# I've all but quit wearing bras **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 29, 2004, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395 "2004-07-29T04:19:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/41 "2004-07-30T01:15:16Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > …If I go braless from now on, will people stare? Possibly. Will I care? Very, very little. Well, like you I gave up on them… and I haven’t been banished from the country or anything yet. And it’s a good point about discommfort in hot weather - why have any more bother than one has to, especially in hot muggy weather. And if sagging mainly caused by bad muscle tone, well, that’s something I am glad to have learned, cos it does just sometimes cross my mind that they’ll be polishing my shoes when I’m 60. (Of course, since I dont’ work out, well, I still will end ul with that problem, but at least I don’t need to feel bad about boycotting bras! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/42 "2004-07-30T01:19:53Z")
> [@AngelicGemma](#): > > This thread reminds me of a conversation I had with my mum a few months ago. > > Mum - _Looks at me_ Are you wearing a bra? > Me- Yes > Mum - Then you need a better one. > Me - Thanks mum. :rolleyes: > > I’m 19 years old and a B cup. What exactly is she trying to imply? > > Of course, this is the same women who walked into my room. Said “God! That top looks hideous on you!” Gave me a look like I was the most disgusting thing she’d ever seen, then walked out of the room. > > I could go on. But it’s quite depressing so I’ll stop. Your mother must be the long lost twin of mine. She used to “welcome” me home from university etc by telling me “you’ve got fat, your hair is a mess, and you’ve got spots”. I thought it a bit bad, because, pretty much by definition, visits home as a student tend to happen just after mucho revision and exams, not much attention to healthy diet, or sleep etc. (INterestinly, her new trick is to complain and worry that I am suddenly “too thin”, and no, I am not. Strange woman) ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/43 "2004-07-30T01:30:16Z")
I remember sending a couple of my old bras to these folks when they were still working on this little project: [www.braball.com](http://www.braball.com). ``` That's where the blasted things belong, I say. On a big friggin' BALL! ``` ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/44 "2004-07-30T04:49:31Z")
Let’s not forget the [all-purpose alternative engineering option.](http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/diner/images/bragirl.jpg) 'Might hurt to take off, though. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/45 "2004-07-30T04:54:40Z")
You go girl, I gave up wearing a bra as soon as I became an adult. It didn’t hurt that I had A cups. When I went to university I had an oriental foreign student room mate whom I immediately corrupted. Honestly, there was even less reason for her to wear one. I was very young and thought not about cultural differences or fall out. When she returned to her Asian homeland her mother was well and truly appalled. Her daughter had gone off in hand made clothing and numerous undergarments and returned, braless and in second hand clothing, not to mention the bad attitude! Time passes. Things change. Or, maybe not. I returned to visit her just last year, after over 20 yrs since our schooling, had the great good fortune to meet her beautiful and talented 10 yr old daughter. Oh, the fun we had. Shortly after my arrival the golden child observes, ‘Auntie Elbows, you’re not wearing a bra. Sometimes my mother doesn’t wear a bra.’ The tone was enough to tell that even with the passage of many years this is still questionable if not scandalous behaviour. 20 years older and not one whit smarter, my friends. I tell her I did have the bra on when I went through customs, and both when I boarded and de planed, in case she was scandalized. I pointed out that it was a very long flight, that it’s not especially pleasant to sleep in a bra. Never one to leave well enough alone, I then pointed out that in, my opinion, the Gods clearly intended for boobies to run wild and free. We laughed, it was well and good. She took it in stride, without comment, and we all moved on. I visited with them a week then carried myself off to a local beach for a 3 wk holiday. Returning to fly back home. When I returned my friend informed me that golden daughter had gone promptly to school the next day and announced to all her classmates that boobies were meant to run wild and free. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/46 "2004-07-30T09:40:25Z")
I’m not convinced by all the hostility to bras. I’m a big chested girl, and quite frankly, if I didn’t wear one, I’d be in pain. All my bras are comfortable, and sexy, so I wear one anyway. Plus, they can be fun. 😉 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/47 "2004-07-30T11:43:30Z")
> [@Angua](#): > > [Sage, big sisterly advice] > > 1. Are you sure you’re a B-cup? I mean, really sure? Have you had yourself measured professionally? If not, go and get yourself measured. Both La Senza and Marks and Spencers will measure you for free, and you don’t even need to buy a bra from them… I just like to say - La Senza is great! I love it. Okay, now to what you were saying. Although I never been professionally measured, I’m sure I’m wearing the right size. However, I’m only 5ft 2. So the straps sometimes slide down and make the cup bits loose. Which is probabally what happened when my mum was looking at me. > [@Angua](#): > > [2) Some styles of bra just look hideous on some people. I mean it. Some bras make me look like the wierd deformed quadruple breasted woman from hell. And its not because they’re the wrong size (36DD BTW, which is another hassle unto itself. Not even Ann Summers carry bras in all ranges in that size :mad: ). Nope, quite frankly, some bras just don’t suit some women or the style of clothing they’re wearing at that particular time. I shall make my boyfriend watch me try on every bra I own. And he can tell me if any of them look hideous on me. Thanks for the tips! ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/48 "2004-07-30T11:52:22Z")
> [@AngelicGemma](#): > > I just like to say - La Senza is great! I love it. Okay, now to what you were saying. Although I never been professionally measured, I’m sure I’m wearing the right size. > However, I’m only 5ft 2. So the straps sometimes slide down and make the cup bits loose. Which is probabally what happened when my mum was looking at me. If the cups are lose, you may either need a smaller size, or try adjusting the bra straps. If neither of those work, then I don’t know. As a short person myself, I do sometimes have this problem… ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/49 "2004-07-30T12:17:22Z")
> [@Angua](#): > > If the cups are lose, you may either need a smaller size, or try adjusting the bra straps. If neither of those work, then I don’t know. As a short person myself, I do sometimes have this problem… When that happens if I tighten the straps everything is fine. It’s just the straps loosen up again after a while. ---
**Author:** ![Sassafras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@Sassafras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassafras)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/50 "2004-07-30T12:47:51Z")
I spent all day yesterday feeling like I was trapped in an iron maiden. What the fuck is the deal with underwires?? A piece of steel holding up my boobs is not my idea of comfort. I threw that bitch away when I got home. Good riddance. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/51 "2004-07-30T13:08:36Z")
I won’t wear underwires. I simply refuse. There is no reason for me to. (Thanks to a kind plastic surgeon, I’m an A-cup. Almost a B, actually, but As work.) I had to wear underwire bras for years. Never again! My boyfriend suggested I go braless, but I think he had an ulterior motive there. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/52 "2004-07-30T16:13:34Z")
> [@Sassafras](#): > > I spent all day yesterday feeling like I was trapped in an iron maiden. What the fuck is the deal with underwires?? A piece of steel holding up my boobs is not my idea of comfort. > I threw that bitch away when I got home. Good riddance. I have to wear underwires. I don’t feel like I have any support without them. This thread inspired me, I went out and bought a new bra last night and am wearing it now and I am loving it so far. Here it is: [http://www.gap.com/asp/Product.asp?wdid=251045&wpid=2501761](http://www.gap.com/asp/Product.asp?wdid=251045&wpid=2501761) GapBody has really good bras. Most Gaps don’t have a separate GapBody store, so they’re hard to find, but luckily I have one at my mall. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/53 "2004-07-30T18:49:54Z")
Man, what’s with all the hate for underwires? Maybe it has to do with breast size. I’m a 34 or 36 DDD/E/F (all depending on the manufacturer), and I seriously _adore_ my underwires. They are the most comfy things ever and they give more lift and support to my boobs. And honestly, the only time I’ve had uncomfortable bras are when _I wasn’t wearing the right size_. I’ve heard that the vast majority of women do not wear the correct bra size and definitely believe it. But I DO have some complaints: – Why do you not just use your ribcage measurement for your band size? Depending on the company, you have to add 5", 3", 3" if under such-and-such but 5" if over such-and-such, 2", etc. Just use the damn ribcage size! – Please standardise sizing! See my “size” above? I have bras in all of those sizes and combinations (well, er, number and letter combination) that fit really similarly. Don’t call a DDD here but it’s an E there, or F because apparently we only like the first vowel of the alphabet. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/54 "2004-07-30T18:57:10Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Man, what’s with all the hate for underwires? > > Maybe it has to do with breast size. I’m a 34 or 36 DDD/E/F (all depending on the manufacturer), and I seriously _adore_ my underwires. They are the most comfy things ever and they give more lift and support to my boobs. Underwires poke me in uncomfortable places. And they like to break out of their little compartments. At least mine did! Nobody wearing an A cup needs them for support. I can appreciate needing them in bigger sizes, but they’re the last thing I need now. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/55 "2004-07-30T19:32:09Z")
> [@](#): > > Quote: > Originally Posted by zweisamkeit > Man, what’s with all the hate for underwires? > > Maybe it has to do with breast size. I’m a 34 or 36 DDD/E/F (all depending on the manufacturer), and I seriously adore my underwires. They are the most comfy things ever and they give more lift and support to my boobs. > Underwires poke me in uncomfortable places. And they like to break out of their little compartments. At least mine did! **Pepper Mill** _hates_ underwire, and refuses to buy them. Same reason – they poke her in uncomfortable places. I try to empathize with her. It makes me visualize wearing an underwire jockstrap. Ouch! ---
**Author:** ![lemon\_martini2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3be4f8/32.png) [@lemon\_martini2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lemon_martini2)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/56 "2004-07-30T19:59:47Z")
> [@AngelicGemma](#): > > I just like to say - La Senza is great! I love it. Okay, now to what you were saying. Although I never been professionally measured, I’m sure I’m wearing the right size. I’m quite happy to measure you and make sure you’re well comfortable 🙂 > [@](#): > > I shall make \*\*my boyfriend \*\* … Wait…No…NOOOOO!!! :mad: ☹☹☹☹ ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/57 "2004-07-30T20:27:18Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > **Pepper Mill** _hates_ underwire, and refuses to buy them. Same reason – they poke her in uncomfortable places. > > I try to empathize with her. It makes me visualize wearing an underwire jockstrap. Ouch! Hmm. I have never ever gotten pinched or poked. But my mom has, and she’s an A cup. Maybe underwires for us big-boobed gals have to spend so much time working at stuffing the boobs in the right place that they don’t have any spare time to spend poking us. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/58 "2004-07-30T20:44:35Z")
> [@fetus](#): > > Having to take off my partner’s bra is definitely one of the most annoying things about sex, IMO. I mean, not that it’s absolutely necessary, but leaving clothes on, including the bra, certainly seems to detract from the experience. Dude, you have no imagination. Besides, as a fetus, your’e waaaay too young to be having sex. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/59 "2004-07-30T20:55:24Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Hmm. I have never ever gotten pinched or poked. But my mom has, and she’s an A cup. Maybe underwires for us big-boobed gals have to spend so much time working at stuffing the boobs in the right place that they don’t have any spare time to spend poking us. 😉 Ah, but I haven’t worn underwires for six years – when I did, I was a D-cup. Possibly pushing DD, but I managed to not even think about going up yet another size at the time. So I had considerable boobs, and still got poked. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395/60 "2004-07-30T21:04:28Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Hmm. I have never ever gotten pinched or poked. But my mom has, and she’s an A cup. Maybe underwires for us big-boobed gals have to spend so much time working at stuffing the boobs in the right place that they don’t have any spare time to spend poking us. 😉 I wish… I usually get poked in the arm and end up with a rash there from it rubbing (that one I’m fairly certain doesn’t fit me right, so I don’t wear it often) I am wearing my new sports bra though, picked it up at Old Navy. Didn’t have time to check the Gap but when I have some money for clothes that’ll be my first stop. Proper fitting underthings are a must, or nothing else fits or feels right. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-all-but-quit-wearing-bras/257395.md?page=4)