# Why aren't front clasp bras more popular? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 14, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693 "2023-04-14T23:35:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693/41 "2023-04-21T17:56:01Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > However, I am apparently a uneek freek in that I have always slid my arms into the straps after fastening the band in back. I do this as well. The other “problem” with front clasp bras is that the manufacturer can’t put a little bow there. Gotta have the little bow or some other nuisance decoration. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693/42 "2023-04-21T18:44:12Z")
I have seen the front clasp plastic parts cast with half a bow on each side. Looks kinda like a butterfly. _Tres cute_. Sorta. For inane values of “cute”. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693/43 "2023-08-06T03:07:39Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > My wife has always put her bra on backwards, then turned it around. For me, whether I can put it on by touch or have to do the “backwards and turn” can depend on the specific bra (some I own I can do that with, but not others) or if my shoulders are feeling a bit stiff that day. I would happily buy more front-hook if I could easily find them! ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693/44 "2023-08-08T04:53:01Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > I did this for years, and I think my mom still does this, but I was told by a salesperson that this is bad for the bra itself as it stretches out the band. So I no longer do this. I was being fitted once at a lingerie department, and the saleswoman reacted in HORROR when I started to do this. I think her theory was “it won’t fit properly”. Well, the “scoop and swoop” maneuver to make sure the twins are in place solves any such issue anyway. And if you’ve got any kind of shoulder issue, there’s really no other option. The band fits around the same torso wherever it fastens, so the stretching theory is somewhat suspect. I’ve got bras that are 5+ years old, and their bands still fit just fine. I haven’t seen a front-fastening bra in my size in decades. I’d genuinely be shocked. I alternate between back-fastening regular underwire (which, IF PROPERLY FITTED, are actually perfectly comfortable), soft-material back-fastening, and one-piece stretch (see [decentexposures.com](http://decentexposures.com) - will RUIN you for any other sort). ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693/45 "2023-08-08T13:54:52Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > The band fits around the same torso wherever it fastens, so the stretching theory is somewhat suspect. Makes sense. The only thing I can imagine the “stretching” thing is about is the way some women grab and yank at the thing to get a good grip on it while wrenching it around their torso. If one gently slides it around that’s almost certainly fine. If they’re grabbing a handful of fabric and pulling it inches away from their body as they tug & grunt, that’s different. I’ve never worn one, but I’ve seen a certain number of women put them on with widely varying degrees of finesse. Oaf’s gonna oaf. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693/46 "2023-08-08T14:39:12Z")
Where have you observed these so called “oafs” aka women that grunt and tug at their bras? Ladies fitting rooms? Wth? Eta- a real gentleman would assist not make rude remarks. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693/47 "2023-08-08T15:07:22Z")
Simply watching various GFs over the years getting dressed. Most were quite refined about it. Others not so much. Having seen at least one such example, I merely posit that they’re common enough in the wild for the jaded foundations saleslady at @Mama_Zappa’s department store to have also seen such a lot more often than I have. And to have developed her cautionary remarks appropriately. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693/48 "2023-08-10T20:34:27Z")
I have an arthritic shoulder. I can’t even close the bra in front and spin it around. I can wear only front closure bras. The drawback to front closing bras is there is no adjusting the band like. regular bras. You can clasp on a different set of hooks to accommodate a loss or a gain. Can’t do that with front close bras. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2023, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693/49 "2023-08-11T02:27:15Z")
> [@peedin](#): > > The drawback to front closing bras is there is no adjusting the band like. regular bras. You can clasp on a different set of hooks to accommodate a loss or a gain. Can’t do that with front close bras. Apparently some front-close bras [like this one](https://glamorise.com/products/magiclift-front-closure-support-bra-white?irclickid=zHSVxZzCPxyPU6n2Fk20PQJcUkF1PMXjW2mbws0&irgwc=1&utm_source=Impact&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Skimbit%20Ltd) do have adjustable front closure, but probably not as much adjustability as the two inches or so of leeway that a back-close bra strap gives you. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2023, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693/50 "2023-08-11T08:39:32Z")
Personally, I find front clasp bras very uncomfortable because they rub against my breast bone - can even leave a bruise. Probably doesn’t help that I’m a sloucher. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2023, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693/51 "2023-08-11T11:07:26Z")
A front clasp bra just seems awkward and uncomfortable in many ways. I can’t imagine it fits well in front. I don’t want the bulk and rigidity of a clasp there. I have mostly back clasp bras and some stretch bras. The stretch bras are extremely comfortable if I’m not too active, but don’t provide as much support. Anyway, i doubt I’d seriously consider buying a front clasp bra. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-front-clasp-bras-more-popular/982693.md?page=2)