The way women feel about bras varies with age. Younger women tend to find bras uncomfortable, while older women value the support provided by bras as it helps them maintain good posture and prevent potential back issues.
I think bras are something I’m expected to wear. I see it as a way of covering up instead of comfort or personal preference. Additionally, societal expectations and cultural norms significantly shape women’s views on wearing bras. While some may view bras as a necessary undergarment for modesty, others may prioritize comfort and forgo wearing them altogether.
The point of a regular bra is to support and cover a woman’s nipples, but as generations evolve, many women have spoken out about their bodies and what they want to do with them, shifting social norms around how we expose our bodies through our clothes.
After women spoke out it became a trend to go braless in the 1960s. This trend has sparked conversations about body positivity and challenging societal expectations of how women should present themselves.
Going braless can be seen as a form of empowerment, allowing women to embrace their natural bodies and reject the notion that they need to conform to certain beauty standards. However, it is important to note that going braless may not be suitable or comfortable for everyone, as individual preferences and comfort levels vary.
Looking to strike a balance between comfort and discomfort, Kim Kardashian released a nipple bra through her SKIMS line on October 31, 2023. The bra is exactly what the name states, a bra with built-in nipples. There wasn’t much of an explanation on why the bra was created, but I see it as challenging the norms that women’s bodies should be defined by societal expectations or the male gaze.
My initial thought was “Why?” I didn’t understand the point of the bra. It seemed like such a dumb idea since you can just go braless instead of wearing a bra that gives that same look for sixty-four dollars.
However, after doing some research and hearing from others, I realized that the bra was much more than just a regular bra. I believe this was Kardashian’s way of having women reclaim control over her own body.
The release brought a lot of controversy. In an article in Cosmopolitan, Emilie Lavinia, Cosmopolitan UK’s Sex and Relationships Editor, said, “A Kardashian adding a nipple onto a bra does feel like a step towards normalizing and even celebrating something that has been censored and controlled for so long.” Some argue that the nipple bra promotes body positivity and freedom of expression, allowing women to embrace their natural bodies without feeling the need to conform to societal standards.
On the other hand, in the same Cosmopolitan article, sex expert Alix Fox said she sees the nipple bra as “further sexualizing rather than normalizing nipples.”
Despite the controversy, it is clear that the evolution of bra designs continues to challenge traditional notions of femininity and provoke discussions about gender norms and empowerment.
The bra serves different purposes for everyone. Many saw the bra as a way to fit in. It provided a sense of security and support, both physically and emotionally. Some might see the bra as a fashion statement. For others, the bra was something much deeper. According to some of the reviews under the nipple bra, a user named Amanda W. said, “As someone who lost a nipple due to a major injury in surgery this bra gave me the confidence to feel sexy again. I can’t wait to order one in all colors.”
Breasts and nipples come in different shapes and sizes and that’s okay. Some breasts require bras others don’t. For some women, going braless may not align with their personal beliefs or comfort level, and they may choose to continue wearing bras as a means of self-expression or conformity to societal norms. It is important to remember that the size and shape of breasts do not determine their worth or beauty, nor does the male gaze. Every individual’s body is unique, and what matters most is feeling comfortable and confident in one’s skin (or SKIM).