Bralessness- an update

     Hello again! It is now late in October and I last wore a bra in April. When I first stopped wearing bras (primarily for comfort reasons) I switched to shelf camisoles. They were a good transition because they have a double layer of cloth in the chest area, and only a light band of elastic (which is not nearly as uncomfortable as a bra band). They also work under shirts or sweaters in situations where a high level of modesty is desired (the darker the color, the less shows; for example, my black camisoles look almost like I have some kind of bra on, but my lavender camisoles show my nipples and some of my breast shape quite obviously).

     I used shelf camisoles all summer, including on my vacations (First a trip to Minnesota, then a big trip to the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, with a final stop in Amsterdam).  The camisoles work great under my uniform in martial arts class, and work fine as a stand alone shirt any time it's hot out. They provided me with a gradual increase in my confidence. Gradually letting me get used to my nipples being noticeable (but not as noticeable as with only one layer of cloth), and smooshing my breasts just enough to obscure their natural shape (because I am still working on getting used to natural breast shape over the artificial shape seen almost everywhere). They allowed enough movement that I experienced some benefits of bralessness, like a massive reduction in pre-menstrual breast soreness, and a firming up of my breast tissue.  I also no longer get a sweat rash between my breasts (I used to get that even though I am not ample enough to have cleavage).

     There were no problems over the summer with my choice of clothing from other people, either. I was mentally prepared for issues, because my choice to go braless goes against the mainstream. But then, I've never been one for going with the mainstream. Anyway, I am happy to report no problems (unless you would count the guy I crossed on the running path, who looked very happy about crossing me, as a problem- I don't count that as a problem).

A new development:

     Recently I have been getting annoyed by the light elastic band in my shelf camisoles, so I decided to ditch those too (well, I might just cut the shelf liner out of my favorites). It feels so freeing to have nothing constricting my chest. When I was walking to pick my daughter up from school on the first day that I went outside with only one layer of cloth between my breasts and the outside world, I thought “Wow, this feels so comfortable, I bet my upper body feels as comfortable as a man's right now.” Yes, that's really the thought that went through my mind, a few times. I was just amazed at how good it felt. Especially when the breeze entered my shirt sleeve for a moment (I was wearing a nerdy regular T-shirt, not a fitted T-shirt).

     Another benefit I have just noticed, is that what looked like a permanent dent around my ribcage where my bra-strap used to sit, has disappeared. My back looks smooth with clean lines now. Now all that's left is to get more used to my natural breast shape since, obviously, they did not grow in the shape that bras tend to push breasts into. That bra-induced shape is what I've seen on myself for so many years now (especially in the last few years, when I had more expensive bras), it's an adjustment that may take a little time, but my comfort and health are so important.  Bralessness is permanently a part of me now (I admit I may, on some years, use a bra as part of a Halloween costume, just like I sometimes wear a corset at the Renaissance Fair).  I have listed below some links that contain useful information about going brafree, including the health benefits.

Please keep my comment policy in mind if you wish to leave a comment. :)

http://goingbraless.net/  (If you plan to go braless, the forum is supportive and has useful information).

http://www.brafree.org/research.html  (Scroll down for lists of research article references).

http://www.007b.com/  (This site also has photo galleries of natural breasts- a great counter to the flood of commercialized images we are typically exposed to).