Lockdown Lingerie Liberation
Has the Lockdown Caused the Death of the Bra?
(This post was originally published on March 10th 2020 and updated on September 19th 2023)
Bras are garments that women love to wear but can't wait to take off at the end of the day. However, most women can agree that bras are mainly worn because of a necessity to do so. You don't wear a bra while you're home alone, right? It's just restrictive and uncomfortable. That being said, most female homes are bra-free zones.
With the global pandemic raging outside and most of us quarantined, women are now working from home, running their businesses, studying, or homeschooling, and generally not going out except for the occasional grocery run or exercise. It's a no-brainer that when women stay at home, they don't wear bras because they don't need to.
The lockdown has created a liberation movement among women, a sense of freedom, and it's now common for women to wear masks more often than they wear bras. Many people have called out this trend on social media and have dubbed it: The Death of the Bra.
But is it really?
it is difficult to reach a definitive conclusion on the matter. The question remains however: Will women embrace daily bra-wearing once again, or will they completely abandon these constrictive undergarments? Only time will provide us with an answer. In order to form an opinion on this subject, it is crucial to be well-informed. Therefore, this article will explore the reasons behind this current liberation, examine the advantages and disadvantages of wearing a bra, and offer our perspective on whether women will return to wearing bras after the conclusion of the pandemic.
How Did the Liberation Movement Begin?
The global pandemic of March 2020 had a profound impact on the world. The rapid spread of Covid-19 led to widespread lockdown measures, completely altering our way of life. Some changes were quite bizarre, like the fighting over toilet paper, while others brought about positive transformations, such as the rise of fitness movements and self-care trends. Forced to adapt to this new reality, people underwent a natural but sometimes uncomfortable evolution as their habits and routines shifted.
Another notable change was the way we worked. Many people, unfortunately, lost their jobs. Still, those who maintained theirs, often worked from home, and Zoom was the new frontier and a revolutionary way to connect with your colleagues remotely. However, working from home also led to some surprising changes in the way people presented themselves.
A lot of the societal expectations of appearance simply disappeared, especially for women. The amount of time getting ready in the morning was reduced. Less time was spent doing hair and makeup and more for preparing breakfast, making viral TikTok whipped coffees and banana bread - allegedly.
And then, gradually, the need to wear a bra diminished. With most people being at home, the main purpose of wearing a bra, to appear neat and presentable, no longer applied, and just like that, the lingerie liberation began.
Many women in lockdown chose not to wear a bra every day or opted for less restricting options like a soft bralette. However, a large percentage of "liberated" women felt that they would never return to wearing traditional bras.
This lingerie liberation during lockdown was considered a silent feminist movement, among other things. And while it may have an element of female empowerment, it was also about empowering oneself and a personal choice - the choice for women to express themselves freely.
To wear a bra or not to wear a bra should always be a personal choice.
Disadvantages of Wearing a Bra
We understand that women have a love-hate relationship with bras and while they can make you feel sexy and neat, they can also be painful most of the time, which is never healthy for your body. In almost all cases, the experience of wearing a bra is uncomfortable, especially if it is ill-fitted. Fact: 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra. Wearing the wrong size bra can cause numerous issues:
Headaches: If you're experiencing migraines every day, it might be a good idea to check your bra size. Your head might ache for plenty of reasons, but an ill-fitted bra can put tension on your neck and upper back. This might eventually cause cervicogenic headaches, which are usually caused by overworked neck muscles.
Skin Damage: The skin of your chest area is pretty sensitive. When it's pushed and restricted by the wrong size bra, it can restrict blood circulation and, as a result, harm your skin. We have all been there. Taking your bra off to find your skin is generously pained by sore marks that hurt to touch is not uncommon for most women.
Breath Restriction: If your bra is too tight, it can easily cause shortness of breath. In the 1800s, women fainted because their corsets were too restrictive and they couldn't breathe properly. The wrong size bra can limit the movement of your ribs and make your breathing shallower.
Back Pain: This is one of the most common issues. If you have been experiencing chronic back pain, there is a great chance that it's because of your bra. Too tight undergarments put a lot of strain on your back and can result in stiffness and aches.
Myth: Not Wearing a Bra Makes Your Boobs Saggy: This myth suggests that going braless causes the chest muscles to become lazy and contributes to sagging. However, extensive research on this topic has consistently disproven this claim. In reality, sagging is a natural part of the aging process and can be influenced by various factors such as hormones, genetics, and lifestyle choices. It's important to be aware of accurate information when discussing these matters.
Advantages of Wearing a Bra
Listen, we love to hate the bra. It is uncomfortable, it's restrictive, but we still wear it, and there are plenty of reasons why.
Comfort: We understand the importance of comfort, especially for women with a larger bust. It's essential to have proper bra support to prevent any strain on your back from the weight of your chest. While this is typically true for those with a larger cup size, we also recognise that some women with smaller cup sizes simply feel more at ease wearing a bra.
Beauty: We have all had the experience of finding that special bra that makes us feel incredible and gives us a newfound confidence. If a bra has the power to evoke those emotions, then it should absolutely be worn every single day.
Shaping: Many women are not happy with their breast shape. Some women are anxious because their breasts are not the "right" shape in their eyes. While we believe this is societal programming, we understand that wearing a bra can make women feel more confident about themselves.
Society: It's a harsh reality that women often face judgment and unwanted attention, even for simple choices like not wearing a bra. It's unfair that choosing what to wear should come down to personal safety, but unfortunately, this is the reality for many women. If wearing a bra makes you feel safer and more secure in your environment, then prioritising your safety is important. Safety First.
Conclusion. Death of the Bra?
The no-bra trend has emerged for a significant reason. Women are silently protesting against uncomfortable underwear. To wear a bra or not wear a bra? There are valid reasons for both, but the question we need to ask is whether this lockdown liberation will last? It is too early to say. However, the true concern is whether this newfound freedom from bras will endure beyond the current lockdown period. Only time will tell.
Lingerie brands are undoubtedly feeling anxious about this shift since breasts are no longer constrained. It remains to be seen how these brands will respond and adapt to this braless movement.
Regardless of what unfolds, women will always have the final say in what they choose to do for their own comfort and well-being. One positive outcome of this lockdown period is that women now realize they have always possessed agency over their lingerie choices.
What do you think? Please feel free to share your opinions below.
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