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Wellness
The back of a woman sitting down as she fastens her bra clasp
Stocksy
In This Article
What Happens When to Wear a Bra Find the Right Bra Size
To wear a bra or not to wear a bra? That is the perennial predicament we face. Finding the right bra and the right fit for your body can be a real challenge, and many would rather go without when possible. The rise of work-from-home routines has done nothing to dampen our desires to ditch the bras, making us all the more comfortable with the idea of remaining in a constant state of comfort. But there’s also that pervasive myth that looms over the idea of forgoing the bra altogether. Is it bad for your breasts? Will they sag without the support? Will you be in back pain?
Between a thousand different bra types and infinite body shapes, the truth is a bit more nuanced. "I would start off by saying there is not a lot of good quality research on the pros and cons of wearing a bra. Over the years there have been some small studies performed but many are not peer-reviewed or did not provide statistically significant findings," notes Rukmini (Vinaya) Rednam, MD, FACS. "There is anecdotal information available to suggest some pros and cons to bra-wearing and some good studies supporting it.
More high-quality research on this subject would definitely be beneficial to be able to fully understand the positive and negative aspects of wearing both regular and sports bras." One bra myth Dr. Rednam can confidently deny? "There is no correlation between bras and breast cancer and this is supported by the American Cancer Society."
To delve deeper into the benefits and potential side effects of not wearing a bra, along with finding the right size and frequency of wear, we spoke with Dr. Rednam, Dana Donofree, CEO of breast-inclusive bra company AnaOno, and Stephanie Montes, founder of the breast tape brand, Nue. Read on for their expert insight.
Meet the Experts
Rukmini (Vinaya) Rednam, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Texas. She is also the host of The Confidence Doc podcast.
Dana Donofree is an entrepreneur and the founder of AnaOno, an inclusive lingerie brand.
Stephanie Montes is the founder of breast tape brand Nue.
What Happens When You Don’t Wear a Bra?
It’s more complicated than being simply good or bad. “There hasn’t been any scientific evidence that not wearing a bra has any long-lasting effects, but we do know that skin can begin to sag over time with gravity and other natural effects, supporting ‘the girls’ is an important part of preserving lift and elasticity in the skin tissue,” explains Donofree. “On the other hand, not wearing a bra can be argued to improve circulation and blood flow, which can help keep your skin healthy. Not to mention no rashes or irritations from underwires and itchy elastics.”
"There does appear to be a positive correlation with wearing a bra in larger breasted women and it helping to relieve back pain, however, anywhere from 30-50% of women do not wear bras that fit them correctly even with professional fittings," adds Dr. Rednam. "There are no high-quality studies that prove that wearing a bra can prevent laxity or sagging of breasts. In fact, this is largely considered a myth, as sagging is multifactorial and depends on a number of factors, including but not limited to genetics, weight changes, skin quality, hormonal changes, pregnancy, and aging. A person's age really has no relevance to the use of a bra, but as many women develop ptosis (sagging) of the breasts as they age, good bra support may provide some neck and back relief as well as provide a more aesthetic appearance to the breasts."
At the same time, wearing an ill-fitted bra can also do damage. “Listen to your body. If you're noticing bruising or chaffing, if your ribs hurt from the band, if you're experiencing neck, back or shoulder pain, these can all be attributed to your bra,” shares Montes.
Rather than a black-and-white answer, not wearing a bra has its pros and cons, especially depending on the size of your chest. With larger breasts, not having the support of a bra could lead to more back pain. But with a smaller chest, it’s likely that not wearing a bra will cause any drastic changes.
How Often Should You Wear a Bra?
How often you wear a bra is all about how often you want to and need to wear it. "For some with large or tender breasts, it could be non-negotiable to wear a supportive bra every day. However, if your bra doesn't fit correctly… it can be painful and affect the muscle tissue,” says Montes. “Underwires that dig into your ribs, excessively tight shoulder straps, and binding bands can cause bruising and chaffing and damage the shoulder and breast muscles over time.”
Lifestyle and activity levels also play a part. "Larger-breasted women do benefit from a comfort standpoint wearing a properly fitted bra or sports bra to provide support and comfort during moderate to high activity," says Dr. Rednam. "Smaller-breasted women may not require regular bra support but may still benefit from a sports bra during more intense sports or activity. Sports bras, like regular bras, need to be properly fitting in order to provide support benefit without causing other issue like local and neck pain and discomfort."
If you’re the type of person who throws your bra into the corner of the room the second you get home from work or you lounge all day braless, either is fine. If you wear your bra all day and don’t ever daydream about the moment you take it off, that’s also no problem. In fact, it could even be helpful to wear your bra to bed. Though, Dr. Rednam cautions that "there is no evidence that wearing a bra while sleeping is beneficial. But there is evidence if an ill-fitting bra is worn that this may decrease the quality of sleep during the night and lead to daytime fatigue."
How to Find the Right Bra Size
What’s more important than how often you wear a bra is that your bra fits correctly in the first place. "Theoretically, not wearing a bra is better than wearing a poorly fitted bra," says Dr. Rednam. "But again, there are no high-quality studies that show that breast health, laxity, sagging or skin irritation is improved by going braless."
"Bras should be fitted for proper support and comfort based on an individual's rib cage and body habits," continues Dr. Rednam. "With an ill-fitting bra, there can be an increase in skin irritation, back and neck pain." Getting fitted in-store can help hone in on your exact size, or try out coveted brands known for great fits, technology, and return policies aligned to help you find your perfect bra. Brands like CUUP, which offers free “Fit Therapy” sessions and free returns are a great place to start. Negative makes heaven-sent upholstery that’s supportive, minimalist, and never restrictive. Then, Harper Wilde and ThirdLove make comfy bras with the softest fabrics.
Too many people force themselves into underwire bras that are ill-fitting and uncomfortable, and it isn’t necessary.
Which Bra Should You Wear?
Just like how often you decide to wear a bra, the type of bra you wear is best decided by what makes you most comfortable and feel your best. There are many different types of bras but five main categories—underwire, wire-free, padded, unlined, and bralettes—that offer different advantages and disadvantages. "The choice of wearing padded, vs structured vs underwire is a completely personal decision based on what the individual feels most comfortable in," echoes Dr. Rednam.
If you have a larger chest, shift your attention to underwire and padded bras that’ll give your chest the support it needs. If you despise wearing bras and want to feel it barely there, try looking into wire-free, unlined options, or bralettes. Whatever your preferences are, find the bra that matches them. "Many options exist now for breast support ranging from breast tape like Nood to breast inserts like Cakes," adds Dr. Rednam. "The purpose is largely for shaping and some light support. There is very little risk other than possible adhesive reaction or irritation with some of the tapes."
Ultimately, the bra you should wear comes down to self-love and not trying to fit into anything that doesn’t feel good. “Too many people force themselves into underwire bras that are ill-fitting and uncomfortable, and it isn’t necessary," says Donofree. "Going underwire-free, loving your breasts in the shape and size they come in, can be freeing in so many ways!”
Final Thoughts
All in all, the choice to don a bra or forgo one altogether is entirely yours. Trust your body to let you know what's best for you and know that no decision needs to be absolute. Perhaps you throw in the towel completely, perhaps you navigate bra-wearing occasions as they arise. If you do stay loyal to traditional methods of breast support and shaping, make sure you’re taking care of your bras and setting them up to last. If you want to find a new bra, we've rounded up the best for large busts, small busts, and all sizes in between.