Plus size models, no bra- what’s going on?!

[TheIsaacs]

I’ve been looking for a dress for my sisters wedding over the last couple of days. I’m plus size myself and want something flowy with a nice neckline and sleeves.

I’ve noticed this weird trend on asos and H&M of some of the plus size models seemingly not wearing a bra. Has anyone else noticed this? What the hell is it about? It ruins the line of the dresses and makes them look baggy. There’s one in particular that I think if you put a bra on and actually lifted your boobs, the neckline would come under the bra!

I can’t buy the dresses and not wear a bra so it put it’s me off buying them massively. Am I the only one who can’t see why they would do this?

Examples:

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1019981001.html

www.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-dobby-shirred-wrap-maxi-dress-in-blue/prd/201963458

www.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-dobby-twist-front-pleated-midi-dress-with-all-over-embroidery-in-navy/prd/201024988

I was watching a video where apparently these models are not plus size in the real sense - they take padding and wear it to appear plus size. Might explain it.

@NrlySp the second link doesn't work for me but the model in the first one is definitely plus sized. You can see by the size of her forearms.
@TheIsaacs the no bra thing is weird! It really doesn't enhance the look at all!

They all seem to be leaning back to me as well.

Tbh no cross front dress ever comes up high enough for me. I normally put a stitch in them to keep my modesty.

I would say by the way their arms and boobs appear they are definitely plus size models.

You’re right @jeremyjamjam it doesn’t enhance it at all. I’m not sure if it’s some hangover from smaller models not wearing bras so they don’t either, or whether younger people in general are just wanting to forgo bras? If I didn’t wear a bra with any of those dresses, my boobs would be round my waist and it wouldn’t look decent to wear in front of Granny or old aunt Doris!

@WhiteJellycat yes I would maybe make an adjustment too, but in the case of the two asos ones I think wearing a bra would make the neckline come under the bra! Which is a shame because I really like the darker blue one but I don’t know how it would fit with normal underwear!

[quote jeremyjamjam]@NrlySp the second link doesn't work for me but the model in the first one is definitely plus sized. You can see by the size of her forearms.
@TheIsaacs the no bra thing is weird! It really doesn't enhance the look at all! [/quote]
If you search "twist front midi dress" it will come up.

The OP is correct- it does the model no favours

I assume this is the dress on the OP's second link?

It may be because the youth of today seem to be forgoing bras and either letting it all hang out or wearing crop tops with very little support. So I guess they are just going with the flow of that.

Yes that’s the one.

Totally agree op, and I've noticed it myself. Does nothing for the models and nothing to sell the dress! Whether you're plus size, or just have big breasts, the vast majority of women in either category would benefit from a bra for support.

Asos has been doing this for ages ( and in bikinis ) and it doesn't look great tbh.

I'm a 16/18 and I wouldn't go without a bra - even my swimsuits are underwired!

It seems to have become more commonplace in warmer weather for young women not to wear a bra. It may not be the same as in the 70s with bra burning, but still a noticeable trend.

And that this is the other one?

It's not as bad as the other examples

Probably because lots of women, plus size or not, don't wear bras every day now. I'm 31 and most of my friends only wear bras occasionally and even then they mostly wear soft ones not underwire. Mix of body shapes from 12 to 24 and busts c cup to f

It's the same in non-plus designs too - neckline cut to just above the waist so unless you have the benefit of perky or enhanced boobs, the dress simply isn't going to fit well.

Even then, you're very likely to show more than intended - check the video on this one when she crouches down there's a quick adjustment!

www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-dobby-shirred-wrap-frill-waist-maxi-dress-in-brown-spot/prd/200962540?clr=brown-spot&colourWayId=200962542&SearchQuery=dobby+dress

@hellosunshineagainx I didn’t realise this. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t wear a bra every day (as far as I know of course) I know they’re uncomfortable but my norms would be even more in the way if they weren’t strapped in.

@KimikosNightmare yes that’s the second dress. I really like that one but I’m not sure how it would look with a bra, so it puts me off buying.

[quote TheIsaacs]@hellosunshineagainx I didn’t realise this. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t wear a bra every day (as far as I know of course) I know they’re uncomfortable but my norms would be even more in the way if they weren’t strapped in.

@KimikosNightmare yes that’s the second dress. I really like that one but I’m not sure how it would look with a bra, so it puts me off buying.[/quote]
I wore them right up to my mid twenties, then switched to bralettes and now I barely even wear those 🤣 I'm only a D though so they don't get in the way

I agree that it is a deeply unflattering look. I would have thought a bra could be worn under the H & M dress and the Curve dobby twist front pleated midi dress with all over embroidery in navy.

It’s fashion - feminism, androgyny and gender fluidity debates being reflected in fashion ‘blokes don’t wear a bra, why should women wear a sex specific item of clothing?’

Also - ‘if slim women don’t ‘have’ to wear a bra, why ‘should’ larger women?’

Body confidence, size acceptance also being reflected in fashion.

It makes the clothes look like a shapeless sack, no idea why they do it. Maybe models never wear bras and its just more noticable if they have boobs?

I'm now 51 and I've always been comfortable not wearing a bra. It wasn't that they needed support as I was just a DD but more that I did care enough to wear a bra. It always seemed like a pointless garment to me.

I've since had a bilateral mastectomy so no need to think about it any more.

It's a way of disguising the fact it doesn't fit any woman that size - what do you mean it's cut down to the overhang? If you let your tits flop onto your stomach, they'll catch a bit of it.

@Greyhare

It may be because the youth of today seem to be forgoing bras and either letting it all hang out or wearing crop tops with very little support. So I guess they are just going with the flow of that.

I don’t really see how a bra would work with the first two dresses because of the cut anyway. I do agree with this comment tho^ I think that’s why

I think it's because you can't wear any of those dresses and a bra without the bra showing at the front. I wear crop tops under most of my dresses of that style for exactly that reason.

I'm more uncomfortable without a bra tbh, too much sweaty underboob leading to infection if I don't bother and I don't like the way they flop about now that I'm older/larger/post breastfeeding.