# Ladies: bras in public? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 10, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260 "2009-02-10T19:28:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Monstera\_deliciosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monstera_deliciosa/32/109_2.png) [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/21 "2009-02-10T22:29:44Z")
**How far out of the house are you willing to go sans bra?** Not at all. I don’t even hang out (pun not intended) at home without a bra unless I just undressed for bed, or I haven’t gotten dressed yet after getting up. I’m one of those apparently strange women who does not find a wearing a bra uncomfortable. I find bralessness uncomfortable. **What size do you wear?** 38C **What standard of dress do you normally hold to?** I try to make an effort to look well put together, even when I’m dressed casually (which is most of the time). ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/22 "2009-02-11T00:02:36Z")
42D here. I will go out and about if I have a big coat on and know any jiggling can’t be observed, and it’s a short trip like to a movie. Never for all day. My normal work clothes are khakis/jeans and tailored t-shirt–obviously a bra is a must. But around the house I wear untailored t-shirts and sleepy pants, no bra. If I have to go outside near the house, I throw on a thick robe, or coat, and don’t bother with a bra. \ ---
**Author:** ![Lo-Slung\_Denim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@Lo-Slung\_Denim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lo-Slung_Denim)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/23 "2009-02-11T00:14:57Z")
-32FF. -I go nowhere without a bra except my bed. (Occasionally, the beds of other people.) -I mostly wear jeans or smart jeans/trousers to work, with a shirt, jumper, or t-shirt on top. Shirts look kind of stoopid as the buttons always look like they might pop off, I generally wear a t-shirt below them or a jumper on top. ---
**Author:** ![Karyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Karyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karyn)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/24 "2009-02-11T00:30:14Z")
**How far out of the house are you willing to go sans bra?** My mailbox is about 1/4 mile away on the main road and I’d walk that far without one. There’s almost no chance that I would see anyone anyway. I’d be OK with not wearing one if I wasn’t going to be getting out of the car also. It really depends on the shirt and how it fits. Some shirts aren’t intended to be worn with bras. I routinely went out without one when I was younger but even if I can get away with it now, I think it’s kind of weird looking at my age if it’s noticeable. **What size do you wear?** 36C **What standard of dress do you normally hold to?** Professional for work, nice jeans, blouses, sweaters and jackets for going out to decent restaurants, worn out 501s and more comfortable stuff for running errands and hanging around, and a bizarre assortment of hippie layers or very little at all when I’m home. I should probably admit that I had enough clothes and shoes to keep 5 women going until I retired recently and gave most of them away. ---
**Author:** ![Risha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/25 "2009-02-11T00:42:44Z")
> [@Lo-Slung\_Denim](#): > > -32FF. Wow. :eek: Forgive the impertinence, but do you have back problems? ---
**Author:** ![lunar\_elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lunar\_elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lunar_elf)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/26 "2009-02-11T00:52:32Z")
I thought this was going to be about how far do you let your bra be seen in public, ie: how much bra strap? Clear straps, or straps that match what you’re wearing…nude colored etc. **How far out of the house are you willing to go sans bra? (Not at all, to get the mail, in your yard, etc.)**: Sometimes to take the garbage out, or drop something in the mail. Usually early in the morning, and hoping I don’t run into any neighbors. I also refused to go braless while giving birth with daughter #1. **What size do you wear?** : 38Dish/Age 29 (but I’m 37wks pregnant and really have no idea what I really am, other than usually uncomfortable) **What standard of dress do you normally hold to?** : Tshirt and jeans/shorts. I do like to get dressed up when we go out to dinner for dates, and a casual skirt on ocassion. Sweatpants and the type should not be worn in public. I do own yoga and sweatpants, but I’ll wear those when I feel like bummin around the house for the evening. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/27 "2009-02-11T01:08:27Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I’ll nip down to the gas station without a bra Heh heh, she said “nip.” **How far out of the house are you willing to go sans bra?** I generally go braless around the house; I always wear one when I leave the house unless I’m wearing a very thick sweater or know for a fact that I won’t be taking my coat off. I would feel trashy if anyone could tell that I was going commando. **What size do you wear?** 38DD. I used to be smaller and could get away with a snug tube top under a tank, but I’m \ heavier now, so with the right bra, I can get a decent rack working. **What standard of dress do you normally hold to?** Well, I’m willing to wear sweatpants to the grocery store now and then 😃 , but usually I skew toward trying to look sharp, whether casual or dressy, and I love bright, funky clothes. I usually don’t care to show cleavage, but I have one or two low-cut tops that I might wear if Mr. S and I are having a fancy night out, just the two of us. ---
**Author:** ![HolyFreakingMoly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ba0ec/32.png) [@HolyFreakingMoly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HolyFreakingMoly)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/28 "2009-02-11T01:17:40Z")
Such a depressing topic for me… Well into my 30’s I could wear my DD breasts without a bra and they were perky and stayed put. Now, pregnancies and breastfeeding behi,nd me and 51 I still have some perk but they sway when I walk so unless I have on something so bulky (I’m one of those slobs who will stop at the gas station in pj’s under a coat or sweats) I always wear a bra. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/29 "2009-02-11T01:46:15Z")
**How far out of the house are you willing to go sans bra?** (Not at all, to get the mail, in your yard, etc.) I wear a bra to sleep in or they hurt. About the only time I’m sans bra is if I’m in the shower or having sex. **What size do you wear?** 32F or 34DDD depending on the bra (yes, I have back problems). **What standard of dress do you normally hold to?** Dockers and jackets to work over knit tops. Jeans and sweaters or fitted tshirts on the weekend. Sweatpants only when I’m ill - although if I’m ill I will run to Target in sweatpants to get more Nyquil. ---
**Author:** ![HolyFreakingMoly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ba0ec/32.png) [@HolyFreakingMoly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HolyFreakingMoly)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/30 "2009-02-11T02:07:56Z")
Oh, I didn’t answer about my style of dress. I tend toward skirts (seldom pants as I have a behind that equals out the boobs - I’m well porportioned) and sweaters or tshirts - girl tshirts, not guy tshirts. I wear underwire bras. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/31 "2009-02-11T02:51:42Z")
**How far out of the house are you willing to go sans bra?** Everywhere. 😃 **What size do you wear?** I’m not even sure. According to an online calculator I just used, 32AA. One site even said “If these measurements are correct then no bra is needed.” \*\*What standard of dress do you normally hold to? \*\* Jeans, small t-shirts, hoodies. Think American Eagle, Abercrombie or Urban Outfitters. Cargo shorts & birkenstocks in the summer. ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/32 "2009-02-11T03:31:31Z")
I might go around the corner to the store wearing just a cami with a shelf bra. With _nothing_ whatsoever? Maybe downstairs to get the mail. I wouldn’t leave my apartment building. 36D My standards have dropped since I started grad school. I’ll wear jeans and sneakers to school, for dinner or something I’ll put on proper shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Tamryne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@Tamryne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamryne)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/33 "2009-02-11T03:42:23Z")
**How far out of the house are you willing to go sans bra?** I’l grab the mail, but otherwise I always wear a bra. Those shelf things just aren’t up to holding the girls. **What size do you wear?** 32DD (wow, some of y’all are bigger! I’m… speechless) **What standard of dress do you normally hold to?** I usually wear some type of nicer shirt and jeans, or a skirt in the summer. I rarely wear t-shirts and most button-down blouses gape too much on top or are too baggy on the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![Dazzling\_White\_Diamonds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/41988e/32.png) [@Dazzling\_White\_Diamonds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dazzling_White_Diamonds)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/34 "2009-02-11T03:48:19Z")
\*\*How far out of the house are you willing to go sans bra? (Not at all, to get the mail, in your yard, etc.) \*\* Rarely leave the house without a bra - sometimes to walk down our rather long lane to get the mail (we live out in the country). **What size do you wear?** 40H **What standard of dress do you normally hold to?** Nice casual / business casual. Only time I wear sweatpants is when I’m at home. ---
**Author:** ![Atomicflea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/58956e/32.png) [@Atomicflea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomicflea)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/35 "2009-02-11T11:15:24Z")
**How far out of the house are you willing to go sans bra?** I’ll run out on a cold morning to warm up the car sans bra, but even if I’m going as far as the mailbox I usually am dressed and with a bra on. I have fibrocystic breasts, so bras help with the pain. **What size do you wear?** 36C **What standard of dress do you normally hold to?** I’m one of those girls that usually puts together a look for the day, be it studiously casual or dressy. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/36 "2009-02-11T15:06:40Z")
1. First thing I do when I get vertical or out of the shower is get a bra on. My breasts are very wide at the base and I’m uncomfortable without one, they get in the way even though they’re not particularly large. 2. Sorry, the one I have on right now doesn’t have the American size. Depending on who’s made it and how fat I am at the time, I’m between 90/75 and 95/80. That’s around a 34-36 B-C. 3. If I can get away with it, jeans and T-shirts or jeans and blouses. Since I currently have to “dress professional” and my boss thinks that means “no jeans,” I’ve been getting away with a lot of jeans-cut trousers in non-denim cloth 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/37 "2009-02-11T15:46:04Z")
Bras in public: yes. Always. At home, too, except while in bed. Size: 32G, usually a minimizer Standard of dress: Varies greatly. I can be very casual in the office. I wear sweats or leggings when working at home, and I’ll go for a walk in them but not (generally) into stores. Sometimes I aim for really spiffy. I’m looking for a job, and I don’t want most people in my office to know that, so it’s good to show up occasionally pretty dressy, as if it’s my habit, but it’s really not. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/38 "2009-02-11T15:46:07Z")
**How far out of the house are you willing to go sans bra?** I’ll take the trash out to the dumpster in the back yard braless (and in my pajamas). That’s as far as I’d go. At home, I usually wear camis with shelf bras. I’m a putterer, I’m always moving around, and I’m more comfortable with a little support. Also, I fear sag like some people fear death. Yeah, I’m shallow. 😃 **What size do you wear?** 34D **What standard of dress do you normally hold to?** Suits or twinsets for work, casual is usually nice sweaters or cotton shirts with jeans or skirts, depending on the weather. I wear a lot of dresses as well, both professionally and casually. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/39 "2009-02-11T17:45:39Z")
How far out of the house are you willing to go sans bra? It just depends on the clothes I think. I’ve gone out to formal occasions recently with no bra because that’s what looked the best with a particular dress or shirt. I’ll run to the grocery store, and if we’re camping and heading in to town for whatever reason, I probably won’t put one on if not already wearing one. But I usually wear one because it’s actually more comfortable. I love the shape and size of my rack, and I love the way they look naked, so many of my bras are ‘t-shirt’ bras’, that give the appearance of hardly wearing a bra at all anyway. What size do you wear? A fabulous 40F, or so my bra lady tells me. 😉 What standard of dress do you normally hold to? Depends - Casual/business casual at work. Jeans and t shirts or sweatshirts at the pub, or maybe low cut or chest accentuating shirts, turtlenecks, and everything in between. And for special occasions usually vintage style dresses, pencil skirts, fuzzy sweater sets, stuff like that. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260/40 "2009-02-11T19:12:51Z")
I very rarely wear a bra. I have some scar tissue that’s sensitive, and mostly I just can’t be bothered to put up with the discomfort. I think that the last bra I bought was a 46G, but I’ve lost about a hundred pounds since then, so of course that’s not my size any more. Inside the house, if the temperature permits, I wear a pair of glasses, a pair of panties, and a pair of flip flops. If I’m cold, I’ll put on socks, PJ/sweat pants, and/or a nightgown. Outside the house, I generally wear something like this [lounger](http://www.womanwithin.com/clothing/Comfort-Choice-Border-print-bib-lounger.aspx?PfId=110856&DeptId=9445&ProductTypeId=1&PurchaseType=0), with the hem hitting me a little lower than mid-calf. Since I live in Fort Worth, Texas, I rarely have to wear anything else, even in winter. If it IS cold, then I’ll put on a knit skirt under the lounger, or wear a heavier dress. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-bras-in-public/485260.md?page=3)