I went braless for a day, and the world didn’t fall apart.
Not only that, but I went braless to a meeting. Like, with a real, important businesslady who politely scheduled a meeting time with me in a very civilized and sophisticated manner. Granted, it was at a coffeeshop by the BART station, but still. I am shocked at my own gumption.
You see, if I wore a bra with this dress, it would show on the sides, and I didn’t want that look. Also, bras can be uncomfortable. Enough reasons for me to not want to wear one, no?
We are super weird about boobs as a culture. Even though my logical self understands that we’ve constructed a societal norm around boobs as being mysterious, tactical weapons of seduction that need to have the safety ON at all times lest … lest what? Someone thinks I’m a loose woman? I mean, I am when Rodrigo is around, so they wouldn’t be completely wrong. But really, people. Can we normalize the fact that half of our population has boobs, and said boobs have one purpose – to feed kiddos – and everything else is just a bonus?
I’m not sure what I thought would happen. Weird stares? Catcalls? My meeting being cancelled, children running and screaming in all directions, Alba from Jane the Virgin crumping up a white gardenia and telling me that I will never ever be the same?
Yeah, no. It was totally fine. It turns out that absolutely no one cared and that the world does not revolve around boobs (unless you’re an infant, but they get a free pass).
Don’t get me wrong. I love a good bra. I just want to be able to have more flexibility about when and where I use one.
Blowing in the Wind
When I was really little, maybe four or five, I remember asking my mom why some people wear bras. Her response was the BEST: “So their boobs don’t blow in the wind.”
What was brilliant about that answer was that it rose above any dialogue about propriety or shame. It was purely utilitarian. Also, if you haven’t noticed, my mother is extremely funny.
It also speaks to the fact that some people feel better in a bra. If you’ve got a lot happening, reinforcements may be welcome. No shame in that.
Anyways, what started out as a simple “look of the day” post turned into a diatribe about boobs and being braless. Just going wherever the wind takes me, so to speak.
I hope this gave a little kick to your Wednesday!
So much love,
Stig.
