The first construction of the modern bra hit the scene around 1914. In the 1930s, we began to refer to this undergarment as a “bra.” While to go bra-less or not is a widely debated topic today, many women still choose to wear them for adequate support and comfort. Yet, the “wrong” bra can have significant impacts on your posture and spinal health.
So, how do you know if you have the “wrong” bra? And what’s best when it comes to choosing a bra that supports the ladies up front and our spine in the back?
How Modern Bras May Lead to Poor Posture
Many modern bras are very restrictive around the ribcage, meaning they will limit the movement of your ribs and spine. These types of bras may also pull the shoulder forward, leading to poor posture, incorrect form when exercising, and even decreasing your lung capacity (or your ability to take a deep breath inward!).
So, how do you know if your bra is impacting your posture or not? Here are a couple of tests you can try:
- Take a deep breath. Do you notice resistance against your bra when you inhale? Can you inhale more without your bra? This could mean it’s too tight around your ribcage.
- Take note of any markings when you take your bra off at the end of the day. If there are marks on your shoulders or ribs or beneath your breasts, this may be a sign the straps and bra are too tight.
The “Wrong” Bra vs The “Right” Bra
Generally, we recommend avoiding bras that criss-cross across the back or racer-style bras, since this will pull your shoulders forward and eventually, impact your spine and posture. So, what’s better?
Well, you can opt to go bra-less (Although, this is definitely a personal choice!). Or you can stick to sport bras with flexible fabric that have straps that go over the shoulders and don’t cross in the back. Alternatively, a bra with a wider strap across the shoulders and back that isn’t too tight may also work in your favour. If it’s too tight, always go for a size up and make sure to select bras without an underwire.
For everyday use, I highly recommend this one from Uniqlo. Fabletics also has many bras that can help support good posture. For women with D cup sizes or larger, Wear My Freedom also has some good bra options. And don’t feel restricted to these alone! There are many other brands that are also great options.
Normal everyday bras we recommend:
Wearing bras and bralettes such as these is okay, as long as they do not have wires or are not too tight.
The following are some of my recommendations when it comes to sports bras:
Want More Help With Your Postural Health?
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