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Every woman at some point in her life asks herself the question, “Should I sleep with a bra?” Whether you’ve decided to set your babies free or keep them confined to a bra at bedtime, let’s shed some light on this topic. I was sleeping without a bra for the longest time until Tyra Banks said she swears by sleeping with a bra to prevent sagging. Needless to say, when Tyra speaks, we listen, so little impressionable me slept with a bra from there on.
There have been many times where I just want to sleep without a bra, but Tyra’s annoying voice kept creeping into my head. It reminded me of the devastating consequences of sleeping without a bra. As I continue to ‘imprison’ my boobs, I decided to do some research to see whether there is a proven benefit to sleeping with a bra. So, buckle up, or in this case, unclasp that bra (if you’re wearing one), and get ready for a bumpy yet enlightening ride!
Why Do Women Wear Bras?
Before tackling the question of whether you should sleep with a bra, consider why you wear a bra in the first place. Bras are our ultimate support system. They spare our backs from battling gravity all day long (Special praise to my big-chested girls here!). They add protection and shield our sensitive assets from wardrobe malfunctions. And let’s not forget the fashion perks that come with wearing bras. They come in all shapes, sizes, patterns, and colors, and can transform our lady bumps into dazzling displays.
Whether you want some lift, more volume or just prevent unexpected aerobatics, a bra can get the job done. They are like our trusted sidekicks whose job it is to keep our bosom buddies in check while we wade through this thing called life. Ultimately, when your boobs are securely supported, you have one less thing to worry about and you can continue to be your confident self.
What Causes Breast to Droop
Nobody and nothing is immune to the effects of aging, including your breasts. I am by no means a doctor or expert, but proper research can reveal a lot. One of the main factors breasts start heading south is the loss of skin elasticity as we age. As you get older, skin produces less collagen and elastin, which are essential to keep everything perky, firm, and taut. But wait, there is more! Another reason your cherished assets start a downward descent is due to weakening of ligaments and connective tissues in the breasts. Bigger breasts tug and stretch breast tissue. Hormone-related changes during pregnancy, menopause, or just regular weight gain, can result in bigger breasts that are heavier and strain breast tissue even more.
If aging is what worries you, check out this blog with tips on how to look younger instantly.
The Benefits of Sleeping With a Bra
Opinions greatly differ on whether sleeping with a bra is even necessary. Consider the following benefits of sleeping with a bra, to see if they are worth it to you:
- Extra support. It’s no secret that when you sleep without a bra, tossing left and right will cause your breasts to also toss right along with you. If you have big breasts, the discomfort and tugging can be significant to the point where it can interfere with your beauty sleep. A sleep bra can prevent this.
- Shape maintenance: Some believe that wearing a bra at bedtime can help maintain the shape of your breasts and prevent sagging. Bras mainly push the breasts up. However, we don’t sleep standing up, so the downward pull of gravity is not an issue when we sleep. The concept of shape maintenance mainly holds some ground when it comes to your bust flopping sideways, left, or right, when sleeping. Wearing a bra can most likely minimize the stretch and strain this puts on the breast tissue. I say ‘most likely’ because there is no evidence that this is true. It all comes down to personal preference.
- Prevent sweating: If you sweat a lot at night, donning a bra at night can help prevent the excess moisture. Without a bra, your lady bumps might sit in a position that results in boob sweat. A special cooling bra, made with moisture-wicking fabric will be ideal at night to prevent this.
- Prevent chest wrinkles: Getting your zzzz while wearing a bra can minimize chest wrinkles. Read more about this below.
- Minimizing discomfort: Wearing a bra at night may help alleviate pain or discomfort from breast tenderness, pregnancy-related breast changes, or certain medical conditions.
- Confidence booster: If you have a partner, wearing a pretty bra or lingerie at night can be beneficial for none of the reasons mentioned above. A pretty bra or lingerie can make you feel beautiful in the bedroom while giving your partner a ‘treat’ for the eyes also.
Why Not To Sleep With A Bra
As with everything that has benefits, there are also some less beneficial aspects to consider when it comes to sleeping with a bra. Although the choice is always yours to make, take the following points into consideration when making your decision:
- Comfort: Although for some the opposite is true, sleeping without a bra can provide a greater sense of freedom and comfort. During the day, women restrict their breasts in a bra consistently, so to take off that restraint at night can offer some well-deserved relieve.
- Improved Circulation: Bra straps, underwires and clasps can be uncomfortable and restrict blood flow. Therefore, sleeping without a bra can promote better blood circulation in the breast area.
- Relaxation and Sleep Quality: Many people find that removing the bra before sleep helps them relax more fully, contributing to a better quality of sleep. It allows the body to fully unwind and may result in a more restful night’s sleep.
- Skin Health: Going braless during sleep allows the skin on the chest and breast area to breathe and remain dry, reducing the likelihood of sweat buildup or skin irritation. For bigger breasted girls the opposite might be true. It’s a personal preference.
How To Minimize Chest Wrinkles
As you get older, you may start noticing that the skin between your two lady bumps is starting to crease and wrinkle more. These chest wrinkles, also known as décolletage wrinkles, are unsightly and can keep you from wearing cute tops that reveal the skin on your chest. Although the war against the aging process is hard to combat, there are things you can do to minimize or prevent these nasty wrinkles and lines.
Wear sunscreen to combat harmful UV rays that can accelerate the damage to the skin on your chest. Additionally, moisturize the skin on your chest and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Also, examine your sleeping position. Consistent friction in your chest area can create creases over time, mainly if you are a stomach or side sleeper. Wearing a bra at night can help keep your boobies in place and minimize creasing and friction. If you’re plagued with chest creases, lines and wrinkles, consider purchasing a bra made especially to combat this. Unlike a regular bra, these bras don’t cover up the cups, but provide support in the area between your cups. So while you’re sleeping, your breasts still have their freedom.
Another option to combat chest creases and lines is to apply chest wrinkle pads. These silicone pads are re-usable and are said to reduce and prevent wrinkles in the chest area. If you are starting to show wrinkles in your chest area, this may be a non-invasive way to help combat them.
Sleep Bra Options To Consider
There are many sleep bras to choose from. Whether you have a small, medium, or large bust, there is a bra for everyone! On Amazon, you can easily find bras with a front closure, back closure, no closure, wire free bras, bras with removable pads, bras of different material and much more. Regardless of which sleep bra you choose, look for one that is comfortable and designed for your bust size. Ensure it keeps you cool all night long and has a fit that provides additional support where needed. Often, bralette type bras are ideal to wear at night since they still allow your boobs some freedom while keeping them in place. Below are some that stood out that are worth considering.
Prettywell Sleep Bra – This sleep bra has removable pads and is made of 96% Nylon and 4% Spandex. The bra has wide straps to keep it in place and no clips, underwire or tags. It can easily double as a comfortable everyday bra that can also be worn during light exercise. They come in a pack of three and come in nine different colors.
Kalon Cami Bra – The Cami bralette is made of 92% Nylon and 8% Spandex. The pads are removable, and the bralette has no tags, underwire or seams. Additionally, the straps are adjustable to ensure a proper fit. The bra comes in a pack of four that contains different colors.
Dream Products Sleep Bra – This bra’s soft fabric (polyester/nylon/spandex) stretches to fit your breasts, whether you are a cup size A or DD. The bra was made after surveying millions of women. It provides lift and support without underwires, and has a comfortable front hook closure. According to the brand, many plastic surgeons get this bra for their patients.
How To Prevent Sagging Breasts
Now that you know the ins and outs of sleeping with a bra, apply the following tips to help your bosom buddies defy gravity.
Wear a supportive bra – ensure you choose the right size and try on the bra of your choice before buying it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you don’t know your correct bra size. Just like your clothing size, your bra size can change from time to time, so there is nothing wrong with asking for assistance in determining your size.
Targeted exercises – Incorporate some exercises into your workout routine to strengthen the muscles underneath your breasts. Target your chest muscles with exercises such as push-ups or chest presses to help tone and strengthen the muscles underneath. It’ll give your breasts an extra gravity-defying boost.
Good posture – Stop slouching! Stand up straight. Pull your shoulders back and down, tuck your tummy, look straight forward, and act as if you’re superman (or in this case… Superwoman). Not only will you look more confident, good posture will eliminate any trace of sagging breasts. Heck, put on a cape if you must.
Skincare – As stated earlier, moisturizing your skin can help prevent early aging and make it look better. Apply sunscreen for protection and a moisturizer to combat dryness. Always find products that work for you, because not everything that works for one person will work for another.
Wear a sports bra during exercise – A sports bra can keep you from a painful cardio workout during which your lady friends annoyingly bounce up and down, and become more prone to sagging. To avoid sagging, the pain, and everyone looking at your bouncy chest, find a sports bra that offers the right amount of support for the activity you are engaging in.
Conclusion
Whether you sleep with a bra or not is completely up to you and your personal preference. As you see, the benefits of wearing one to bed are not guaranteed or proven. Therefore, if you want to set your babies free at night, it’s completely up to you. Having said that, I am so paranoid that I say, “why take the risk and not wear one.” I can honestly say that wearing a bra at night hasn’t bothered me at all.
The bras I wear at night are solely for sleeping and you will not see me wearing them during the day, since the once I wear during daytime have a different level of support. Not wearing a bra at night now feels strange to me, and I actually miss my bra if I don’t wear one at bedtime. That is just my own opinion, but I’m curious to hear your opinion on this. Are you team bedtime bra, or team no bra? Sound off below and let me know your thoughts. Sharing is caring!
Interesting comparison of pros and cons. I would say no, unless it is super comfy!
Comfort is the number one priority, especially when sleeping.
I sleep with no bra as a perdonal preference because of the comfort. But this sight is really insightful. I need to reconsider.
I’m team no bra! 100 percent! It has never occurred to me to wear one at night – I enjoy the comfort of no bra at night.
I need to try no bra more to see if it works for me too. You get used to wearing one though…
I found your article on whether to sleep with a bra or not to be informative and interesting. It provided a balanced view of the topic, presenting the potential benefits and drawbacks of wearing a bra while sleeping. It’s helpful for readers to make an informed decision based on their own comfort and needs. Great job!
Deciding whether or not to wear a bra to bed is not something I need to worry about. But I like your breakdown of the pros and cons of each and how different types of bras have different uses.
Once again something women have to deal with that men don’t need to worry about. It’s not fair LOL. Thanks for you input. Always appreciated.
I’m always freezing so I can’t imagine going without. Ha! I’d probably shiver all night. Thanks for the shopping options.
Honestly, I don’t like bras and always sleep in tops. Good posture and skincare are what I need. Thank you for the informative post.
I think that there’s nothing wrong with wearing or not wearing a bra while you sleep if that’s what you’re comfortable with.
I usually sleep with no bra but if i do i use a bra with no wires so it feels comfortable.
Same here Nadalie… No wire bras LOL.
Wow, that’s amazing! It’s one of the most interesting topics I’ve ever heard about! The information you provided is beneficial. Thanks for sharing it with me.
Oh wow, the things I learn everyday! I didn’t know there are bras for sleeping in. Thank you for this. I feel one should sleep without a bra.
I completely agree that whether or not to wear a bra to bed is a personal preference. It’s great to hear that wearing a bra at night hasn’t bothered you at all, and it’s interesting to hear that you wear a different level of support during the day. Personally, I’m team no bra at bedtime, but I can understand why some might feel more comfortable wearing one. It’s always important to do what feels best for your own body. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
The topic of whether to sleep with a bra or not is something many have wondered about. The detailed insights and considerations provided here shed light on the matter, helping readers make informed decisions.
I agree that there is not much info on this topic at all. Women are once again left to figure it out on their own. Hopefully this post helps. Thanks for checking it out.
You presented the pros and cons in a balanced way, and it left me feeling more informed and empowered to make a decision based on my own comfort and needs.
I have been sleeping in a bra since I was a teen. For me, it was my obsession with Marilyn Monroe that inspired it. I learned that she always slept in a bra doe to her belief that it would keep the girls high and pretty.
You would think Marilyn would know. If she said it, it can’t be wrong.
Hmnn…Most of the ladies I know say that they don’t like wearing bras when they sleep. I guess they would only wear bras during sleepovers with male friends around. Great discussion though.
Thank you for your feedback. A male perspective is always appreciated. Love it.
Honestly such a great article! I am smaller so I don’t really need to sleep in a bra as I can also find it pretty restricting but in the winter to stay warm an extra layer is nice. I think the key is finding a good lounging bra. I like wearing those soft cotton (no underwire of course), sports bras as an extra layer but not for support per say. Also they’re really nice in the summer when its hot they give nice coverage too so you can just lounge about in it all day.
This is very helpful! I do wear a bra when sleeping but as you mentioned, the bra quality is crucial. I’ve had very negative experiences with the wrong bras!