Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go without a bra? Is it better for your breast health to “go braless” sometimes?
There are many advantages to wearing a bra, and a few disadvantages as well. The key is to find one that fits you right.
Here are some things to keep in mind before your next purchase.
1. Bra-Vantages
Most women rely on bras to help define the shape and size of their breasts. It can distribute the weight of your bust and take the strain off your back, neck, and shoulders.
Wearing a bra lifts your breasts upward, preserving connections between your mammary glands and pectoral muscles. While sagging is natural as we age, wearing a bra can improve your posture and prevent spine problems and back pain.
Sports bras are excellent for active women. They help minimize the movement of your breasts, which can help reduce the pain caused by stretching skin and ligaments. Sports bras can also help you avoid skin irritation.
The right bra can keep your shoulders from slouching and your back from bending. It can boost your confidence because you will look and feel your finest. The right bra will improve your overall appearance in any outfit.
2. Bra Woes
Wearing a bra, however, is not all perks. It may actually encourage laziness in pectoral muscles, weakening them and making breasts more pliable. This is especially true if you are wearing the wrong bra for your breast size and shape.
Bras can also cut off your circulation and cause sweating. Some women notice that wearing a bra too much can cause back pains and headaches. Others become annoyed that their bras to not adjust to changes in their breast size that occur during natural changes such as PMS and pregnancy.
Whether or not you are overweight, the wrong bra can also cause your skin to roll in the back. You may even notice that it is more difficult to breathe fully.
Many women seek to balance out the bra problem simply by not wearing a bra at night while they sleep. This allows your breasts to be comfortable and breathe freely, and you won’t have to worry about their appearance.
Ditching the bra at bedtime is more hygienic, as bacteria will not breed around your breasts easily. It can also improve your circulation and improve your lymphatic drainage, preventing disease.
3. The Right Bra Size
Many women are incredibly uncomfortable in their bras because they are wearing the wrong size. Remember that, if your straps are digging into your shoulders, there is a good chance that your cup is too small. If your straps are slipping, your cups are probably too big.
Knowing your bra size can make bra shopping easier, especially if you are shopping online. Use a measuring tape around your torso directly under your bust, in the place where a bra band would sit. Make sure that this is very snug.
Round the number that you get to the nearest whole number. Add four inches if the number is even and five inches if the number is odd. This will give you your band size, such as 32 or 38.
Next, you can take your bust measurement by wrapping the tape a little loose around the fullest part of your chest. Again, you will want to round to the nearest whole number.
You can then figure out your cup size by subtracting your band size from your bust measurement. The number of inches will correlate with a cup size from AA to CC to F or G.
Your bra should not fit too loosely, and you should fix any falling straps. Try it out by putting a loose-fitting shirt over your bra. If the cups are puckering or your breasts are bulging, you are probably wearing the wrong bra size.
4. The Right Bra Type
If you are like most women, you are probably wondering “what bra should I wear to stay comfortable and healthy?”
Push-up bras are a popular choice. These gently push your breasts closer together and upward. They can be comfortable and come in a variety of enhancement styles.
Padded bras are also a favorite because they give support and prevent the nipples from showing under dresses and shirts. Ladies with fuller busts can enjoy them as well since some are only lightly padded.
T-shirt bras have gained popularity in recent years because they are designed to look invisible under body-hugging outfits. As the name suggests, they fit smoothly under T-shirts and tanks.
If, however, you are wearing a strapless dress or top, a strapless bra might be a good item to have in your drawer. These give a bit less support than bras with straps and get held in place by a strong wire under the band. Yet if you don’t want your entire bra strap exposed, you will need a good strapless bra if you don’t have anything else on your shoulders.
Balconette and lace bras are good for intimate moments as well as regular wear. They come in full-coverage or demi-cups and create a pretty look that can be concealed under low necklines.
The Advantages of Wearing a Bra
While it may be best to avoid wearing a bra twenty-four hours a day, most women will want to invest in a few good bras to wear during the day. The key is to find the right style and size for optimum comfort and attractiveness.
For more insightful lifestyle thoughts, check out some of our other posts.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind