Here Is What Happens if You Stop Wearing a Bra (Pros & Cons)

After a long day spent wearing a bra while out and about, there is nothing quite like the feeling of taking it off once you get home. Wearing a bra all day long can be uncomfortable for some women, especially if they are underwire bras or any ill-fitting bras, and unless you experience breast tenderness or pain without a bra, there is no reason why you can't go bra free.

Because every woman's body is different, whether or not you choose to wear bras is a personal choice. There are pros and cons to going braless, which can depend on factors like having either small breasts or large breasts, age, breast shape, etc. Keep reading below to learn what happens when you stop wearing a bra.

1. Your Breasts Might Appear Perkier

Despite popular belief, there is no evidence that wearing a bra improves breast perkiness. At the end of the day, breast sagging happens over time due to aging whether or not you choose to wear a bra. Boobs sag regardless of whether or not you wear a bra.

It is also debated whether or not consistently wearing a bra affects the strength of the pectoral muscles that hold up your breasts. Going braless won't immediately cause your breast tissue to sag, but rather can even help improve skin elasticity and strengthen the muscles that lift your boobs.

According to a 15-year study by French scientist Jean-Denis Rouillon, as cited in Medical News Today, wearing a bra might not help prevent breasts from sagging at all. Though Rouillon admits that more research is needed, generally speaking there is no one-size-fits-all answer to bra wearing. Many women, especially those who are younger or those with smaller breasts, may experience no negative effects or discomfort if they stop wearing bras. However if you are older or your breasts sag, bras might be a wardrobe necessity for you.

2. Your Skin Health Might Improve

Like every piece of clothing we wear, wearing a bra can affect your skin and may even cause irritation depending on the material. If you're wearing a bra all day, or all night, sweat and dirt gets trapped underneath it, which can clog skin pores and cause irritation.

If you have sensitive skin and larger breasts, going braless will allow your skin to breathe better and can prevent skin irritation. If you stop wearing a bra your skin health in your chest area may improve, especially if you often experience body or back acne.

3. You May Experience Neck Pain or Back Pain

If you have large breasts and your body is used to wearing a bra every day, you may experience some back or neck pain if you stop wearing one altogether. Bras play an important role in providing proper support and distributing the weight of heavier breasts to alleviate back pain.

A sports bra is especially important to wear if you are exercising and have large breasts. Not wearing a bra may prove to be an issue for women with larger breasts, especially while working out or doing any higher-impact activities. If you have larger breasts and engage in exercise or high-impact movements, we recommend wearing a sports bra to provide adequate support and prevent neck or back strain.

That being said, if you have small breasts, going braless might not cause you any discomfort as opposed to when you wear a bra.

4. Your Circulation May Improve

Wearing an ill-fitting bra, or a bra style that isn't fit for your body type, may even impact blood flow. According to the same 15-year study, bras may unnaturally inhibit circulation. Going braless can increase blood circulation to your chest area and your upper body overall.

Think of the relief you feel when you take off an ill-fitting bra at the end of the day or if you fall asleep in a push-up bra and take it off in the morning. If you stop wearing a bra altogether, you might notice increased comfort and relief in your chest area. That being said, being properly fitted for a bra and wearing a bra that suits your body type is another way to increase your day-to-day comfort.

5. Increased Physical Comfort

Unless you experience major discomfort or pain without a bra, to stop wearing a bra is an easy way to improve your physical comfort in your day to day life. There is nothing more irritating than wearing the wrong size bra, which can even do more harm than good. Bra wearers know the discomfort that comes with wearing an ill fitting bra. Dealing with a bra that pokes or pinches you is never comfortable.

If you find yourself in an uncomfortable bra that causes skin problems or even irritates your breast tissue, we recommend going braless for increased physical comfort. A well fitted bra that suits your body type will increase your daily comfort. You may even choose to wear a sports bra as an everyday bra for increased comfort while still having the support you need.

Concluding Thoughts

Wearing a bra is a personal choice. Some women prefer to wear a supportive bra that supports breast tissue appropriately and modestly, while other women may be comfortable going braless.

If you have smaller breasts and you stop wearing a bra, you might notice increased comfort in your day to day life. Going bra free is a simple way to be more comfortable throughout the day.

Whether or not you are comfortable forgoing bras altogether is up to you. Maybe find a happy medium of time spent wearing a bra versus going braless. Finding the right bra style for your body type is crucial. If sports bras, wireless bras, or front-closure bras are comfortable options for everyday wear for you, then we recommend wearing the bra styles that make you feel your best.

Wearing a bra and what style of bra you wear is always your own choice, and there are pros and cons to going braless. If you're searching for a comfortable bra, we recommend checking out our wide collection of wireless, underwire, front-closure, and sports bras to find the perfect style for you.

About the Author

Maeve Gesualdi is a Fordham University alumna where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Fashion Studies. Based in New York City, Maeve is part of the marketing team at Glamorise. Maeve regularly interacts with customers via social media and product reviews, as well as with influencers and models. She is constantly getting feedback on our products as well as gaining a better understanding of what women in our category struggle with and/or look for when searching for a bra. Aside from writing, she is passionate about all things travel and fashion.