I know that I am not the only one here who can say that one of THE best feelings at the end of the day is to release ourselves from “the bra.” You know, that thing we wear to help support those things on our chest called breasts. Yes, we all have worn one, or still do on an every day basis. What we choose to wear and do with our bodies is forever in our choice. But I am here to talk about my love-hate relationship with my bra, and why I wake up some mornings and say “no” to putting that bra on.
Image via Clipart Library
I grew up a ballet dancer, constantly wearing tights, tutus and leotards. I was used to not always wearing a bra on stage, but never off stage. Going against the societal opinion of “the bigger, the better,” being a dancer always made me hate my boobs. Yet, not until the past couple years, when all of the body acceptance awareness became prevalent, is when I became more accepting of what is becoming a norm these days: being braless and embracing what you were born with.
Now, I would say that I am apart of the average percentage when it comes to breasts sizes, so not too big, not too small. Some would say it is much easier to ditch the bra when you have a smaller chest size, but sometimes I beg to differ.The times when I usually decide to opt out to wearing a bra is when I am wearing a tighter shirt that represents something more like a leotard. Something that is able to wrap me up yet still allow the comfort of not wearing one. I still haven’t been able to strive much further than that. Baggy sweaters and tighter tops are the only time when I don’t feel the need to wear a bra.
Now some might want to ask me, “Why I feel a need to feel it is “acceptable” to ditch the bra?” This is a valid question, but personally I feel this is the time for me to present the best, most put-together person I can be. We are in college, yes, but we are also trying to find jobs and make lasting connections in this enormous, judgmental society. Unfortunately, our society has sexualized the women’s chest, even though it is what naturally grows on a woman’s body. This is my body, and I was given what I was born with. Why should I have to conceal its nature state?
All these questions go back to my first thought: my love-hate relationship with bras. Now, I am still trying to find my own balance of freedom, approval, and my ability to acknowledge societal norms. I will always have a love-hate relationship with my bra, but I will always accept my body for what it is. I will never be ashamed or conceal what I was given. We all deserve choice and to have the ability to say that “I have a love-hate relationship with my bra, but whatever I choose is my choice!”