Why wearing a bra isn’t as important as you think

The anti-bra revolution seems to have really found its boom during the last couple of years, especially while we sat at home during lockdowns.

I remember the part of my chest between my breasts hurting one day, my anxiety told me that I had COVID before I realised it was because I hadn’t worn a bra for the whole month.

But surprisingly, after my boobs got used to the sudden lack of bra that part of my chest stopped hurting. (I have pretty big and heavy boobs so I can tell you that not wearing a bra doesn’t cause any back pain or permanent chest pain.)

Though what really helped with the weight was the usual exercise, strengthening my back and core, that came into my life much later.

“In my clinical experience, wearing a bra does not prevent back pain or improve a woman’s posture,” says Dr. Deborah Venesy, MD. She is a physical medicine & rehabilitation specialist and medical spine specialist at Cleveland Clinic.“The benefits of wearing a bra are largely cosmetic,” she adds.

But , wearing a bra is the most proper thing to do. It keeps you looking appropriate, put together and attractive.

Ya right. I think that’s nothing but a bunch of malarkey.

Infact, there are many proven benefits in ditching the bra.

For instance not wearing a bra doesn’t make your breast sag, it does the exact opposite. A long running French study suggested that continuously wearing a bra weakens the muscles in the chest causing the breasts to droop.

(Also, honestly, I’m all for pro choice here but if you’re still wearing your bra to sleep, please stop!! It can’t be comfortable.)

The same French study also found that not wearing a bra improves blood flow.

Bras have a big hygiene issue with all the dirt and sweat it can collect, leading to acne and rashes.

Plus, bras are expensive and dont always fit right. They lack basic comfort that should ideally be a priority for something we wear everyday.

What else? Let’s see what my own survey had to say about wearing a bra:

“My titties don’t need to be uplifted. If anything it’s more painful with a bra on, I’m all for free the nipple because why are they sexualised in the first place? It’s just skin.”

“The fact that my chest feels like it’s caged and oh, the red marks!”

“I realized no one cares if you have small boobs so why suffer, pasties for the win!”

“Grew up watching my mom ditch the bra very often. She normalized it for me. But I make the choice also because I find it uncomfortable and unnecessary a lot of times. Only regularly use a sports bra for exercise.”

“After a point I feel suffocated, so I only wear one when it’s essential. Most of the time I wear really light, almost no hold bralettes.”

“There’s no such thing as a perfect bra. The only perfect bra I know is… No bra.. Oh! And a sports bra because I don’t want my breast friends to hit me in the face when I’m dancing/playing /running/working out.”

“I think it serves man’s vanity more than a woman’s comfort.”

“I feel like bras make you focus on size, shape and perkiness of boobs wayyyyy too much.”

“Puppies like to breathe as well 🤷🏻‍♀️”

“Neck pain, skin rash, just a general constrained feeling.”

“They’re super uncomfortable.”

“Very expensive torture chamber for the bewbies and always too hot in Mumbai for those extra layers.”

“I have a semi permanent scar under both my breasts from wearing wired bras.”

“I have itty bitty titties.”

“They’re suffocating.”

“They’re painful.”

“They don’t give me any freedom, I have small boobs and I can do without one.”

“They’re uncomfortable and feel like a necessity when they are not.”

“Uncomfortable underwire, tight hooks, and straps make you feel restrained.”

“The only reason I wear bras is to keep unwanted eyes from lingering on my chest!”

“I wear bras outside my house because I feel safer, as nipples poking through my t-shirt is not considered normal.”

“Blood clots and straps digging into my ribs.”

“It’s like jail for titties.”

“Why add an extra layer that hurts your shoulders and neck?! “

If you like wearing bras, or feel safer because of one, please continue to do so, it’s totally your choice., But the next time someone else dictates that you need one, you may want to ask them to think again.

Honestly, everyone with boobies should have the chance to free their tatas .

And whether you wear a bra or you don’t, you’ll agree, taking it off , more regularly or at the end of the day, is one of the greatest pleasures to ever exist.

Writer: Tarsha Kohli