Every evening, after a long day of being strapped into a boulder holder, a woman snaps that back hook open, breathes a sigh of relief, and asks herself “Why do women wear bras?”

For many women, whether you’ve got large breasts or small boobs, bras are an annoyance. They can be uncomfortable, restrictive, and really difficult to shop for in the first place. That said, going braless often isn’t an option. Why? 

Reasons for wearing a bra tend to be personal. A woman might need one due to the size of her breasts, other bodily necessities, or simply because she prefers the aesthetics, such as the smoothing and lifting effect that a bra gives. There are also societal expectations that dictate women must wear bras in certain situations. 

My motto is always “do whatever feels best for you” so long as you have all the necessary information to make a sound, healthy decision. Luckily, I’ve got everything you need to know right in this post!

Before we can answer “Why do women need to wear bras?” we should try to learn why they started wearing them in the first place. 

The first appearance of bra-like garments can be traced back to ancient Greece where women were wearing bands made of wool or linen tied at the back to hold their breasts in place. This was likely used for support during physical activities as a famous mosaic depicting women athletes wearing bra-type garments suggests. 

When corsets came about in the 1500s, they were a mandatory garment for most women (middle and upper class). The first modern bra was patented in 1914 by Caresse Crosby. Around the same time, due to circumstances caused by the war, corsets started going out of style. In the 1930s, innovations like adjustable straps and padded cups led to the boom of the bra industry and the start of bras as we know them now. 

As the evidence suggests, the concept of bras was likely born from necessity. Although the origins of the bra can be traced back to ancient Greece, most art from that period depicts women with nude torsos and loose breasts. Only art that contains female athletes includes imagery of those ancient bras. As society continued to develop, bras (or corsets) became more of a social expectation.

As with any topic on female modesty, there’s a lot of misogyny at the core of the question “Why do women have to wear bras?” For example, a woman or girl who is not wearing a bra is at risk of receiving unwanted attention and then getting blamed for being the one to have invited it. Certain aspects of the female wardrobe are considered distracting to their male counterparts and therefore inappropriate for many scenarios. Going braless is a big one.

While I am always going to advocate for personal choice in matters of appearance, some situations do require opting for respectability over personal comfort. For your own personal sake, professional situations or somber events like funerals are not times when you want your titties to take center stage.

In any casual situation, if you choose to spend the day rocking your boobies au naturel then good for you! And if any unsavory opinions arise you can take comfort in the fact that words are just words and at least you’re not asking “why does my bra hurt my ribs?” every few minutes.

Now that we’ve touched upon the societal expectations (which we will respectfully disregard in favor of bodily autonomy thank you very much) let’s get into the personal reasons of “why do women need to wear bras?”. 

The main reason why women wear bras is because they offer support. Your breasts are made up mostly of fat and connective tissue. As you age, your breast tissue is replaced with fat which makes your breasts less dense and more prone to sagging. This loss of density and fullness prompts many women to reach for a bra. This can be for aesthetic reasons or because the breasts are too sensitive to “hang out” without the support a bra can provide. 

Contrary to popular belief, wearing a bra does not prevent your breasts from succumbing to the inevitable pull of gravity. It also won’t reverse the process or bring perkiness back to saggy breasts. It can, however, provide a temporary effect of perky breasts as well as eliminate any pain that comes with sensitive, droopy breasts. 

When it comes to the underwire vs no underwire debate, both have their benefits regarding support. An underwire bra will provide you with the most shaping but it can prove to be quite uncomfortable. A racerback bralette or other bra alternatives are the best options for those looking for medium support to eliminate the discomfort of sensitive or too-large breasts. 

If you’ve ever found yourself in a position of having to do a light jog without a bra then you already understand the need for protection from a bra. I can’t imagine there’s a woman on Earth who would voluntarily choose to workout while braless. Even small breasts will start to feel the strain of repeated movement after a while, so having a really good workout bra is a must, no matter your bust size. 

If there are any definitive answers to the question “What are bras for?” then “not losing your sanity while working out” is certainly one of them. A good sports bra will provide both support and compression which should keep your breasts in place while you move.

High-impact activities, such as running, cardio, team sports, and dancing, will require a bra that provides a lot of support and compression (especially if you’ve got larger breasts). You can get away with a low-support bra (or even a bralette) for low-impact activities like walking, hiking, or light yoga, especially if you have a smaller chest.

A big reason why many women wear bras is because it gives them more confidence. A bra will help smoothen and contour your breasts which will allow for a more put-together appearance. A bra can also help some women achieve the illusion of fuller breasts if it has a push-up element which can help create a more striking effect in certain dresses. And for my people with bigger boobs, a little bit of extra support can enhance your va-va-voom.

A bra can also help set the mood for certain events. For example, if you’re getting ready for a date or a party and you pop on your sexiest bra, one look in the mirror will give you a confidence boost. 

The final answer to the question “Why do women wear bras?” is simply because it might be necessary for them. 

When a woman is breastfeeding, her breasts are likely engorged and sensitive so the support, comfort, and easy access that a breastfeeding bra offers is a must. 

Post-surgery bras (be it for medical or cosmetic reasons) are made specifically to be soft yet compressive to allow for a comfortable recovery. 

If a woman has had a mastectomy, then she has the option to wear a special mastectomy bra. These are designed with pockets specifically to hold weighted breast prostheses which are designed to imitate real breasts and can be used for reasons of comfort, appearance, and to prevent muscle-skeletal problems/ 

Having large, dense breasts can also be reason enough to require a bra. Many women suffer from back pain caused by large breasts and a bra can help alleviate those symptoms. 

It’s (mostly) fine to not wear a bra whenever you feel comfortable not to. A lot of the reasons why women don’t feel confident going braless relate to societal expectations and this is most common for women with larger breasts.

If you’ve ever held yourself back from feeling free without a bra because of fear of judgment, I say this is your sign to go for it. People will always have some weird opinions but you have the power to drown them out with your infectious confidence and natural beauty.

That said, wearing a bra is in no way harmful to your health and can even be more comfortable than going without. Bras have also evolved a lot in recent years as women have begun prioritizing comfort. The ideal bra for you exists, you just have to know what to look for!

Now that we’ve got an idea of why do women wear bras, you’re free to make your own choices about when you choose to wear one. If you don’t foresee yourself permanently going braless anytime soon then I have some tips for finding the perfect bra. Here’s what to look for:

• Material: The fabric of your bra is of utmost importance. Opting for a natural fabric will help prevent excessive boob sweat and allow your titties to breathe. Natural fabrics also tend to be a lot cozier than synthetic!
• Fit: The main culprit behind an uncomfortable bra is usually a bad fit. Try bras on before buying them or reference a sizing guide. 
• Style/ Function: Be sure to shop according to what you need your bra for. Many women have a few different types of bras for different occasions. 
• Comfort: Comfort is key! There are so many different styles of bras out there that it could take some experimentation to figure out which style is best for you! 

There you have it! Common reasons why women wear bras. The choice really depends on your personal circumstances which can easily change over time. The important thing to keep in mind is that no one should ever keep you from going braless just by sharing their negative opinion. 

Now, I’m dying to know, when and where do you think it’s a good time to ditch the bra? And when do you think it’s absolutely necessary to wear one? Share your thoughts in the comments!