Not wearing a bra gained popularity as a feminist statement and cultural shift primarily during the 1970s, linked to the women's liberation movement and protests like the 1968 Miss America event, viewing bras as symbols of patriarchal control; however, it also became a growing comfort/fashion trend for many women and millennials in the 2000s and 2010s, often associated with naturalism and rejecting over-sexualization.
Bralessness as a fashion
In 1968, shortly after the feminist protest against bras and other feminine products at the Miss America pageant, actress Marlo Thomas began going braless on the prime-time television series That Girl.
The No-Bra movement in the 1970s. The movement emerged during the women's liberation era as a protest against restrictive undergarments, with bras often viewed as symbols of patriarchal control and unrealistic beauty ideals.
While some early cultures didn't wear bras at all, others took cloth in the shape of a bandeau and wore it around their breasts. Over time, women began to wear corsets and girdles designed more to shape their bodies (uncomfortably at that) than to support breasts, although they did provide lift.
There are no health risks associated with going braless, Dr. Blake says. “It's OK to do whatever is comfortable for you,” she encourages. “If not wearing a bra feels good to you, that's fine.”
The "two-finger rule" for bra fitting is a quick test to check if your bra band is the right tightness: you should be able to comfortably slide two fingers (stacked or side-by-side) under the band at the back, but not much more, indicating it's snug enough for support without being too tight or riding up; the band should feel supportive and stay level, with straps only providing slight lift, not carrying most of the weight.
The "3 bra rule" is a guideline recommending you own at least three bras for a simple rotation: one to wear, one to wash, and one to rest (in the drawer), allowing elastic to recover between wears to extend the bra's lifespan and maintain fit. This system prevents wearing the same bra daily, which stretches out the elastic and reduces support, helping bras last longer.
Emphasis on the Bustline: The fashion of the time emphasized the bust as a key element of the female silhouette. The pointy shape was designed to accentuate the bust and create a more pronounced, eye-catching figure that complemented the fitted dresses and blouses of the era.
An ancient bra with a fashionable twist
The Angiya is a much more modern interpretation of a garment worn by women in ancient India, the mention of which is found in Kalidasa's Shakuntala & Meghadoot (pre 5th century CE).
The bullet bra was a famous 1950s fashion trend with a cone-shaped, pointed design that emphasized curves and, when worn with tight sweaters, became a symbol of confidence, glamour, and bold femininity.
On 18 December 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It entered into force as an international treaty on 3 September 1981 after the twentieth country had ratified it.
Compared to Spain (3%), Italy (2%), or the United Kingdom (1%), France is leading this uninhibited trend. Before 2020, only 3-4% of French women went braless, but the lockdown propelled this figure to 8% overall and 20% among young women, a habit that has continued outdoors thanks to their newfound freedom.
Key Points. No, going braless doesn't cause sagging—despite decades of marketing that told women otherwise. Breast ptosis (sagging) is largely driven by age, gravity, pregnancy, and genetics—not the absence of a bra. The bras most women wear might actually be doing more harm than good.
One of the most significant causes of breast sagging is aging. As women grow older, their skin loses elasticity and collagen, leading to a natural decrease in firmness in the breast. Additionally, gravity consistently pulls the breasts downward, further contributing to sagging over the years.
Your body's natural oils transfer to your bra and while it may not look especially dirty, repeated wearing without washing runs the risk of skin irritation like breakouts and rashes. We like a rule of thumb of every 2-3 wears, which if you've got a good rotation going, might only be a few times per month.
Try wearing low back and backless tops, or go for a strapless or spaghetti strap dress or top. Some other items that might look better without a bra include: Dresses and tops with plunging necklines. Tops with laced-up fronts, backs, or sides.
The truth is, men love demi bras. This contoured, underwire bra has cups partially cut away to expose the top of the breast. This bra style almost always has wide-set shoulder straps as well.
A training bra (also trainer bra, starter bra, or first bra) is a lightweight brassiere designed for girls who have begun to develop breasts, at Tanner stage II and III. The training bra is intended to be worn during puberty when the breasts are not yet large enough to fit a standard-sized bra.
A 32B bra size fits a woman with a small ribcage and a medium bust. It offers a well-balanced mix of comfort, support, and style for everyday living. At the office, at the gym, or out on the town, the proper bra in the proper size can make all the difference.
What Did Girls Wear Before Bras Were Invented? Some civilisations didn't wear anything, but others did use cloth to create a bandeau style garment to wear around the breasts.
From sagging breasts to poor posture and lack of confidence, not wearing a bra can have an impact on your physical and emotional well-being. Ultimately, it's up to you to weigh the pros and cons and make the decision that's best for you and your breasts.
Rather than turning to impossibly strict diets, insane amounts of exercise, or the “nip and tuck”, women loaded up their closets with 1950s lingerie essentials. And to get that ultra tiny waist, their weapon of choice for that special occasion dress was a simple corset. Left: Dior's New Look, 1947.
The "two-finger rule" for bra fitting is a quick test to check if your bra band is the right tightness: you should be able to comfortably slide two fingers (stacked or side-by-side) under the band at the back, but not much more, indicating it's snug enough for support without being too tight or riding up; the band should feel supportive and stay level, with straps only providing slight lift, not carrying most of the weight.
The 3-3-3 clothing rule is a simple styling method for creating many outfits from few items: choose 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes, which allows for 27 potential combinations (3x3x3) and reduces decision fatigue, often used for travel or building a minimalist capsule wardrobe. It's a versatile concept, sometimes expanded to include 3 layers (like jackets or cardigans) for even more looks, making dressing easier by focusing on mix-and-match versatility with core pieces.
Bras in 'good but worn' condition can be donated to an organisation such as Against Breast Cancer, either directly or by one of their bra banks.