Last week TV favourite Lorraine shocked the world by saying that she wears a bra at all times.
Her announcement sent shock waves across the country, with the majority of people writing off her bra-addiction as ridiculous.
But if you’ve got really big boobs, then Lorraine’s confession probably made a lot more sense to you than to your small and medium boobed friends.
As someone who wears as bra for a minimum of 16 hours a day, it’s frustrating to see wearing a bra written off entirely.
I wear a bra most of the time because if I don’t wear one, I’m uncomfortable. As a 34FF cup, not wearing a bra means feeling wobbly, uncontrolled and achey.
I don’t always wear a sexy bra, in fact much of the time when I’m at home I wear a soft cup ‘lounge bra’ which provides support without digging in or pushing up. Trust me, it’s not a sexy look, but it does mean that I can walk around my flat without knocking anyone out.
Similarly I tend to sleep in either a sleep bra or a vest with secret support. Why? Because otherwise my boobs get in the way when I’m trying to sleep.
Imagine you’ve got two quite sensitive melons strapped to your chest. Now try and get comfortable in bed.
Given that wearing a bra makes your breasts more controlled and more comfortable, is it really any surprise that women do it?
Worried that my phobia of going braless might be bad for me, I spoke to Tracey Jane, a professional bra expert. I asked her whether any of us should be wearing bras at night.
Tracey told Metro.co.uk: ‘There are some women who it’s advised to wear a bra at night: breastfeeding women & those who’ve had breast surgery, whilst the healing takes place.
‘For the rest of us, it’s much better for our whole body’s health if we remove the bra at night so that whilst we sleep the lymphatic system can do it’s work properly with nothing getting in the way.
‘Whilse I know many women like to feel comfortable and supported, it really is better for long term health to go bra free.
‘I’ve worked with breast care nurses over the years who’ve confirmed this & the reason too.If you do wear a bra at night, then it must be soft cup. No wires. Then there’s more chance for lymphs to drain without anything too hard pressing.’
Some of the comments aimed at Lorraine after her pronouncement suggested the she was wearing a bra 24/7 either to look more attractive, or to avoid sagging.
The research on whether or not bras prevent, cause or are neutral for breast sagging is very mixed. General consensus seems to be that it’s more about the make-up of your anatomy and you genetics
Tracey says: ‘It’s unlikely a bra at night will prevent sagginess. We sleep horizontal so breasts flattened against chest.
‘They will go south with age & hormones & pregnancy. We can’t prevent it. It’s natural & I believe we should embrace this as healthy breasts.’
So, if you feel the need to sleep in a bra, pick one which is designed for sleep – well fitting and free from any underwires.
In general you should try to wear bras which have been professionally fitted, as a proper bra will help maintain good breast and spine health.
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