# Bra-less older women - does this look good? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 2, 2010, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360 "2010-07-02T22:50:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/81 "2010-07-03T18:51:15Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > What is your definition of ‘saggy tits’ though? \*\*NSFW \*\*if [Kim’s](http://www.celebgossipz.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/kim-cattrall-topless2.jpg) boobs are what you call ‘saggy’ (compared to ‘perky’ I suppose) then… well, I consider you illogical. > > ‘Sagging’ is **NSFW** [breast ptosis](http://www.beautifulself.com/images/ptosis_chart.jpg) in medical (more like plastic-surgical) terms. Kim Cattrall doesn’t have it. Remember that joke earlier in the thread about boobs in the oatmeal? I think that counts. Other than that, I have no bone in this fight. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/82 "2010-07-03T18:51:39Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I don’t want your $500 I want her $500, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get it. Even if it means Googling pictures of titties all day. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/83 "2010-07-03T19:21:34Z")
I admire your courage and perseverance. ---
**Author:** ![DivineComedienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c67d28/32.png) [@DivineComedienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DivineComedienne)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/84 "2010-07-03T19:57:55Z")
In my forties and I can still “pass” the pencil test, although not as easily as before. I was extremely flat chested until after the birth of my second child, now I’m average-sized, I guess. But after nursing two kids, I developed a “scoop” or “ski slope” appearance that is similar to Kim Cattrall’s. I had gone to see a plastic surgeon about a breast lift (WAY too involved and I’m WAY to squeamish), and he told me that it is very common in women who have breastfed to develop that concavity/loss of volume above the nipple - he said it’s a badge of honor that shows I’ve nursed my babies! So, where boobs are concerned, any shape and size is good, as long as I rock 'em? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/85 "2010-07-03T20:22:30Z")
Ignorance fought! For some reason, I always thought the pencil went _ **on top** _ of the boob. Heh. [personal anecdote] I have a really small chest. I’ve always had a really small chest, even when pregnant. I can’t think of any reason why I would need a bra. The general consensus seems to be that it’s tacky to post pictures of your breasts online, so you’ll just have to take my word for it. Gravitationally, they are pretty much where they’ve always been because, well, they’re just small. I hate elastic. The feeling of something thin and stretchy-tight in that place bugs me incessantly, and i also can’t stand that bulgy line you get. Yes, there are better bras now that don’t cause bulge, but all bras are also hot and sweaty; elastic especially so. Furthermore, I think it’s better to let your lymphatic system circulate freely wherever you can. Anyway, I have never worn a bra as a regular thing. (Sometimes I wear them for decoration, but that’s when I’m NOT going out.) Not two hours before I first saw this thread, I had been talking to my boyfriend about how some people seem scandalized by _ **the outline of a nipple.** _ I mean, nipples are one thing everybody has; they are not part of your genitalia, and they serve a functional purpose that is very basic. I was not dressed slutty at all – I had just come from work. I was wearing a shirt not particularly thin or low-cut. It’s just weird – I wonder if some people still just object to bralessness, period. [/personal anecdote] **DivineComedienne:** It’s funny, I was talking about this thread to my BF last night, and I said, I wonder if the OP is considering plastic surgery. It sorta sounded like that frame of mind. Honey, I have always suspected that my (our) generation was going to have some different issues with getting older because many of the current elements of stylishness began with us. (e.g., tattoos, unusual colored hair, piercings etc.) So, speaking as a peer, I want to say that yes, any shape and size of boob is great as long as you rock them! ---
**Author:** ![DivineComedienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c67d28/32.png) [@DivineComedienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DivineComedienne)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/86 "2010-07-03T21:21:19Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > **DivineComedienne:** It’s funny, I was talking about this thread to my BF last night, and I said, I wonder if the OP is considering plastic surgery. It sorta sounded like that frame of mind. Honey, I have always suspected that my (our) generation was going to have some different issues with getting older because many of the current elements of stylishness began with us. (e.g., tattoos, unusual colored hair, piercings etc.) > So, speaking as a peer, I want to say that yes, any shape and size of boob is great as long as you rock them! I had a nose job twenty years ago and it was the best money I ever spent! I had always been self-conscious about the bump on my nose, and having the surgery allowed me to just FORGET ABOUT MY NOSE and pay attention to other people instead. I didn’t look much different to anyone else, but to me, it was a spectacular difference, and it really freed me psychologically. I did look into breast augmentation/lift maybe 15 years ago, but frankly it wasn’t worth it (unlike the nose job). I have tried to just “accept” the way my boobs look, even with the changes of age; but I admit I haven’t seen enough boobs to know what’s normal. I would not have surgery, although I think it’s a great idea if it helps someone feel better about themselves (like my nose job). I don’t expect to look the same as I did as a young girl, but I think mine need a little support; but when I see these pictures of other older women, I wonder if they have the right idea. I don’t think it’s a flattering look, but I wondered if I was in the minority. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/87 "2010-07-03T22:14:35Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > Ignorance fought! For some reason, I always thought the pencil went _ **on top** _ of the boob. Heh. Me, too. I thought it was cleavage related, not about the bottom of the boob. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/88 "2010-07-03T22:20:28Z")
I dunno; maybe you just have to go by what _you_ think looks good. I’m thinking of a former boss of my husband’s whose wife came to the staff Christmas party in a low-cut top with boobs sort of hanging out everywhere (and she was probably closer to 50 than anything), and I thought it looked terrible, but she obviously thought she looked fine. I don’t see any need for surgery, though - just get a good bra and hike those puppies up. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/89 "2010-07-04T15:19:21Z")
Well, in similar spirit of the oatmeal joke, I can think of at least one reason to stay supported looking (Come on you guys. You know you’re awash in overmarketing here.) Here it is: Elderly woman calls doctor wanting to know where her heart is. She has a gun in her hand and intends to end it all. He tells her her heart is under her left nipple. Later that day she is admitted to the emergency room with a gunshot wound to the kneecap. Gotta say it breaks my heart all that hard work to win some freedom for women from the tyranny of appearance and watch it all snap back like a rubber band. One may say that we want it. There was that clear shining moment in my memory when we frisked in the Woodstock Nation with hairy legs and boobs of all shapes and sizes and the media looked upon it and found it good. But you can’t sell stuff to women with contentment with their natural bodies. . . ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/90 "2010-07-04T16:03:13Z")
Is the $500 still on offer? \*\* NSFW: \*\* [Playboy Centerfold June '69](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608445/popular/) [September '73](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608422/popular/) [January '67](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608423/popular/) [March '82](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608401/popular/)[October '54](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608398/popular/) [tOctober '55](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608390/popular/) [December '76](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608383/popular/) I could go on… Definitely not the norm, but this sort of boobage does occur in nature. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/91 "2010-07-04T17:28:43Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > Is the $500 still on offer? > \*\* > NSFW: > \*\* > [Playboy Centerfold June '69](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608445/popular/) > [September '73](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608422/popular/) > [January '67](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608423/popular/) > [March '82](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608401/popular/)[October '54](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608398/popular/) > [tOctober '55](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608390/popular/) > [December '76](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608383/popular/) > > I could go on… > > Definitely not the norm, but this sort of boobage does occur in nature. I would rate those all as “small.” ETA - except for '54, and her posture in the photo is going to preclude any pencil-holding ability. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/92 "2010-07-04T17:36:41Z")
I wonder what it would be like when the women with boob jobs get in their 70s and 80s. They would have muscle weakness and suffer the ravages of age while having their boobs stick out. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/93 "2010-07-04T23:28:04Z")
> [@Autolycus](#): > > Errr, I think I agreed with you, but it’s hard to know for sure. The roll-eyes is getting old dude. My reply was only 3 short sentences, but at least it was something. Her diatribe deserved nothing but eye-rolling. Sorry, dude. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/94 "2010-07-04T23:39:18Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I wonder what it would be like when the women with boob jobs get in their 70s and 80s. They would have muscle weakness and suffer the ravages of age while having their boobs stick out. Like this: **NSFW!!!** > **[FailPost.com is for sale | HugeDomains](https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=failpost.com)** > > Find a domain name today. We make it easy. **NSFW!!!** ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/95 "2010-07-05T00:00:03Z")
As someone who usually really likes the boobs propped up, I gotta say, I don’t find a thing wrong with Kim in that pic. She looks fine. I know lots of [young actresses](http://chotvideos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/maggie-gyllenhaal-videos.jpg)with [saggy boobs](http://www.gabrielleteare.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/gwyneth-Paltrow-Alexander-Mcqueen.jpg). It is a boob _type_ that doesn’t strictly stick to certain ages. I know women with flat, fried egg looking boobs that are small, and women with huge boobs that are full and plump. All different ages. Susan Sarandon’s pic did look to me like the kind of big boobs that are not full, and are very flat. In her case, I think a good bra would have been nice. I’m not with the whole, ‘at a certain age, ya gotta start doing this or that’ stuff. I say let us all rock our boobs however we like, and for those that like it, woo hoo! Those that don’t, I bet they’ll find something out there that floats their boat. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/96 "2010-07-05T03:45:43Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > Sorry, dude. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/97 "2010-07-05T03:56:36Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I would rate those all as “small.” > > ETA - except for '54, and her posture in the photo is going to preclude any pencil-holding ability. Exactly. The money and the hat-eating are still part of the deal, but you fail (he, I mean) for failing to meet the criteria. There are only two. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/98 "2010-07-05T05:05:42Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > Like this: > > **NSFW!!!** > > [FailPost.com is for sale | HugeDomains](http://www.failpost.com/2009/08/sexy-fail-at-the-beach/) > > **NSFW!!!** What did we ever do to you? That is NOT the picture of aging gracefully! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/99 "2010-07-05T08:04:25Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > Like this: > > **NSFW!!!** > > [FailPost.com is for sale | HugeDomains](http://www.failpost.com/2009/08/sexy-fail-at-the-beach/) > > **NSFW!!!** That pic was taken during a break in the filming of _Beneath the Planet of the Apes_. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360/100 "2010-07-05T11:27:14Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Exactly. The money and the hat-eating are still part of the deal, but you fail (he, I mean) for failing to meet the criteria. There are only two. I’m a woman. 🙂 You don’t think any of those women wear C-cups or larger? I thought that was your definition of ‘too large to pass the pencil test’. I wish I could post a picture of my friend’s chest for you. She wears a 34D to DD and has no fold-over. But then, everyone is always telling her that there’s ‘no way’ she wears that large a size, because high projecting boobs tend to look smaller than softer, lower ones that take up much more space on the torso. If you consider [Marilyn Monroe](http://files.blogter.hu/user_files/3295/celebz/marilyn_monroe_playboy_nudes_18.jpg) to be a small-breasted woman - fair, I guess. But generations of Americans would disagree with you! Jayne Mansfiled was famous for her chest, too, and[here she is, small-chested according to you crazy people.](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608266/popular/) Both were said to wear D, DD, DDD cups. For your consideration, some larger ones: [Miss May '58.](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608375/popular/) [Miss September '57](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608370/popular/) [Miss April '58](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608361/popular/) [Miss December '59](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608356/popular/)[September '63](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608281/popular/) [December '68](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608513/popular/)- debatable, but worth seeing. [December '77](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608285/popular/) [February '63](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608295/popular/) - keeping in mind she has something laying over her boob, which is pressing it downward [December '61](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608519/popular/) [November '73](http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/every-playboy-centerfold-1954-2008-high-resolution/608562/popular/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bra-less-older-women-does-this-look-good/545360.md?page=6)