5 Great Reasons to Ditch Your Bra

Indignant Teenage Daughter: OMG MOM!  Are you braless again?

Me: No sweetie, this athletic tank has a shelf and pads built-in.  I’m not braless.

Indignant Teenage Daughter: Everyone knows that a shelf is not a bra and I can still see your nipples through those pads.  You’re not going out like that, are you?

Me: Why yes, yes I am.  I’m going to the gym right now and then I will make my way over to the grocery store and hang out in the frozen food aisle to see if your observation holds true. 

 

Apparently my daughters have taken a sudden interest in my choice of undergarments or lack thereof.  I had no idea that my sports bra clad daughters cared so much about my foundation choices.  Having been forced into a training bra at the tender age of 10, I believe that I am now old enough to tell the world to “F” off when it comes to my choice of bust support.

A recent article on CNBC states that bra sales are declining sharply because of the rising trend in “athleisure” apparel.  You know athleisure, it’s the over-priced stuff your GF’s wear to their trendy yoga class (or to the mall) so they can be sporty and cute.  Well guess what?  I’m a new fan of the athleisure trend.

The way I see it sports bras are like yoga pants for the “girls.”  Ladies admit it…we love our yoga pants.  They provide us with comfort and style especially when eating pizza.  I admit none of my yoga pants have ever seen the inside of a yoga studio, but I don’t care.  I don’t think you will ever see women burning their yoga pants to “liberate” their thighs.  Sports bras provide comfort, support and now (thanks to Victoria’s Secret) a little bit of sex appeal  (nothing screams “cleavage” than a sports bra that hooks AND zips of the front).

Jogbra prototype

So sometimes I skip the sports bra when I believe the garment is meant to offer support.  Why would they make athletic tanks with built-in support if not to forgo the additional layer of the sport bra?  My rule is as such:  if it has a shelf and liner pads no sport bra is necessary.  All other forms of athletic apparel require a sport bra for support and modesty (I learned this lesson the hard way on a spontaneous horseback riding trip in Mexico when I was 23…don’t ask).

So with that being said here are my top 5 reasons to ditch your traditional bra:

1)  “One study, done by Singer and Grismaijer, suggested that women who wear bras 24 hours a day may have more than a 100-fold greater incidence of breast cancer, compared to those who don’t wear bras. They wrote a book called Dressed to Kill to explain their theories to the lay public.” (source: brafree.org)

2)  “Healthy breasts don’t need “support.” Noses don’t, either. Or ears. Or arms. If you put your left arm in a sling for six weeks, on the first morning of the seventh week, you’d need “support” for that arm, because it would have lost all muscle tone.” (source: brafree.org)

3)  Some studies show that going bra less reduces shoulder and back pain and wearing bras can actually contribute to sagging because your muscles stop providing the support for you. (source: www.medicalnewstoday.com)

4)  “Fibrocystic breast disease is a sign of too much estrogenic effect and toxin buildup in the breasts.If you have lumpy, bumpy tender breasts or have had breast biopsies, go bra free or wear a less restrictive bra. Breast cysts and fibrotic changes occur because of the accumulation of estrogen and toxins in your breasts.” (source: brafree.org)  Dr. Vaughn at www.brafree.org  advises that  “all women with fibrocystic breast disease to get out of their bras, because tight bras interfere with the breasts’ natural way of getting rid of toxins.”

5)  And Susan’s favorite reason to ditch your regular bra:  you don’t need to hang them to dry!!  Did I mention I have three daughters?

Hanging Bras to Dry

 

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About Goddess Arriving

Welcome to Goddess Arriving! I'm a 52 year old mother of three budding goddesses, grad student, runner and seeker of all things spiritual. This blog is my "white space" to speak my truth and explore ways to live well and age with grace and wisdom.

9 comments on “5 Great Reasons to Ditch Your Bra

  1. This blog post would feel much more complete if it were to include an appropriately-themed selfie. Yep, if ever there were a time and place for selfie, this is it. 😉

  2. I agree! Who needs the constriction? 🙂
    I’ve been following you on facebook, I’ll look for the follow button here on wordpress, great post!

    • Not TMI!! We’re women, we have breasts and we are all built differently! And yes, I do see how most of the sports bras out there aren’t built for big busted women. However, I think this is changing as I have seen, even in Target, sports bras that offer the proper support. Thanks Jamie!

  3. I really like this post. I prefer not to wear a bra if I don’t have to. I am notorious for taking that thing off the moment I walk in the front door. They are never comfortable, the are constricting and quiet honestly I don’t have much to support! ha ha ha!! Thank you so much for sharing & linking up with Welcome Home Wednesdays Link Party! 🙂

    • I hear you Lisa! I find it funny how we are socially compelled to wear a bra, but I also remember the days when women always wore pantyhose with skirts and dresses. If we can go bare-legged now maybe there is hope yet that the traditional bra will become note in fashion history….like the corset!

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