Although revealing the upper body was once strictly forbidden for both men and women, as men quickly demanded their rights, women’s fight for equality became more complex and full of challenges.
Since Yves Saint Laurent caused a stir with his bare breasts in Penelope Tree’s 1960s campaign or Bella Hadid “challenged” the public with a necklace covering her underwear-less chest on the Cannes red carpet, the public has been more objective in recognizing the boundary between “objectionable” and art that honors women’s bodies. So how did wearing the bra go from a feminist revolution to a modern fashion trend? How has the controversy surrounding the free field evolved? Let’s find out through this article.
Although it has not yet really exploded in Asia, in Western society the “braless” movement has emerged since the 1960s, in the context of women protesting against the overly strict social norms imposed on them and expressing their desire to liberate their bodies, being able to dress freely without having to face harassment or accusations in public or within their own families.
During the cultural revolution of the 1960s, women began to actively express their freedom by not wearing a bra. Movies and television shows such as “The Avengers” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” have presented images of strong, independent, braless women. In addition, social protests and the concurrent feminist movement have also influenced the practice of not wearing a bra.
During the 1990s, the braless style became more popular when celebrities such as Madonna and the Spice Girls performed on stage without wearing a bra. This has created a change in attitudes about wearing bras and sparked a debate in society.
Rachel Wang, fashion director of Allure, commented: “The no-bra trend has been around for a long time – no less than the feminist movement. However, it has only really emerged in the last few years, with prominent campaigns like #freethenipple” or #nobraday.
In particular, 2016 marked the peak of development when modern Millennials banded together to make “No-bra” a fashion trend. Celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Demi Lovato, Jennifer Lawrence, and Rihanna have all been photographed in various braless outfits, from Jenner’s sheer black shirts featured on Instagram to Lovato’s shirtless outfits on the red carpet to Lawrence’s bralette-style outfits at movie premieres and Rihanna’s “no-bra” outfits on tour. Even Rihanna once responded candidly when a reporter asked her about her decision to go braless at the 2014 CFDA Awards, saying, “Do my boobs bother you?” They’re covered in Swarovski crystals, girl! Kendall expressed her strong support on her blog: “I really don’t see any problem with not wearing a bra when I go out.”
Why is Braless a Controversial Topic?
Although it is more open than before, “letting go” is still a controversial topic. Originating from many reasons such as: aesthetic views, traditional ideas of Asian culture,… Because after all, giving up the bra is not simply changing underwear. It is a story about social prejudices, cultural disagreements and the correct perception of gender norms.
Some people support this view because they see it as a symbol of freedom, liberation and opposition to gender imposition. On the contrary, some opinions consider it a violation of social norms, which generates a debate about whether it should be openly displayed in public or not.
The challenge is that personal tastes and evaluations about wearing bras can vary depending on culture, geography and time. Opinions on the acceptance or criticism of wearing a bra often reflect society’s values and beliefs about gender. However, there is no denying that the number of people supporting this movement is so large and strong that the phrase “The Braless Generation” was born specifically for girls to support “Free The Nipple.” Despite opinions that this is simply rebellious behavior of the younger generation to gain attention, “Free The Nipple” shows love and respect for women, as well as their right to choose their last name. Bras are often considered an indispensable part of girls’ subconscious and daily life from childhood, but we sometimes forget the fact that wearing a bra is restrictive. Women should be free to choose to wear a bra if it helps shape their breasts and boosts their confidence. However, it is important not to be forced to wear one just because of social imposition. The deeper message of this movement is:
“Not wearing a bra can help us escape shyness and body image pressures, and express our freedom, sovereignty, and spontaneity.” -Alicia Keys