Why wear a bra?

[BettyCF]

Not a question from a 14 year old boy !

I’ve seen several threads here about boobs and bras. Many posters says things like “ I hate my bra and the first thing I do when I get home is take it off”

Surely in today’s liberated and freedom loving society we should be free to go around in public without a bra – or is that only for the brave? Are we really forced to wear something we don’t want to just to please others (men?, other women?, the boss at work?)

Of course, some of us feel physically more comfortable in a bra – especially if you have heavy breasts. But is a bra necessary to be comfortable in the head?

B

[LadyVetinari]

My bra size is 28HH. Without a bra, I can't walk fast, bend over, cycle, or do cardio exercise without pain. I just bought 2 Shock Absorber sports bras and, for the first time ever, I can run without the need to adopt the T.Rex stance for extra support...

I still like unhooking my bra at the back when I get home, as the clasp digs in at the back after a couple of hours of slumping on the sofa if I don't.

[MirandaWest]

I have small breasts (30C). With some clothes I don't wear a bra but with others my clothes look nicer with a bra and I get some cleavage too. I don't understand the taking your bra off the moment you get into the house as I find I am comfortable with or without a bra. But maybe if mine were bigger I would feel different?

[sebsmummy1]

I wear sports bras mainly because I don't want them jigging about or down around my armpits. Plus they give me a better shape in my clothes.

[Bunbaker]

Thank you MaryLou2. I am not in proportion either so it makes me even more self conscious. My hips are 6 inches bigger than my bust, so I have to be very careful about what I wear.

[Marylou2]

Bunbaker, I think it's good to debate this as I admit to being hugely jealous of other women with smaller boobs.I don't think I'd ever have a reduction but I dream of the freedom to move, sleep and dress more freely. Your post outlines beautifully the view from the opposite side of the fence where the grass is not any greener.

[squoosh]

Well thank God bras have been 'forced' on me, as it's 100 times more comfortable than going without one! Have never heard anyone describe a corset as being comfortable.

[PigeonPie]

Betty I agree with you completely. I think that bras have been forced upon us as the 'norm' just like corsets were in the 19th and early 20th centuries - all part of the accepted 'look' of women and anything else was (and is) considered unacceptable.

I've heard of dress codes, both here and the US which demand bras, which I find unreasonable, it shouldn't be for them to dictate our underwear.

I also don't agree with sending bras to the 'third' world. It's putting our ideals on women who have never worn them before and is, frankly, unnecessary.

[NeverKnowinglyUnderstood]

I hate wearing a bra but I do like the way they make my boobs look.
they are big and full and without a bra my nipples are lower than my elbows. It depresses me.

If I could have a procedure to be a c/d cup I would

[curiousuze]

I used to go bra-less comfortably but since having DS I have a giant chest which I hate. It's really uncomfortable, they flap around everywhere and get sweaty underneath, I have to wear two sports bras to exercise, and if I go bra-less they jiggle around like potatoes boiling in a pot. Plus PERMANENT erect nipples makes everything bar a t-shirt bra look porny. And t-shirt bras make the mega tits look even more mega so it's lose lose...

[Nocomet]

I just cant keep the straps on the stupid things on my narrow shoulders, so I hate them with a passion and wish they would just cease to exist, like girdles have.

[Snog]

Bunbaker you prove my point! And yes I've never had much in the way of boobage, or wanted it. Women who have boob jobs or want them aren't generally flat chested to start with ime. I dont think small boobs are any less sexy and wouldn't fancy any bloke who thought mine were too small!

[holmessweetholmes]

I would happily not wear a bra if I found them uncomfortable. The reason I wear a bra is because they support my boobs and stop them wobbling around uncomfortably. I never get it when people say they are relieved to take theirs off when they get home - maybe they are wearing the wrong size.

[Bunbaker]

Snog Do you know what it is like to be so flat chested that you need a bra to not look like a boy?
Do you know what it is like to buy clothes that sag emptily where your boobs should be because you can't fill that part of the outfit?
Do you know what it is like to feel so self conscious and unfeminine because you lack curves?
Do you know how frustrating it is trying to find a bra small enough to accommodate your lack of curves?
Do you know how hurtful it is to be called flat chested by the boy that you fancy?

That said, I still wouldn't have a boob job. And smaller bras are much easier to buy these days. But I don't have much sympathy for curvy women who bemoan their curves. FGS just buy a decent bra and celebrate them.

[Snog]

Big boobs joggling around are quite attention grabbing and look uncomfortable imo. Small boobs not really an issue in the same way. Agree it should be a free personal choice though.
Surgery to increase boob size is the one that leaves me flummoxed. Why on earth would you???!!!

[squoosh]

I never understand those 'take my bra off as soon as I get in the door' posts. For me a bra is a thing that greatly increases my comfort rather than restricts it. Wearing a bra I can walk, run, jump, and dance with ease and without a second thought. Without a bra doing these things causes my large breasts to drag and sag.

[TulipOHare]

Mine are smallish but I don't feel comfortable without one. They sag. I do take off my proper bra when I am home for the day, but I switch it for a sleep bra, just a soft crop-top type of thing.

I did used to go braless when I was younger and could pass the pencil test, in fact I never thought anything of it, really, until a lecherous man commented "you never wear a bra, do you?" and I was genuinely surprised that (a) anyone was looking and (b) they could tell

[Nocomet]

I hadn't realised, not showing your buttocks was the original reason for girdles. I always assumed (early '70s) DM just wore one because she's a bit large.

For some reason she stopped wearing one before I was old enough to get round to asking.

I do know they looked very hot and uncomfortable and felt sexist even to a six year old. I've never warn spandex because it triggers the same feelings.

I guess bras, make up and shaving my legs do too.

Dear society why do I have to do all this fucking time wasting rubbish and wear this stupid thing when men don't!

[ErrolTheDragon]

I hope someone invents something more comfortable
The most comfortable support I know of is a wetsuit, but that doesn't really work well on dry land

[ArsePaste]

I wear a bra because if I don't, my knees tend to get sweaty.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I think it's left over from Victorian corsets - I hope someone invents something more comfortable or we just do without and let them go free!

[ErrolTheDragon]

My post really concentrated on why society makes us wear bras

I really don't believe it does. If you don't want to wear one, just don't.

[ErrolTheDragon]

I wear a bra because when I don't, I need to manually support my boobs if running, or walking up and down stairs. Quite a lot of the time I wear a sports bra - I see this as being liberating, rather than the reverse, allowing me to be as active as a bloke in comfort.

It's nice to take it off in the evening when I can lounge around and am not carrying stuff up and down stairs. As someone says, like taking off your shoes.

[sybilfaulty]

When I qualified as a solicitor in 1996, the "lady fee earners" as we were called (ie the solicitors as opposed to support staff) were not allowed to wear trousers! That's not even 20 years ago. My firm was very traditional but still. They didn't say anything about bras though....

I have big boobs and always wear one. Even when I come home and put pyjamas on I still have the bra until I go yo bed. I wouldn't like to be seen outside the house without one. And too uncomfortable.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Each boob weighs a stone.

My comedy breasts need support.

[helzapoppin2]

BettyCF, sometimes I find them really restricting. I was out one night, walking through a city, trying to keep up with everybody and thinking "Youre feeling your age, girl!" We arrived at the destination, I unhooked my bra, and on the return journey, walked back in comfort and happiness.
Why do we have to have a thick band of elastic round our chests? I also believe I'm not in need of an intervention, size wise.