I want to talk about something, ladies. It’s something that might make you a little bit uncomfortable. But, it’s something so enjoyable, so freeing, that the second you give it a shot, you won’t ever go back.
I’m talking about going braless.
I, myself, have been going braless for years.
For me, it was a slow transition. I first transitioned from regular bras to bralettes. This made me much more comfortable, obviously. But, that was just step one.
Instead of wearing those tight, lined and stiff bras, I opted for a soft, lacey dream. My boobs were definitely happy, and so was I.
But, I couldn’t help but wonder if it could get better.
So slowly but surely, I transitioned a step further.
I started opting for flowy shirts and dressed that gave my chest room to breathe. This allowed me to forego the bralette altogether.
And, believe me, it was spectacular.
Even if it was just one day a week, I suddenly felt free. The girls were out and about and I didn’t care.
Okay, I did care. It was definitely hard at first. I was self-conscious that with every step I’d take, you’d see right through the thin fabric and know there just wasn’t a bra under there.
And, then I started to wonder — why does that matter?
Everyone has nipples. We all know they exist. And, it’s not like I was wearing mesh or see-through clothing.
I’d be wearing a baggy t-shirt or a sundress with plenty of material to cover any hint of a nipple.
So, why was I so self-conscious?
As women, we’re told we have to look and act a certain way. We have to do things in order to show that we are, in fact, women. We have to wear makeup and shave our legs and wear bras.
But, I just wasn’t having it.
So, I stopped wearing bras altogether. And, it’s great not having to worry about those annoying aches and pains.
It’s also great not having to actually pay for a bra. I can’t remember the last time I bought one if I’m being honest.
I suggest everyone try going without a bra at least once. And, I don’t mean sit in your living room sans-bra. I mean go out. Let those girls fly free.
It gives you a sense of empowerment — you’re taking control of your body. You’re telling society to go screw, pardon the language. You’re the queen of your castle and you’re killing it.
Still skeptical? Here are some handy benefits of going braless:
1. You Save Hella Money
When worn correctly, a good bra only really lasts six to eight months.
I know, we all have bras that have been in the back of our drawers for years. I, personally, hated throwing bras away. But, the sad truth is that every year, you’ll end up buying one to two bras — at least.
Considering bras cost anywhere from $50 to $100 for a good quality product, that’s almost $200 a year you’re spending on bras.
That’s outrageous! Especially considering the best part about wearing a bra is taking it off.
When you ditch the bra, you can guarantee at least a couple hundred dollars worth of savings to add to that secret travel fund!
Wouldn’t you rather spend that money on brunch or happy-hour? New York City is full of great ways to splurge.
2. Bras Actually Mess With Your Natural Breast Shape
A French study found that prolonged bra use leads to the loss of natural breast shape over time. Yikes!
I bet you thought that bras helped to strengthen your boobs. But, you’d be wrong. So very wrong.
Bras restrict you. They teach your chest muscles that they don’t have to work as hard. And, when they don’t have to work as hard, they weaken.
That’s why your breasts lose their shape and start to sag. You need to keep these breasts free and focused on building up those muscles.
Going braless is a great first step in achieving your natural shape back. If you want to feel sexy and embrace your natural self, I definitely recomend going out without a bra and showing off all of your assets in their natural form.
That same French study concluded that not only do bras negatively impact your breast shape but going without a bra actually strengthens your breasts and keeps them perkier and healthier.
3. Wearing A Bra Can Seriously Mess With Your Sleep
Bras are a hassle. And, for those of you that wear bras to bed, you can seriously be hurting your body.
That’s because restrictive clothing actually messes with your natural circadian rhythms.
Even if you just wear them throughout the day, this tight clothing can mess with the chemicals in your body and cause your sleep to fall out of whack.
And, a lack of sleep takes a toll on the whole body. There’s not enough coffee in the world to combat a messed up sleep cycle.
But, you can avoid this by ditching the bar when you go to bed. Similarly, you can give your boobs a few days without the tight garment to let them breathe.
This should allow for proper movement, and your sleep schedule should normalize.
I, myself, sleep like a baby.
4. Your Bra Can Impact Your Circulation
Studies show that restrictive clothing actually affects your blood circulation.
As a result, tight-fitting items like bras, neckties and shapewear can have a detrimental impact on cognitive functions because not enough oxygenated blood can make it to the brain.
I bet you never thought your bra had this much power, huh? Well, it does! You need to let your body be free so that your blood can move and keep you energized, focused and healthy.
Ditching the bra isn’t just good for your mental health, but your brain health as well.
5. Poor-fitting Bras Lead To Back Pain And Incorrect Posture
Most of us don’t wear the right bra size even when we’re wearing one. I haven’t made bras part of my routine in years, but every once in a while I’ll throw on a bralette.
That being said, wearing ill-fitting bras actually impacts your posture and back health.
It forces you to hunch. And, a hunched back can play a pivotal role in chronic back pain as you get older.
One solution for this is to find a bra that fits you right. But, our bodies are always changing — especially as we age.
And, if you have to go get your bra checked every six months, you’ll end up paying a fortune.
And, really, who has time for that?
