# Poll:Women with erect nipples visible under clothes: sexy/embarrassing/unprofessional/ no big deal? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 30, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514 "2011-01-30T16:05:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/61 "2011-01-31T17:58:38Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > The poll options are indeed silly, except for “no big deal”, which is what I voted for. I mean visible nipples definitely aren’t what I’m going for at work, but if it happens, whatever. I have nipples. What, you don’t? And sometimes they just happen. It can be hard to control them. You can go out the door looking fine and then have some nipplage later on…I don’t try to emphasize them but I don’t freak out if they happen. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_Doubt)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/62 "2011-01-31T19:03:49Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Bras are a crime against humanity. I can understand your perspective (I assume you’re male) but speaking as a larger-endowed woman, it can _hurt_ to go braless; the girls can yank downward on your skin. Also going braless will make you saggier as time goes by. Besides, don’t you think there’s some awfully pretty bras out there? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/63 "2011-01-31T19:10:54Z")
> [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](#): > > Also going braless will make you saggier as time goes by. Hasn’t this been disproven by now? ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/64 "2011-01-31T21:02:14Z")
> [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](#): > > \ Besides, don’t you think there’s some awfully pretty bras out there? I guess so, but we never get to see them because you keep wearing shirts. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/65 "2011-02-01T02:41:28Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Hasn’t this been disproven by now? Has it? I hadn’t heard that. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/66 "2011-02-01T02:49:10Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > Has it? I hadn’t heard that. I don’t know if it’s truly been disproven, but I have heard that there’s no real evidence to support the idea that wearing a bra will prevent sagging breasts. And if you think about it there’s really no reason it should. I mean, a bra supports the breasts while it’s being _worn_, but once it’s off then it’s not doing anything to help 'em defy gravity. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/67 "2011-02-01T03:06:13Z")
> [@j66](#): > > Inappropriate for men and women in the professional setting seems to be the missing choice. > Well, it is, isn’t it? She should have done her laundry so either her sweaters or her “silk blouse” bras were clean. > > Not that it makes her a slut or unkempt, just late with the laundry. That’s pretty ignorant of what actually happens, as the experiences of many of the women in this thread have pointed out. It’s not just a situation that happens with no bra and a silk blouse. It can happen with normal shirts, with extra padded bras, in any situation. That’s why I think it’s silly to ascribe this whole “unprofessional” idea to the fact that it happens. It’s like asking “Are goosebumps unprofessional?” Embarrassing, sure, but unprofessional? Only if you’re doing it on purpose to violate the norms of an office environment. ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/68 "2011-02-01T03:19:47Z")
I have to say that I’m quite surprised (and the little feminazi dyke inside of me is quite disappointed) at how many self-reporting women think they are any sort of an issue. What’s next? Trying to hide your goosebumps when you’re cold for fear that someone who sees them might imagine what your body’s reaction elsewhere might be behind the wad of whatever extra stuff you have in your bra? ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/69 "2011-02-01T03:32:02Z")
Can’t vote…poor choices. I’m a guy and i find the pokey nipple thing to be kind of a turn-on. With regards to the poll… [ul] [li] **In a social or casual setting** , I think it’s up to a person how they want to present themself.[/li][li] **In a professional setting, on an rare/occasional basis,** I chalk it up to “one of those things that happen sometimes.”[/li][li]I **n a professional setting, on a regular basis,** it would be a problem for me to constantly make the effort to not look. Kinda like wearing something very cleavagey at work.[/ul][/li]With respect to how charged sexual harassment claims can be, the workplace can be like navigating a minefield if attire gets too provocative. I don’t want to be disrespectful to anyone for any reason; but at the same time, there are certain ladythings that have _always_ had an impact on me. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/70 "2011-02-01T11:39:10Z")
I could cut glass with mine. Padded bras and sweaters and they’re still visible. It’s annoying, but unless they turn the heat way up, I can’t help it. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/71 "2011-02-01T16:51:33Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > I don’t know if it’s truly been disproven, but I have heard that there’s no real evidence to support the idea that wearing a bra will prevent sagging breasts. And if you think about it there’s really no reason it should. I mean, a bra supports the breasts while it’s being _worn_, but once it’s off then it’s not doing anything to help 'em defy gravity. There have been a couple studies on the subject - nothing has found that wearing bras has a protective effect. Sagging is much more a function of breast tissue variation (some women have dense/firmer boobs), skin and ligament elasticity, and hormonal and weight changes than it is of ‘gravity’. So it comes down to genetics, how many babies you have, and your weight for most women IMO. I’ve seen just as many low-set small boobs as big ones in my day, and plenty of young girls have significant sagging from puberty onwards. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/72 "2011-02-01T16:54:13Z")
> [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](#): > > Also going braless will make you saggier as time goes by. It’s not the going braless part; it’s the time going by part. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/73 "2011-02-01T18:05:45Z")
I’m _astonished_ at how many women in this thread must wear a bra because otherwise the men become turned on (and how often even that isn’t enough); and how many men are distracted or turned on by visible _nipples_ - not cleavage, not breasts, just nipples. With onomopoteia as truly WTF? experience. It seems that professionally, women should all dress as nuns in sacks, because everything else will turn men in horny beasts unable to control themselves, and consider the women slutty or unprofessionel for causing them this. I’m really, really, going to stay far away from male Americans … ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/74 "2011-02-01T18:26:35Z")
I’m astonished at how you totally made that up. ---
**Author:** ![Waxwinged](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@Waxwinged](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waxwinged)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/75 "2011-02-01T18:31:48Z")
For what it’s worth, I’m a woman and think that such a thing is inappropriate in professional setting. Too distracting. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/76 "2011-02-01T18:32:56Z")
> [@kevlaw](#): > > Didn’t like the choices either. I wanted to vote for “would catch my eye, but i wouldn’t think any differently of the owner” Overall I agree with this. However, more often than not the phenomenon causes part of my mind to focus, temporarily, on unprofessional things. The long term effect on my opinion of the owner is negligible. Hell, **mine** pop out from time to time–it’s hardly intentional. > [@constanze](#): > > It seems that professionally, women should all dress as nuns in sacks, because everything else will turn men in horny beasts … Clue: the right woman in a burlap bag, burqua or separate room will have the same effect. Start dressing chix up like nuns and you’ll heat up the whole family of Catholic fetishes. mmmm…nuns. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/77 "2011-02-01T18:38:58Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > I don’t know if it’s truly been disproven, but I have heard that there’s no real evidence to support the idea that wearing a bra will prevent sagging breasts. And if you think about it there’s really no reason it should. I mean, a bra supports the breasts while it’s being _worn_, but once it’s off then it’s not doing anything to help 'em defy gravity. Yes, to clarify, I’m pretty sure that’s what I read as well (no evidence showing that it helps). ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/78 "2011-02-01T18:46:27Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Yes, to clarify, I’m pretty sure that’s what I read as well (no evidence showing that it helps). Actually, what surprised me was that the evidence didn’t show that wearing a bra makes the breasts sag faster - it’s just inconclusive; based on other areas of the body, I’d expected that supporting soft tissue for a long part of the day would lessen the muscle support and weaken the tissue, making it sag faster. That’s what happens elsewhere, even in the neck (the Giraffe women) which has pretty strong muscles, yet they atrophy over the years of non-use. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/79 "2011-02-01T20:21:13Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > I’m really, really, going to stay far away from male Americans … Good idea. Except, it’s not limited to (i) males, or (ii) Americans. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514/80 "2011-02-01T21:05:00Z")
Grownup here. No big deal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-women-with-erect-nipples-visible-under-clothes-sexy-embarrassing-unprofessional-no-big-deal/569514.md?page=5)