https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:52:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/4#post-1218461 Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:58:38 +0000 Von 1218461@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bought some of these a few months ago and they work better than expected.&nbsp; For the first time in ages I don't have to go super padded if I don't want to.<br /><a href="http://www.dimrs.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.dimrs.com/</a></p> <p>That being said, I'm a Le Mystere tee shirt bra kind of girl.&nbsp; That thing is amazing!! I've always been team no padding, but this doesn't add, and actually makes me look smaller (dunno how that works). I think it has to do with the shape of the bra + the amount of molding underneath the cups that just make you look slimmer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/4#post-1218410 Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:13:34 +0000 Ria 1218410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jumping into the conversation here! :)</p> <p>Personally, I only wear a bra whenever&nbsp;I go outside, do sports,&nbsp;or have guests at home. My bust isn't all that big, but it <i>is</i>&nbsp;large enough that I can feel "them" jiggling whenever I go without a bra. Common sense dictates that, in my situation, I should be wearing a bra even at home - however, I grew up not wearing a bra at home, so I'm used to a certain amount of bouncing and will happily go without a bra until one of the three situations above comes up. The fact that I always have to wear a slightly too tight bra so that the band doesn't ride up because of my back fat gives me even more reason to go without at home.</p> <p>That being said, I do believe that all women, regardless of bust size, should try to wear a bra whenever they go outside. Ignoring the <i>size</i> of your bust, I say wear a bra so that your nip-nips don't shine through! Unless you're wearing something that's made out of really thick material (e.g. down jackets), from personal experience, your nip-nips will most definitely be visible!</p> <p>Which brings me to another topic - bras with padding. My nip-nips protrude quite a bit, so all my bras are padded. I hate lots of padding though, so they are only very lightly lined. The only bra that I own that's quite heavily padded is <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.maison-close.com/collections-lingerie/by-produits/bra-and-bustier/push-up-bra-villa-satine-maison-close.html">Maison Close's Villa Satine bra</a>. (If you're looking for a slightly lacy bra that'll look pretty decent under your clothes, I find that this bra isn't too bad. Only one seam shows through. None of the lace does!)</p> <p>...I guess that's enough on bras for now. Haha, is my interest in this topic shining through? </p> <p>Edit: Included some photos of me wearing the Maison Close bra with a&nbsp;really thin and light undershirt from Uniqlo. Lace is invisible and seam is almost invisible.&nbsp;I'm pretty sure that a thicker top should disguise the seam pretty well! Also, in&nbsp;general, I find that cowl neck t-shirts do a fabulous job with disguising seams and laces. And if you don't mind going for less lace, there are many bras out there that should blend in with other tops quite well! Just be wary of the seams - but don't be afraid to try them out! Seams work wonders.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/4#post-1214977 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 19:07:10 +0000 ironkurtin 1214977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've seen them many places, G, from California to Portland to Austin. Gigantic bosoms with no support. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/4#post-1214905 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 17:30:47 +0000 Gigi 1214905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IK, I used to think that t-shirt bras were bras made out of t-shirt material too! But they're not. They're bras with thick molded cups, and like you say, the point is to have them&nbsp;be invisible under a t-shirt. I didn't realize they were mostly an American thing, as Faith says. I don't like them at all, as they feel like armor to me. :^)&nbsp;I do have a bra with molded cups from VS, and I will wear that when I need to be completely "seamless," as it were, but it's still not anywhere as thick as a t-shirt bra.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've had problems too with some lace bras giving texture underneath shirts. Some are OK, though. I would try some different ones if you're still interested in the idea. I think that if they are really well fitted, they might not show so much, since they'll be like a second skin. My VS bralettes are lace, and they don't show.</p> <p>I have to wonder about Austin, IK, that you see so many well-endowed ladies without a bra! I never see one up here in Minnesota. But then again, it's winter for six months out of the year, so I wouldn't notice since everything's covered up. :^)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/4#post-1214903 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 17:28:33 +0000 rabbit 1214903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've had no luck with lacy bras actually worn under something - as opposed to on their own. &nbsp;They itch and they show through. &nbsp;Non padded bras for me basically are equivalent to going without in terms of nipple show through. &nbsp;So t-shirt bras - comfortable, soft, gently padded, no extraneous doodads, are my friends. </p> <p>I wore padded bras in my early 20's also because I wanted to create a bit of hourglass - I had hips but not the equivalent up top. &nbsp;Under tank tops with cargo pants and tough&nbsp;boots&nbsp;it could be pretty hot when they fit right. &nbsp;(Starbuck is a style icon for me ;)&nbsp;).</p> <p>I hear what is being said&nbsp;about the line between&nbsp;&nbsp;personal aesthetic preference/shame - I'd never want to censor the riot grrls or their feminist predecessors or women who just find it comfortable,&nbsp;and am cool with however one wants to resolve the body hair&nbsp;question. &nbsp;At times I've been totally fine with my own&nbsp;bra straps showing, or with a bra being visible under a black gauze shirt (kind of in a punk rock way). &nbsp; &nbsp;I think I've also once or twice worn only a bra before? &nbsp;There were these college raves, some people were just wearing body paint up top.... &nbsp;anyhow....&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/4#post-1214859 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 16:27:19 +0000 rae 1214859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A <i>correctly fitted</i> bra should not redistribute the weight uncomfortably. Most of the weight should be held by the band around the ribcage. There should not be pulling on the shoulders.&nbsp;However, there was some study that said 80% of women wear the wrong size bra. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/4#post-1214846 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 16:08:44 +0000 ironkurtin 1214846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always thought a t-shirt bra was a bra made of t-shirt material. Which kinda sounds awesome. But it seems it's a bra meant to be invisible under a t-shirt?</p> <p>I personally think wearing a textured lacy bra underneath some shirts gives an odd crunchy appearance to the bosom which is not all appealing. It just looks unnatural. I tried a gorgeous La Perla bra set for a while but it looked so bad when clothed I ultimately decided that it wasn't workable.</p> <p>I have seen a few heavier, very very well-endowed women with no bra and breast that clearly hit their waist. Is it just too hard to find a bra in those sizes? Or is it uncomfortable to bear the weight where a bra redistributes it? Honestly, I am curious, because it looks really uncomfortable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/4#post-1214792 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 14:47:35 +0000 Anonymous 1214792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh God, no, I am team wear a bra with padding actually. There is nothing worse than having a case of headlights in a business meeting.<br /> As far as home, I try to wear a sports bra or half cami. I don't trust gravity. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/4#post-1214788 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 14:34:57 +0000 Faith 1214788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been following this discussion with great interest. I would second much of what Gigi wrote in her most recent post, from the idea of bra as accessory (I love that!) to the question of body-shaming. I should preface my remarks by adding that I in no way wish to question or to&nbsp;judge any individual woman's experience of her own body (or of her body in society, for that matter), nor what she chooses to do with it. That said, I think a critical cultural history of the t-shirt bra would make for fascinating reading. It is a phenomenon that has largely passed me by, probably for three reasons: my mother has always worn thin, lace bras and abhorred any sort of padding, I myself was so put off by this idea of padding when I was a teenager and young adult that I had few bras and often went without, and I moved to Europe in my mid-twenties. I think Angie remarked some time ago (although perhaps it was a commenter), that t-shirt bras seem to be an American preference, while European women are less concerned about the bra itself being visible beneath clothing, e.g. </p> <p>I suspect that this idea of the t-shirt bra--which must have come about sometime in the 1990s?--was partly a technological innovation (molding rather than seaming), and&nbsp;one that almost certainly reduced production costs. The&nbsp;<i>idea</i> of the t-shirt bra, though, must largely be a product of marketing. I was surprised to hear about the experience of Astrid's sister, and (knowing next to nothing about the history of bosom-fettering in Germany), couldn't help but wonder to what it extent it is an end result of more globalized marketing. As for me, as I said, I moved to Europe, where I discovered bras that not only fit me, but that were beautiful creations. Despite the fact that, if pushed, I would probably have to agree with E on comfort, I haven't looked back.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/4#post-1214739 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 12:52:14 +0000 fieldmouse 1214739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I go without at home or if I'm wearing a fairly skin-tight cami underlayer. Otherwise I wear a simple stretchy cotton jersey bra, basically just to keep them from flopping about wildly. I have no idea what cup size I am, B maybe? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214695 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 09:01:52 +0000 froggiebecky 1214695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I broke into a C cup when I was 14. I've been wearing an underwire since day 1. They're now an E….</p> <p>I don't wear one to bed, but I'm not aerodynamic enough to go without. Bra all the time here.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214690 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 08:14:51 +0000 EveningMood 1214690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gigi, I second what you say. Old men have saggy chests too, and they aren't shamed to into hiding. Or into wearing bras i think that if people are offended by the natural shape of a woman, it's their problem, not the woman's. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214623 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 03:06:39 +0000 Gigi 1214623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IK, yes, after I wrote my post, I thought that "ligaments" must not have been the right word. I did a quick Google search, and here is a short synopsis of the study I mentioned,&nbsp;by HuffPo:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/11/women-bras-study-france-false-necessity_n_3062114.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....62114.html</a>. HuffPo says that it's the muscle that develops in order to support the breast. So maybe it is ligaments, but it's in the muscle and not the breast. I will say that I enjoyed Rae's comment about the National Geo ladies. :^)</p> <p>I guess that since I am quite small, I view a bra as an accessory. Will wearing a bra make a difference in outfit X? So it's optional for me, depending on what I want my clothes to look like from the outside. Or if I want some lace in my outfit, I can just wear a bralette, even though no one will see it. So it's more for me as opposed to for the public.</p> <p>One of the reasons I started going without a bra occasionally&nbsp;has to do with body image. One of the earlier commenters talked about body shaming. I had a lot of body shaming as a child. I think that quite honestly, many small-busted women who choose to wear a bra but don't really need one feel ashamed (due to the culture) of their body, because we aren't supposed to be able to see a woman's nipples, etc. Well...women have nipples, and that's normal. :^) It's not our bodies that are bad; it's that the culture says it's bad.&nbsp;I notice that if a woman wears a very low-cut, tight top with a push-up bra&nbsp;in order to show cleavage, that's considered OK because it's "sexy."&nbsp;But if that same woman goes without a bra in&nbsp;a slightly clingy top (not body-con, just slightly clingy) such that you can see the shape of her breasts and, heaven forbid,&nbsp;her nipples, that is considered disgusting—even if everything is covered up and no cleavage is exposed. How is it that the normal state of the woman is disgusting, while the push-up-bra-plus-cleavage is considered OK? It's like it's not OK for us to have regular bodies, but a sexualized body is OK.</p> <p>I'm not trying to get on a soapbox or anything! These are just things that I've noticed while I've been thinking about body image. Sorry if I've offended anyone! :^) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214603 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 02:27:42 +0000 Krista 1214603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Busting out at a 38G (no pardon to the pun!), I, like Day Vies, consider it my contribution to society to ensure the girls are locked and loaded each day in a sufficiently supportive bra. </p> <p>I wear a bra for all of the aforementioned reasons - comfort, support, hygiene, etc - but most importantly I wear a bra because of my job; I'm a high school administrator. There's no way a woman with a 38G bust should be walking around bra-less in a building filled with hundreds of teenage boys. Can you imagine the phone calls to the Board office? I'm good, thanks! And more than happy to sit on Team Bra. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214571 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 01:52:27 +0000 MsLuna 1214571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I absolutely NEED to wear a bra because the jiggles HURT!!!! Owwwwww.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214551 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 01:33:28 +0000 rach 1214551@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a D/DD so definitely need a bra, but even when I was an AA it was still uncomfortable for me to not wear a bra. I actually find it kinda painful when they jiggle so definitely team bra!! I do however occassionally go braless even now if I'm wearing a dress that requires it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214522 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 01:07:21 +0000 dustt 1214522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>at 54, the girls require a bit of architecture to&nbsp;remain in their preferred location.&nbsp; They're not too big, not too small (34-36D), but 2 breast fed grownup girls and a 40 pound weight loss took their toll!! - around the house I'm perfectly happy in a cami with a shelf bra (which I also wear to bed) but I don't feel like my proportions look right or my clothes fit well without a little lift.&nbsp; I have a really long rise with a short waist and a long upper chest - so some lift really helps even things out a bit!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214488 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 00:45:16 +0000 Day Vies 1214488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In all seriousness (as opposed to my earlier comment) -- I prefer wearing a bra because like so many have already mentioned tummy and breasts merge because I have such a short waist and I look even more apple-like without separation. So <u>figure-flattery</u> is a reason. <u>Hygiene</u> is another -- I am prone to chaffing and skin infections without the aid of a bra to provide some separation. <u>Comfort</u> - it's harder to do everyday things with unharnessed girls (running downstairs is a perfect example). I don't sleep in a bra -- they don't make comfy sleep bras in my size though a sleep bra is definitely something I would wear were such a thing available to me. </p> <p>BTW -- wearing a bra hasn't stopped my girls from continuing to increase in size from age 18 until now. Trust me I was quite happy as a C cup.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214475 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 00:32:16 +0000 Marmee 1214475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Two children. &nbsp;Breastfeeding. &nbsp;I hate to think of what else besides a pencil they would hang onto. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214466 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 00:22:02 +0000 Anonymous 1214466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Janeva, I wore a C in grade 10 to my mortification and now at a DDD, I never, ever go without, except to sleep. And some daysof the month, I sleep in one too. If you ever stay over at my house, I wear one in my pjs to avoid embarrassing me and you </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214459 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 00:18:43 +0000 LACeleste 1214459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Team fettered. &nbsp;Fettered 24/7. &nbsp;&nbsp;32h. &nbsp;I sought out a reduction 5 years ago and was told "Are you sure?&nbsp;People pay good money for these things." by the gross&nbsp;Doc. &nbsp;Only in LA kids.</p> <p>I may seek out a woman surgeon...... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214454 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 00:16:01 +0000 Mia 1214454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fun reading. &nbsp;I am on team "foundation garment". &nbsp; I just prefer how my clothes look and fit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214453 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 00:15:18 +0000 Jenava 1214453@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Once I broke a C cup in high school I could never go without.&nbsp; Now I'm a DD/E and I wear underwire seamed bras during the day, and a bralette at night.&nbsp; I can't stand the feel of them dropping or pulling, so I'm more comfortable with at least a small amount of support! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214446 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 00:08:47 +0000 Kristin L 1214446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I need to do some internet research and read more about these studies. I know there was one bra study done a while back that almost said "Bras cause breast cancer," but the study didn't take into account family history or a few other risk factors. Yes, I'm sometimes that person. :D</p> <p>As a 32 B, I could go bra less and frequently do in the privacy of my own apartment. I've done the no bra thing with a maxi dress I use to have, but I just don't feel comfortable going out in public without my girls covered. Maybe part of it is society, but it's also a privacy thing. I don't want everyone being able to see everything, or the perfect silhouette of everything. In all honesty, I also have this issue with swimsuits.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214430 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 23:53:25 +0000 deb 1214430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really think it is all genetics. I have few wrinkles for my age of 60 and neither does my mom for 81. The skin just has not sagged as much. It&nbsp;think the same goes for the skin on breasts. &nbsp;Of coarse size does play a roll in the downward pull. Not much there not much pull. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214414 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 23:37:26 +0000 April 1214414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Day Vies -- I'm choking on my tea with laughter. &nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214288 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 20:26:59 +0000 E 1214288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This thread has turned&nbsp;hilarious! And I'm in the clear minority.&nbsp;I will say that I don't have a headlight tendency &amp; I only go braless in tops that don't cling. My very pro-bra mother and sister haven't complained about their eyes being assaulted, so I think I'm good.&nbsp;hehe</p> <p>I actually would love to try sewing a bra one day so that I could use a breathable, soft fabric and make it to my own proportions. I've just never tried one on, even fancy/expensive ones, that felt more comfortable than nothing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214245 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 19:33:50 +0000 rabbit 1214245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol <b>Day Vies</b>. &nbsp;Yeah for me, it's partly appearance, the proportions just work better, and modesty/comfort&nbsp;&nbsp;because of&nbsp;nipples. &nbsp;</p> <p>They distract me in a not-fun way&nbsp;if I can feel my shirt move against them, and they distract me when I see them&nbsp;on other people, men or women. &nbsp;</p> <p>I'm into all kinds of&nbsp;bodies for their artistic merit and I have sometimes found myself accidentally&nbsp;gazing at someone's chest thinking completely figurative&nbsp;sculpture related thoughts, but how are they supposed to know why I'm creepily (and all unawares until I catch myself) staring.&nbsp;:D. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214244 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 19:32:46 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 1214244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always wear one except when sleeping.&nbsp; 34A and not very full - they just look like&nbsp;sad half filled ballooons&nbsp;without a little assistance.&nbsp; Having a child did not make them bigger.&nbsp; I will wear those GAP bralettes on very hot summer days so as not to get super sweaty, but they don't make my shape look all that great. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-unfettered-bosom-why-or-why-not/page/3#post-1214234 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 19:17:01 +0000 Day Vies 1214234@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear a bra because it's a public service I gratefully perform daily. (it's all fun and games until someone puts an eye out :-D!) </p>