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Throwing the bra to the back of the closet

Several months ago, I was lured into Victoria’s Secret by the giant “sale” sign that piqued my interest. As I ventured over to the clearance section, I picked up one of the frilly bras, a size 34D. Upon pulling the bra off the hook, a saleswoman sped towards me, loudly exclaiming to both the entire store and myself that the bra I picked up was much too big for me, insinuating that I must not know what size bra I am. The saleswoman soon after offered to take my bra size for me, to which I thought, “What the hell? May as well give the saleswoman the benefit of the doubt…”

Pulling out her tape measure, the woman began to take my bra size. First measuring around my rib cage, she condescendingly stated, “You are a 32, sweetie.” Shortly after, she put the tape measure around my breasts and proceeded to ask me, “What type of bra are you wearing right now, honey?”

My response? “I’m not wearing a bra.”

About one year ago, I made a drastic change to my physical appearance, one that is typically seen as taboo by societal standards of the overly-sexualized human body. I chose to stop wearing a bra. From the time I began 5th grade up until one year ago, the thought of not wearing a bra or not needing to wear one had never crossed my mind; it had been a belief that had been ingrained in my mind through advertisements, peer pressure and other means of societal implications.

There are a number of reasons why many people, including myself, choose to stop obsessing over a confining piece of stretchy fabric:

  • Studies show that there are virtually no “positive” health effects associated with wearing a bra. In fact, a study by Professor Jean-Denis Rouillon, a sports medicine specialist from Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besancon in Besancon, France, shows that wearing a bra may actually cause sagging in the breasts, as well as no evidence that wearing a bra would diminish back pain. Wearing bras also prevents the growth of breast tissue, which causes deterioration of the supporting muscles. (This study, however, examines wearing bras among a younger female audience, without looking at major results for women over 35 years of age.) Not wearing a bra can decrease the possibility of sagging and can strengthen the muscles.
  • There is a stigma placed on not just wearing a bra but the financial background of buying “cute” undergarments. While scrolling through VictoriasSecret.com, bras ranged from $22.95 to $258. The prices at AE.com, which is typically for a younger target demographic, ranged from $15.95 bralettes to push-up bras at $59.95. Though stores such as Wal-Mart and Target sell bras at cheaper costs, there is a stigma that exists that a woman is considered sexy if she buys the bras that are seen in television advertisements, on social media, and in nationwide fashion shows rather than the cheaper ones that can be found in non-specialty stores. And when 40% of Americans identify as lower-middle or lower class, a $30 bra is typically not as high on the list as other necessities needed to thrive.
  • Not only are bras costly in price per bra but also in the variety of sizes one may need to purchase. On average, women fluctuate in weight between five and 10 pounds because of hormones, menstruation, ovulation or simply through water. Women are also advised to have their bra size measured every year of if she gains or loses weight and have these bras replaced every nine to 12 months. So not only are women responsible for purchasing potentially expensive undergarments, but also buying bras in multiple sizes, something that can continue to infringe on one’s pocketbook.
  • Societal standards are in large part to blame for why women are expected to wear bras. Society has an obsession with sexualizing the human body, making it so that it is “taboo” for women not to wear bras. The American culture is bombarded with images of the female body, breasts in particular, as sexual objects from everyday advertisements on TV to pornography. And the sexualization surrounding women’s nipples has been in the limelight since Walt Disney refused to allow the water nymphs in Fantasia to even have nipples. In fact, when I told a male friend of mine that I chose to stop wearing a bra, his immediate thought went to his ingrained, sexualized thought: “I personally like taking a bra off a woman.” My response? “Good thing we aren’t dating.” I chose to stand up to the standards set forth by society and push my bras to the back of my closet.

At the end of the day, every individual, not just a woman, has the choice to wear a bra, to wear whatever makes them comfortable. Though I no longer wear a bra, I continue to wear an undershirt or a cami in order to be more comfortable in both my physical appearance, my mental happiness as well as my checking account. Because I chose to stop wearing a bra does not mean that my friends, family members or co-workers have to stop wearing a bra. Instead, it sheds light on the fact that as a society, we may be able to shift the focus from a piece of animal-print, lacy fabric to something more substantial and imperative.

“Oh… D. You are a 32D,” the saleswoman finally admitted. Following this unusual exchange, I picked up a bra in a 32D to take to the dressing room. As I walked over, the saleswoman awkwardly backtracked, letting me know that I may need a 32DD in the particular bra that I was looking at. I went into the dressing room, gracelessly put the bra on and was immediately uncomfortable. My back began to hurt, my boobs felt squished and I did not understand why the $20+ piece of frilly fabric was necessary for me to be happy, comfortable or sexy. Instead, I flung the bra off, got dressed in my cami and t-shirt and ran (literally) out of the Victoria’s Secret.

And I never looked back. I must say, my chest, back, bank account and confidence are pretty happy with me.

Header image credit: r. nial bradshaw/Flickr

Disclaimer: This post was written by a Feministing Community user and does not necessarily reflect the views of any Feministing columnist, editor, or executive director.

Activist, Speaker, Blogger, Field Organizer, and Development Coordinator//SLU Alumnus//Opinions Expressed are my own.

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