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What is the actual point of a bra?

Let me preface this by saying I am a man, and smoked a little too much, so I’m sitting here thinking… what is or was the original purpose of a bra? Weight support? Vanity? Covering the nips so people’s eyes met your eyes and you can have a normal conversation? Like what’s it all about?

shit_of_ass ,
@shit_of_ass@sh.itjust.works avatar

boobies

bear ,
  • sports: chest binding
  • aesthetics: style choices
  • modesty: cultural views
Pandantic ,
@Pandantic@midwest.social avatar

I am someone who has had very large breasts and fairly small breasts in my lifetime. When my boobs were big, wearing bras was manageability and comfort. They were heavy and hurt my back and were always in the way. In addition, it was hard to do any sports or be active without being, what I called, double strapped: having a bra with a sports bra over the top. This is how I got through high school.

Now that I’ve both had a breast reduction and lost a lot of weight, my boobs are smaller and I don’t wear a bra often. When I do, it’s a vanity thing, I think my boobs look better under some clothes when wearing a bra, and a utility thing, like when I’m working out or doing something strenuous. Also, I wear one when I’m at work because it seems more appropriate.

xe3 ,

Make:

  • Bouncy things less bouncy
  • Pokey things less pokey
  • Gravity less gravit-y
Gingernate ,

I’m thinking this guy has never seen real tits in real life, a teenager, or both. Or just blazed, that I can respect hahahah.

xe3 ,

I got stoned enough to forget my age a few months ago… not like for a moment… I consciously focused on it for 15 minutes, couldn’t figure it out, kept pondering the rest of the night and couldn’t remember until the next morning…

I am old enough to occasionally forget my age, not to literally not be able to recall it… so I can empathize if bro is just waaay too stoned to comprehend the concept of a bra haha

EABOD25 OP ,

I just figured it would be an entertaining and informative topic haha

RBWells ,

I have never needed one for support, but for the past 20, 30 years the US has had some sort of weird rule that only smooth lumps are professional, no hint of actual breast shape. That’s easing in non-professional public life, finally, so I don’t wear one a lot of the time, but at work wear something with light padding to make that weird Barbie doll lump shape.

Sports bra for running, yes that serves a practical function - holds the boobs still so they don’t bounce and hurt. So if one is more endowed and bouncing in everyday life, I imagine that a bra with structural support would be more comfortable than nothing.

I really wanted to answer that the point is right at the front of each cup!

fine_sandy_bottom ,

It’s definitely a me problem, not a you problem, but I do find nips distracting. I’d like to get better at not being distracted by visible nips and I’m here for that journey.

laughterlaughter ,

I’m okay with being distracted.

If a woman wants to wear a short, short skirt to work, or no bras, then so be it. I will probably stare when no one is looking, but I will for sure remain professional otherwise.

What’s the difference between this scenario and having a mesmerizing painting in the common area.

Shit, I’m objectifying women!!!

Let’s just say that a dude with a good pair of biceps would be equally distracting, and I wouldn’t have an issue with that.

weker01 ,

I’m actually quite interested in dress history. I’m an engineer at heart and clothing is fundamentally also an engineering problem (and design of course). It’s an area of engineering that was always dominated by women and you can sometimes see the novel approaches that brings.

For example historical corsets were actually quite comfortable when fitted right. One reason why is actually breast support. Predecessors to the modern Bra did exist but were not in fashion as a more compressed looking bust and later a shaped silhouette was in fashion.

Also it’s cool what tricks one can use to form the silhouette without extremely compressing the waist (which is how many modern people often think is the function of a corset).

I recommend Bernadettes channel on this topic: link

jadedwench ,

I saw the picture first before reading your comment and thought it was from her channel. Bernadette is awesome.

RagingHungryPanda ,

bras were a cheaper alternative to corsets. and yes, they were popular and not as oppressive as hollywood would have you believe, and they were considered good for back support. Bras didn’t need nearly as much metal or time. And since they were cheaper, they were more common. At least, from things I’ve heard elsewhere.

Reyali ,

Can confirm that corsets can be comfy, and particularly good for back pain.

I’ve also actually had a doctor recommend I wear a corset, lol. (Cardiologist recommending abdominal compression to help me black out less.)

NarrativeBear ,

Have you ever tried running balls free, same idea.

postmateDumbass ,

You mean where the tassel goes?

gravitas_deficiency , (edited )

Edit: context: a big part of it is weight support.

I’ve got a childhood friend who got a reduction because she had back problems after she went through puberty, and it basically led to her having chronic pain for a while in college. She’s WAY happier at a C-cup than whatever size she had before.

Edit: curious what the downvotes are for. This is absolutely a real thing. Downvoting me for sharing a thing that real people actually struggle with isn’t going to make them struggle with it less. And on the hunch that the downvotes are dudes: if you have a female partner, or a female friend who you can ask these sorts of things to, ask them to confirm that it is real, and they will be happy to.

ByteOnBikes ,

People down voting you? Do they not realize this is a serious medical condition and does create back pain?

Horny porn brain mfers who don’t know how women’s bodies work.

EABOD25 OP ,

Upvoted, friend. And happy your friend is doing better and is happier, but if a C is her happy place, how big were they? That sounds sucky

volvoxvsmarla ,

Friendly reminder that C cup has no meaning without a band size.

Reyali ,

Someone already mentioned that cup size has no meaning without band size, but also want to help dispel the myth that D is a “huge” size.

The rule of thumb is that your cup size is the difference between the size of your rib cage and the size around your chest. Then it’s 1” per cup, with caveats and adjustments, but we’re talking basics.

So in reality a C cup is a 3” difference between ribcage and breasts. That’s pretty modest. However in media, it’s often played up that DD is your Playboy model size, but those are more likely to be a G cup or larger, at least if they were sized correctly.

RBWells ,

Yeah I am a certified member of the itty bitty committee and am currently in a perfectly fit 34D, and my measurements would put me in 32DD.

Those letters just don’t really mean anything without the band size. Nobody, literally nobody, would look at me and think “D cup”.

Bras really need more than two measurements. I need the band of a 32-34, the wire diameter dimensions of a 34D and the volume of what I think of as a 34 B. I can find this in particular models of bras but it would be nice to have it on the label.

ThatWeirdGuy1001 , (edited )
@ThatWeirdGuy1001@lemmy.world avatar

Probably because it does nothing to answer the question and the only relating component is that you’re talking about boobs.

Hawk ,

My favourite part of threaded platforms is the arbitrary and tangential discourse

ThatWeirdGuy1001 ,
@ThatWeirdGuy1001@lemmy.world avatar

I wouldn’t have brought it up if they hadn’t asked 🤷‍♂️

gravitas_deficiency ,

I intended on tying that into weight support, but I suppose that wasn’t terribly clear

Sweetpeaches69 ,

BOO

/s

xorollo ,

Ackushually it’s Boob/s

AnUnusualRelic ,
@AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world avatar

I had a gf like that. It made total sense to me even though I never saw her before the reduction. She was quite happy with it as well.

tiredofsametab ,

You should probably tie it back into the actual question that OP had since I'm not sure everyone would make the connection between bras and what you wrote. I assume the other downvoters just hate the idea of a boob reduction.

frankspurplewings ,

I’m a 36G and wear the bra because it’s super annoying to have them sway when I walk. That’s the main reason for me. I find it more comfortable to be braless, but I really shouldn’t do it in public. It’s attracts more attention than I usually want.

RebekahWSD ,
@RebekahWSD@lemmy.world avatar

This is why I prefer winter, I can wear my bulky coat and go as braless as I want, despite the 40J I’m suppose to wear

bibliotectress ,

38H (UK sizing) here.

I still don’t go braless even in winter because they hang low, and that embarrasses me. Existing at all embarrasses me, so take that with a grain of salt.

RebekahWSD ,
@RebekahWSD@lemmy.world avatar

Existing is agony, but I just can’t care anymore what people think about my tits. I’m the one who has to wear them, and bras hurt (well, I’m autistic and they hit a lot of my brain hurting points) so screw it, I’m going to the wawa in a winter coat and no cares.

Sensitivezombie ,

Having 36G breasts, does it cause back pain? If so, how do you manage it?

frankspurplewings ,

It caused more paint when I was wearing ill fitting bras in both size and shape. I found r/abrathatfits in my mid-twenties and it changed everything for me. I mostly wear unlined mid coverage demi bra shapes now.

I do still get back pain like just below the shoulder blades in the center of my back. But that’s been there for years and I’m used to it now

Sensitivezombie ,

Thanks for sharing!

Agent641 ,

Without a bra, you risk getting a harmonic resonant swing going, and toppling over like the Tacoma Narrows bridge.

frankspurplewings ,

Good thing I live in the desert. Not many bridges around here.

sentientity ,

So there is a fascinating historical rabbit hole here that I went down a few years ago. I think it is Nicole Rudolph who did a deep dive video into the history of bras and other shapewear. If you smoked a lot and like history I recommend it.
Bras and similar garments give the proper ‘shape’ for the clothes and cultural norms of the moment, and give people comfort and support if they need it. Lots of people need something sturdy to keep everything in place, but it’s also still a very grey area of social acceptance to choose not wear one.

OceanSoap ,

Also when I run they bounce in a constrained manor.

frustrated_phagocytosis ,

My titties hurt when they bounce too much during hormone shifts. Plus the nipples are really irritating in A/C when they stiffen and feel wormy (dunno how to describe, like a small boner demanding attention) and I also accidentally scratch them without a bra to cover them. Was especially important to have some sort of coverage when I had piercings in them because I almost tore one out brushing my hair. Never healed right after that.

yum ,

Ouch!

Timely_Jellyfish_2077 , (edited )

deleted_by_author

    •
    frankspurplewings ,

    Bruh we are here 😂

    francisfordpoopola ,
    @francisfordpoopola@lemmy.world avatar

    Simply responding due to our related names. The Frank part… Not the pooping.

    frankspurplewings ,

    Hi Frank 👋🏼

    KillingTimeItself ,

    dunno how to describe, like a small boner demanding attention

    as a guy i would imagine it’s much like that weird stage between semi chub and flaccid where your dick is just annoyingly erect.

    Just kind of happens sometimes.

    2ugly2live ,
    @2ugly2live@lemmy.world avatar

    Can’t speak for all, but back pain and comfort. Also, large breasts can have difficulty getting air under there which can cause irritations. Sometimes it’s just to keep your breasts off your stomach. I wear sports bras and have “special” bras, but my hatred of bras has really dimished when I accepted sports bra life.

    I also just don’t like them “loose?” Like, I don’t want to bend over and have them go awol, even if I’m at home. Also, can store stuff in the bra and I have dropped my phone on the floor thinking I had a bra to catch it 😭

    Bilbo_Haggins , (edited )

    Advantages of bras:

    • Look nice (if you’re into that look, which many people are)
    • Keep your nipples from chafing
    • Support/containment for larger boobs
    • Keep prudish people from being mad at your nipples
    • Can be worn without a shirt for sports if they cover enough real estate
    • When breastfeeding, help catch/absorb leaks

    Disadvantages of bras:

    • Uncomfortable if not fitted right
    • Sweaty as fuck on hot days
    • Expensive
    • Many have to be hand washed if they are fancy

    I would say I wear bras about 30-50% of the time and it’s usually for either support/chafing prevention or looks. The rest of the time I can’t be bothered. I’m also lucky to not have super large breasts. I know women who do may find a good fitted bra to be more comfortable than no bra.

    When I was breastfeeding I wore them all the time though because it is super awkward to leak through your shirt in public.

    Edited to add bullet points bc I suck at lemmy formatting

    AplasticAenima ,

    Just wondering, but why did you use punctuation in the last half of your comment, but not the first?

    sanguinepar ,
    @sanguinepar@lemmy.world avatar

    I think she wrote the pros and cons as a vertically stacked list, but formatting forces it into a paragraph, unless you add a double space at the end of the line.

    So this:

    Advantages of bras: Look nice (if you’re into that look, which many people are) Keep your nipples from chafing Support/containment for larger boobs Keep prudish people from being mad at your nipples Can be worn without a shirt for sports if they cover enough real estate When breastfeeding, help catch/absorb leaks

    Becomes this:

    Advantages of bras:
    Look nice (if you’re into that look, which many people are)
    Keep your nipples from chafing
    Support/containment for larger boobs
    Keep prudish people from being mad at your nipples
    Can be worn without a shirt for sports if they cover enough real estate
    When breastfeeding, help catch/absorb leaks

    Or, with the addition of bullet points:

    Advantages of bras:

    • Look nice (if you’re into that look, which many people are)
    • Keep your nipples from chafing
    • Support/containment for larger boobs
    • Keep prudish people from being mad at your nipples
    • Can be worn without a shirt for sports if they cover enough real estate
    • When breastfeeding, help catch/absorb leaks
    Bilbo_Haggins ,

    Aw damn thanks for fixing that! Yes I wrote it as a list and yes I forgot the double space. Still haven’t figured out bullet points in lemmy

    sanguinepar ,
    @sanguinepar@lemmy.world avatar

    No problem at all - and bullets are just a star and a space, then your text and then the two spaces at the end, and then repeat :-)

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