Bra Fashion!
May. 12th, 2004 02:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zdashamberSo, this is going to be a much easier question than the last few, and I expect you all to have an opinion, because in this post I'm going to be talking about fashion!
Yep, I'm under the impression that, unlike most forms of underwear, bras impinge enough on the conscious of society that there are meanings attributed to the various wearing a bra/not wearing a bra choices. But I don't know what the heck those meanings are. I get the impression that bra meanings have changed in the last 50 years, perhaps several times, and I'm not sure what's currently in ascendance.
What is is that you're saying when you don't wear a bra? Is it "I am a skank", or "I am not a skank"? At what point does the plausible deniability engage--is it ok to go braless if people would have to be looking to notice, like if you were wearing a silky shirt that would normally show the bra back when you folded your arms? Is it good, or bad, to wear a bra under one of those tank tops with thin straps that won't hide the bra straps?
Is the purpose of a bra (leaving aside the "holding up boobs" thing) to disguise the fact that you have nipples? I'm confused about how terrible it is to have nipples. I've gotten catalogs that offer fake plastic "always pointy" nipples... On the very same page as nipple-flattening sticky things. On the other hand, I get catalogs that offer underwear with pockets for you to add butt enhancements. I just can't trust the fashion consciousness of the catalogs that come to my zip code.
But I'm sure I can trust you, my wise and perspicacious friends. When is it ok to not wear a bra? Speak, I entreat thee! [hee hee hee hee...]
Yep, I'm under the impression that, unlike most forms of underwear, bras impinge enough on the conscious of society that there are meanings attributed to the various wearing a bra/not wearing a bra choices. But I don't know what the heck those meanings are. I get the impression that bra meanings have changed in the last 50 years, perhaps several times, and I'm not sure what's currently in ascendance.
What is is that you're saying when you don't wear a bra? Is it "I am a skank", or "I am not a skank"? At what point does the plausible deniability engage--is it ok to go braless if people would have to be looking to notice, like if you were wearing a silky shirt that would normally show the bra back when you folded your arms? Is it good, or bad, to wear a bra under one of those tank tops with thin straps that won't hide the bra straps?
Is the purpose of a bra (leaving aside the "holding up boobs" thing) to disguise the fact that you have nipples? I'm confused about how terrible it is to have nipples. I've gotten catalogs that offer fake plastic "always pointy" nipples... On the very same page as nipple-flattening sticky things. On the other hand, I get catalogs that offer underwear with pockets for you to add butt enhancements. I just can't trust the fashion consciousness of the catalogs that come to my zip code.
But I'm sure I can trust you, my wise and perspicacious friends. When is it ok to not wear a bra? Speak, I entreat thee! [hee hee hee hee...]
Crossing Hearts and Boundaries: Contexualizing the Brassiere in the Post-Modern Image of Femininity
Date: 2004-05-12 05:01 pm (UTC)Physical comfort is important, but mental comfort is also important. Wear what makes you feel comfortable in social situations. I don't think a bra would be necessary, say, for a walk in the park, a jaunt to Telegraph avenue, or an outdoor concert at the San Jose Jazz Festival. And bras are positively retro-future at a Ren Faire.
One thing you didn't discuss was bra color. As a male who is attracted to females, I find myself liking black bras more than those of other colors, such as white, off white, and that icky not-quite-white-person-flesh-color-but-wants-to-be tan. But YMMV. I think visibly red or black bras make a less ambiguous statement about sexuality than wearing or not wearing a bra -- as in, it doesn't ever proclaim, "I'm a bra-burning feminist of the 1970s." But it might proclaim, "I'm hella liberated."
Re: Crossing Hearts and Boundaries: Contexualizing the Brassiere in the Post-Modern Image of Feminin
Date: 2004-05-12 10:36 pm (UTC)Mercy!
Scandalous Sight
Date: 2004-05-13 11:13 am (UTC)It's the non-matching part that's scandalous. Major fashion blunder.
But then, black goes with everything.
Re: Scandalous Sight
Date: 2004-05-13 03:38 pm (UTC)What think ye on the "bra straps visible with tank top" issue?
Re: Scandalous Sight
Date: 2004-05-13 07:24 pm (UTC)Always looks sub-optimal, but can be done in such a way as to not be actively an eyesore.
Visibly colored bras do not always equal "skanky" to my mind, although they do exude a certain sexuality. (Whether it registers as skanky or not depends on what else the person is wearing.)