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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?

db2 ,

Large breasts are heavy. Redistributing the weight helps the back.

Also for some people seeing nipples is scary for some reason.

andrewta ,

Ewww… Nipples

Which reminds me, I need to get milk on the way home.

Potatisen ,

Kekekekeke

xavier666 ,

Milk industry: We need to resume the bra burning movement

hakunawazo ,

It’s ok, Homelander.

StaySquared ,

This. At least that’s my understanding. When I lived in South Florida, one of my friends said she was going to try going braless for the summer, a few weeks later she complained that going braless made the under part of her breasts chaff / irritate. Heat, humidity, and skin friction is bad mmmmkay.

Elevator7009 ,

This is why I feel so so lucky to be a small-breasted woman who does not live somewhere hot 24/7.

If I ever do put on a bra it is because I expect I'll be running (only situation I have been in where breasts hurt braless, very thankful), or because the silhouette of my nipples is visible through my clothes and I don't want it to be. A good deal of my wardrobe won't show nipple even if I go braless, but not all of it is like that and so I put on a bra.

actionjbone ,

Nipples killed my dad :(

thermal_shock ,

are they single?

gofsckyourself ,

They’re dead

actionjbone ,

No, they’re a pair

Jessica ,

100% of people who have ever come into contact with a nipple have died. Scary stuff

joyjoy ,

seeing nipples is scary for some reason.

Scary nippleshttps://lemm.ee/api/v3/image_proxy?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.mensxp.com%2Fmedia%2Fcontent%2F2020%2FMay%2FThe-Story-Behind-Batmans-Nipples1_5eccc672474ca.jpeg

That_Devil_Girl , (edited )
@That_Devil_Girl@lemmy.ml avatar

I have 38C and I wear a bra for a variety of reasons. It does help with support, they weigh a lot and having them bounce freely hurts. It’s like having two large water balloons taped to your chest. Every slight bump or jolt pulls on the skin.

It also helps with sweating. Underwood sweat is a real thing and just as uncomfortable as armpit sweat or thigh rub sweat. A bra helps to absorb sweat and moisture under there.

A bra also acts a a sort of “armor.” My breast’s are rather sensitive, and rubbing against my shirt or other stuff can be painful. Having a bra layer protects them from chaffing and rubbing.

There’s also a bit of vanity to it, depending on type and style of bra. Some are utilitarian and functional only, some are stylish, and some are designed to show off in low cut blouses.

Personally, most of my bras are entirely function and utility as I work as a welder. I’m covered head to toe in safety gear, so wearing a pretty or revealing bra just isn’t practical.

EABOD25 OP ,

I completely do not understand and completely respect all statements beside the nipple rubbing thing.

We have no comparison to who’s nipples are more sensitive, but raw nipples are the worst. Especially when sweat and exertion are the worst.

IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, nipples are just sensitive matter who you are. Weight distribution and jiggle control is something I can’t relate to though

GamingChairModel ,

Weight distribution and jiggle control is something I can’t relate to though

It’s not hard. Put on a really heavy backpack and leave the straps super loose, and go try to move around, maybe a few athletic moves that involve changing speed or direction. Compare to a tight backpack with a waistband and shoulder straps properly strapped to your body, and try to move around again. The straps help control the extra motion so that you’re in better control.

Or run around in shoes 5 sizes too big. Or go for a run with your arms loose and intentionally left limp, swinging around like pendulums.

The whole world has a million examples of why providing bracing and support makes for more efficient and comfortable movement.

Alimentar ,

Damn you really did smoke a little too much

That_Devil_Girl ,
@That_Devil_Girl@lemmy.ml avatar

Weight distribution and jiggle control is something I can’t relate to though

Well, you can try a little experiment in the privacy of your home. Take two water balloons about the size of softballs and tape them to your chest. Spend the whole day wearing them around the house.

It’ll quickly become something you can relate to 😀

EABOD25 OP ,

I used to do that with a 40 pound weight vest for strength training. I didn’t do it very long because it was awful

ChillPenguin ,

Asks for women’s opinion in the purpose of bras. Ignores major parts of the women’s answers. Bruh

Live_your_lives ,

I’m a fellow man, but I assume the primary difference between our nipples and theirs is not sensitivity so much as it is that theirs will swing around and rub against things a lot more.

fogstormberry ,

We have no comparison to who’s nipples are more sensitive

trans person here. girl nipples are way way way more sensitive. its not even a contest

tamal3 ,

I’ve always been curious about this. Do you have more info/data?

EldritchFeminity ,

I don’t have any sources or anything, but I’ve seen this anecdotally mentioned a lot by trans women. I do know that estrogen thins out your skin and I wonder if it’s related to that. Though, with all the stuff estrogen does, sensitivity might just be related to estrogen itself and not the byproduct of some other change.

iamanurd ,

Underwood sweat!

That_Devil_Girl ,
@That_Devil_Girl@lemmy.ml avatar

Auto misspeller strikes again.

captain_aggravated ,
@captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works avatar

autocowrecked.

captain_aggravated ,
@captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works avatar

Spent a lot of today in 90 degree heat and 90% humidity out in the wood shop. I know all about underwood sweat.

FiniteLooper ,

Frank Underwood for re-election

plumpfella ,

Every slight bump or jolt pulls on the skin.

this sounds like hell

hoss ,

I wish my wife could explain things as well as you did

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.

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.

    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.

    I_Fart_Glitter ,

    I’m a small breasted woman who does not wear a bra. The reasons of practicality and comfort are described below for bigger chested people (I didn’t see mentioned that if they are really big and you try to run without serious, sometimes two sports bras on they can fly up and hit you in the face). I do sometimes accidentally hit my nipple on something, which I don’t like.

    But in my experience, people get upset at seeing boob shaped boobs. Strangers tell me I should be wearing a bra. They want bra shaped boobs. Nipples are scary.

    I haven’t worn one since middle school when it was new and fun and made me feel “grown up” (but uncomfortable). But some years back I got shingles and apparently permanent nerve damage on the nerve group that would be right under the bra band on my back and anything irritating it makes me feel like I’m on fire so it’s just not going to happen. Certainly not in the name of sparing the general public the scandal of seeing boob shaped boobs in a loose T shirt. At the very most I will use silicone tape to hide my nipples in very formal situations.

    EABOD25 OP , (edited )

    Ngl. I’ve hit my nipples on things and it sucks. My dogs have ran their nails across them and they burn for the rest of the day. I totally feel that pain

    However I’m a guy and have had to apologize multiple times to women because my eyes just trail down to the chest. I don’t know psychosomatics of it, but it’s not something I consciously intend to do.

    Beyond that, I don’t mind whether women do or don’t wear a bra. Breastfeed in public if needed. It all should truly be none of my business. However, I donate to breast cancer research every year for a reason. And that reason is I think about boobs. My wife has my favorite pair though.

    Anyway, I digress, I never really knew the original purpose of them and figured I could satiate my curiosity and have a conversation about boobs with people

    Trail ,

    Curious why you don’t just ask your wife.

    EABOD25 OP ,

    Good question! She said, and I quote “I don’t know. What the fuck is going on in your head right now?”

    Shou ,

    I’m not busty either, but I hate the feeling of my chest moving around or hanging. Sport’s bra’s are the only thing I wear. Even while sleeping.

    TheDoozer ,

    I’m a man, and that’s how I feel about boxers and being nude. I don’t like that dangle feel of uncontrolled swaying on a sensitive part.

    Shou ,

    A kindred spirit. Saggy/floppy bodyparts man…

    1984 ,
    @1984@lemmy.today avatar

    It’s very sexy to see nipples through clothes. I don’t know why but it’s just much hotter than seeing bare breasts.

    Maybe people ask you to wear a bra because it’s making guys get distracted.

    Jikiya ,

    They do, but they shouldn’t. You should not ask a stranger to change their behavior because you cannot control your own. Maybe family would do it for you, but even then it’s can be a shitty thing to do.

    1984 ,
    @1984@lemmy.today avatar

    You can’t ask guys to not get distracted. It’s not a choice they are making.

    Jikiya ,

    You absolutely can ask them that. Noticing it is not the same thing as getting distracted by it. Allowing your focus to be highjacked by the environment is a sign of a weak mind. If you went to work and a coworker told you the shape of your nose was distracting to them, and you need to wear a mask so they can continue to work, that is on the coworker, not you. It is absurd to put someone else in charge of what needs to be done to stop you from being distracted.

    People need to control themselves, no one else has that ability.

    1984 ,
    @1984@lemmy.today avatar

    Won’t happen :) And disagree about the weak mind as well. Has nothing to do with mind, it’s hormones. Ask teenage boys to have their hands on their cover and exercise their willpower… :)

    Adderbox76 ,

    It’s not a choice they are making

    It is if they’re friggin’ adults. Despite the media, we’re not supposed to be just led around by our penis’; unable to avoid being distracted by bewbs.

    That’s a cop out that guys use as an excuse to not evolve.

    1984 ,
    @1984@lemmy.today avatar

    Disagree, and you see the same thing in women when there is an attractive guy around.

    This political correct bullshit trying to make people think it’s wrong to be attracted to someone is just ridiculous. :)

    Adderbox76 ,

    No one at any point said not to be attracted to that person. But that doesn’t mean people (men or women) should be drooling rutting animals about it.

    In the adult world that (most of us) should have left behind after our bar-hopping twenties, finding someone attractive can be done without eye-fucking them like a creep.

    1984 ,
    @1984@lemmy.today avatar

    I can also play that game. Not at any point did I say to be drooling rotting animals. You are the one using those word words along with words like eye-fucking…

    I think you have a twisted view of sexuality my man.

    Mothra ,
    @Mothra@mander.xyz avatar

    Yes yes that’s exactly it. You see nipples are sensitive and boobs tend to jiggle and sway around when one moves, it can get very uncomfortable. So a bra reduces friction and accidental brushing against objects and clothing, helps support the weight and yes also helps shape the bosom. All that.

    The original purpose of the bra was to let women move freely without fearing their breasts might pop out of their dresses iirc. But I think women used to wrap their chests with a tight cloth if they had to heavy physical work before bras as we know them today. Take this with a grain of salt, I didn’t fact check any.

    bolexforsoup ,

    Similar to why many men wear boxer briefs it sounds like

    scarabic ,

    Right, like if you just rephrase OP’s question as what’s the point of a sports bra, it becomes more obvious. Everyone knows what a sports bra is for, right? Well with significant enough breasts, virtually all movement benefits from some support.

    The weird thing to me is how women with very small breasts can still sometimes adhere to a strict bra regime. Some of it is cultural programming, including the terror that your nipples might show through a shirt. This IMO is not worth the cost and maintenance and restriction of a bra.

    When people poop on Muslims for covering their women or wonder how some women could ever want to wear a veil, I like to remind them that we do exactly the same thing in the West. It’s just that our bar is set at a different level. No we don’t lose our shit if women show their faces but we still lose our shit if their nipples show.

    Mothra ,

    Yes you have a point with that but it really does help reduce friction and sensitivity in the area. I think I’d still wear one if I was more on the flat chested end just because of that reason. Everyone is different

    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.

    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

    sunbrrnslapper ,

    Yes, all of those things. Also it makes exercising more comfortable.

    PhobosAnomaly ,

    I am also reliably told that the removal of a bra - particularly a tight one - at the end of a working day is almost as wonderful as the feeling of taking your socks off when you get home.

    Bliss.

    SayJess ,
    @SayJess@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

    It is a great, great feeling.

    CarbonatedPastaSauce ,

    Wait what? I wear socks at all times unless I’m in water or asleep. Mostly because my feet are always cold.

    I do enjoy the ski sock peel at the end of a day on the slopes though!

    BlackPenguins ,

    I think taking off a pair of jeans is a better equivalent for guys. Or any piece of clothing that isn’t comfortable.

    Paradachshund ,

    Taking off the belt on your jeans.

    ShepherdPie ,

    Bro why are you wearing uncomfortable jeans? I get why people wear uncomfortable fashionable/dressy items but jeans are all about comfort.

    BlackPenguins ,

    Jeans are mid comfort for me. They look good when out but honestly I don’t want to lay down on my couch in jeans. Especially summer. Usually I change into gym shorts, sweatpants, or underwear.

    ShepherdPie ,

    That’s a good point. I typically wear basketball shorts as much as possible unless I’m leaving the house.

    1984 ,
    @1984@lemmy.today avatar

    I have also never even considered taking my socks off when I get home. But if I lived in a warm country, I would.

    henfredemars ,

    Every woman will be different but according to my wife it’s mainly for the support. I appreciated this more when I had a testicular injury where I needed underwear that lifts holds and prevents unnecessary movement.

    SteefLem ,
    @SteefLem@lemmy.world avatar

    And now im holding my balls for emotional support pain… damn

    henfredemars ,

    You didn’t ask, but I was wearing some jeans and somehow one of my ‘kids’ got stuck in a pant leg and as I yanked it off it became hyper extended and tore some ligaments.

    hardaysknight ,

    Holy shit dude. That sounds awful.

    henfredemars ,

    I’ve not been quite the same since, but I’m thankful I didn’t lose it! Carelessness on my part.

    breakingcups ,

    Fuuuuuuck

    CarbonatedPastaSauce ,

    That’s why we didn’t ask.

    EABOD25 OP ,

    That’s a thing that can happen!?

    mojo_raisin ,

    A ballsière

    https://d3jf2jipiivcgq.cloudfront.net/2670612184e626c9c336639.79259648.jpg

    knacht1 ,
    @knacht1@lemmy.world avatar

    Over the shoulder boulder holder.

    NarrativeBear ,

    Have you ever tried running balls free, same idea.

    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 :-)

    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.

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