No, I cannot relate. I am flat-chested and I wear mine 24/7(even in bed). I heard that wearing a bra (from an OB/GYN) 24/7stops "the girls" from sagging later on.

I must need a personal assistant to bra shop. I mean really. I read all about the bridge in the back & the cup stuff. After shopping today for a new bra, I think I still don't have the right one. I always got a 36A, today I bought a 34B. I know "back fat" when I see it. I tried both sizes on & was still not sure what size to get, because the fat still shows. I am 49 years old & 5 ft. tall & weigh 140 lbs. I know I'm a full girl. I'm not a rookie in bra shopping or so I thought. Is the "back fat" supposed to be minimal or stubbornly stay there no matter what size bra? If my daughter wouldn't throw a fit, I would toss all bras in the trash. After all I have to "keep up the proper grandma image", she says.

Cripes, I didn't even think about what i'm going to teach my daughter. She's only 7. I think all I can tell her is that to get intimate with the gals at the bra shop, otherwise she's in trouble. I'm down to wearing mostly no bra (creatively), an undershirt or something a bit tight when I walk (for exercise) and the rest of the time looking for those old triangle bras (I used to have some from Calvin Clein) that I guess were really made for small breasts anyway that didn't need underwires and push up and all that, just a bit of material to show under a t-shirt so that folks know you have a bra on.

But still..this summer..I'll be on the hunt for fashions that don't require a bra...should be interesting.

Just so you know an A 36 cup and a B 34 Cup is the same. To get rid of back fat try a wider back band that usually helps some.

good luck

How does someone find a bra with a wide band if the style does not provide that? If I want a bra that has a certain cup style or material and want a wider band, how does one accomplish that? I wear Bali 42B but the band is not wide enough. It is only a 2 hook. I wish I could find a smaller cup bra with a 3 or 4 hook band!

It may be tough and time consuming to find a bra that fits correctly, but it is so worth it! It may not seem like such an important wardrobe item, but you soon realize it is once a piece of underwire is sticking you in the ribs. Many specialty stores have trained employees that take the time to help you and find the right bras for your lifestyle and personal tastes. I suggest going someone like that. Again, it may seem like a waste of time, but having someone cater to your individual bra needs is definitely worth it.

Soma by Chico's offers I know for fact 3 hook bras. Not sure about 4 hook. I wear 38B and have several 3 hook bras from Soma. The ladies there also know how to properly fit bras.

J.

I've always felt wearing a bra causes sagging. God designed us with a "natural bra" chest muscles!!! If a bra holds the breasts up the chest muscles don't have to work.... therefore they become flaccid and the breast sag. I'm 59 years old, I've had two children and I wear a C cup. And my breasts don't sag. I wear a bra now only for modesty when I HAVE to. I'm constantly looking for ways to make it so I don't have to wear one ever! When I do wear one it's off before I get all the way in the front door of my house. I hate the bound up feeling and i think bras interfere with lymph drainage. IMO. The last mammogram I had the nurse said, "uh oh... firm and high, I'll have to use a lot of pressure." !!!! But firm and high at 59. The spandex shelf-tanks are pleasant to wear under a blouse or t-shirt. I find I do that more often than not. Keeps me from too much movement but I'm still natural and comfortable. I'm from the burn your bra generation.

Mary

Bras have only been around for 100 years, or so. Prior to that time, women went without and did quite well.

There is a misconception that breasts will sag if one does not wear a bra. That is actually not true. Wearing a bra will stop the human body from giving the muscles the strength to hold the breasts in the position that they should be in.

Bras can also contribute to breast tenderness and have been thought to contribute to the possibility of breast cancer as the squeeze the lymph nodes.

Small and large breasted women can go braless. It is safe for any size.

As far as the looks one might get from others....once you walk with confidence, trust me, you will not notice anyone looking at you in a leering way. If they do, it is their problem and nothing that you have caused.

I post on a site for those going braless. Some are braless 24/7, others are braless at home and in social settings only. It's a great site that can help women (and men) with the questions posed here. I know that I am not allowed to post a link here, but I think I can tell you the link in a PM, if anyone wants the info.

Hi,

I also have been experimenting with going braless in public. Bras are painful for me because of a shoulder injury. I am a DDD, but not too saggy. I layer so nipple show through is not a problem. I have contsantly erect nipples and they would show through my bra too, so I have always had to layer. I would be interested in the other braless website you post to if you would share. Thank you for your help.

Hannah

Hi Hannah,

I sent you the link to the bra free site via PM. Hope that you will check it out. I have been an active member there for a few years. A great group of women who are very "supportive" of each other.

While I still wear a bra for some occations, I ditch it as often as I can. Far healthier. By the way, I fluctuate between a larger C cup to a D cup.

I believe that anyone over the age of 13 needs to wear a bra. Especially in your 40's, you might think that you do not need one but trust me, it is so noticeable when women go without bras, especially in the workplace. Didn't you see Oprah's bra-show?

aannette,

I did not see Oprahs bra show. Had I have watched it, it would not change my mind.

Bra's were not invented until 100 years ago. Women did quite well without them for centuries, millennia!

As for bralessness being noticeable, yes, it is, and the point there is? What is wrong with being noticeably braless? It can actually be far more modest than many of the women wearing push up (and out) bras that exagerate their cleavage.

Also, there have been many studies that show that wearing a bra can contribute to breast cancer. The lymph nodes can become blocked. It is wise for women not to wear bras....but if they do....they should take them off as soon as possible once they are home. And do NOT sleep in one!

Everyone has their own opinion. I do not agree with your need to put every womans breasts into the unhealthy bondage of a bra. You do not agree with my choice to let my breasts perform as mother nature intended them to. The beauty is, we can each make our own choice there. Thankfully, there is not a law that states that I have to put a bra on! Whew!

I say that if you really are small busted then someone even realizing your not wearing a bra is probably watching too closely if you know what I mean and that is called harassment last time I checked. As far as nipples showing a bra does not always prevent that either. I am a DD cup and sometime they just show. Just the fact that you are worried about your modesty assures me that you are probably not being indecent. As a busty woman I know how ridiculous some men and even women can act concerning them. I am a kind intelligent woman but most often I am known as "the girl with the big boobs". I would say that as long as you are using commonsense and not trying to lure men with your attire than you are not responsible for their immaturity. Personally I'm not sure how an employer can make a bra part of a dress code. I've seen men with larger breasts than some women and nobody makes them wear a bra. I'm just saying.

Playtex makes some really wide back bands and their really not too bad support either. Also try a front hook bra.