Over the past year, there has been debate over whether going braless should be deemed a resurrected fashion trend or faux pas. Many young college students and millennials are embracing the look, flaunting our au naturale bodies to the world, while older generations seem to scoff at the sight of such a vulgar fashion statement.
Kendall Jenner is a big activist for “free the nipple,” often seen wearing sheer tops and plunging v-necks, revealing her bare skin underneath. This past September, Kendall posted a video on her app taking a stance on recent criticism she recieved for falunting her bare skin, not to mention her chic nipple piercing. She said, “I’m all about freeing the nipple. […] I just think it’s cool to show off what’s under your shirt— whether that’s a cute bralette or just skin.”
Colgate students have recently joined the discussion, many embracing the look while others don’t wish to partake. I hit the streets, well…more accurately the library, to see how Colgate women feel about this bold new trend. Here’s what some of them had to say.
1. What’s the first word you think of when I say nipples?
Responder 1: Round, pink
2. Do you ever go out in public braless?
R1: Yes all the time
3. Why do you like to go braless?
R1: It’s more comfortable, lots of outfits get wrecked by bras, and a lot of the time I honestly think it looks better
4. Are there any spaces that you think it would be inappropriate to be seen braless? Why?
R1: In more professionally oriented settings, such as class, work, interviews…etc
1.What’s the first word you think of when I say nipples?
R2: I think of the word free
2. Do you ever go out in public braless?
R2: I go out in public braless a lot (and have for a long time), mainly because my boobs aren’t that big and have never been. I guess it started with after swim practices not putting a bra on and kind of extended to not really caring whether or not people can see my boobs/nipples. I also don’t really ever wear real bras anyway just bralettes and sports bras so idk
3. Why do you like to go braless?
R2: I love not wearing bras, I think it’s incredibly freeing and liberating and I wish it were the norm. It’s hard enough being a woman in this world (having to be so restricted in SO many ways) that idk I just wish we could truly free the nipple!
4. Are there any spaces that you think it would be inappropriate to be seen braless? Why?
R2: Idk I mean I’ve gone to class without a bra idk I get needing to wear a bra in formal environments, but I think it should be allowed in the vast majority of situations
1. What’s the first word you think of when I say nipples?
R3: Hard
2. Do you ever go out in public braless?
R3: No, not really. I have done it before if I am wearing a shirt that’s complicated and hard to find a bra to wear with it. But I don’t with shirts that I can easily hide bra because or else it like makes my boobs itch idk why…haha
3. Why do you like to go braless?
R3: It’s not that I don’t like it, I just feel like my boobs more supported when I wear one
4. Are there any spaces that you think it would be inappropriate to be seen braless? Why?
R3: Yes! In front of professors or in professional situations. Or possibly at church (not religious but wouldn’t think that’s super appropriate idk why)
1. What’s the first word you think of when I say nipples?
R4: Boobs/Bra
2. Do you ever go out in public braless?
R4: Yes! Whenever I’m trying to be comfortable I don’t wear a bra. Usually I wear a big sweatshirt so it’s not that noticeable. I’ve gone out braless to parties too but I’ve always worn little nipple covers. I’m not about completely freeing the nipple, however I am all about embracing your sexuality. I think this can be done without going overboard.
3. Why do you like to go braless?
R4: It’s so much more comfortable. I have small boobs so bras are often a pain. Also it’s hard to wear bras with a lot of cute tops/ dresses because of the strap situation. It feels freeing and it’s just a lot easier to go braless a lot of the time.
4. Are there any spaces that you think it would be inappropriate to be seen braless? Why?
R4: Yes, absolutely. In any professional situation I don’t think going braless is appropriate. Just as you wouldn’t wear sweatpants to an interview, you shouldn’t go braless to a classy event. Personally, I don’t even think it’s appropriate to go braless to class because there’s a sense of professionalism involved in going to class at an elite college.
1. What’s the first word you think of when I say nipples?
R5: Titties
2. Do you ever go out in public braless?
R5: I have decently big boobs so sometimes its inconvenient to not wear a bra but I go braless pretty often, usually when I’m in a social setting or going out with friends
3. Why do you like to go braless?
R5: Bra’s are restrictive AF so not wearing a bra is generally more comfortable than not depending on what kind of shirt I’m wearing. I go braless as often as I can but I have to wear a bra when I’m wearing loose fitting shirts so my boobs dont flop around
4. Are there any spaces that you think it would be inappropriate to be seen braless? Why?
R5: I think going obviously braless is becoming more and more accepted in a variety of settings, but I feel awkward going braless or having my nipples showing to class / work settings where I interact with older adults
1. What’s the first word you think of when I say nipples?
R6: Hard
2. Do you ever go out in public braless?
R6: During the day if I’m wearing a loose top I usually will not wear a bra. When I’m going out at night I rarely wear a bra. I love how nipples look under a tight shirt. Even though I love how nipples look undershirts I don’t feel comfortable sitting in class in an outfit that makes it clear I’m not wearing a bra. Also when I’m going out in the city I tend to wear a bra because I feel less safe than when I’m going out at Colgate. Also sometimes my friends tell me my outfit looks weird without a bra so I’ll put one on.
3. Why do you like to go braless?
R6: I love the way nipples look through a shirt
4. Are there any spaces that you think it would be inappropriate to be seen braless? Why?
R6: Sorta answered this above, but i think it’d be inappropriate for my nipples to be showing in class. (Also I have small boobs so when I’m not wearing a bra you can always see my nipples)
1. What’s the first word you think of when I say nipples?
R7: Boobs
2./3. Do you ever go out in public braless? If not, why?
R7: Not really. I prefer to not accentuate my boobs bc to me they accentuate my femininity and I’d rather evoke a more masculine aesthetic
4. Are there any spaces that you think it would be inappropriate to be seen braless? Why?
R7: I think to sacred places like temples or churches it wouldn’t be appropriate to go braless since there is a certain amount of respect and tradition that those spaces deserve. But it really depends on the unique character of that organization/space. Also federal spaces like courts I would consider more formal and I would associate going braless to be a casual way of dressing
1. What’s the first word you think of when I say nipples?
R8: Hard/Soft
2. Do you ever go out in public braless?
R8: Yes but only when I’m wearing big sweatshirts or shirts when you can’t tell. Its honestly pretty much all the time, especially after practice when I’ve got a lot of sweats on.
3. Why do you like to go braless?
R8: It’s more comfortable. I go to the lib, the grocery store, out to eat, etc.
4. Are there any spaces that you think it would be inappropriate to be seen braless? Why?
R8: When I go braless I tend not to do it in an obvious way because I have relatively small boobs and it’s pretty obvious because they do this weird pointy thing haha but if i did I would say most spaces are fine but it would probably be distracting to some people because it’s out of the ordinary
1. What’s the first word you think of when I say nipples?
R9: Pink
2. Do you ever go out in public braless?
R9: Yes, mornings or when I’m going out at night
3. Why do you like to go braless?
R9: Because its freeing
4. Are there any spaces that you think it would be inappropriate to be seen braless? Why?
R9: Classroom and because I’ve grown up being told to always have a bra on
This personal form of fashion feminisim is clearly something that not only Hollywood stars such as Kendall Jenner, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lawrence are flaunting, but also a trend that many Colgate women are supporting! However, while many women at Colgate seem to support the look, the consensus is that it would be innapropraite to go braless in various professional settings. While I would like to say f*** that, we should be able to do whatever we want whenever we want, I don’t necessarily think we should look at this “restriction” negitavely. Just as we shouldn’t wear our favorite skinny jeans, oversized grunge t-shirt, or hottest crop top to class or to work, we shouldn’t be flaunting our sexuality and femininity by going braless all the time.
That being said, when we are able to flaunt our true style and identity, its empowering to embrace our bodies! By freeing the nipple, we are defying gender standards and traditions and playing by our own rules instead of society’s. If you feel more comfortable in a bra than not, that’s fine too!! Wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable, confident, and sexy everyday and don’t let society tell you what that should be!!