I’m sure I’m not alone when I say there’s nothing more satisfying than taking your bra off after a long day’s work. But, since most of us have been working from home, that feeling of relief has turned into a way of life, as it seems the bra has taken a bit of a backseat.
I confess, I’ve been bra-free for probably around 80% of my time in lockdown, strategically angling the camera upwards on my Zoom meetings. At first, I was in heaven, not having to strap my H-cup boobs into my industrial constructed bras every morning. They could be free, and I would be comfy…
Except I wasn't - it wasn’t long until the novelty wore off and the back pain started to set in. I knew that my discomfort was a direct result of not wearing a bra, but I wanted to understand exactly why. What’s the science behind it? And, is not wearing a bra causing any long-term damage to my body? I spoke to two experts to find the answers.
Adrian Richards, who is one of the UK’s leading plastic surgeons at The Private Clinic of Harley St., has been specialising in breast surgery since 1999. Adrian is familiar with large breasts that seem to be supported incorrectly. ‘Women who come for a breast amalgamation, over 80% will have neck, back or shoulder ache,’ he said. Interestingly, he went on to add that their pain could be associated with their unconscious and/or conscious mind, as ‘women with big busts tend to try and minimise their busts by hunching their shoulders forward, they don’t put their shoulders back, they try and hide them. So, it’s a real problem.’
If you’re hunched over all the time, the muscles on your back are unhealthy.
I asked Adrian what would happen over time if a woman decided not to wear a bra? ‘They would just get lower and lower. The more you can support them the less they will fall.’ Which then led me to ask if I should be wearing a bra to bed and sleeping in it? To which he assured me that ‘at night it’s not so important because the gravity isn’t there.’
Frederika Zappe, Wacoal’s US Fit Specialist agreed. ‘Not wearing a bra can affect the stretching of your Coopers Ligaments in your breast that causes breasts to sag when unsupported.’ ‘It can also impact your posture, and your posture can directly impact your energy levels,’ she added.
If something’s not comfortable, it’s probably not very good for you.
Regardless of your cup size, Frederika believes that ‘bras are there to support the breasts, and provide all day comfort.’ Wacoal, who specialise in lingerie and swimwear, are well-known for their broad range of sizes from an A-K-cup, and brands such as Fantasie, Elomi and Freya. But, if you're not wearing a bra in lockdown because 'your bra is uncomfortable it could be due to wearing the wrong size,’ says Frederika. If you're unsure on your size this video on how to spot the difference between a good and bad fitting bra, is a good place to start.
I for one will be saying goodbye to my bra-free days from here on out. It’s time to prioritise support again, if not for your comfort, then definitely for your health. That said, I’ll still be wearing my favourite loungewear, who said a girl can’t have both? Comfort is key, but so is support.
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