People think I’m trying to make a fashion statement because I never wear a bra. It’s really that I’m a tomboy at heart. —Cameron Diaz
Happy No Bra Day! We hope women everywhere are enjoying this special day of freedom
The notification that today is No Bra Day came through my newsfeed early this morning, long before anyone else was awake. I couldn’t help laughing. Kat never wears a bra. She doesn’t need to and even when someone thinks she should she won’t. So, this is a non-event around here. Every day is No Bra Day.
Yet, for millions of women who have been convinced that they’re just not fully dressed, or that they are somehow immodest if they’re not wearing a bra, the concept can actually be rather frightening. Women with especially large breasts are more likely to be ridiculed and verbally assaulted in public if they are not wearing a bra. People can be very mean if they think one’s boobs are not sufficiently supported and women are much more likely than men to make mention of the situation, frequently in terms that are derisive and insulting. Worst of all, there are far too many men, one of whom is running for President, who think that the absence of a bra is an invitation to touch or make other inappropriate and unwanted advances on a woman.
Not wearing a bra creates far more issues than it should. After all, the damn thing wasn’t even invented (in the form we know it) until 1914. There were a few precursors, and the argument can be made that women throughout history have been binding their breasts for different reasons. Still, we make far too big a deal about whether women are wearing a bra than the garment deserves.
Reasons For Not Wearing A Bra
I find it rather interesting just how many studies have been done on the effects of wearing, or not wearing, a bra. What wasn’t surprising was that most the studies were conducted by women. Looking through the material, one quickly gets the impression that a lot of women do not like bras in any way, shape, or form. Why, then, are lingerie stores, such as Victoria’s Secret, so popular? Because many women feel that they have to wear bras and that those bras have to be sexy if they want to impress a potential mate. Never mind that the “sexy” bras are practically worthless when it comes to providing support. Women have been brain-washed into thinking that wearing a bra is something they have  to do.
The reality is that women’s bodies do better and are healthier when they don’t wear a bra. Repetitive studies have proven this for a number of years. Young women, especially, are healthier and less likely to have breast cancer if they never wear a bra. Women’s bodies form more collagen and maintain greater elasticity when bras are not worn as teenagers and young adults. And while I’ve always known women who complain about their back hurting if they don’t wear a bra, there is no scientific evidence that wearing a bra helps your back, nor is your back damaged if you leave it off.
Bras are expensive, never fit quite right, don’t allow for the fact that one side is often a different size than the other, and look downright ugly with many fashion styles. The body moves differently, feels different, and looks more natural without a bra. Going without a bra can be very self-affirming and is a strong body-positive statement of self-acceptance. Quite plainly, bras suck.
Don’t Take My Word For It
I’m a guy so I have never known the pressure to wear anything as uncomfortable as women tell me bras are. There is a point here where anything I say might be considered platitudinous (yes, that’s a real word). Fortunately, the good folks over at Refinery 29 have addressed the issue with a really cool video written and produced by women. We’re including it below. I think this pretty much has the final word on the subject. Watch it and, by all means, enjoy going braless today!