# Braless women **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 25, 2002, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598 "2002-04-25T18:42:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/41 "2002-04-26T01:17:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vanilla \* > \*\*A bra is NOT comfortable. > But its worth it not to be ogled. > Maybe I should just hang around women and gay men. > > ☹ \*\* I guess it depends on the woman in question, but I find them to be _more_ comfortable than being bra-less in the summer. without one you sweat and your skin sticks to itself…ewww. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/42 "2002-04-26T01:53:41Z")
From another guy’s point of view (no pun intended), I enjoy braless women, especially in a cold room. But geography and gravity have something to do with how much I may enjoy it. If the nipples point from the equator to a little into the Tropic of Cancer, I can really enjoy it. Tropic of Capricorn pointers are less interesting, and, frankly, neither pole gets positive attention from me. North Pole pointers are probably illegal, and South Pole pointers are old enough to be my mother. Gawd! Did I actually say that. An extra user name in a sock would sure come in handy in a spot like this. Now people are gonna know… um…THINK, that I’m some kind of pervert. 😛 Welcome to the SDMB, **ivebeenabadboy.** I have just read some distrubing threads in GD, and you’ve added a welcome bit of levity. ---
**Author:** ![Pablito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@Pablito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pablito)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/43 "2002-04-26T02:24:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fretful Porpentine \* > \*\*No harm in brightening up some guy’s day, anyhow. \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Legomancer \* > \*\* Well, I’m a guy, and I’ll be honest, I look. Maybe I could help myself, but frankly, I don’t want to. I look. And it’s exciting when there’s something to see. That sounds pathetic, but there it is. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. And I thank anyone who helps out. \*\* I have to chime in and say that I wholly ‘support’ these two views. Not taking a peek is like not slowing down when you drive past a car wreck: it’s what we all should do, but few of us manage it. Western guys (like me, and most of the rest of you, if you’ll admit it) have been conditioned to respond to exposed breasts, it’s ‘titillating.’ I’m not going to be rude by trying to ignore Mother Nature’s call. So, ladies, those of you who go without, keep on, I say. But don’t everyone start doing it–then it wouldn’t be as exciting, for us or for you. Doing something a teeny bit naughty is fun. ---
**Author:** ![Turpentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Turpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turpentine)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/44 "2002-04-26T02:30:59Z")
Ahhh, you guys are going to hate me- I don’t wear a bra sometimes because I like distracting men. Actually, I sing in a band and when I go on stage I like to not wear a bra because a couple of our songs are really bouncy and I jump all over the stage during the bouncy part… I’ve seen myself on video while performing and my breasts bounce comically when I jump…It makes me giggle when I watch it afterwards… But hey, maybe that’s why all these people are coming to our shows 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Pablito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@Pablito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pablito)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/45 "2002-04-26T02:40:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Turpentine \* > \*\*Ahhh, you guys are going to hate me- > I don’t wear a bra sometimes because I like distracting men. > Actually, I sing in a band and when I go on stage I like to not wear a bra because a couple of our songs are really bouncy and I jump all over the stage during the bouncy part… > I’ve seen myself on video while performing and my breasts bounce comically when I jump…It makes me giggle when I watch it afterwards… > But hey, maybe that’s why all these people are coming to our shows 😃 \*\* On the contrary Turp, I’m feeling very fond of you right now. You giggle watching your breasts bounce, and we adjust our pants: Viva la differance!! And yes, I’m sure that at least some of your fans are there for the ‘eye candy’. Sorry if I offend anyone, but let’s be honest here. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/46 "2002-04-26T02:56:57Z")
Why aren’t men with big jiggly manboobs obliged to wear bras. On that note, I also think livestock should not appear in public without at least a comfortably large pair of speedos. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/47 "2002-04-26T03:07:11Z")
I work for an architecture firm and I often have to go verify dimensions at _construction_ sites. do I wear a bra to work? damn straight I do! even when not at construction sites, braless is not the way to go in the corporate world. ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/48 "2002-04-26T03:21:15Z")
I’m in the camp of people who wear a bra because things are pretty scary if I don’t. I also find it more comfortable to wear a bra. So there you have it… each to their own. I will add though, that my sexy and feminine bras only get used when I’m dressing up for a special occasion. The rest of the time, I’m in a sports-type bra, which crosses over at the back, supports my goo-boobs, absorbs sweat, allows my skin to breathe, and basically does everything except for singing the national anthem. My only problem is the nipple factor. I have variable nipples, some days it looks like I don’t have any and other days I could probably get a runner-up in the titanium awards… oh well, shit happens. There’s much more important things to think about. The only time a male ever factors into my bra choices is if the “special occasion” isn’t a public affair, but is for my husband. ---
**Author:** ![Coil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Coil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coil)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/49 "2002-04-26T11:47:32Z")
Am I the only man who does not think that braless is sexier? From posts here, overheard conversations, movies etc a women wearing no bra is often considered to be very sexy. I think that generally they look better with a bra. ---
**Author:** ![auntie\_em](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/50 "2002-04-26T13:12:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vanilla \* > \*\*I duuno, maybe I’ve been in too many fundie churches. > Who believe that if a male looks at you and gets turned on, its YOUR fault! > \*\* Or maybe you just grew up in my family. 😉 My Nana used to watch the Oscars SOLELY to evaluate (loudly and pissily) the dearth of proper undergarments on the red carpet. I know it was for my benefit. She used to say that going without a bra/slip/panties “[did] nothing but tempt a man who can’t control himself.” ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/51 "2002-04-26T13:39:47Z")
handy: I dare say no one’s going to care if **you** go braless!!! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/52 "2002-04-26T14:33:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by auntie em \* > \*\*She used to say that going without a bra/slip/panties “[did] nothing but tempt a man who can’t control himself.” \*\* This was kinda my thought: when folks were talking about how the male gaze might be factored into the bra/braless decision, I wondered about how the female gaze might be factored in. Not that all men will look with lust and all women will look with disapproval, but surely some women go commandoless in fear of gramma’s “skanky ho!” glare. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Abe\_Babe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Abe\_Babe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abe_Babe)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/53 "2002-04-26T14:43:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lamia \* > \*\* > > That’s a funny word, “should”. Why _should_ women have to worry about the male gaze? I’m not saying they don’t worry about it, I know I certainly do, but is this the way it _should_ be? > > Since I hit puberty oh so many years ago I’ve put a significant amount of effort into discouraging men from looking at me. I would never, ever publically go braless in any garment that stood the slightest chance of revealing anything below my collarbone or above my elbows. That’s because I know full well that there are plenty of men in the world who would “notice”, and that for some “noticing” may involve anything from catcalls up to and including physical assault. But I don’t _like_ thinking this way, and while I don’t feel that I personally have any choice I can’t say that I think this is the way it _should_ be. I think women _should_ be able to dress how they like without thinking about men at all, and if there are women who feel comfortable doing this already then more power to them. \*\* I don’t think it is right either that women need to either put up with or do something about men ogling them in a rude manner. I also don’t think it’s right that I should have to lock my car so someone doesn’t steal it, or that a woman should feel unsafe walking alone at. Those who “notice” with catcalls or assaults are jerks, and in some cases, criminals. On the other hand some women (not most by any means) get dressed up in slinky outfits, or teenie weenie bikini’s, or other revealing outfits, and then get upset at being looked at by men. I’m not talking about looked at in the sense of catcalls, or having someone talk to their breasts. I mean looked at in the sense of heads turning when they walk past, or lowering a paper or magazine they are reading. Similarly, if a man wears a speedo, or very tight pants, or a skintight t-shirt, he’s gonna be noticed, whether its “Great ass.” or “Jeez, how pathetic” Right or wrong, how people of the opposite sex (or, in some cases, same sex) will react to your clothing, _does_ need to be a factor in deciding what to wear. Many people above have factored it in, and said that they don’t care. Some do care. ---
**Author:** ![Abe\_Babe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Abe\_Babe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abe_Babe)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/54 "2002-04-26T14:47:22Z")
No preview. **Daniel** , I think the main difference is that women don’t need to fear assault or physical intimidation from Gramma’s skanky ho’ glare. Although when my grandmother was mad, she had a look that would scare a cat off a liver truck. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/55 "2002-04-26T16:56:46Z")
As a young man, I’m surprised at how many women here hate bras and don’t wear them. I had always erronously believed that just about all women wear bras and just deal with it (also, for hte first 16 years of my life the function of such a garment was a mystery to me) I guess I can imagine why some women don’t like to wear them. I’m a person that can’t stand to wear anything constrictive; things like hats, tight clothing, etc drive me nuts. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/56 "2002-04-26T17:59:03Z")
AIgot sick for a good week a couple years ago. I spent that whole time wallowing around in my pajamas. When I got better, I went to get dressed for school, and I put a bra on. I realized then how stupid, uncomfortable, and pointless bras are (at least for us smaller breasted ladies) and haven’t worn one since. Really, bras suck. They are uncomfortable. They are expensive. They are just plain wierd. If you want to wear one- hey, that’s your choice, but there is no way that your going to get me in to one. And you know what? Sometimes you can see my _gasp_ nipples poking through! Yes! I am not Barbie! I have nipples! Why should I pretend that I don’t? And why should I pretend my breasts are shaped like anything other than breasts? I have the body of a woman. If that is too much for you to handle, that is your problem, not mine. I have no sympathy for grown adults that can’t look a woman in they eye. Really, women are half the freaking population. And they all have breasts! It isn’t all that shocking. I’m not going to bind mine just because some men are jerks. If somebody takes my body as an excuse to threaten my phsycial safety, they are going to get a blast of pepper spray. And then they will get their ass kicked. And it will not be pretty. Damned if I am going to let a generalized threat of violence control my very reasonable actions (quick, what do we call it when people use threats of random violence to control where people go, what they wear, who they hang around with? if you answered terrorism, you win!) But really I don’t notice any more unwanted attention than I got in my bra-wearing days. If a guy is a jerk, he is going to harrass you no matter what you are wearing. Simply being a woman is enough to get you harrassed. And I don’t mind a little attention. I oogle guys plenty often, it seems only fair that they should oogle back on occasion. As long as they arn’t threatening me, insulting me, or making an assumption that I am going to sleep with them or something, I’m fine. What matters to me is that I am taken seriously when it is time for me to be taken seriously (in classes, at work, and that sort of thing). and for the most part, I don’t have any problems with that. I’m a pretty intellegent and articulate girl. Most people can look past my nipples, so to speak, to figure that out. ---
**Author:** ![easy\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/57 "2002-04-26T18:04:15Z")
I’ll go braless at home sometimes (I sure as hell don’t wear one to bed), but rarely, if ever, will I be in public without one. I wear tank tops a lot in the summer, but I always wear a strapless bra. I alos seem to be the posessor of “titanium nipples,” and I don’t like the look of “nipping out.” All of my bras are chosen to be thick enough to prevent that from being seen. OTOH, when I’m changing and such, I’m not always the most careful about making sure every inch of my window is covered. Last semester, the large picture window in my ground-floor bedroom didn’t have a curtain for about 6 weeks (I changed in the bathroom until I did). My attitude is something along the lines of, “if you get that big of a thrill out of seeing some body part of mine, more power to you.” ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/58 "2002-04-26T18:06:37Z")
You bring up a good point, about not being barbie. Why is Western culture have this paranoia about nipples? We show our eyes, ears, noses, chins, elbows, toes, knuckles, knees, navels, butt cracks :eek: , but two tiny bumps poking through a woman’s blouse/shirt and the whole world has to make an issue of it. ---
**Author:** ![auntie\_em](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/59 "2002-04-26T18:12:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Incubus \* > \*\*As a young man, I’m surprised at how many women here hate bras and don’t wear them. I had always erronously believed that just about all women wear bras and just deal with it > \*\* Ahh, don’t feel bad, **Inc** (may I call you Inc?)-- I once dated a guy who not only thought that it was common for all women to douche, but that it was common for all women to douche _every day_, just like it’s common for people to, say, brush their teeth every day. So, if he encountered a woman who… erm… offended his sense of smell, he just assumed that she’d skipped her daily douche (due to time constraints or something)… But I digress. I think that bras are such a rite of passage (sing with me: _Girl… you’ll be a WO-mun soon…_) that most _girls_ can’t wait to strap one on. (I know I couldn’t.) So most of the females you encountered between the ages of, say, 12 and 16 probably DID wear bras, whether they needed to or not. Eventually, however, practicality beats out popularity, or peer pressure, or whatever, and at that point I think women begin to make undergarment choices based on what works for them. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598/60 "2002-04-26T18:27:26Z")
Wow that’s the guy that makes the other 99% of us look bad 😉 Me, I can’t help but to look. I’m a 21 year old red blooded male and see women of all shapes and sizes. I have to be careful at college, though, because one of the statues of sexual harassment at my school includes ‘leering’ so generally I try to keep my eyes to myself :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braless-women/105598.md?page=4)