The Bra: Is It Really Necessary Anymore?
It is no secret that the pandemic has made us question a lot about the state of our daily lives: “Do we really need to go into an office everyday? How much of our lives can be lived from the safety of our homes? Does it make sense to be constantly ‘on-the-go’? Is it absolutely necessary to put pants on everyday?” And for women and other individuals with breasts “Do we really need to be regularly wearing a bra?”
For many, the bra is representative of a form of restriction, constantly stuffing the body into a mold of underwire, scratchy material and ill-fitting clasps causing more discomfort than aid. The immediate relief associated with coming home and being able to cast the bra off is a universal feeling shared by many women. So the real question is why so many continue to put up with this ultimately uncomfortable contraption? The answer lies in social acceptance. Especially in office settings, it is considered inappropriate or even promiscuous for women to be going braless, even those with smaller breasts. As a result millions of women of all different sizes, cultures, and values continue to force themselves into ill-fitting bras that restrict movement and comfort.
There is also a significant problem with misinformation in regards to the functions of the bra. It is common knowledge that women who do not wear a bra have saggier breasts, right? Wrong. In fact, multiple studies, including one by world-renowned French scientist Dr. Rouillon, show that there are absolutely no medical problems associated with going-braless and that wearing a bra is actually what can cause long-term saginess. There is also a common misconception that bra-wearing individuals are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, while there is no medical support for this claim. These myths are a byproduct of the lack of medical research that has gone into understanding the relationship between bras and breasts as well as the stigmatized social implications.
During the pandemic, a shift began to happen whereas women stopped indulging these unspoken rules simply because they were no longer expected to be in the office. Over Zoom, it became impossible to tell whether or not a woman was wearing a bra, giving many the idea to stop wearing them altogether. Comfortable fashion and loungewear has become a staple of the pandemic, with many brands releasing sweat-sets as a way to keep up with the current trends. Lingerie brands have taken a similar approach to their bra designs in order to create a more inclusive and comfortable lineup of support options for women’s breasts. Rihanna’s lingerie brand Savage x Fenty has been pushing the idea of comfortable and wireless lingerie since before the pandemic, but has become even more popular since. In 2020, wireless bralettes and sports bra sales went up 5% and Savage x Fenty’s approach to making them body inclusive as well as stylish has changed the game.
This is not to say that all women even need stylish or comfortable bra options, since so many are refusing the bra altogether. The bra, often seen as oppressive, should be used for the sole act of alleviating the weight of breasts by redistributing said weight to the shoulders and back muscles. However, many women, especially those below a D-cup often feel that they do not need this relief and therefore feel that braless is the modern option for them. Many celebrities have already come out and outright denied the bra in a powerful act to reject its oppressive nature. Kendall Jenner, who is a huge proponent for the ‘Free the Nipple’ movement has even been quoted saying “It’s sexy, it’s comfortable, and I’m cool with my breasts,” as the reasoning behind her personal choice. While it is important to note that there are still many who need the support or the option to wear a bra, the new conversation around being braless has put the choice back into the hands of women, where it always should have been.
As vaccination rates climb and life begins to return to normal, it is unlikely that we’ll see the same dedication to uncomfortable, underwire bras which are known for causing pain. The options have significantly improved for bustier girls who need more support, and the world of Zoom meetings has decreased some of the stigma around going braless for those who choose to do so. We are far from a ‘happily-ever-after’ in the world of female oppression, but the pandemic has given yet another opportunity for women to have a symbolic “burning of the bras” which is a powerful sentimental image. Despite the looming return to the office (where many are already back) the future of comfort-centered bras looks hopeful, giving women more choices and ultimately more freedom.
Article by Julia Gastone, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
