Zaeobi, first of all, are you in the right bra size? Second, foam bras can be very subtle. Wearing a camisole over a bra helps too.

I have a small bust, so boob movement is not really a concern for me unless I am exercising and a good sports bra takes care of that. I like wearing bras because they are pretty and make my clothes fit better. Bras are very comfortable to me, even strapless bras, but probably because they don’t have too much to hold up. I happily wear a bra except with sleepwear.

I have no issue with other ladies showing off their assets, although it does remind me of the Seinfeld episode where Gerry said to George that “Looking at cleavage is like looking at the sun, you have to look away”.

Well, resident "prude" or traditionalist chiming in here. I'm not embarrassed to be this way, nor do I wish I had different views. But I don't. I don't want to see yours , and I don't want you to see mine, is the best way I can phrase it. I don't go for bralessness around the house either - I don't think it's respectful to other people, especially my husband who doesn't want to see our daughter under-dressed. I suppose it comes from my upbringing- but I can't really remember. Nipple show-through is distracting, to lots of people - and why do we need that? Overt sexuality in the work-place or even in social occasions where lots of other people are around - well, it makes me uncomfortable. Gee - I'm very repressed, aren't I? One of the reasons I had such a hard time moving over to a minimizer bra is that there is no padding for nipple coverage - and that freaked me out. My fears were unfounded though - doesn't seem to be an issue, and I don't wear body con tops anymore anyways . Yes, I have officially turned into an old lady I don't hate wearing bras - I find them warm, comfortable, and I don't want to feel movement either. So there is that part.....

Angie, I don't have a passion for lace like you do, but otherwise I would be on your team. But you know me - color important to me. And yet bras (especially in my size) tend to come in either bland neutrals or WILD colors. And I wear too many light colors year-round to be able to indulge in most colors. My size is 30F or 30FF and options tend to be limited, especially on a smaller budget. Clearance styles tend to be the most garish color combinations. Once I had a beautiful bra in pale pink lace, but it had accents of neon orange! It would have been invisible on me even under a white tee, except for that orange. I do have a couple of pretty ones now in duck egg blue and deep lavender. Dark, but wearable in winter.

I agree with Lisa completely.

@Angie last time I got fitted, I was between 34C and 34D depending on the style of the bra, since padding takes up more physical space in the cups (I have teardrop shaped boobs that don't hold much on top but all the weight 'pools' to the bottom lol, & they're quite wide-set). I used to be a 32 when I was slimmer, but I admit that I haven't been fitted for a bra since being out here because most stores don't stock my size (they may hold a C cup size, but it often doesn't correlate to UK sizing). Maybe the ones on the island do, but that's quite a distance for me & their styles are usually much more expensive than if I just bought them at home. So I plan to go for a bra fitting & shopping when I go home again in a few months

By 'foam' bras do you mean that the padding is made of foam? Like those bras you can get which come with removable foam inserts? Or do you mean that the whole bra is made of foam, lol? I have to be careful with padding - I've tried padded bras where the shape of my headlights is STILL visible through the padding, lol!

The camisole idea is good but unfortunately I run very hot, so that would only work in winter (UK winter, not Hong Kong 'winter' lol!)

I think I might just try somewhere like TK Maxx, where I can access a lot of different brands & styles at once for instant comparison. That way I won't get tunnel vision just from the size written on the tag & can actually focus on objective fit regardless of number.

Angie, I say that it is about 50/50, with and without a bra. I am from the burn your bra era and then lived in Korea where bras were not worn so it has never been a priority for me.

I always wear a bra. I feel uncomfortable with movement, it is painful to go without, my clothes look better with one, the list goes on. I don't show my bra but I am fine if others do. I am not a lace lover so my bras are mostly plain.

I agree with Lisa 100%. I prefer supportive, full coverage bras that don't have show-through. It is uncomfortable for me not to wear a bra because of sensitivity issues, not necessarily support. And I actually prefer an underwire, as the proper kind creates a better shape, less show-through with lumps or bumps, and stays in place better (for me, anyway). I do not go braless except for going to bed.

Angie, I'm with you. I am very small-busted (34A). My breasts are not droopy, but I can still feel the movement, plus that sensation that they are "hanging." To me it's very unpleasant. Plus I also have the sensitivity issue during PMS. A padded bra feels so absolutely protective, supportive, like a soft suit of armor.

I also have the headlight issue. On the rare occasions when I had to go braless for a particular top (I remember a striking LOFT white knit halter from around 2004) I used the old Bandaid trick Those store-bought "nipple petals" never helped me.

I do, however, so enjoy that feeling at the end of the day when you take your bra off before putting on PJs... just as much as I enjoy the feeling of putting on my bra in the morning after a shower.

Bijou, HAH. What about the other Seinfled episode where Elaine's friend wouldn't wear a bra - and nobody could look away.

Lisa p, welcome to Team Traditionalist. I adore a fully covered bra, as long as it's lacy. I do love bras though, and glad you don't loathe them. Judging from my clients, minimizers can be very confidence-boosting.

Zaeobi, you might find that a larger cup has its benefits - especially on a bloated day. And by all means go bra shopping back in the UK. (By foam I mean NO padding or inserts. Just thick coverage, like my own bras. See Find.

deb, thanks for chiming back in.

Ginger, you can join my team anyway. Lace is not mandatory.

Echo and Style Fan, you have exactly the same bra needs and bra wearing habits as I do.

K.M., I enjoyed your therapeutic comment and had a giggle too.

This is one of my favorite YLF conversations ever. Just saying. And I don’t have any strong opinions either way. Just happy we’re all discussing breast management techniques so politely.

UmmLila, thank you. "Breast Management" sounds like serious business - because it is!

I am with you in this one, Angie. I feel better when wearing a bra. My bust is small and "lifted", so it doesn't really move much but I feel better wearing a bra except when I sleep.

Angie- I always wear a bra out of the house, but at the end of the day, after work, I don't usually. My lounging clothes are usually yoga pants and a sweatshirt or hoodie. I wear a stretchy camisole underneath for warmth and to minimize movement. The camis don't provide any real support but I'm small enough that they prevent some movement. The sweatshirts and hoodies are thick enough so no one can tell I'm not wearing a bra (I do have 3 boys so need to have some modesty). Summer is obviously a little different but I'm too cold right now to remember what I wore to lounge in.

I actually had a little laugh out loud when I read the title of "boob movement"! love it...Now with my grand breasts of a generous 38F, a bra is a must have to keep the girls where they need to be and relatively jiggly free. I do love love a pretty sexy lacy number, or a nice smooth black demi cup---thank goodness for Chantelle! Bra shopping is hard, and just today sent back 2 work out bras...still on the hunt--they are often just so smashy, these were actually too big. sigh

However I do also love taking the bra off at the end of the day--jiggle and all. "Free the girls!" is what I say. luckily the MR is a fan of boobs in general, although he does raise an eyebrow if im in lounge wear sans-bra and the neighbors stop by...It seems to be a bra is necessary for any kind of "public" situations.

I find I'm not much of a fan of the "headlights on" kind of look for me personally, I have enough already out there. A while back man repeller had an article about a week of trying on "fake nipples" it was hilarious! I remember a few years ago I attended an afternoon fest & wore a cute old pale yellow fitted graphic t...when I saw the photos later I had a little gasp & asked the MR why he didnt tell me my shirt was pretty see-through and my headlights were on~ oh the horror! no one really said anything--I think the overall crowd was fairly boob appreciative.

for your entertainment:
https://www.manrepeller.com/20.....pples.html

Oh my. I am definitely on team prude. I have preferred to be in a bra, inside and out since I was about 12! I have medium large boobs and I prefer them to stay in place. As a matter of fact the first thing I do with a bra try on is jump up and down. Which is why I stick the the engineering miracle that is Chantelle's t shirt bra, nothing else passes the test as well. I do wear somewhat looser bras inside the house though.

My boobs are small so there really isn't any movement unless I'm running or jumping. At various times I have gone braless...when we lived in Southern California and I was nursing babies and when I had shingles around where the bra band would be were the most memorable. Being small there is also no sagging even at 71. I like the feel of a bra and the way clothes fit. In fact, without a bra, I would probably need a whole new set of tops. I do not find bras uncomfortable. If and when I do, I will probably just not wear one.

I had a laugh at the thread title too!

I’m blessed with big boobs that are somehow mostly defying gravity even at my age, but I cannot tolerate that feeling of movement or jiggling. I find it really distracting and kinda uncomfortable — even just going down stairs in my pajamas can send me back to for a bralette to wear under a hoodie.

I am a firm believer in everyone doing their own thing, but I’ll admit I find it a little uncomfortable to see a woman really obviously braless when the effect is distracting.

I had a traumatic experience of a stranger once telling me I should wear a bra — when I was already wearing one! It was a long, long time ago, wearing a thin white tee with a very thin nude bra underneath, and the headlights were on. I swore to wear only (lightly) padded bras after that.

A very interesting discussion! So many variables- your own body, cultural norms, climate, upbringing etc.

As a teenager we used to laugh about boys wearing speedos, and it was definitely cool to wear board shirts. Then when I was in Europe, Israel and Australia there were lots of men in speedos. And my perspective changed.

That's what is great about the forum to see how we are all different and to appreciate how others might be more or less conservative than ourselves/ but there is no right or wrong. Definitely what we all need more of in so many societies.

I have a mid-size chest (32C-D) and for whatever reason, I experience no pain from breast movement, even when running or jumping. I assume I just don't have as many nerve endings in the relevant places. The result is that I never really bothered with bras in college. But, when I stopped wearing oversized men's t-shirts after college, I realized I like my appearance far better with a nice supportive bra. My favorites are underwire, seamed cup, no padding or lining. Non-underwire bras smoosh me into less appealing shapes. And I avoid padding because I like having a bit of natural movement and I definitely don't want a larger chest at all. I definitely understand the appeal of t-shirt bras for smoothing everything out but on me they feel stiff and fussy.

I fully endorse the Boob Movement... More power, my sisters !!!

Fascinating post and thread. I need a supportive full coverage bra and strongly prefer a fit that is snug, supportive and no motion. I would love to have a capsule of pretty lacy bras, but with my bra size changing every two months and the price of a great bra, I am currently limited to one every day nude bra, one sport bra, and two bralettes. I look forward to adding color, such as rich burgundy, purple, or teal. My new every day bra is from Third Love, full coverage, and I am thrilled with it. It is very basic but its fit and comfort is superb. Some versions have lace. I have used soma’s Stunning support in the past at my heaviest when I appreciated the molded cups for additional support. I would experience upper back pain if the band stretched out or was otherwise too big.

I have also found a Freya sport bra with a clasp that can turn it into a racer back that is amazing. It is comfortable, yet so supportive that I can run in it with no bounce! It has allowed me to do high impact sports that I previously avoided due to breast movement.

I definitely make having a supportive bra a priority and it has been expensive, but essential, to replace during my weight loss.

I didn't know that this could he such an emotional subject for people.
Personally I think my boobs look really nice in a supportive, wired, lined bra. They are not very big and I am not especially prudish .
I remember when they started to be visible in my teenage years and how I tried so hard to disguise them to the point of slouching ( and ,trust me, they were never remotely big ). I realised that by doing that I was loosing all waist definition and looking overall bigger than I was . Making sure that they are conveniently delineated under my clothes is just one more proportion point I address when getting dressed.
At home and to sleep I will happily go without any support.

Angie - that is correct. I wear a blazer to work every day plus a white coat over that, although often the knot buttons come open and you can see the outfit but not so much the under layers. When I am home I often take the jacket off and on weekends I may not casually wear a topper indoors, although when I am out and about I almost always wear a blazer anyway. I do feel weird with too much bust definition. As in padding is out (I like the girls travel sized for my convenience - to borrow Mushu's quote from Mulan), but just too much separation and emphasis makes me feel uncomfortable and conspicuous. I am most comfortable in a bralette because it masks the headlights and smooshes them flat which works for me. I know that makes me an anomaly. Women are paying a fortune for more and I am happy as a clam with less.. But I do need modesty under thin tops, so although I could totally go braless from a need point of view, I am not comfortable with that option.

I can barely keep up with this thread…And WOW. I’m almost alone in loving bras!

I like the term "headlights issue" so I will use that!

Even as a flat-chested 13 year old, I had this issue, so I am highly self conscious about it. Yes, padding is necessary. Yes, a bra is required in public or at home with visitors or just to dash down to the lobby to grab the mail. I'd be HORRIFIED if I ran into anyone while braless, except my daughters and hubby.

But I don't like to wear a bra all the time at home, so I look for loungewear that is "strategic" and can be worn braless without the headlights issue. The magical tee shirt that's just baggy enough but not too baggy. Or a drapey cardigan over a tank.

I hate the feeling of boob movement. Even though I am small-breasted, I tend to wear sports bras all the time to keep them locked down. Many times shirts and blouses don't really fit me because in order to fit my shoulders and fat arms, I need a 12 or 14, but that makes them huge and "blousey" in the bust area. I have had a couple of nicer silk shirts altered but usually just solve that issue by wearing a jacket or other topper.

I used to hate wearing a bra until I was properly fitted a while ago (over 15 years ago). I am a 36DDD and need a bra, otherwise, I am uncomfortable. Also, I am amazed at the difference of how my clothes fit when I am wearing the correct size and style of bra.

When I was a teen (many moons ago) I hated wearing bras - I was a 36C then at 5'8" and 115 lbs. I could get away back then without wearing a bra, but was and still am prudish and need to cover up. I never wore and still do not wear anything so low cut that my breasts are exposed, but I wore a bikini until my 40s.

My DD (24) always wears a bra. She is tall and very slim in her waist and hips, broad in the shoulders and is a 32 B - however, her breasts are uneven and she is very self conscious about it so she wears heavily padded bras (Aerie) and avoids anything low cut that exposes her breasts.

I am sure there are a lot of women with uneven breasts and I think the larger busted you are, the less noticeable it is.

Thank you, Angie! That means a lot to me. I went through a period of self-consciousness and tried wearing minimizer bras (which usually spread and squished the breasts) until I noticed that I looked smaller when I was in the right band and cup size, even if the cup size was larger. It took me awhile to figure out how a bra should really fit me -- lifted and supported to clearly differentiate my ribcage separate from my chest and not widening my chest past my sides as the wrong band size does. I agree wholeheartedly with you that a good bra fitting at a place with a wide range of bra sizes is an essential part of every wardrobe refresh.