Is it wrong to wear a bra?

Sometimes people ask if it's wrong to wear a bra, especially when it "improves" the shape/look of their breasts. There is often the caveat that wearing a bra is genuinely more comfortable? In other words, "If my main motivation is utilitarian, should I not do it because it will cosmetically "improve" how others see me?"

Helen: I am the President of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee, so for most of my life, wearing a bra offered no practical benefit. However, pregnancy has shifted my comfort and needs, and I have found that some of my old bra textures are gentle enough to help with sensitivity or the compression of sports bras has alleviated soreness and tenderness. If a bra offers you utility, and the secondary impact is that it lifts/shapes the breast, don't be scrupulous and do what is right for you. You should be particular about marketing schemes that objectify women to sell underwear, choose materials that are good for your skin, and a fit/style that does not cut off your lymphatic system if you buy bras. I encourage you to "vote with your money" and not spend it at stores that objectify breasts. If you're all about letting the shape and outline of your natural breast show, power to you! Many people do not realize how varied breasts are and I think it does help women to see your example.

I would like to see the cultural narrative around breasts to shift from the "sexy cleavage that primarily exists for the gaze of others" to "mammary glands define mammals and we are in awe that they sustain young life for the next generation." I would like for there to be respect around women's breasts and a certain neutrality about how that's publicly perceived. A man is not expected to change his attire in the office or on the beach no matter how much breast fat or pectoral muscle he has, but there is a double standard for women depending on the size of their breasts.

Forty: I am the president of the Over-the-Shoulder Boulder Holder Company, and this question made me laugh. For me, life without a bra would mean my breasts were literally interfering with full use of my arms when I am prepping food/washing dishes/typing, etc. (As I know from the many years of having poorly fitted bras.) Exercise would be pretty limited. For those reasons, I would probably invent something like a bra if they did not already exist. However, I hate the fact that if I went braless, it would be interpreted as "inappropriate" or "trying to get attention." It is unfortunate that I cannot currently exist neutrally in my body; other people have sexualized my body since I started developing around age 10.

My vote on this is to do what you like best because it is so personal to each woman. Go ahead and keep track of your motivations and experiment if you like. There's a lot to be said for making sure everything you wear is serving you, rather than acting as an uncomfortable ornament. Maybe you can switch to sports bras, bralets, undershirts, or a t-shirt bra that's all about your comfort. Since finding bras that fit really well, I don't adjust my straps at all and really don't think about my bra or my breasts at all, because I'm so comfortable. I think this is better than being less comfortable in order to make a point.

On the other hand, for women normalizing natural breast shape and hang by foregoing bras, I applaud you.