Do you choose to wear a bra at night? It’s a very clear case of individual preference, and in all likelihood your own habit isn’t one you want to change. But it is certainly worth understanding a bit more about why people say it’s bad to wear a bra at night. Or alternatively, why some others swear by wearing a bra at night. Indeed, there are bras specifically designed for this purpose. So let’s look at both and indulge in a bit of myth busting for good measure.
Myths and Legends
There’s nonsense peddled on both sides of the night time bra debate. It’s important to remember that there is no actual evidence that to wear a bra at night has any impact, good or bad, on your body.
Sagging
Ever heard the argument that you should wear a bra at night to prevent sagging? It’s fake news – the passage of time waits for no bra.
Health
On the other side, scaremongers have warned that to wear a bra at night can contribute to breast cancer. Wrong again. There is absolutely no medical evidence to this effect.
Why not to wear a bra at night
For what reasons, then, do some of us exclude a bra from our night-time attire? Well, it’s not rocket science:
Comfort
The lack of restriction of going braless at night is simply more comfortable for some women. It may be that you don’t like to wear anything at all to bed, or that you get hot if you’re in too many layers. If you feel in any way restricted by wearing a bra at night, the answer is simple. Just take it off!
Why to wear a bra at night
On the other hand, why might you want to wear a bra at night? You may well get a feeling of déjà vu here…
Comfort
Depending on your body and the size of your breasts, it may be more comfortable to wear a bra at night. This is because the bra will limit the movement of your breasts. If you experience breast or back pain, this extra level of support can give you a better night’s sleep. Similarly, those with larger breasts may find it more comfortable to restrict movement. Nursing mothers may want to wear a soft bra to hold pads in place.
Wear it well
If you do prefer to wear a bra at night, or if you think that it might make your sleep more comfortable, these are the things to remember
Soft
Keep it soft and without underwire. This comes down to practical reasons, really. When you move around in your sleep, an underwire might dig into you and wake you up. And no one wants to be disturbed from their slumber!
Fit
The fit must be good and not too tight. This goes for all bras, of course, but especially so at night. If you wear a bra that is too tight, you will not only feel uncomfortable but also risk interrupting your circulation. Similarly, a too tight fit could press the bottom of your breasts into your torso. This skin on skin contact all night can trap sweat and cause skin irritation.
Fabric
Choose your fabric to match your body. If you tend to sweat and feel hot at night, go for synthetic fabrics that have wicking properties. If not, then soft cotton or a more sustainable bamboo will suit.
Hygiene
Depending on how hot you get at night, you may need to launder your sleep bra every couple of days or a couple of times a week. When you do launder your bras, make sure you don’t use fabric softener which hinders the wicking properties of the fabric.
We talk about comfort a lot at Elle Courbee. It’s one of the most important principles that we believe shapewear should live by. The same follows for nighttime bras: comfort is queen!
Becky is an author and copywriter who has been writing about women’s issues and underwear for several years. She also writes blogs which cover a range of topics for local businesses.
