To bra or not to bra?

I’m 67 (almost) very plump and quite large but no longer nice and round and firm, I often go braless unless out somewhere nice, I’m often barefoot too!

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During the Covid lock downs I put my makeup on every single day but almost immediately left off my bra!! Had never done so before and have no idea why I suddenly decided not to wear it! But I felt so FREE!

Like many people, I think, I did my bra up before putting my arms in and then shuffled it around and then put my arms in. Sometimes difficult if the bra had silicone straps in the body of it which preferred to cling to the skin.

However, since Covid over the past three years I have bought some rather pretty lacy bras from Amazon that are FRONT FASTENING and very very comfortable.
I'm quite full busted at 42C but the front clasps have never failed and the wider straps are excellent and stay in place (my shoulders slope downwards so most straps just slide down).
I've bought them in Pale Nude, Navy and Purple.

Price is now £24:99 - £2 more than when I purchased - and I think will last a decade at least as no sign in the oldest ones of any loosening, discolouration or deterioration. Can't really feel them when wearing and they give you a very nice shape.

By MELLENECA ('Front Fastening Bras for Women').

They're also great if you have weak arms and struggle with back closures (like me).

Just thought I'd share.my experience whilst we were on the subject of bras!!!
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I'm also very "bosomy" and would always wear a bra or I'd get very droopy very quickly. But if you're not so well-endowed I don't see that it would matter.
There was an article in the paper at the weekend about this, many younger women were saying that they don't wear bras any longer, but looking at their photos they were very slim and pretty flat-chested.

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P.S. There is only a small cleavage on show when wearing. Certainly mine doesn't reveal such a depth of cleavage as the Amazon models (and I have quite a lot to display!)!
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I have been wearing crop tops for years as I was never comfortable in bras, the straps always cutting into my shoulders. Now I can't even wear crop tops anymore after 3 ops on one shoulder and the straps digging into it. There's no other choice, just wearing layers to contain the boobs which are part of the problem as they are too big for my liking.

Since Covid I wear a bra much less often. Most days I don’t wear one at all (at home, shopping, do walking). I do wear one if meeting up with friends, attending an appointment etc, as I just feel a bit more ‘pulled together’ wearing one. Like the OP, I spent decades never finding a bra comfortable. A couple of years ago, I discovered Wacoal Halo Lace. They are very comfortable for me.

As for those making comments like “no one wants to see that (unrestrained breasts), keep your internalised misogyny to yourselves!

For those who just want the minimum of cover you can buy nipple covers. They are kind of silicone and naturally adhere to the skin. Don't feel them when in place. Produces a smooth look under T shirts.
They look a bit like those suction hooks for hanging up cloths. Except without the hook in the middle. For day wear anyway. No tassels...

Definitely no bra for me under 2 winter jumpers! I have costochondritis so it always feels like I'm wearing a tight fitting bra even when I haven't got one on. Any excuse to be free is taken!

Not a good look I would think but your choice.

I generally go without one. I find it's more comfortable. Forget what society dictates. For me - freedom is everything!

I usually wear an all in one vest with cups sewn in.

Or a sports type bra. Being very skinny, I can sometimes get away with just wearing an ordinary vest.
I can’t abide anything tight around my chest.
As soon as I get home, of it comes and comfy vest back on.

I never wear a bra at home because most bras are uncomfortable for me, but I have just discovered a wireless bra made by Next which you pull on over your head and it sort of settles over you.

It's made of grey or pink t-shirt material and I sometimes even forget I'm wearing it.

I am rather under-endowed though!

I buy bras without underwiring, get them in Peacocks for about £8 and rather more substantial ones from Amazon for £14. I just step in 'em and pull 'em up! I'm not a big person - 34 D - but I do think not having a good bra ages you. My Amazon bras push me up a bit more and take years off my silhouette

I havnt worn bras with wires for some years but have a selection of over the head crops and also soft bras which fo up at the back.
I always wear something because both my mother and a good friend went without any support and bluebelle described the result perfectly in her post on page 1 of this thread. Once they are swinging around the waistline there is no going back.
My friend did not have a big bust, but by golly she has a long one now. Two skinny ribbons almost at her waist,
I really dislike bras and find most uncomfortable by the end of the day, especially after eating dinner, when it gets very tight, so usually undo them in the evening.

I wear crop tops mostly, from Sainsbury's. They are reasonably supportive but obviously no underwires or hook and eye fastenings. I'm not overly well endowed. I started off with their size medium but moved up to large and then extra large. Heaven help anyone who's really busty!I

Hmm.... Predictive text/auto correct wanted to make nonsense of this by substituting 'underwriters' and 'book and she' for the words I've put in bold.

silverlining48

I havnt worn bras with wires for some years but have a selection of over the head crops and also soft bras which fo up at the back.
I always wear something because both my mother and a good friend went without any support and bluebelle described the result perfectly in her post on page 1 of this thread. Once they are swinging around the waistline there is no going back.
My friend did not have a big bust, but by golly she has a long one now. Two skinny ribbons almost at her waist,
I really dislike bras and find most uncomfortable by the end of the day, especially after eating dinner, when it gets very tight, so usually undo them in the evening.

I thought that, if that happened, it was tied in with having had children??? Because my reaction was "I wouldnt have that problem then". I gather the structure of the breasts is one of the things that changes in women that have had children - along with thicker waist etc....a general readjustment of the body.

Though one of the "The English don't look after their health properly" comments I had in Denmark years back was "....and they wear bras - that is not a good idea". So I don't know if that's just a personal take from the Danish woman that said that to me or a more widespread Danish thing of "It's healthy not to wear bras".

So I came back with ideas of "We shouldnt really be wearing bras", "We don't eat healthily enough" (they're certainly right on that) and they'd been the ones that taught me how to cook a "Full English" breakfast.

I, when I wear a bra, which I do not always do, find it much more comfortable if I put it on on top of a thin silk chemise, as the elastic and the hook and eye fastening do not dig in, or rub my skin.

Do whatever you feel most comfortable with. If you prefer to wear a bra go to a shop that only sells corsetry and have yourself properly fitted with the right style and size - this will make an enormous difference to you comfort.

Shelflife

Of course it's not unacceptable. Having lunch in a pub just now . Wearing loose comfy top and no bra!

"Recently" ? At 80?

What took you so long :-)

I unharnessed decades ago.

Isn’t it a shame that comfie bras can’t be made. I do wear one unless I stay in pyjamas on the odd duvet day. But I’ve given up with the underwired ones. I’m sure they can’t be good for you, digging in everywhere!

My mum was told by a hospital consultant that women should not wear underwired bras.

I've lost loads of weight (ozempik) adn mine is nolong painful but I only wear it for the three half days I work

Will never give up my bra. Don't like underwired though

I pay about £70 for a bra.I am measured and fitted.The bras are really comfortable.They are Felina bras. I don’t like any from M&S.

silverlining48

My mum was told by a hospital consultant that women should not wear underwired bras.

Yep I've read that underwired bras are unhealthy too - wasnt it something about restricting the lymph glands or something??

Could be why the Danish woman was telling me I shouldnt wear bras.....as she'd probably spotted that was what I was wearing.

Devils dumplings are a problem for most of us aren’t they?
I need to feel fettered so wear a bra every day but take it off in the evening if staying in.I couldn’t not wear one during the day.