One of the first reflexes most women have when getting dressed in the morning is to put on their bra. And yet, over the past few years, "Free the boobies, free the nipples!" signs have been popping up on social networks and in the streets, calling for women's right not to wear bras without being judged. The no-bra movement is not only feminist, it could also be good for your health.
For or against no-bra? You decide! Here's a non-exhaustive list of our top picks!
How to combat breast loss?
That's the conclusion reached by several scientific studies. Bras weaken Cooper's ligaments, the ligaments that naturally keep breasts upright. But as the bra supports the breasts in an artificial way, these ligaments no longer do their job and become less and less effective. In other words, they loosen. In a way, the ligaments age faster than they should, and this creates a vicious circle as our breasts fall down faster... so we inevitably put on a bra to support them, etc... This is further accentuated by the wearing of push-ups, which compress the breast even more.
How can I make my breasts firmer?
A 15-year study by physician Jean-Denis Rouillon has shown that not wearing a bra helps the breasts to firm up by working the muscle tissue. But that's not all: among other things, not wearing a bra allows the nipples to move upwards by 7 mm per year, thus reducing the gap between the breasts, as well as stretch marks. As a result, the breasts gain in volume.
Combating certain health problems
First of all, wearing a bra can cause or at least aggravate muscular pain in the back. According to some studies, bras can help improve posture!
But wearing a bra also interferes with the circulation of lymph and blood in the chest, and increases breast temperature. This can lead to cysts, skin reactions and more. But that's not all: scientific studies have shown that there may be a link between bra-wearing and breast cancerIn fact, scientific studies have shown that there may be a link between bra-wearing and breast cancer, notably due to poor lymph circulation, as the waste products it contains are trapped in fat cells in the breasts. To combat this phenomenon, it's also a good idea to massage your breasts regularly.
Is the no-bra more comfortable?
So many women take off their bra as soon as they get home! Bras are often a source of discomfort, leaving marks on the skin, straps that keep falling off, warmth on sunny days, and so on.
How can I save money?
Yes, not buying a bra means making huge savings when you know that the budget for a bra is often a minimum of around thirty euros, and can go much higher, especially for those with larger breasts or for higher-quality bras. What's more, our breasts evolve throughout our lives, and even within a single cycle, requiring ever greater investment.
How can we limit our consumption?
When you think about it, wearing a bra isn't necessarily necessary. And yet this industry, as part of the textile industry, pollutes enormously. So a no-bra also means curbing your consumption and taking a step forward for the planet.
How to accept yourself?
Accepting yourself without wearing a bra can be a huge step in the process of self-acceptance. Wearing a bra can also be complex for people who don't want to show off their breasts. How many times have we been shown in magazines, on TV, in ads, that breasts should be round, firm, close together, not too big, not too small. The reality is that most women don't have breasts similar to societal standards. It's hard to accept your breasts in a society that sexualizes. According to a recent study, 20% of French people believe that seeing nipples lessens the severity of an assault sexual assault. There's still a long way to go...
But keep in mind that most people you meet on the street won't even notice whether you're wearing a bra or not. It's your choice!
Expressing a feminist act
Although it's not the case for all no-bra fans, not wearing a bra can be a real feminist gesture. It highlights the fact that our breasts belong to us and don't have to be sexualized for what they are, even in the world of work, and even if we're unfortunate enough to see our nipples. The no-bra is therefore a gesture of women's freedom and equality: seeing a shirtless man won't shock anyone, but a topless woman isn't necessarily very well accepted. It's also a militant act against the beauty criteria imposed by society, highlighting ONE beauty. Ultimately, it's about asserting the right to do what you want without being pressured.
So every woman has one (or more) reason(s) to stop wearing a bra. In fact, this movement is gaining momentum, particularly with confinements.
According to an IFOP study, 3% of women over 18 said they didn't wear a bra before confinement, compared with 7% afterwards. The trend is most marked among the under-25s. Indeed, 4% said they didn't wear one before the first confinement, compared with 18% afterwards. In this age group, the reasons cited included the potential negative impact of bras on the breasts, as well as the fight against the sexualization of breasts. Finally, 50% of teleworking women do not wear a bra.
But whether you wear a bra or not, the choice is yours! As is the choice to wear our pretty menstrual lingerie.