Braless Pandemic Influence

The pandemic is shaping fashion. Despite how amazing it feels to go braless, there are reasons why you should strap up.

Others Can Tell

Physiological reactions to cold temperature and jounce make it obvious to onlookers when a woman is not wearing a brassier. Prior education, the work environment, the need for social acceptance, and modesty all factor into public bra wearing. The pandemic has people spending more time at home.

Whether you are a female remote worker or remote learner, there is less incentive to dress up. When you do, it can be more comfortable to exclude a bra.^[1,2]

Why Ditch The Bra

According to one report, the average breast size is A in France and F in the United States. A 15-year study of French women supports the position of no support. Women who did not wear bras during the study had areolae averaging seven millimeters higher in relation to their shoulders each year than regular bra users. The study of 320 participants concludes that wearing a bra leads to underdeveloped pectoral muscles, so bras, not gravity, cause sagging.^[3]

Wearing a bra for long intervals traps moisture, dirt, and sweat against the skin. So most women look forward to getting home and releasing their breasts from captivity.

Reasons For Wearing Bra

If you wear a B cup or below, you may be unaffected by the lack of support. Despite how comfortable it feels to go braless, there are reasons why you should harness your boobs. Author of the aforementioned French study acknowledges, “older women (45 years or more) would derive no benefit from throwing away their bra.”

Female breasts are composed of glands and fat. The ligaments that hold them up work hard to suspend that weight, and over time breasts can begin to break down and sag.^[3–7]

Going braless can be painful with large breasts. The lack of support can strain the back and cause postural issues. Some mothers feel a maternity bra is more comfortable during breastfeeding; for others it is too restrictive.^[6]

It is important to wear bras that fit well. Your individual body shape alters over your lifetime, resulting in several changes in bra size. Extremely tight bras restrict the lymph flow within breasts.^[8]

Bras improve posture of women with C cups or larger. This is a reason why pushup bras, with the appearance of more fullness or cleavage, are popular among many women. Bras hide perceived “flaws” and make you feel comfortable in your clothes.^[6,8]

Breast size affects the braless movement. Women with small bosoms might feel more comfortable and liberated. The symbolic act of tossing undergarments into a burning trash heap was a critique of the beauty culture in the 1960s.^[9,10] But clothing is not always flattering without support—either a bra or silicone adhesive pads.

End of Suit Life

The pandemic is not just affecting underwear. The prevalence of virtual meetings depreciates the need for men’s suits and trousers. Brooks Brothers, a prominent suit maker in the US and outfitter of numerous presidents, claimed bankruptcy protection. J.Crew filed for bankruptcy, as have Ann Taylor, Neiman Marcus and Lord & Taylor. These department stores have been common places for men to buy suits.^[12]

Consumer behavior and sales drive the fashion industry. So apparel designers will soon adapt to popular pandemic wardrobe behaviors during and after this over.^[13]

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