Yes, I choose not to wear a bra — but that simple choice still sparks discomfort, judgment, and even harassment.
Last week, I walked into a film set, and a crew member asked, “Wumi, you’re not wearing a bra?” and I simply responded, “I don’t like bras”. That reason should be enough — but somehow, going braless still draws criticism. I’ve never understood it because I genuinely believe that what a woman does with her body shouldn’t be up for public scrutiny. If I feel uncomfortable wearing a bra, that’s enough. My choice to go without a bra is about respecting my comfort and autonomy.
I used to think of bras as harmless — just an uncomfortable “contraption” to hold breasts in place. So, I assumed I could go without them at any time. But gaining weight and developing a fuller bust changed everything.
Suddenly, the daily weight of underwire and straps became suffocating. My respiratory issues flared, shoulders and back constantly taut with tension, and my body started rejecting the restrictive routine.
I went from a cup size of 32A to a 36C in one year, and I became acutely aware that choosing to go braless was attracting stigma and worse, sexual harassment. I experienced sexual harassment even when I had a smaller cup size — but somehow, when my breasts got bigger, it felt like I had even less control over my body. Suddenly, it was me “flaunting” my breasts and nipples. Which is nonsense — my nipples always show up no matter what I wear. They are natural, not excuses for judgment.
Eventually, my loved ones realised that my choice to go braless wasn’t about rebellion — it was just me choosing comfort. Once I said, “It’s my body, and I’m uncomfortable,” even my parents understood. I remember when my husband (then boyfriend) shared a picture of us on his WhatsApp status, and an older woman messaged him, not to compliment us, but to comment on my visible nipples. People often assume that, as a man, he can — or should — tell me what to wear. But let’s be clear: no one has that right. It’s exhausting how society keeps constantly shaming women into silence or submission over choosing not to wear a bra.
Why should a woman’s bra decision be a society’s problem? Why is the simple choice a minefield of beauty expectations and body autonomy?
Read also: Why can’t women dress in peace?
The historical weight of the bra and Black women’s bodies
The bra wasn’t invented for comfort; it was designed to contour bodies to colonial and Eurocentric beauty ideals. The invention of the modern bra was marketed as liberation from the corset, but it quickly became another standardised form of control. Patented in 1914 by Mary Phelps Jacob, the bra was initially seen as a symbol of modernity and progress. However, it wasn’t long before manufacturers began promoting rigid cup sizes and underwires, reinforcing a narrow, Western idea of femininity. This ignored the diversity of women’s shapes and sizes, especially Black women’s bodies. Critics argue that the bra has functioned less like lingerie and more like armour, shaping how female bodies should look and move.
During the 1968 Miss America protest, feminists labelled bras “instruments of female torture.” They threw them into a “Freedom Trash Can” alongside corsets and hairspray, a symbolic gesture rejecting oppressive beauty standards.
For Black women, this history is doubly layered. Enslaved African women were denied body autonomy and often paraded and examined in ways that commodified their physicality. Centuries later, the pressure to conform to “acceptable” body shapes and dress codes, bras included, still echoes that dehumanising legacy. We’re often hypersexualised and simultaneously policed, leaving little room for authentic comfort or self-expression.
Even as the lingerie industry evolves, it continues to leave out many Black women. Those with larger busts, broader rib cages or different proportions struggle with inclusive sizing. The normalisation of discomfort for the sake of being “put together” is a message we internalise from a young age. Understanding the history of bras makes the choice to go braless more than just personal; it becomes political.
Read also: Whoopi Goldberg reveals why she hasn’t worn a bra in 50 years
Autonomy and body politics in beauty
Societal expectations link wearing a bra to respectability and professionalism. But it’s hypocritical — we celebrate “natural beauty” on the surface, yet police women’s bodies the moment the nipples show. Society frowns at going braless because it sexualises women’s natural biology, framing it as unprofessional or flirty and reinforcing outdated gender norms.
Society expects women to appear polished while staying modest. Choosing comfort for ourselves is “unbecoming” — as if our bodies exist first for public approval, and our choices must always account for everyone else’s gaze. Sexual harassment is justified by “what was she wearing?” and victim-blaming becomes the norm because you dared to go out braless. The norm should be simple: what a woman chooses to wear — or not wear — under her clothes is nobody’s business but hers.
This is why No Bra Day, observed globally on 13 October, is significant. What began as a breast cancer awareness initiative has grown into a wider movement that challenges the bra’s role as a symbol of enforced femininity. Apart from the braless selfies, the day also invites deeper reflection: why must comfort come with scrutiny? Why is going braless still political, especially for those whose bodies have been historically hypersexualised? More than a hashtag, No Bra Day is a reminder that body politics are personal, and that choosing not to wear a bra is both liberating and revolutionary.
Now, when I’m heading somewhere I know I’ll feel completely at ease; I simply don’t wear a bra. I own bras strictly for when I’m filming on set or styling outfits that genuinely require one. In gatherings where I can’t completely go braless, I use boob tape or nipple covers or wear supportive bra tops. It’s all about time and place.
Practical tips on dressing without a bra
Many of us know the relief of taking off our bras the moment we step into our homes. I remember one very uncomfortable day; I couldn’t even wait that long — I had to take mine off in a tricycle. Thankfully, it was just me and another woman, and it was at night. She looked at me and burst into laughter as we bonded over the restrictive nature of these contraptions we call underwear.
My advice is simple: find pieces that support you without binding you. Here are some ways to navigate going braless without compromising style or comfort:
Bra tops: Choose the ones with built-in light support and stretching fabric. They’re a smart alternative to restrictive bras, especially in professional settings.
Structured tops and dresses: Pieces with strategic darts and seams can offer a natural breast shape without underwire. Ensure you pack your breast properly to avoid the mishap of one boob looking lower than the other.
Boob tape and nipple covers: When you want clean lines and smooth fit, skin-safe adhesive solutions will hold discreetly under thin fabrics. This one particularly works on backless outfits and fitted dresses.
Respiratory relief: Choose breathable fabrics and even stretchy camisoles to avoid compression, especially in hot climates like Nigeria’s. If you have respiratory problems, take this seriously.
You don’t have to choose between being stylish, professional, and comfortable. These tips will help you feel free without drawing unwanted attention.
Read also: Our fashion editor and writer solve your fashion dilemmas
No bra, not your problem
Choosing not to wear a bra isn’t scandalous; it is a personal choice. This complex conversation blends historical discomfort, societal scrutiny, and rigid beauty standards.
With each choice — tape, bra top, or simply breathing freely — we reclaim comfort, autonomy, and dignity. If your body rejects it, do what feels right. Everyone else should keep their eyes off my chest and their judgments to themselves. If I choose to go braless, it shouldn’t bother anyone.
