What is a bra to you?

[Bobbie Roberts]

the group...re bras...

For me it is and always has been a long line bra. My current favorite is the Elilia front fastening back support style. it has "inner sling construction" that really supports me and my forms. This style is available starting in a C cup, which is OK as it presents me very well; the cups fill in nicely and together with my size 12 triangular forms gives me a great shape, even slightly pointy. For me the front fastening is just easier to put on, but this is a personal thing. I the old reliable, the Goddess # 1304, is discontinued; how sad as this was a great bra...comfortable and easy to wear, held my forms securely, provided a super shape and was just plain comfortable for all day wear. I am sure some gurls do not like or need a longline bra; my shape requires it and I like the look I achieve while wearing it. BTW...I also own a Goddess 710 merry widow longline....wow....fantastic shape, but one needs help in fastening all of the hooks and eyes; tight but reasonably comfortable but it is a strapless style…it takes a little getting use to

And to further the thought -- years ago, when I first started dressing, I started with a longline bra...it just felt right for me. I have a muffin top issue and the longline takes care of that problem. With the addition to the longline bra, I always wear a high waist girdle. Almost always a panty girdle, as I like the feel, but I have worn an OBG. I almost always wear stockings with a girdle, as it completes the "package". Now that is becoming fall, I will wear opaque tights with some outfits. Opaque tights calls for wearing the panty girdle over the tights to hold them in place, at least for me....nothing is worse than panty hose that slide down and create a lump below the waist......I cannot seem to locate opaque stockings...which would be a great thing if available.

Anyway...that’s just my thoughts..
Cheers,
Bobbie R

[Ralitsa]

my taste in bras is evolving as I move from occasional crossdresser that doesn't want to be found out, through the guy who wears women clothes but doesn't want it to be too obvious they are womens, to where I am now at guy who always and obviously wears womens clothes and wants to look as nice as possible.
At first I didn't want to spend much on a bra that I would only wear a few times, that might get thrown out in a purge.
Then I wanted some nicer bras, but they had to be inconspicuous, so they were usually sports bras or similiar.
Now I wear a bra every day, and I want one that fits well, looks nice, and I'm more willing to spend money on it. It's kind of a change in attitude from "it's not a serious thing so don't waste too much on it" to "these are my clothes that I wear every day and I want them to look good and to look good in them." It is no longer a fetish for me, it's a way of life and it is how I normally dress. It is the fashion that I chose for myself I will be honest with myself about how I think about it. No longer will I wear a bra based on the concern about whether someone will be able to tell that I'm wearing one. Now I'm more interested in whether I can find matching panties to my bra than whether the straps will show under my top.
To me my bras are now a necessary part of my wardrobe, that I need to wear to fill out my appearance. But like shoes, one can wear a pretty bra or a basic bra, and that choice depends on the occasion. I think I've largely come to the same attitude toward bras that GGs have, it's a normal and necessary part of my wardrobe, but it can be fun and sexy too.

[Anne Bonny]

Panties I read and agree are perhaps the quintessential item of female clothing, but a snug stretchy bra lifting what breasts I have completes the basic lingerie ensemble when I want to feel really feminine. The fabrics and styles can vary but I go for the basic cotton with minimum frills perhaps hints of lace and a little bow in the center of the bra - most women wear these every day, yonger women go for skimpy and sexy, older women may opt for satins with modest lace if they want to feel elegant and feminine or so I suppose - but I know how I feel about it. Of course an A cup is closest to my natural size when enhanced by the bra and natural is frequently best, but If I want, as I frequently do a true woman's silhouette I dump my birdseed in nylon forms into B or C cups and mash them into a more natural shape, I place the knot where the nipple is supposed to be for obvious reasons. Bras enhance that feminine feeling when my feminine spirite is running and I desire it.

[Julie Dawn]

I have been following this interesting thread but haven’t had time to join in.

For me a bra is the most essential item to help create the feeling (with forms inserted) and illusion of being a woman. I think we all agree that it is the only item of clothing that is exclusively female, I am not “dressed” without a bra.

Fashion and hair styles today are often asexual, so when you see a person coming toward you, firstly you are checking out, is it a man or is it a woman? If it has two “lumps” on its chest you have your answer immediately. If no tell tail “lumps” I find myself looking for the “Adams apple”. Sometimes with flat chested girls or pretty boys the jury remains “out”.

It is interesting that many particularly like the pleasure of the “hugging” feeling when wearing a bra. e.g.

Erica S “The way the straps feel, hugging my chest and supporting my forms.”

Azurielle “. . . bras just embrace you like nothing else. I'm not very fond of lacy/underwire ones and usually go for full support to get the most powerhuggy feeling.”

SallySweet “No other article of women's clothing, though, makes me feel as feminine as a bra, the only article of clothing that is exclusively female.”

Erica S “When I have one of my bra's on it just makes me feel like I am being hugged well like no other way possible”

I may have taken this a step further. I have a fetish for firm control foundation garments, maybe because of the first items I tried on in the early 50’s or the underwear that I found many GG’s wore in the late 50’s early 60’s.
I have read much on the history of corsets etc. and I remember reading some where that firm control underwear in the 70’s and 80’s was no where near as “firm” as that of the 30’s and 40’s and 50’s. Modern woman was demanding more comfort than their mothers had enjoyed,
The best way to get some idea of what firm control was really like is to wear two modern corselettes at the same time. This will give you a fantastic “powerhuggy feeling” all over. May I add that its best to try this during the cooler months of the year.

A good site to start a study of corsets and corselettes, girdles and panty girdles is:- http://www.corsetiere.net/

[Anthony Simon]

It is interesting that many particularly like the pleasure of the “hugging” feeling when wearing a bra. e.g. ....I may have taken this a step further. I have a fetish for firm control foundation garments...I remember reading some where that firm control underwear in the 70’s and 80’s was no where near as “firm” as that of the 30’s and 40’s and 50’s. Modern woman was demanding more comfort than their mothers had enjoyed,
The best way to get some idea of what firm control was really like is to wear two modern corselettes at the same time. This will give you a fantastic “powerhuggy feeling” all over. May I add that its best to try this during the cooler months of the year.

I tried "doubling" corselettes last night (anyway for a short while). I do see what you mean about increasing the "firmness" of the control. I think I'd have to play about a fair amount before I got a combination I liked - the whole thing is so personal, just how "hugged" you want to get.

I like the feeling, with a corselette, of kind of pouring yourself into a woman's bodyshape (I've already got hip padding on underneath). That's a big moment for me, when I see a woman's form appearing in front of me in the mirror. There is something in there about being encompassed by the shape. The key moment is when I put the boobs in. Later, when I put on the outerwear, that feeling of being encompassed can be enhanced.

A good site to start a study of corsets and corselettes, girdles and panty girdles is:- http://www.corsetiere.net/

That looks an interesting site. Thanks. With my obsession with corselettes I naturally went to a page about that.

[Kittie]

A bra supports my breast which are well endowed

[Anita]

A bra is the article of clothing that crosses the line into serious femme. A wig is somewhat that way, but a bra is definite. There’s no question that a bra is a female-only item of clothing.

Remember the 80s pop-metal bands, Cinderella and Poison? The members glammed up, and were very femme onstage, but they didn’t really interest me because they wouldn’t take that last step—they didn’t wear breast forms.

A person can sort of ‘play around’ with gender in all kinds of ways, including makeup, earrings, long hair, and even skirts or kilts. When you wear a bra that’s filled out, though, you’re making a definite statement.
There’s no hiding when you do that.

I have little or no interest in bras as far as color or design goes. It’s more like, whatever works, although I do prefer black to white. I have several for different functions. One thing that may be of interest is that my seamstress put flesh colored strips on my strapless bra. They’re maybe an eighth-inch wide, and don’t show up on camera in videos. But they give me support that my forms can’t provide.

I should add that I use this bra for dresses that have spaghetti straps, for instance. I haven't tried to go out in any dress that's strapless. My shoulders don't lend themselves to that look--I need slender straps for best appearance.

[Erica S]

I have been wearing a bra in the early mornings when I wake to get that sensation of being feminine. This way I can be more feminine throughout the day, or at least feel that way. If I could I would leave one on all day, with or without forms in. I love the way a bra feels when it is on. Nothing else says femininity like that.

Hugs,

Erica

[Nikki Jean]

Well the reason i wear a bra is its because i have Real Breasts and if i could id go topless but i cant so i wear a bra for the support

[Hope]

Well....quite a question! A bra is...well an undergarment....a decidedly feminine undergarmet but still...

I much prefer long-line bras. The more lace the better. I've tried so many different manufacturer's offerings and have found one that really works for me. I have a bit of gynocomastia (spelling...not my strong suite) and although they all give me a feeling of really having breasts, the type I've settled on now provides wonderful lift and fits me like....welll like a good fitting bra should I think. Honestly, how women put up with all the different styles and never have a well fitting one! No wonder they don't like wearing bras!

It's comfortable, makes my shape more feminine (at least to me) and just makes my day. Ladies....it's all about how we feel isn't it?

Sign.....

[Bernice]

My wife feels the same way. She won't even hug me when I'm wearing a bra, especially with forms in.She says it make her feel like a lesbian. She has bought me bras because she knows I like them but I seldom wear one around her. You're right, it's a compromise and respect for her feelings.

Yes, I have the same issues.

Golly, make me feel old and lazy! A bra to me is something I need - with only some of my outfits - to hold breastforms in place. I'd much rather go bra-less, if I look OK that way. Stretchy tops and sweaters work very well with foam rubber breasts.

There may have been a time 30-490 years ago when a bra was sensually stimulating - but certainly not since I outgrew micro-skirts, and that was 15 or so years ago.

Hugs,

Bernice

[Caith]

Courtesy of our friends in the UK, this article regarding women's bras:

<What Does Your Bra Reveal?>

[Kittie]

I have just bought 2 Triumph Under-wired bras today. they are wonderful!

[Vieja]

After reading these posts I think I should just buy one and see how it

makes me feel. It just might enhance the feeling I get wearing

panties.

[KimberlyS]

Caith if the average woman owns nine bras according to that clip and I own more than nine, does that make me above average? And if I have a lot more than nine what does that make me?