Bra(e)-th taking managment issues and puny goods
And ye gods. I'm happy to have been spared from the woes of bra hunting for most of my life. Especially since it was in the news a while back that bras probably didn't save the boobage from gravity, rather risked the opposite. But now I do need to find ones for S, that seem very keen on it. No doubt since it's a sign of being older and more mature, and since "everyone" else have them. But I've never been fond of wearing bras myself, due to a mix of not really needing one and not seeing the point nor finding them very comfortable. They can however of course look really nice on others, that actually have the curves to show them off. But there is a thing as lagom boobage though, yes.
To bra or not to bra...
A French study in fact indicated that women were better off without bras(!). According to this news site's article on the study, not wearing a bra would enable easier breathing, better posture and less back pain and less deterioration of the breast muscles. In short, no bra -> less sagging.
But the study didn't involve women older than 35 years old, so females older than that might not see much benefits, should they suddenly toss their bra. And I do wonder about those with veeery large bosoms. Then again, if never really exercising, and always thinking one needs an uncomfortably tight sports bra when exercising, no wonder things are bound to sag? Gravity, genes, diet and exercise habits no doubt play their parts. A bra does not equal sagging prevention. It can however help shape and keep things in place, when worn.
Other excerpts that I read from online discussions [here, here and here, in Swedish for the most part with English excerpt quotes] (where at least some people referenced were named, but no linkage to said source) said that..
"In a conversation with Dr. Gregory Heigh and Dr. Claire Heigh (man and wife), they stated that they…
"…have found that going bra-free can actually cause breasts to sag less.
Bras can cause breasts to sag because chest muscles are worked less when breasts are supported and confined in a bra. Over time, these muscles and also ligaments can atrophy (shrink in size) because of lack of use." It is basically a matter of "Use it or lose it.
When the chest muscles and breast ligaments have to bear the weight of the breasts, muscle tone returns."
Nipplegate prevention
Still, preventing a nipplegate and/or not looking too disproportionate, is good, when wearing tighter tops/clothing. Sometimes I almost wish I didn't have nipples, 'cause they're really the main issue. There's always pasties, but they too have a little edge that'll be visible through clothing, no? ..since they are intended for uh wear without clothing..
Usually I dress with at least two or three layers (often a very tight but rather long spaghetti top and then loose tshirt on top of that is a good combo), to prevent a nipplegate. But I seem to be in general cold, and am prone to getting a sun rash, so not something that'd work for everyone, and on very warm days it can be rather warm even for me, yup. So it'd be nice to simply find an underwear top that is basically a cut of spaghetti top, with no evil seams or other annoying details.
Sizing issues
In regards to fit for those that wear bras then..
The Department of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Portsmouth apparently did a study called Evaluation of professional bra fitting criteria for bra selection and fitting in the UK, the Practitioner summary reads:
"This is the first study to investigate using professional bra fitting criteria to establish best-fit in an underwired bra commonly sold in the UK. The traditional method of bra fitting was found to be inadequate, especially for larger-breasted women; the use of professional bra fitting criteria should be encouraged."
In other words, the standard of adding 4 inches or x cm to ones band measurement is apparently a bad recipe for good bra fit. The most common issue with bra sizing is apparently too large circumference and too small cup? And then for the really petite ladies, it must be especially noticeable when not much leeway to start with.
I did find..
- The Little Bra Company and
- Figleaves and
- Lula Lu, who have bras for ladies with more petite bosoms.
(the latter I just contacted and asked them to consider adding bra fitting info for those using the metric system)
Just a plain underwear top, damnit!
But the kind of underwear top thing I want is something with no cups and no wires of any kind, not to mention any protruding seams ('cause I strongly dislike seams on underwear tops, panties and socks that leave marks), so it's easy to pull on and off, without having to bother with hooks or so. A very simple sport bra-y top with possibly little (vertical) stretch to it. I suppose I could look for ones in the girls department at store, but most of the time they are too small or only exist in neony colours with "cute" little bows on them. The bows are an easy thing to remove, but I can't really do much about the colours..
Does anyone have the same problem finding simple underwear tops? Or have you found a good place to shop?
Or do you in fact make your own underwear?
I'd also be grateful for tips on other online stores for bras for smaller ladies, since S is hunting for the more proper and basic bras that aren't by default "cute" and pink or include silly bows and frills.