Hi, I'm Tracey, and I've been fitting bras at Illusions Lingerie in Moonee Ponds for over 42 years now. In that time, I'm pretty sure I've heard every bra myth imaginable including the one about sagging breasts due to not wearing a bra enough...
You’ll be happy to know that going braless does not cause sagging.
Quick Takeaways
- Does braless = sagging? No.
- Does a bra prevent sagging? No.
- What causes it? Age, genetics, pregnancy, and smoking.
-
When to wear one? Exercise, pregnancy, and for your own comfort!
Let me explain why, and what actually does cause sagging.
The Big Bra Myth We Need to Bust
Despite what lingerie companies have been telling us for decades, bras don't prevent sagging. Even John Dixey, the former CEO of Playtex, admitted that “We have no evidence that wearing a bra could prevent sagging". He explained that a bra will give you the shape it's designed to give while you're wearing it, but no magical anti-gravity properties here.
Your breasts are supported by delicate connective tissues called Cooper's ligaments. Over time, these ligaments naturally stretch. Once they're stretched, they don't shrink back. There's no bra, exercise, or magic cream that can reverse this process. It's just part of having a body that ages.
What Actually Causes Sagging?
If bras aren't the answer, what is? Here are the real culprits:
Age and Gravity
This is the big one. As we age, our skin loses elasticity, hormones change (especially after 50 and during menopause), and gravity does its thing. Year after year, decade after decade, gravity is constantly pulling downward. That's not a flaw in your body - it's physics.
For this reason, mature ladies bras often feature wider straps, and more coverage to provide more support and comfort for those with sagging busts.
Genetics
This is huge and nobody talks about it enough. If your mum and grandmother experienced significant sagging, there's a good chance you will too, regardless of how many bras you own. Genetics determines your skin's elasticity, breast tissue density, and the strength of your Cooper's ligaments.
Some women naturally have perkier breasts at 50 than others do at 30. That's just the genetic lottery, not a reflection of their bra-wearing discipline.
Pregnancy (Not Breastfeeding!)
Here's another myth I need to bust: breastfeeding doesn't cause sagging. Pregnancy does.
During pregnancy, your breasts grow significantly, stretching those Cooper's ligaments. After pregnancy and nursing, your milk glands shrink, but those stretched ligaments don't bounce back. According to research by University of Kentucky plastic surgeon Brian Rinker, the number of pregnancies is strongly correlated with sagging - each pregnancy adds to the effect.
Weight Fluctuations
Gaining and losing significant weight repeatedly stretches breast tissue and ligaments. When you gain weight, your breasts get larger and heavier. When you lose it quickly, the fat disappears but the stretched skin remains.
Breast Size
Simply put: the bigger and heavier your breasts, the more gravity pulls on them. Women with D cups and larger often experience more pronounced sagging earlier in life. It's not fair, but it's reality.
Smoking
Yet another reason to quit. Smoking breaks down elastin and collagen in your skin, which accelerates sagging everywhere - including your breasts.
When Does Support Actually Matter?
Okay, so if everyday bra-wearing doesn't prevent sagging, when does support genuinely matter?
High-Impact Exercise
If you're running, doing HIIT, or any high-impact activity without a proper sports bra, you can actually accelerate ligament stretching. Research shows that during running, breasts can move in three dimensions - vertically, horizontally, and laterally - in an overall figure-8 motion. Studies have found that sports bras can reduce breast displacement by 51-59% compared to no bra during running.
Sports bras are non-negotiable for my busty clients who exercise. That's not fear-mongering - it's about comfort and genuinely protecting those ligaments from excessive strain.
During Pregnancy
When your breasts are rapidly growing, a supportive bra can help with comfort and minimise excessive stretching. Thankfully maternity bras are designed to get you through a good portion of your pregnancy.
For Comfort
If you have larger breasts, going braless might simply hurt. Back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain - these are real. In those cases, a well-fitted bra isn't about preventing sagging; it's about quality of life.
What Happens When You Go Braless?
I'm not here to tell you what to do with your breasts. But here's what often happens when women ditch their bras:
The Good:
-
Less skin irritation and chafing
-
Many women report feeling more comfortable and liberated
-
Your chest muscles may actually strengthen to compensate
-
No red marks and indentations
The Potential Challenges:
-
Visible nipples (if that bothers you)
-
Less support for larger breasts, which could be uncomfortable
-
Some outfits just work better with a bra
Honestly? Most women I know mix it up. Bra at work, braless at home. Sports bra at the gym, nothing while sleeping. There's no rule that says you have to pick a team.
Can You Reverse Sagging?
I'm going to be honest with you: not without surgery, you can't.
But here's what CAN help minimise the appearance and slow the process:
Posture is everything. I see women slouching all the time, and their breasts look much saggier than they are. When they're fitted in a proper bra, they stand up straight and pull their shoulders back, they're always amazed at the difference. It's instant!
Strengthen your chest muscles. You can't exercise your breasts (they're not muscle), but you can strengthen the pecs underneath. Push-ups, chest presses, planks - these can help lift and support from behind.
Maintain a stable weight. Avoid yo-yo dieting. Your skin can only stretch and bounce back so many times.
Don't smoke. Just don't.
Get a properly fitted bra when you do wear one. This is where I get passionate. A properly fitted bra won't prevent sagging, but it will make you look and feel so much better right now. And honestly, about 80% of women who come into my shop are wearing the wrong size.
Best Bra Styles If You're Experiencing Sagging
If you want bras that provide great support and shape, here are my top recommendations:
Full Coverage Bras: These completely encase the breasts with wide straps and supportive bands. Maximum support, especially for larger busts.
T-Shirt Bras: Smooth, moulded cups create a lifted, rounded shape that looks great under everything.
Balconette Bras: The horizontal cut lifts and centers beautifully, creating a youthful shape.
Sports Bras: Essential for exercise. Look for encapsulation (individual cups) rather than just compression.
To Bra or Not to Bra?
After fitting thousands of women and seeing every breast type imaginable, here's what I know:
Some of my most religious bra-wearers have significant sagging. Some women who rarely wear bras look incredibly perky. It's genetics, life circumstances, and time - not your underwear drawer.
Wear a bra for you, your shape, posture, and confidence, not because you're afraid of sagging. If you love the support, the shape, the confidence it gives you - brilliant, let's find you the perfect one. If you're only wearing one because you're terrified your breasts will hit your knees by 30 if you don't - well, I'm here to tell you that's not going to happen.
Your body is not a project to be fixed. Sagging breasts are a natural part of life for most women. Instead of fighting against nature or blaming yourself for normal changes, focus on taking care of your overall health and finding what makes you feel good.
The Bottom Line
Does not wearing a bra cause sagging? No. Absolutely not.
Does wearing a bra prevent sagging? Also no.
When does support matter? During high-impact exercise, pregnancy, or when you personally need it for shape, posture, and confidence.
Should you wear a bra? That's entirely up to you and how much support you require.
At the end of the day, I want every woman who walks into my shop to leave feeling good about her body and her choices. Whether that means finding the perfect bra that makes her feel like a million bucks, or me telling her it's absolutely fine to go braless - that's what matters.
Your body, your choice, no judgment.
And remember: your worth isn't determined by how perky your breasts are.
Get Properly Fitted at Illusions Lingerie
Whether you're team bra, team braless, or somewhere in between, if you do choose to wear bras, make sure they fit!
I offer free professional bra fittings at Illusions Lingerie in Moonee Ponds. I'll help you find bras that actually fit your unique body, provide the right support, and make you feel confident and comfortable.
No appointment necessary - just pop in. Because while bras won't prevent sagging, a properly fitted bra can make you look and feel amazing right now. And sometimes, that's what matters most.
