To Bra or Not to Bra - That is the Burning Question...steemCreated with Sketch.

in #life7 years ago (edited)

Bras bug me.

I've been having ye olde bra debate in my head for years now.

And while I understand the practical benefits of bras for ladies who are generously gifted in the boob department, for us mere mortal women who are effectively in no danger of hurting ourselves without one...what's the point?

Ok, I'll admit, they look good.

But man, are they uncomfortable. Unless you take out a small mortgage and get yourself some of those tailor made, high end, made from silk bras that caress you like a soft, feathery kiss and make you feel like Claudia Schiffer.

At least, that's what I assume they do.

Mine have mostly been purchased from the likes of Matalan and Primark.

In my ideal world, bras are an accessory to be worn only when it's 'feel sexy' time. I attempt to be a non-bra wearing citizen on a regular basis. But when I'm running into school because I'm late to pick up the kids, and everything is flapping everywhere it just kinda feels wrong.

Like I'm some kind of brazen hussy displaying my wares for the world to see because I'm that kind of woman.

There was one time when I was in a bra-abandoning phase that my husband and I went out for a meal with my in-laws. Unfortunately the restaurant was annoyingly cold and I ended up going into the toilet and pushing pieces of toilet paper down my top to try and hide my nipples.

Not my finest hour.

But here's the thing that gets me...

What's with this feeling of shame that women have when they're not latching in and locking down their boobs?

It's not like it's the same when we wear short sleeved t-shirts or sandals.

Shit! People can see my arm! What will they think of me?

Oh my god! Everyone can see I've got toes!! Oh the shame!!

At the same time though, as much as I feel that there should be no issue surrounding going bra-less, I've gotta say I was dead set against that (thankfully fleeting) fashion of wearing jeans halfway down your bum in order to display the upper regions of your bum crack.

Although to be fair, that's just because it looks really crap.

I read somewhere recently that wearing underwired bras on a daily basis increases your risk of breast cancer. I have no idea if this is actually true or not, but it does seem reasonable that constantly pinching your boobs in with metal wire isn't going to be good for them.

So what's the answer here?

To bra or not to bra?

The bottom line is, it should be each and every woman's individual choice. No shame, no self consciousness, no problem. I know there are a bunch of cool gals out there who genuinely don't give a crap about this, but then there are plenty more who still have this crazy body shame thing.

Perhaps if more women jumped on the no bra train, in time it really would be less of a thing.

And then we could all go around flapping everything everywhere and feel just dandy about it.

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Thanks for reading, I really appreciate it!! Here are some more posts you might like...

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No bra is the best. Bra is unhealthy. Do you think the cavewoman used a bra? 5092467-01e.jpg

Let your tits swing freely(o)(o) !

I've gotta say, those tan lines suggest that a bra or similar has been worn quite a lot in this case. :)

Yes, I saw that after I posted it:)

Man does not have this issue. I think health is the most important for women to wear bras.

Yes, health should always be top of the list!

Despite having no skin in the game (literally in his case) I've wondered about this a lot.

I read somewherea while back (can't find the article yet) that the mostly, the entire notion sagging is really due to overwearing bras and skin losing its elasticity as a result. Is there any truth to that?

Oh yes, you've reminded of this - I'm sure I've read it somewhere too... that bras contribute to sagging over the years rather than help you avoid it. I guess it kinda makes sense, because your chest muscles are not having to work at all if you are wearing a bra. Interesting...

Well muscles notwithstanding, your skin's natural elasticity isn't being used. So it stops reinforcing with all the movement.

Right yes, it stands to reason... I did a little reading around and apparently bras can negatively affect both the skin elasticity and also the muscles in the breasts called 'suspension muscles' which work with connective tissue structures to keep everything supported.

Oh I was wondering about that!
If we had some kind of muscle working to hold them up.

Hahahahaaaa!!! Oh my God, I'm dying here! And I could not agree more with everything in this, from the Bras bug me (oh they do) to the feeling like it's wrong to be flapping and flopping when running into a public place, LOL. Oh, and the arse-crack showing fashion, yep, about as attractive as what comes out of said arse crack.

I'm going to put up a color challenge/newbie promotional post , and you-and this- are definitely being featured :)

about as attractive as what comes out of said arse crack.

Hahaha! Perfectly put!!

So glad you liked. Thank you VERY much again for the feature!!

I'm with you on this. It's a cultural obsession in the west. We've bound our breasts, corseted them, and crammed them into bras for generations now to please the eye of those with power. Or to hide them from those in power. Personally, in the winter, you'll likely find me braless, under a couple of shirts and sweater, even when I go out.

Your point is valid, we've been made to feel so much shame about everything that nature has provided us with. Decency is subjective and no matter how old I get, I always have this voice in my head asking me if what I'm wearing is decent, will I bring shame upon myself? Sometimes I tell it to bog off, but I'm not comfortable. I know I should be, but, DECENCY. It's so irritating being a strong, liberated woman with this nagging constant reminder from your childhood.

Great post, lady, and keep them coming! :)

Oh yeah, I know that voice too. Where did it come from? My mum? My mum's mum? It's just a little voice that's been passed down through generations of women now. Gawd bless those winter sweaters though - makes it a much easier choice!

Cheers @smuggly-sparrow :)

@smuggly-sparrow
nice comment for a great post...your submission is on point...so not to bra option...when do we start burning those bras!

Yeah! hail to no bra! You girls will extend the lifespan of guys! xD

@johleen
I support the no bra option...but am curious... was hoping to see some images of your chest so as to wonder how you may be when the not to bra option becomes popular..but its ok... i will keep thinking...
nice post dear... for the issue of wearing under wired bras... it may be true...
thanks for sharing this wonderful piece with lots of humor to it...

Tut tut... curiosity killed the cat you know!

Well...that curiosity is already killing this kitty steemian who loves the not to endowed kinda bra less size!;)
Nice one dear...love ur work. Find time to also read my articles...

Sure thing, I'll check out your page :)

wow... this post just came to me in the right time! I have a lot to say about this issue you know?
because well.. my boobs are small and don't go flapping everywhere so I really think is pointless for me to wear bra on a daily basis, but once again oh, society and its ridiculous rules...
I live in south america where this topic is so far behind and men sexualize SO MUCH boobs, natural-non natural and it really feels uncomfortable when some crusty men see you with thirst (as I said, I try to wear bra the less possible I can, so it have happened to me several times and yikes!).

Casually, today I bought a bra non underwired because I can't stand the rigid sensation of the metal,I didn'tknow it could cause cancer too.
Anyway, I just really really hope that in a future women can wear clothes without bra AND without shame or fear for being sexualized when is not.
I personally don't feel any shame for a part of my body that is just that, a nice part and that's all. But I know is not like that for most, like for example I have a sister who hates being without bra, she's the one that makes me sometimes wear one at my own home! when visits come etc.
I just think still is SO pointless....
This is such an awesome post.

And an awesome comment, thank you! I have the same hopes for the future. It's not nice to feel vulnerable just because you are not strapping in. :)

I like them bazooka style bras that shoot stuff. 👍

Still laughing while I am locked in my worse, daily nightmare because my boobs are just too big to let them free.

I saw this cute article a bit late but really enjoyed all your vibrant stories so far.

Wonderful to meet you.

Oh @mammasitta!! I'm so glad you are enjoying, I'm going to head over to your page now. :)

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