not wearing a bra in japan..?

19 comments

1. unfortunately social pressure is pretty strong there – i regularly don’t wear them but felt at least the need to wear silicon covers/bralette if the shirt was baggy enough, or just wear a bra if there was any chance it wasn’t baggy (lol).

   if you’re more impervious to looks from old jp ladies, you can definitely get away with it – no one is going to call it out directly but no bra boobs have distinct shapes/movement too so it may not be as undetectable as you think!

2. I sometimes don’t when wearing something baggy or multiple layers or just lazy. I think it’s probably more about how noticeable your nipples are. I assume if you’re the type with noticeable nipples, you’ll probably get quite a few stares or double-takes.

   But also its Japan, and as long as you don’t feel awkward or self-conscious being stared at now and then, you can not wear a bra as much as you like. I’d be more surprised if some stranger actually makes a comment to you about it lol.

3. It’s just not done.

4. Never seen but go ahead, people may stare but won’t say anything.

5. Some women wear the camisoles with the built-in bras or bralettes instead of normal bras.

   But full on free-boobin? No, it’s not done.

6. aren’t you afraid of them being saggy? I thought it is the only reason to wear bras?

7. Wife is japanese and uses the tops with built in ones. However she dresses very japanese, so noone notices. Me being a man I can spot a braless boob a mile away. If japanese men are anything alike, expect alot of creeps staring, following you for 1 more gaze. Dont even wanna think about the crowded train scenarios.

8. I just want to say how jealous I am that you can consider going braless. Lol. My DDDs (American – I’m like an H in Japan) get all kinds of stares when I go to the sento, and if I went braless and tried to run, I’d black one of my eyes.

   I think you’ll get some stares and looks, but if you can go without a bra, BE FREE MY FRIEND! Be free! Ignore the looks. It’s too great a gift to pass up. lol

9. i never consistently wore a bra when i lived in fukuoka. i was nervous that i’d be singled out by creepers as well, but my takeaway is that nobody really cares- especially not me! i personally did not face any significant discrimination due to not wearing a bra, but i acknowledge that it could happen. i feel like you’d maybe be more prone to negative interactions in less populated areas, but just follow your heart and prioritize your physical/mental comfort!

10. I don’t wear a bra. Like you, I’m small and small chested, and I don’t like how they feel. It causes 0 drama in my life.

    I do wear a soft bra at work to prevent nipples, but I’d get the same effect with a “bra top cami” or something like that. And I wear a sports bra when I run.

    At the onsen, lots of women don’t wear bras. Most wear bra top camis. You do you!

11. All these LARPers clearly never been to the inaka, I WISH some of these old ladies would put a bra on

12. A few very fashionable, liberated younger women in places like Shibuya and Namba can be seen not wearing bras, but it’s not very common.

    I do know a few women in their late 20s and early 30s who have stopped wearing bras, but they cover their nipples with pasties or plasters.

    Sports bras have become a lot more common among the women I know.

13. My wife, dear sweet woman that she is, has what could politely be described as nipples not breasts. She still wears one of the bras with little inserts to give them a shape since what nature blessed her with is non-existent when she isn’t pregnant/lactating.

    My daughter I have no idea. I know she wears sports bras because I see them hanging on the little racks she and the wife hang their unmentionables up on since those dry indoors not outdoors. I have no idea how often she wears a brassiere or if one is required and would be mortified to ask (not because it would mortify me but because if you were a budding young woman would you really want your dad asking questions about your bewbs? No, and honestly I don’t care and my indifference is far cheaper than therapy for her).

14. Shit I’m afraid to go outside with a low cut shirt, short shorts, or a crop top, all things I used to wear all the time. Little by little I started feeling more and more exposed. Not sure how this slowly burrowed into my brain but it did. Granted I’m 32 and had kids but I’m still thin and attractive. Would be totally acceptable to wear such things in my home country. It’s so dang hot in the summer I want as little clothes as possible 😭 plus I love crop tops. I want to dress cute before I’m really old.
    Sorry no advise this is just what I’m going through here. Good luck

15. I really wish there was more of this.

16. Nah never wear them, nobody cares.

17. I never wear a bra!! 🙂 I wholeheartedly agree with others talking about simply not gaf.
    Buttt (this is more of a personal choice) I opt to wear silicone pasties when I know I’ll be going on a crowded train, because who knows what can happen :(.

18. > so no big breasts, as i’m sure that’ll draw a lot of attention otherwise

    You’ll draw attention without a bra more than naturally large boobs would.

    If comfort is the issue, there are many great options at Uniqlo — like the shirts with built-in cups, or the pullover wireless bra tops (which are super comfy; I wear those around the house, going to/from the gym etc.) You can also use those sticky bras if it’s an issue of not wanting anything on your back.

    If it’s a personal preference thing…Japan isn’t as liberal with certain appearance-related matters as Europe is. Sure, nudity in onsen is totally OK and normal — but going braless isn’t. Ditto women having armpit hair.

    If you must continue going without a bra, you should ABSOLUTELY wear pasties.

19. A female teacher asked my roommate in the middle of class if she was cold when her nips were showing through her shirt so if those sorts of comments don’t bother you, go for it.