Too Much BRAma and the Truth About Women’s Breasts & Link Up On the Edge #116

October 19, 2018 / 40 Comments
This is not a sponsored post.
Image Source. This is not a sponsored post.

I am sure you are all well aware by now that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or more accurately, National Breast Health Awareness Month. One of my favorite companies, Ruby Ribbon, which specializes in developing comfortable and supportive alternatives to uncomfortable bras, has recently conducted a nationwide survey to discover women’s personal views, loves, and disappointments about their breasts and their options in bras.  These survey findings are perfectly timed in conjunction with promoting breast health awareness this month.

Ruby Ribbon’s first annual “What’s Your BRAma?” survey reached 3,000 respondents who let us know how they really feel about their breasts and bras.

Here is the thing about bras and women’s breasts. Our breasts are a life sustaining force upon giving birth and they should be treated with the respect they deserve in that role. After child rearing has come to end, however, we are left with these annoying masses of fat and muscle hanging from the front of our bodies like pendulums that can entice with hypnotic effects. We love them, we hate them, we never quite know what we are supposed to do with them. But what I do know is this…the female breast was never meant to be confined and restrained and smooshed all up flat inside confining torture chambers crafted so devilishly from pretty lacy bits covered in flowers and bows. Oh, remember the days of puberty when those dainty buds begin to appear. What girl wasn’t excited to go shopping for her very first bra adorned with a pink bow right in the middle? I always think of that Who’s the Boss? episode when Tony buys the wrong training bra for Samantha. Does anyone else remember that episode?

Speaking of that, why the hell are our first bras called training bras anyway? What are we training for? A lifetime of discomfort and malcontent as we do the most unnatural things to make our breasts appear more natural…or so we think? Women’s breasts were meant to experience the freedom of hanging loose of these torture chambers. An example of this natural state of the female breast comes from a story that my grandfather used to tell…(*Note: I have never validated the accuracy or truth of this story. It could be completely false. But my grandfather told it with conviction. Whether or not it is 100% true, it still serves to illustrate my point.)

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My grandfather was in the Navy and stationed on the Japanese island of Okinawa during World War II. His unit was living amongst the indigenous tribes of that island. The women in the tribes went topless. Always. It was their only natural way of existence. But alas, American sailors were afoot and natives must never offend nor tempt an American service member…because that will always result in some kind of trouble. So to prevent such temptations, such as sailors gawking at topless native women, a commander of the United States Navy took a load of military issued undershirts to the local tribal chief and demanded that all of the women in the community wear these undershirts. He apparently did not explain the reason behind this order (or it simply was not understood) because the next thing my grandfather witnessed was an entire tribe of native women wearing military issued undershirts (because they were told they must) except they had all cut two holes in the front to allow their breasts to hang loose and experience the freedoms they were accustomed to. Proving my point that women’s breasts were never meant to be confined. Bras are unnatural, not free hanging boobs.

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Yet, sometime throughout the history of civilization, it has been determined that breasts must be contained…and here we are in 2018 still trying to find the perfect bra that offers comfort and support. However, it seems that we spend our entire lives on this wild goose chase of sorts, coming up short (and uncomfortable) time and again. Enter Ruby Ribbon with their award winning camisole alternatives to restrictive bras.

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If you are interested, I have included the complete press release about the survey right here:

Ruby Ribbon Asks 3,000 Women “What’s Your BRAma?”

First Annual Survey Reveals that Women Think Bras Are The Worst

BURLINGAME, Calif., Oct. 11, 2018 — Just in time for “National No Bra Day,” which occurs this year on Sat., Oct. 13, Ruby Ribbon—the Silicon Valley-based intimate apparel company known for its revolutionary bra-replacement camisole—has released the findings of its first annual “What’s Your BRAma?” survey. With over 3,000 respondents, the survey is the first to allow women to get their true feelings about their bras “off their chests.”

Respondents – including general consumers along with Ruby Ribbon customers and independent sales representatives – were asked how they felt about their bras and their breasts. The data complements the mission of the National No Bra Day initiative, which happens yearly in October to call attention to National Breast Health Awareness month.

Your Bra: Friend or Foe?

The bra is not winning many fans. Asked how she would rank her bra, respondents rarely chose “Lover” (4%), “Friends” (14%) or “Acquaintance” (16%.) Rather, she is often “An Enemy – I wish I had never met her” (21%). Nearly half chose the response: “A Business Partner – I put up with her” (46%).

What do women really want in a bra? The data reveals that 92% of respondents rank support (49.25%) and comfort (43.37%) over practicality (4.63%), versatility (1.21%), sex appeal (1.14%) and color (0.39%) when choosing a bra. Nearly all (86%) said assistance would be helpful when choosing a bra, although in an open-ended question most said they typically do not receive adequate help. Although comfort is what they want most, when asked to choose one word to describe her bra the most popular term was “uncomfortable.”

The survey also showed that women who are uncomfortable in their bras take action. When asked in a multiple choice question what she does within 30 minutes of arriving home, as many women reported “taking off their bras” (52%) as “kissing their husband or child” (52%), while fewer “scanned the refrigerator for food” (38%). When choosing the FIRST thing that happens when entering the house, 25% said they take off their bras.

Their Bras and Bodies

Respondents shared how much they spend on bras, how they feel about their cup sizes and provided insight into their experiences with Breast Cancer.

Most respondents have cup sizes of C or higher (89%) and nearly two thirds (66%) reported having a D cup or higher. The majority of women (75%) have over 4 bras in their drawer and most (80%) spend more than $50 per year on bras, with 50% spending over $100 per year.

Asked if they were satisfied with their cup size, only 54% reported satisfaction. When asked what action they would take if they could alter their cup size, more respondents said they would reduce (29%) than enlarge (7%).

Ruby Ribbon’s survey also found that 45% of respondents have been affected by breast cancer personally or through a family member or close friend.

RubyRibbon: Supporting the Girls

These findings validate Ruby Ribbon’s mission to replace every bra in a woman’s drawer with wire-free products that provide support without a trade-off in comfort. The company has pioneered the use of performance fabrics and variable compression to create new products and product categories that deliver on this promise and has sold more than 500,000 of its flagship bra replacement Camisole.

“The findings of our BRAma survey show us that women are poorly served by the apparel item that is literally closet to their hearts,” said Anna Zornosa, CEO and founder of Ruby Ribbon. “They also show us that our vision of a world without bras is more relevant than ever. We’re committed to creating high-function and high-style wire-free intimates for women of all ages, shapes and sizes that ensure they’re not just well-supported, but comfortable, stylish and confident.”

The survey findings show that nearly half of all women have had breast cancer or have experienced it through a family member or close friend. Ruby Ribbon, in concert with its nation-wide network of Independent Stylists, is dedicating its October activities to the search for the cure. During October, the company will make donations for every Ruby Ribbon Event (virtual or in-person); for every new stylist who joins; and through the sale of Limited Edition items, of which the company will donate 10 percent of the sales.

The October special edition items include:

Lace Full Support Cami in Sweetheart Print

Lace Classic Cami in Sweetheart Print

Lace Demiette in Sweetheart Print, Blush, and Kiss

Original Demiette in Blush and Kiss

Bust a Move Tunic in Cherry Bomb

For more information, visit Ruby Ribbon.  Or contact Ruby Ribbon Stylist, Carol Tsacoyeanes, directly.  She will be more than happy to help you!

About Ruby Ribbon

“Ruby Ribbon is an apparel company, focused on intimates, that sells its products nationwide through a technology-empowered network of Independent Stylists. True to its mission of supporting all women, Ruby Ribbon’s award-winning intimate apparel and on-trend fashion are designed for comfort, style and fit. The company supports female entrepreneurship by enabling each Stylist to operate her own business. Ruby Ribbon is backed by leading investors including Trinity Ventures, Mohr Davidow Ventures and DBL Partners.”

What is your bra of choice?  Or have you ditched the BRAma and gone natural and free?

 

And now your favorite posts from last week’s link up.

Jodie, Nancy, and Charlotte of Jodie’s Touch of Style are at it again with brilliant styling…this time with some gorgeous flat shoes for fall in How to Wear Flat Shoes for Women with Different Outfits.

Jodie, Nancy, and Charlotte of Jodie’s Touch of Style

Susan of Over 50 Under 20 shared some adorable fall outfit options and a funny story in her post, How I Spent Money “Shopping My Closet”.

Susan of Over 50 Under 20

Stephanie of Glamorous and Geeky shared a cute fall outfit option when you are still feeling the heat and humidity of summer hanging on in her post, A Fall Outfit for Warm Autumns.

Stephanie of Glamorous and Geeky


Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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