Going braless

Going braless is a term used to describe the practice of a woman not wearing a bra—the undergarment that supports and shapes the breasts. It may be a daily choice, a decision limited to particular circumstances, or part of a political statement.

Reasons for choosing to go braless vary: physical comfort, hot weather, back or shoulder pain caused by bra straps, garment cost, and beliefs about bodily autonomy. Some women go braless only in specific situations, such as sports, while others do so at all times.

Brief history

The modern bra replaced the corset in the early twentieth century in Europe and North America. During the 1960s and 1970s, Western women's rights movements adopted the rejection of bras as a symbol of their cause, giving rise to talk of "bra burning." Most historians note that actual bra burnings were rare, but the image spread through newspapers.

Health aspects

Research has not supported claims that wearing a bra prevents or causes breast cancer. There is also no strong evidence that bras permanently alter breast shape. Questions remain open about the effects of bras on muscles and supporting tissues. Women with larger breasts or those who exercise often report that physical support reduces discomfort.

Society and law

Attitudes toward going braless differ widely across countries and cultures. In some places it is seen as a purely personal matter; in others, particularly in societies with strict rules governing women's dress, it is associated with indecency. Some workplaces and schools have dress codes that require supportive undergarments, which has sometimes led to legal disputes over gender equality.

Social media

In the 2010s, internet campaigns including "free the nipple" contested image moderation policies on social media platforms, arguing that photographs of women's bodies are censored unfairly. Some major companies revised their policies, but differences between representations of male and female bodies remain in their standards.