Going braless: benefits and beginner advice

Even the best-fitting bra tends to get uncomfortable after a long day. The underwires are a nightmare, and you’re bound to have the straps firmly indented into your skin. The immediate sense of relief when you get home and take off your bra makes it clear that going braless might be the better option.

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Benefits: comfort -

In the long term, many women report that once they get used to going braless they have a greater sense of freedom and comfort with their bodies.

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Benefits: better circulation -

Most women know the constricting sensation of wearing a bra for hours. This constriction can impede blood circulation to the chest and back, which can lead to aching back muscles.

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Benefits: better sleep - If you’re one of those people who wears a bra in bed, you’re bound to get a better night’s sleep once you release yourself from that burden! Halle Berry once admitted in an interview that she’d worn a bra to bed every night since she was 16 years old. Can you believe it?

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Benefits: less boob sweat! - Anywhere skin touches skin on your body is going to be a sweat factory. Bras sit tight against the areas that perspire and the materials aren't always breathable. No bra means you may sweat less and dry faster.

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Benefits: skin health -

As bras absorb sweat and dirt from the skin, they can cause skin irritation and even acne. Clogged pores in that area are no joke!

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Benefits: kill the taboo -

Breasts aren’t inherently sexual. Their main function is to produce milk for breastfeeding. People are not “hardwired” to stare at women’s boobs. This eroticization is cultural, as was the sexual allure of a woman's ankle in Victorian Britain!

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Benefits: kill the taboo - The suggestion that there's something indecent about a woman's chest being too visible only confirms that female bodies are seen first and foremost as sexual objects. Going braless is a small step towards normalizing women's bodies and demystifying the female chest.

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Myths: underwires cause cancer -

There are many myths out there about bra-wearing. This one has been circulating among the younger generations for a long time. The explanation was that the underwire blocks lymphatic fluid and can cause you to develop a tumor.

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Myths: underwires cause cancer -

There’s no evidence that this is the case, and no studies have shown any connection between wearing a bra and breast cancer. If this is your reason for going braless, then rest easy.

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Myths: going braless causes sagging -

Bras don’t prevent the natural changes that occur with age, despite what many disreputable online articles would have you believe!

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Myths: going braless is promiscuous -

This is a common concern among those who go braless for the first time. It can feel like everyone is going to notice immediately and think you’re hoping to attract attention. This flawed idea is sadly tied with the unconscious belief that a woman's body is there for sexual consumption.

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Myths: going braless is promiscuous - Female bodies are over-sexualized, which makes it difficult for many women to feel comfortable going braless. The truth is that a woman not wearing a bra should be just as uninteresting as a man not wearing a bra.

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Myths: Sleeping in a bra makes them perkier - Nope! There’s no evidence to support this claim. Bras cannot prevent sagging, or make your breasts perkier.

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Tips for beginners -

Going braless is a one step process: take off your bra. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple for everyone. Here’s some advice for those who aren’t fully comfortable with the idea but want to give it a go.

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Tips: start small -

It’s often the idea of stepping outside with no bra on that can be the most intimidating. Try it out at home first so you can get used to the feeling and appearance.

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Tips: start small -

You can ramp it up in small phases. Next could be a braless coffee run, or a morning walk with the dog! Eventually you might feel brave enough to wear a braless outfit on a night out with friends.

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Tips: try a bralette first -

Bralettes tend to be lighter, wireless versions of bras that have little or no padding. It’s a good middle-ground if you’re not ready to go full-nipple yet.

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Tips: focus on your posture -

If you rely on your bra to provide support for the weight of your breasts, improving your posture can help. Better posture relieves back pain and reduces the need for a bra’s support.

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Tips: focus on your posture -

When you’re sitting in a chair, make sure you have back support. Keep your feet on the ground, your forearms parallel to the ground, and your shoulders relaxed.

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Tips: pasties -

The reason many people wear bras is to prevent anything 'explicit' showing through their clothes. Pasties are a simpler and less restrictive solution.

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Tips: bodysuits -

If you’re worried about the lack of support, there are plenty of smart clothing options that take care of that. A tight bodysuit is fitted and stretchy enough to provide support while still being comfortable. Plus, they usually look better without a bra.

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Tips: corsets -

Corsets and tops that tie at the back are back in fashion! They're great for providing that extra support, and you can make them as tight or as loose as you want.

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Tips: structured tops -

A structured top or dress can provide almost as much support as a bra. Wearing a bra with it would almost be overkill!

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Tips: fashion tape - Fashion tape is a special double sided tape that’s safe to stick to your skin. It’s the secret weapon celebrity stylists use to ensure there are no unintentional slips when a star is wearing a plunging neckline.

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Tips: fashion tape - It’s extra helpful when you’re going braless but are concerned that your top or dress will reveal too much. You can use the tape to ensure the neckline doesn’t move much, so you’ll be free to enjoy yourself without constantly looking down!

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Important note! -

Going braless is not recommended when you’re exercising! If you've ever tried free-boobing it while running, you'll know why. Ouch. We need the support to prevent damage to the internal structure of the breast.

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Each to their own -

Wearing a bra is a choice that should come down to your own comfort. If you find it uncomfortable to go braless all the time and feel you need the support, then do what works best for you. Those with larger breasts, for example, may feel more comfortable in a well-fitted bra.

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Freedom of choice -

The braless trend and the "Free the Nipple" movement aren’t about encouraging every woman not to wear a bra. It’s about ensuring that everyone has the freedom to make the choice without fear of judgement or harassment.

Sources: (Healthline) (Health) (Insider) (Well and Good)

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Going braless: benefits and beginner advice

Gillian Anderson has given up bras: "I don’t care if my breasts reach my belly button"

28/07/21 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Feminist fashion

Gillian Anderson has ditched bras, and this could be your sign to do the same.

"I don’t wear a bra anymore. I can’t wear a bra. I’m sorry,” the 'Crown' actress candidly said in an Instagram Live video on July 12. "I don’t care if my breasts reach my belly button. I’m not wearing a bra, it’s just too f–king uncomfortable.” She was met with praise from her followers in the comments section, particularly as many women are facing the reality of going back to bras after the pandemic freed them from any perceived need.

The no-bra look is a big trend in fashion and feminism these days, but is it really better than wearing a bra?

Going braless is all about personal choice. We all love taking off an uncomfortable bra after a long day, but that doesn't mean it works for everyone all the time. The key here is freedom. Whether you want to wear a bra or not, you should be able to make your decision purely based on your own comfort and physical needs.

There are plenty of harmful myths and attitudes floating around that may prevent a woman from doing this freely. Click through this gallery to see them deflated and learn more about the benefits of going braless.