Seamless, tagless and wireless bras are often considered the most comfortable styles, and thanks to today's fit technology, even bigger-busted women can find soft styles that offer lift, separation and support.
“I have patients who find not wearing a bra is more comfortable,” she says. “Others find that they crave the support and feel better when the breast is distributed by the bra. So the take-home is this: Experiment with well-fitting bras versus no bra. Trust yourself; make a choice based on your own comfort.
"If you don't wear a bra, your breasts will sag," says Dr. Ross. "If there's a lack of proper, long-term support, breast tissue will stretch and become saggy, regardless of breast size." Still, both experts agree that multiple factors play into if and when sagging (technical term: "ptosis") occurs, bra-wearing aside.
Since most of a bra's discomfort comes from wires, bulky padding, straps and the tendency to ride up, non-sports bras are most comfortable without the wires. A comfortable bra should have a multi-way stretch so that the weight is evenly distributed and you're not being tugged in one direction.
Most people have between one and four special occasion bras, though some may have more depending on their style and what type of clothes they like to wear. You might own anywhere between five and 15 (or even more) bras. It all depends on your lifestyle and your preferences.
The underwired bras are your best bet as far as supportive features go. An underwired bra provides plenty of support to the bra to lift the sagging breasts. It is best for those who prefer to go padding-free and lightweight without compromising on the support factor.
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“It's OK to do whatever is comfortable for you. If not wearing a bra feels good to you, that's fine. If you feel that some support is needed, then maybe a bralette or a wire-free bra would be a happy medium at home. It all depends on what you're comfortable with.”
“A proper bra will help you appear slimmer and therefore more confident,” says Wong. Bras that are too small in the cup area will compress your breasts and force them to bulge out of the bra.
If you decide not to wear a bra, think about the situation first and decide if you will feel comfortable going braless. Remember: you can dress however you like. If going braless makes you feel more comfortable, then do it! Don't let anyone make you feel bad about yourself—ever.
Unless you're regularly breaking into a sweat, you don't need to change your regular bra every day. A change twice a week (or at least once a week) is a good guideline to aim for.
It's also important to rotate your bras, so the cups and straps can relax. This allows them to retain their shape and elasticity. “You can wear the same bra two days in a row, as long as you take it off for several hours in between to allow the bra to relax,” Dr. Vij says.
While it is correct not to overwash your bras, as it can damage the elasticity of the bra, which is crucial for proper support, Pour Moi's Lingerie Technologist, Lois Siciliano, advises washing them every two to three wears.
Injury prevention. Although the injuries are usually mild, it is possible to hurt yourself when sleeping in a bra. The buttons, hooks, straps, and underwire can repeatedly poke at and rub against your skin, resulting in redness and chafing. Taking off your bra before bed prevents this from being a problem.
While sleeping braless, your position of sleep might affect your bosom but won't increase its size. If you sleep downward, sideways, or stomach on for a long time, the breast ligaments stretch over, causing sagginess.
“As soon as the breasts start growing breast buds, small (sometimes very tender) bumps below the nipples, is typically when girls start wearing training bras,” said Dr. Kronborg. “Normally, by the time a girl can fill a B cup is when she'll eventually require a standard bra.”
Because the shape and consistency of a woman's breasts is so intrinsically linked to her weight, it's often a question of style. “Roughly every 30 pounds lost is a band size,” says Melissa. “Women who experience rapid weight loss—say 60 or 90 pounds within a few months—usually don't lower their band size enough.
Specifically, weight loss can cause lost volume, lost shape, and sagging of the breasts. While losing weight can alter the appearance of your breasts, there are multiple cosmetic treatment options that can restore your full, perky breasts.