Bras: Necessity or Nuisance? Two Thirds of Women Think Their Bra Is Uncomfortable

Raise your hand if this sounds like you: you use a bra size calculator, try on various bra styles and sizes, trying to find the perfect cup size and band fit. But there’s always something that’s just not quite right. You give up and go for a soft, stretchy sports bra. 

We’ve been there. And chances are, other women know the struggle of finding the perfect bra, too. To find out, we surveyed 1,000 American women to see if they think bras are comfortable and why they choose to wear them.

Read on to learn what women think about wearing bras, which includes:

1. How many women think bras are uncomfortable
2. What the number one reason is for wearing a bra
3. How societal pressure impacts the decision to wear a bra

Grin and Bra It: 68% of Women Are Uncomfortable In Their Bra

Bras should be comfortable. But sadly, the undergarment isn’t always synonymous with comfort. In fact, most of the time women find them utterly uncomfortable. When asked if they think that bras are comfortable, 68 percent of women replied “no.” From straps slipping down to itchy tags and tight bands cutting into your skin, there are a lot of reasons that wearing a bra can be less than enjoyable.

When shopping for a bra, it’s important to consider cup and band size, material, and bra style to make sure you find the perfect mix of functionality, style, and comfort. A great bra, like a great pair of underwear, should be something that you forget you’re even wearing. It should work with your body, not against it.

Necessary Functionality: 42% of Women Wear a Bra For the Support

So if two thirds of women think bras are so uncomfortable, why are we still wearing them? When we asked what the main reason for wearing a bra is, the number one response was “I need the support.” 

American spending habits reflect this need for support. Recent data from WWD shows that the queen of support — the sports bra — has become the most popular bra among millennials. Over the past three years, sports bra sales have increased by 6 percent. 

Peer Pressure: 12% of Women Wear a Bra Because of Societal Expectations

Bras have been the norm for over one hundred years. So how is this expectation affecting women’s decision to wear a bra today? According to our survey, just over one in ten women say they wear a bra primarily because of societal pressure. The number is as high as 18 percent among younger women and decreases with age. 

In a social-media-ruled era, we’re constantly being told by outside sources what we should look like. A recent survey showed that 70 percent of people say social media impacts how they feel about their body. Ultimately, body positivity and your bra choices should be about what makes you feel comfortable and confident. 

A bra, like a best friend, should be there for support when you need it — but you shouldn’t have to suffer just to have that support. That’s why we decided to make the most comfortable bra on the planet. Six. Times. Say hello to your new best friends.

Methodology:

This study consisted of two survey questions conducted using Google Surveys. The sample consisted of no less than 1,000 completed responses per question. Post-stratification weighting has been applied to ensure an accurate and reliable representation of the total population. The survey ran between August 31st to September 2nd, 2019.