They have been out there torturing women for too long

The first records of something relatively like a bra go back to ancient Greece! During sports practices, some athletes used bandeau-like strips of cloth to give support. So far so good, function.

But as far back as the Middle Ages, corsets came. Super tight pieces that, to make the women’s silhouettes look thinner, even caused several deaths due to broken ribs and pierced organs!

Can you believe it?

This not to mention the fact that they existed supremely until the 19th century and, of course, to a lesser extent, continue to exist to this day.

Only after a long time, in about 1910, the most modern bras appeared. Although for me, they are still pretty nightmarish too.

There is no scientific evidence that wearing a bra contributes to women’s health

It is okay that there is hardly any research related to this subject. But one of the few more conclusive, conducted over 15 years and completed in 2013 by Jean-Denis Rouillon, a professor in France, concluded that:

“Medically, physiologically, anatomically, the breast does not benefit from being deprived of gravity” — Jean-Denis Rouillon in Huffpost

His initial results “validated the hypothesis that the bra is a false need”. According to him, the breasts would gain more muscle tone and would support themselves even if no bra.

In his studies, he suggests that wearing a bra before the complete formation of the breasts and over a long period would contribute to the degradation of these breast support tissues. In contrast, by not wearing, the breasts would become firmer and stretch-marks would fade.

Besides, he points out that the research did not include a representative sample of the population. And, probably, for women with very large breasts or those who are breastfeeding, perhaps the use still being the best option.

‘Burning’ bra was once a form of female protest

Many movements have existed over time, questioning the use of the bra as an imposition. The best-known fact happened during a protest outside one edition of the Miss America Contest. The garment was already so symbolic and tied to the image of the woman, that it was one of those chosen by the feminist claimants at the end of the 1960s to be destroyed in public during the protest, as a metaphor for the requests for female emancipation and resistance to patriarchy.

During the act, the protestors threw several items, including bras, in a huge trash can. Although they never really burned anything, the protest was emblematic in terms of the fight for women’s equality and against the objectification of our bodies.

If we think simplistically, we were already in the profit for not being a corset anymore, uh?

We have online campaigns to encourage this choice

No Bra Day emerged as a way to raise awareness about breast cancer and, only more recently, also to ask for attention to the issue of gender equality. Celebrated on October 13th, its supporters usually rock the internet with the hashtag #nobraday, posting photos and texts claiming the cause.

So does Free The Nipples, a campaign that has even become a Netflix documentary series, and started being led by women in New York City. Through it, women fight against the criminalization and censorship of female nipples and the divergence of treatment to male nipples.

Currently, the campaign is also very widespread over the Internet. Also because much has been heard about how Facebook and Instagram contribute to this issue, because of their bans on any “graphic content” that portrays a woman’s areola.

It is worth remembering that these movements also attract criticism. Some think they are once again exploitation of the female image or even the banalization of the disease.

Several well-known women are already joining the braless movement

Currently, many actresses, singers and other celebrities, such as Rihanna, Kendall Jenner and Heidi Klum, have adhered to not wearing the bra.

Although, today this happens more due to the tendency of comfort when dressing, than to political statements, as in the case of the episode of “burning” bras.

Which is still remarkable!

Not because celebrities are joining it works as a reason that then we are also ‘allowed’ to do it too.

But, instead of, it works as a way of demonstrating that society is changing. Fewer and fewer women are wearing bras in public, many are giving up push-up models, with very rigid cup bralettes or metal frames. More organic models with softer and less structured fabrics have become more common.

So, the fact that these women are recognized only contributes to the dissemination of the idea, makes this behaviour stronger and more naturalised in front of the media, and hence of society as well.

Today there are many options to help you not feel so exposed

With the advancement of fashion and technology, several tricks are already available so that not using the bra is not something so intimidating.

Today there is already nipple coverage for small-chested women or well-endowed as well. You can find some types of adhesives, to protect the nipples from the looks of strangers.

There are also fun pasties, for that ones a little bit more audacious, and gel bra, which is even more discreet for very striking fabrics and produced the lifting effect as regular bras.

You only need to choose the one that suits you the most!

You will always be able to use it whenever you want

And the point of my last topic is the exact reason why my last inquiries have been taking place. As I said many times before, like in cases of large breasted women or breastfeeding, exercises or even desires to look sexier…

You will always be able to wear it if you want!

I mean, any woman can and should wear a bra.

Buuut… As I say, there is always a but.

As long as that is conditioned by her will and not by a social imposition. Isn’t it obvious?