I'm very small chested (34 barely A) but almost always wear a bra and almost always have. Bras give me shape and I really prefer it that way. I've never really felt like it was because of anyone else's rules that I put one on, and I've never thought of my own relationship with lingerie as political.
I actually like bras and think they're often pretty. But my small chest may have something to do with it -- they never hurt me and are typically not uncomfortable, so I don't ever feel like I am doing something I don't want to do. Occasionally in college and grad school I would wear a muscle shirt with no bra, but that was really rare.
The only thing I resist, and this may indeed be a political statement, is overly stuffed and padded bras. I like a bra to give me shape, but I don;t need a bra to turn me into Jane Mansfield.

Things jiggle if I don't wear a bra, so I always have. I don't like the feeling of jiggle. If I were a man, I suspect I'd be the kind who requires body-hugging underpants, for the same reasons. (I can't imagine it would be comfortable to have your boy parts thwapping against the tops of your thighs!).

I'm fine with it if others don't want to wear one, though. I agree with the political stuff.

I definitely was a part of that generation and I did my undergrad degree in Women's Studies. Having said that I didn't myself nor did I know any other women who burned their bras or even just abandoned them by the wayside.

I think it's similar to the music and drug influence of the '60s-'70s. A lot of us were around then and were greatly influenced by the thinking of the times but few of us actually went to Woodstock.

My feeling as a feminist is that it is crucial to raise our sons to respect women and our daughters to be strong women.

In spirit only. I'm of the age to have been a bra-burner, but I've just never felt comfortable going without.

For elpgal and those who wondered: a natural bra was a 1970s invention made of very sheer, stretchy fabric--nylon if I remember correctly. It came in "nude," i.e. pale pinkish-beige and offered some support, but not much. It did keep you from bouncing around, and yes, in thin or light clothing the nipples could be seen. I think Warner's made them. No padding and not pointy.

I can't find a picture of one.

MsMaven, I found a picture, Rudi Gernreich "No Bra" here. And the story here.

This is such an interesting and hilarious read!!! I am too modest to do that and I hate pointing o_O ...... But a feminist all the way. Cheers to girl power!

Hi Deb
So do we think jezebel is the modern equivalent to a bra burner? Or is she doing something else all together ?

Ah yes--that was it. Thanks for finding the photo and the article. I forgot that it was Rudi who started it all. His designs were shocking at the time.

Archer, I am really not sure what direction jezebel is going.

Me either. Sometimes she combines incredible wisdom from someone of her experience (i.e. length of life is enough of a criteria for me on that one - but I am a bit of hard-nose there). At other times she is IMO clueless of the larger paradigm. I really think, I (at 53) am no longer wired to understand the connections that young women are making and what they are connecting it to.
And - Im sure our mothers thought that about us so I think J is worth watching just because she is doing something 'disruptive' in a way that appears to go beyond what she sees in magazines or desk top calendars.