5DC and they won't stop bloody growing,the children or my boobs Grin

hollieberrie · 06/03/2016 23:06

I've found my people on this thread Grin. Hate bras with a passion.
I never wear one unless im attending a wedding or something. I have A cup boobs. Its just not necessary. And they mak me feel so trapped and trussed up. Ugh.

Sallyingforth · 06/03/2016 23:07

YANBU.
I never wear a bra at home. Only rarely wear one out depending on occasion and activity. I find them unnecessary and uncomfortable.
But I'm only 34 C or D (when I can be arsed to measure).
If I was much heavier then would probably force myself to wear one.

LeaveMyWingsBehindMe · 06/03/2016 23:08

And even for small boobed people, no bra often means we can see the outline of nipples through clothing, which isn't really appropriate for daytime/professional dressing in the workplace, is it? It's a decorum thing. It would be the same if guys came to work in the office in thin unstructured trousers with no underpants and their penis and balls unencumbered and flopping around all day, or baggy string vests with their armpit hair on show. It's just distracting and not very pleasant.