Do my boobs offend you? Some thoughts on going braless on No Bra Day

It was 2012 when the universe gifted us Pitch Perfect and cursed us with Bologna Barb. Countless times in my life when I’ve ditched the bra, I’ve wondered, “Do I look like Bologna Barb?” The scrutiny will be there—somehow general society is still not ready for breasts to be uncaged. Why must we have a day to proclaim that? Because there’s nothing more liberating than choice. Going braless is a choice that everyone should have. The reason that we need to have this day is because it’s considered “radical” to some when it’s really not so serious. 

Let’s start off with a feminist icon—my twin sister Emma. She rocks the world (+ her job) with no bra. She did this when she had hardly any chest. She now is doing it with a D cup. She knows that people have opinions and comments, but she chooses to live her life and even rock the choice professionally. My mom and Geamie (my maternal grandmother) used to be on that judgment train, but now she even has them accepting it. Now, not every job environment or family structure will be this way. The reason this story is valid is because if you are on the fence, your family might comment too. Receiving misplaced commentary or panic from close ones can really ding self-esteem; however, those that truly love and care about you will get over it. The people that truly accept you in the world may be few, but not wearing a bra won’t be the thing that tips them off the scale.

This story is but one example of someone’s choice to ditch the bra and conveys the barb of the choice: the scrutiny. Why do people have to be thoroughly commented on for something as trivial as a bra? Well, that could lead into a whole other lecture on how the bodies of femme people are subject to judgment. Not wearing a bra is only the beginning of that deeper issue. This quote from The New York Times says it best, “Which brings me to the elephant — or catcall — in the room. After all, abandoning the bra isn’t just about changing mores when it comes to underwear. It’s about gender norms, the reality (and historical fear) of women’s bodies, power struggles and sexual stereotypes.”

The reason the scrutiny feels killer is due to the multitude of other reasons that the patriarchy is downright killing us. The husband stitch is one such medical example that still occurs unbeknownst after childbirth. When there’s such a lack of choice throughout the sphere, women try to find comfort in not getting noticed and wearing a bra. On the flip side, it can be a powerful statement when women ditch bras and can encourage them to further reflect on other choices that internally don’t align. 

I’d also like to point out that bras are very fickle as far as clothing goes. May I remind you of the cone bra? Many websites go into the full range of what styles may be right for you… as women who are forced to buy such products, we fall into the trap and go trying each style to find the one. Sports bras may be one of the more comfy options, but that’s another atrocity right there to wear that into corporate or “fine settings”. The rules behind bras are so elusive. Men have made up this code for women but do not catch them talking about it. Instead women are now having to teach the guidebook on something they didn’t perpetuate societally. We don’t even have the choice on the education portion!

Further viewing professional attire choices, women get less freedom than men. Men get to choose whether to go more casual or dressy, they don’t have to worry about shoulders or the length of clothing, and they get the choice of shoes that hurt or are comfortable (Hint: they’re not complaining about their shoes). In their free time, they get to choose shirts or skins in sports. American women/femmes only get that choice when traveling to a “European-style”/topless beach. When the choices in the professional scene are that “refined” (AKA restrictive), the choice to not wear a bra is downright radical. New York City is one such progressive example that allows femmes the choice to not wear a bra. The New York Post does call out the caveat though through the point of view of Olivia Grizzle. She states, “Because I work in the fashion industry, I feel like my expression in my outfit isn’t questioned as much as it would be in some offices.” More conservative workplaces would not let that slide. The rest of the United States doesn’t have these gender parity laws in place; hence, why many women are not comfortable ditching the bra. The fact that this even had to become a law for women to get the choice underlies the sinister truth: women have to ask for that freedom. There should be choice for women’s bodies. The smallest step starts with the ability to go braless. 

Media and many other spaces have come a long way since 2012. You would not be as apt to catch any type of Bologna Barb references today. You’d even find more people going braless, both professionally and personally. Some places, like New York City, have even granted that as a right. Scrutiny still is an issue with the practice, but we need to get to the truth: the choice should be universal. Choice is a liberating thing and the step necessary for gender parity. The bra is the first thing to be examined, then we can tackle some more choices.