By 
A few weeks ago, my friend asked me if I would do a post about braless fashion. I have a very long list of potential blog posts—and I’ve talked about bras on the blog before—but I’ve never considered doing a post about the *lack* of over-the-shoulder-bolder-holders. So what’s the first thing I did after receiving this request? I started going braless myself, duh!
I also conducted some very scientific, very thorough research on Instagram (and by thorough, I mean three polls and a question box). The results were SO. INTERESTING. and I’m super excited to share them below.
First, I asked it plain and simple: Do you ever go braless?
Of the 87 responses, 62 people voted, ‘Heck yes!’ and 25 people voted, ‘Ew, no.’ That’s 71% to 29%. Surprised?
Next, I asked why those who voted yes choose to go braless. They could pick from the following four options:
- Bras are uncomfortable.
- Bras are a pain to wash.
- I like the way it feels without one better.
- Why does society make me wear a bra in the first place??
And the results were…drumroll please…
- 34 votes for “Bras are uncomfortable.” Not surprising, as I think the majority of women would agree that bras can be super annoying sometimes.
- 4 votes for “Bras are a pain to wash.” Am I the only one whose bras pile up at the bottom of the dirty clothes hamper because they’re supposed to be hand-washed?
- 19 votes for “I like the way it feels without one better.”
- 13 votes for “Why does society make me wear a bra in the first place??” If I were a Sociology major instead of a Criminology major, I could write my thesis about the societal norm of bra-wearing and its history. Honestly sounds kind of interesting.
I then asked why people choose *not* to go braless, and they were given the following four choices:
- I hate the way it feels.
- I hate the way it looks.
- I’m worried about see-through clothes/flashing someone.
- I need the support of a bra.
Forty-three people responded with the following breakdown:
- 9 votes for “I hate the way it feels.” You either love that loose, *exposed* feeling or find it very disconcerting.
- 10 votes for “I hate the way it looks.” I am a bra-wearer through and through, and personally, this is the deal breaker for me! I feel very self-conscious about…dare I say it…nipping.
- 10 votes for “I’m worried about see-through clothes/flashing someone.” What if you’re wearing a loose shirt and drop a pen on the ground and bend over to pick it up? #oops
- 15 votes for “I need the support of a bra.” I honestly can’t relate to this one (if you haven’t read my post about the IBTC, you should) but I can imagine the struggle.
And now, onto arguably the best part of today’s blog post, YOUR words. Several people reached out to me either through my DMs or through the question box on my Stories to share their strong opinions about bra wearing (or the lack thereof).
When asked, “Braless fashion: yay or nay?” these are some of the responses of people who said YAY:
“Yay, definitely a lot more comfy.”
“Honestly a lot of my tops just look better [braless].”
“[I only go braless] if I’m feeling really lazy/spending most of the day at home.”
“In 2020 I said goodbye to bras with wires and it’s been amazing.”
“Huge fan of [going braless] with the right attire.”
“Only wear a bra when I feel like it, not when it’s societally expected.”
“Yes!!! I usually go [braless], however not in public unless I am wearing a strapless dress.”
“Honestly because some tops are just impossible to wear with a bra.”
“Love love love going braless! But with the ladies a little larger I often wear an unlined sports bra.”
“Yay! Super easy and comfortable! Sometimes hard for me since I have 4D.”
“Usually because [a bra] doesn’t work with my outfit or I’m just not in the mood.”
And here are the thoughts of people who said NAY, they do NOT like to go braless:
“I feel so lazy without one lol and think it just looks better when you have one.”
“I wish it was normalized! I’m anxious to go out without [a bra] because of what others may see/think.”
“I’m braless at home a lot but never in public. I’m a D cup and I worry it’s noticeable.”
“After pregnancy and breastfeeding my two kids I need a bra. I have to have support now!”
“Def go braless around the house, but not in public! Don’t want it to be see-through.”
“Nay! Too big of a chest! Plus droopy is not a good look.”
“I only would go braless at home…never in public.”
“I think it’s a yay because it feels comfortable but I feel like it’s a nay if someone can see LOL.”
“Always braless at home or sleeping. Only braless out if I’ve got a baggy sweatshirt on.”
“I wish I could [go braless] but I’m a DDD and if I don’t [wear one] my back hurts.”
“Okay I know this is weird because I’m only a B cup but it’s SO MUCH MOVEMENT without a bra. Like, I can’t. So I always wear a bra but go wireless so it’s more comfortable.”
“I do not ever go braless at all because I wear bras all the time everywhere.”
SO fun to hear everyone’s opinions and perspectives, right?? In my own braless pursuits, I found myself reaching for very particular items—either bulky sweaters or patterned/textured pieces in an attempt to hide the braless-ness underneath. Layers were my friend for the same reason, and I also only wore items with higher necklines. V-necks were a big no-no and so were t-shirts—too thin of a material for my liking! You can see some of my braless outfits below.
I lovvve today’s blue and black outfit and felt so confident when wearing it, despite the lack of a bra! But I did find myself hunching more than usual because good posture without a bra kinda seems to say, “Hey you! Look at my loose boobies!” I picked this velvet geometric blouse because of the pattern, but when I stepped out of my bedroom (and into the natural light) I realized it might be a little see-through. I was definitely living on the edge.
As I wrap up today’s post, I’d like to leave you with one final thought. I once watched the 2013 movie Bad Words starring Jason Bateman (not a family friendly film), in which the young boy character did not know bras existed. He said something along the lines of, “I thought some women were born with those pointy things (nipples) and some weren’t.” If that doesn’t perfectly sum up the difference between Team Bra and Team Braless, I don’t know what does.
So what do you think??? Have you been pulled to one side or the other after hearing the convincing arguments presented in today’s research findings? Are you Team Bra or Braless? Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this ‘study’, and I hope you at least got a laugh out of today’s post.
Have a great weekend!
Miles of smiles,
Grace
Black Velvet Blouse: JCPenney, $15, last worn here | Mom Jeans: Express, $40, last worn here | Black Knee Boots: Clarks via DSW, gift, last worn here | Pearl Belt: Francesca’s, $5, last worn here
I’d love to be team braless- for ALL the reasons mentioned. But alas, if you have big boobs it just ain’t happenin’. Great post and great topic!
~Melissa xx
https://freshairandfalselashes.com
Thanks so much, Melissa! Glad you enjoyed!
Going braless is the most comfortable thing a person with boobs could do because as we all know, wearing a bra for hours on end can feel constricting. It’s actually been years since I’ve gone without a bra in public, but I often do it at home and it feels amazing 🙂 Thanks for sharing and have a good day. Aiva 🙂 xxx
Thanks Aiva! I agree, I’m all for braless at home!
You go girl! You look so cute as always!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Thank you!!
The best part of working from home this past year is wearing comfy clothes all day every day and NO BRA 😀
Hahaha YESSSS!!
What a great thesis for someone out there!! It’s definitely a personal decision and one that can change throughout our lives.
For me, I used to snub the idea of braless. and I still can’t go out in public that way. BUT I love the newer versions of bras (like Shapeez and Ruby Ribbon) that have a wider band…more of a stretchy material) that makes me forget I even am wearing one!!!
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I agree Jodie! I am a-okay with wearing bras, haha! But the comfier ones are definitely preferred.
I really need to go and get fitted again. It makes a world of difference in appearance ans comfort.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
So true! A good fitting bra can feel amazing.
This is a great post – I love the research you did here – so interesting! Since quarantine I’ve gone for the in-between crop top bra to reduce nip visibility but, most importantly, maintain highest levels of comfort as possible. Underwire? Sorry I don’t know her :’)
Thanks for sharing <3
//teandtwosugars.blogspot.com xx
Hahaha thanks so much Georgia! Glad you enjoyed the post!
This revolution of bra-less fashion really has me all twisted. I absolutely love the freedom you feel while going bra-less but, the constant fear of somebody judging me always changes my mind to do it. Thankfully bras companies today have been comping out with better and more comfortable bras for people of all sized! I really commend you for trying out this style and still being so confident. As always thank you for sharing your love for fashion with the world!
XOXO,
Emma 🙂
Thank you so much Emma!! I completely understand why you feel all twisted about it. Maybe someday it will become completely normalized? Although I have to admit, I’m okay with it not being normalized, haha!
Brilliant post, Grace! I have been fascinated with the progression of how we came to “require” bras as well. I think bras are awful and uncomfortable and I would absolutely go braless if my boobs weren’t huge OR if society had not taught us that huge droopy boobs are bad. I find this very fascinating from a sociology standpoint! If you can go braless and are comfortable that way, I say cheers to you! I just am not comfortable without one if I leave my house. I never wear one at home. You look fabulous in your braless outfits, my friend!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you Shelbee!! It is interesting, isn’t it? I much prefer wearing a bra but this was a good little experiment to do!
I love going braless! In fact I frequently try on tops without a bra when shopping, to see if I can get away with it and it has a big impact on whether or not I make the purchase. Vests are also a braless girl’s best friend x
Oooh so interesting! That’s a good idea, thanks for sharing!
Really interesting post Grace, it’s not a subject that gets talked about very much and you have to wonder why! I prefer going braless but with girls that are 36dd it’s not something I could do in public. When I was younger maybe!
Thanks for stopping by! It was so interesting to hear everyone’s opinions. 🙂
I always kind of wished I could go braless, .. small breasts in halter tops in the summer… but no, I don’t/can’t. Gravity has taken over a bit, so it is much more attractive for me to wear a bra. I dont like underwire, so I have the Soma bra without . You look great! Now, I will say, during quarentine when I am wearing a nightgown or pjs, I am bra free at home!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
I definitely go braless at home all the time too! But I am not a fan of braless outside the house. Although, being able to rock it and feel comfortable is definitely a bonus with those skimpy summer tops.
It was interesting seeing the different responses! I think a lot of it comes down to the stage of life you’re in too! I was definitely someone who went bra less now and then before kids (so much easier than trying to find the perfect strapless bra which I am convinced does not exist!). But after pregnancy and breastfeeding, I need the support, haha! Bras all the way!
Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! 🙂
I think you’re so right Mica! I would be interested to know if all the braless lovers convert to bra wearers after having their own kids, haha! But I agree, good strapless bras do not exist!
Very interesting. I ditched wearing a bra in 2019 at the age of 43 after having 3 mammograms in a row that showed cysts and/or enlarged lymph nodes. At first I was very self conscious at work but after buying and wearing pasties I felt much more comfortable and my confidence grew. I sew all my clothes and recently remeasured myself as I have lost weight the past few months. Surprisingly my bust has grown. I used to be a B cup, but am now a D cup. I also have had clear mammograms since ditching bras. I do have a few sports bras that I wear only with certain workout tanks that have low armholes. Otherwise I let them be free.
That is so interesting! Thanks so much for sharing. The pasties idea is a great one, I think that would make me a lot more comfortable with going braless, too.
I think bra versus braless varies by country too. Many other countries women go topless at the beach. So seeing breasts is not the big deal it is in countries like the United States.
That’s a good point!