Have you ever felt trapped? As if you’re unable to breathe, claustrophobic, and can't move. That’s how most breasts feel in a bra. Society has created an expectation for women to wear bras on a daily basis. Stating that those who don’t wear bras will have breasts that sag. However, breast sagging is normal. Some reasons why breasts may sag include aging, smoking, weight loss, and pregnancy. If bras don't affect whether or not breasts sag, then why is there a stigma behind people not wearing them?

 According to the Huffpost, the results of a 15-year study in France stated that bras provide no benefits to women and may actually be harmful to breasts over time. The restrictive material of bras prevents tissue growth, leading breasts to sag. “The male gaze” is the start of the manipulation of breasts to enforce the beauty standards that society has put into place. “The male gaze” calls for perky breasts, uplifted and made larger through a larger bra cup size. Making it seem embarrassing to do otherwise, those with breasts feel a societal pressure to wear support.  Victoria's Secret, for example a well-known store worldwide that sells bras, features women whose breasts don’t sag or don’t look it. If you viewed any other fashion magazine there is a very small chance you could find a person whose breasts are further down than the societal expectation.

The fear of nipple exposure calling attention is another reason why women are expected to wear bras, because nipples can be “distracting”, despite that most human beings have nipples. #freethenipple was a movement to bring awareness to the act of not wearing a bra and letting your breasts “sag”. “The movement argues that both men and women have breasts, whether big or small. They share the same characteristics such as breast tissue, areolas, and nipples. The major difference between men's and women’s breasts is that the ability to produce milk for offspring,” explains Her Campus. People are more likely to make unnecessary comments about whether or not they can see someone’s nipple through their t-shirt than about any other part of another person's body. #saggyboobsmatter is another movement that has taken over the internet where people have embraced their low breasts. 

This year, 2020, has become the age for the positive body movement. Not wearing a bra has become more normalized, not because of society but because women have started to feel more comfortable with their own bodies. They are less ashamed of their nipples and breast size as well as have gotten rid of their worries of the shame they might receive because their breasts sag. However, the lack of representation for breasts of different shapes and sizes needs some attention.

When you stop wearing a bra you sleep better, your circulation will boost up, no more acne on your back or shoulders, you will be more relaxed, and you might even feel more empowered. So yes, my breasts sag.. And there is nothing that can be done about it.