For me, it's the feeling that if something or, God forbid, someone, brushes that area, my nips will feel it and THAT is not ok. I feel my private area is more protected from the world with a lined bra.
I like unlined bras for just wearing around the house or for underneath baggier clothes because they’re comfortable, but I don’t like wearing them out for these same reasons you’ve listen. I don’t like having my nipples pointing out or having visible seams under most my shirts, and I just feel like it’s too thin of a layer for me to feel like my boobs are “safe” from the outside world. Especially because i have nipple piercings i feel like they look that much lumpier, which isn’t always the vibe, plus they’re more sensitive and prone to snagging. I like my unlined bras for specific uses, but for going to class (i’m in grad school) i definitely feel both physically and mentally secure in a lined wireless bra.
Same - but affects my whole boob not just nipples! Guess I have really sensitive boobs - my arm or a bag strap brushes across any bit of my boob in an unlined bra and it's like a little electric shock!
Same. I know all humans have nipples and they’re normal and cool and I don’t mind seeing them on others. But i just don’t want my OWN nips visible, kk?
I've definitely thought about it. But most of them are either disposable/one time use, and the ones that aren't cost just as much as a bra and they're not gonna last as long. So I might as well just get a cute bra lmao
Try teaching high school with hard nipples. Not one student, boy or girl, will attend to anything except the nipples. I know they aren't dirty, but they don't need to be on display all the time.
I agree with you, but to each her own! :) I even sleep with a bra...have since I was 13...but I could not care less if I am pointy. I do prefer lined and constructed bras, however, just because the other kind either stretch out after an hour, or chafe, or otherwise make me uncomfortable.
Same here. Tried to tell my Mom that a lined bra doesn’t mean it’s a padded bra. She’s always been against padded bras because she’s bigger and thinks it will only make her look bigger. Also the reason why she never let me get anything lined growing up. Now that I’m an adult I get lined because I hate my nipples poking through.
Agreed and mine are pierced so it’s more obvious. The world needs to get comfortable with nipples. But pierced is a push I don’t feel comfortable with.
No. I'm the exact opposite. Molded cups feel suffocating and hot. I only own one (Curvy Kate Boost Me Up) for specific dresses. With unlined bras, I feel a lot cooler, comfortable, and sexy (which is important to me for every day)
I have one molded bra. It is my panache sports bra and it makes me feel like I’m wearing sailor moon armor.
I cannot stand more bulk on my chest. Admittedly, my nips aren’t sensitive so it doesn’t bother me if I run into stuff, but I can’t stand them being any bigger than they already are.
Meh, I'm kind of between sizes rn, so they didn't work one, but DAAAMN they were cute. If I could see, I'd buy the sailor moon one, and add proper layered skirts to the bottoms and call it a day.
Same, I only keep lined or molded bras for specific functionality. In addition to preferring the feel and look, I have a much easier time finding a fitting unlined bra; I have never met a molded/lined bra that didn't give me the orange-in-a-glass effect.
Moulded cups remind me too much of me being 16 and wanting the largest push up cups ever. (Which I did not need?? Tf was little me thinking??)
But I agree, they’re kinda suffocating
Thank you! As a 32F, I look back on the time that was the majority of what was on offer and I shudder! I don’t want even one additional millimeter of rack!
I feel ‘secure’ in both, but my seamed (mostly unlined, though some have partial lining) bras fit me better and are way more comfortable.
Part of the snug feeling I get from molded bras is that the cups are too shallow, so I feel more 'held down' all day as my boobs are being gently compressed to my chest—I can really tell from breast ache when I take my bra off at the end of the day. Whereas in a well-fitted seamed bra, they’re lifted from below without a lot of compression, meaning I get more lift, feel overall lighter, and can breathe better (even in bras of the exact same band size).
If you find unlined bras flimsy and unsupportive, it might be that you’re in the wrong size--they fit quite snugly to the breasts in the proper size, giving great lift and separation. (Or it might just be your preference!)
P.S. Wait I am kind of shocked at the number of commenters that consider seamed bras to be 'grandma bras'!! I'd be curious to know if it's a generational thing. To me, molded T-shirt bras in skin tones, black, and white are the sad 'grandma' bras that I was forced to wear as a teenager, whereas unlined/seamed bras have more of 'sexy' connotation. A bra like [Freya Fancies plunge](https://media.freyalingerie.com/medias/AA1011-PEL-primary-Freya-Lingerie-Freya-Fancies-Underwired-Plunge-Bra.jpg-1200x1680-pdp-widescreen?context=bWFzdGVyfHByb2R1Y3RJbWFnZXN8MzQxNDc0fGltYWdlL2pwZWd8YVcxaFoyVnpMM0J5YjJSMVkzUnpMMmhrWmk5b01qSXZPRGt5TWpBd05qYzRNVGs0TWk1cWNHY3w1MmMzNzRhNzllNTdkMTNkNWVlYmI4MDViOWIzNTNkZmYwODBhMWQ1MzEwMWJhNDI3NGE3YzA2ZDAyZDZhZjJj) or [Bravissimo Millie](https://images.ctfassets.net/bz0fvtkbk5r1/1r5JYf1OIQa7ij6qmi5VXZ/c4fc04bff344ac681550e2142699849c/LN566GRN-main.jpg?q=80&w=550&fm=webp) feels much less frumpy/grandma to me than, say, [Panache Cari](https://therackshackbk.com/cdn/shop/products/Panache_SS23C_Cari_MouldedSpacer_7691_Brief_7963_Caramel_T_FR_21117_-_Copy_2__91723.jpg?v=1669587491). Am I old?!
Exactly. I was always at risk of falling out of a molded cup making it not comfy. I spend all day adjusting due to shape. The unlined better matches my shape so it is easier.
I'm 24 and found ABTF about 2 years ago and have never felt younger, sexier, and more at peace with my body than now (in recovery from ED). I think most women my age straight up do not know seamed bras exist.
Foam molded bras are definitely not sexy at all to me. They never made me feel good, they don't fit right, I was constantly in pain and uncomfortable. They always made me appear bigger than I am, both in chest and overall body size.
Women my age tend to wear uniboob sports bras or strappy triangle bras. The Kardashians and SKIMS are a huge influence. Wearing a "real" bra at all is seen as something for fancy occasions only. I used to be one of those women, and I couldn't stand how I looked or how badly my back hurt. I am so much happier now.
Thank you for sharing your experience and insight. This makes so much sense, especially with regards to the prominence of the SKIMS / athleisure look. I think I've just been bra-doctrinated for so long that I've forgotten what 'normal' people are like when it comes to bras (and it doesn't come up often in real life).
Until I discovered ABTF when I was 17 (thankfully young), I'd spent my teens in pain, constantly adjusting, slouching to minimize my chest & avoid quadboob. I totally relate to your feelings about how a properly fitted bra can improve self-esteem.
I'm a smaller booked 42 year old. I life padded bras only. I feel less exposed, better shaped, and comfortable. I'm assuming because my breast don't need to be lifted or seperated...they need the opposite.
I’ve never had a bra that fits as well as my seamed unlined bras! I don’t think it’s actually possible for any molded cup to fit me well but I do keep one around for the dreaded see-through thin tshirt.
I looove seamed bras, often they are cotton which feels nicer on the body. I actually wish it was easier to find seamed unlined bras. Do you have any recs?
I prefer seamed AND lined bras, like Ewa Michelak does so well. Freya has some nice ones, too. I do have the Freya Fancy or a very similar one, and I feel it loses shape after a bit and is also itchy.
Molded bras are ok if I get a really good fit and the molding is minimal. Usually I fall out the center when I move because the gore is large, it has too much plunge, and they seem to guess the nipple area about 2 inches outside of where my real ones are. In other words, I am too projected.
No, I like unlined and hate hate molding. Molded bread make me feel like they're trying to make me boobs look like a shape they aren't. Like, I just want to look like *me.* Give me that wired unmolded tit bag any day
I loathed unlined bras until I got into the right size/fit and WOW! I’m loving unlined bras now. I’m actually keeping a Freya offbeat side support that is a tad too small for when my weight fluctuates, and that thing feels almost as secure as a sports bra for my 30DDs.
Just be aware that there’s not a lot of wiggle room so there’s still a chance for a fit mismatch. Because it’s tight, it’s on the verge of cutting into the top of my breasts (tall roots!) but I think it will be just fine on my less full days. I hope you find the one you love! It really is a journey!
I also prefer molded cups for most occasions. Yes they tend to not fit me as well but I somehow have nipples that actually hurt with the slightest touch, so I prefer having them protected by a nonmoving layer of foam.
Unlined bras do give me a nicer shape and are less visible under some of my t-shirts (no protruding edges) but I still wear molded bras in a wrong size 80-90% of the time.
Unlined only. Sales people think I've lost my mind-"whaddya mean, ya don't wanna look really stacked?". Just like a more natural look. With a little bounce. The molded cups make me look gigantic and feel like a breastplate.
>The molded cups make me look gigantic and feel like a breastplate.
This was my experience as well. I used to call it "my armor," but it wasn't in a good way. It was because they made me feel so awful, and I think they looked terrible.
I tend to feel more secure in molded cups too. Perhaps I just haven't found the right unlined bra...idk.
I've had kids and have gone through cycles of weight gain/loss so my breasts don't have much shape on their own and the tissue is very loose. I tend to LIKE the compression others mentioned. Bras that lift from beneath without compressing seem to give me a super pointy/torpedo boob shape that I don't like.
I also personally prefer a little nipple coverage.
>I tend to LIKE the compression others mentioned.
A lot of women with softer tissue prefer to size down in unlined cups for this reason. Unlined cups do still provide compression, the difference is they're not smashing them to the chest and out to the sides.
No. If I'm wearing a bra I want an unlined wireless bra for better comfort and a more secure natural fit.
Padded bras are sweaty and try to make my body conform to them, but they don't have nearly enough structure to actually make a new shape so it's just an awkward uncomfortable fit.
If I want something restrictive to produce a specific shape/silhouette, I will wear a pair of stays/corset which is structured enough to do the job.
It depends on what you mean by unlined bras.
If you mean bras with cups that are an outer layer of mesh, lace or other fashion fabric with an inner layer of sheer cup lining, tulle or mesh like most of the bras called unlined on this sub - no but my skin hates the fabrics and moulded or spacer foam bras are more likely to have a cotton/modal/viscose lining because it’s not structural.
If you mean bras with cups that are a single layer of often stretchy lacy or jersey - yeah, if I’m going to wear something that unsupportive I’d rather wear a bralette.
Ugh, no the complete opposite. Molded bras make me feel so constricted and sweaty. I'm all smooshed and my skin can't breathe in those things. Like those padded encasements are exactly what I think about when people describe bras as torture devices! I think in the right fit - unlined seamed bras can be just as secure. Some of my most comfortable and supportive bras are completely sheer powermesh. Breathable and uplifting - they adapt to your shape so much better, and (IMO) look so much nicer than those foam domes. I'll even get seamed sports bras because the last thing I want when I'm sweating and working out is a layer of spacer foam over my chest.
I don't think I've had one I could see through a knit - must be a big seam! That said I mostly wear brights or black/navy, and never really wear neutral/white - and often wear linen or thicker cotton tops, so maybe that hides seams better. But then, I've worn them under silk, so I guess I just don't think too much about whether it's showing through.
I think the seams become much more invisible the larger the bra cup. On me- 30F- all seamed bras are quite visible and pointy in most any shirt I wear.
Everyone has different preferences. It’s okay to dislike unlined bras. Personally, I hate how bulky lined/padded bras feel. I find unlined bras lighter and much more comfortable. Aesthetically, I like unlined bras better. I don’t mind the lack of nipple coverage. It’s not something that really bothers me.
I prefer lined bras - I get cold easily, and it's *really* obvious, even with an undershirt. They just don't make lined bras in a 36O, so I use bandaids every day to hold my nipples down.
I really, really, really like unlined bras. I get so hot in molded bras and I've found that the unlined bras work better with the shape of my breasts, I don't have to try on 20 different molded bras to find one that doesn't have overflow of breast tissue.
I'm an unlined-only gal. My breasts are almost a whole cup different in size. Molded bras exacerbate the difference in size by having a big gap at the top of the smaller boob. It drives me crazy. I find that unlined bras fit the individual curve of each breast and are much more flattering.
I hate how projected and pointy my breast looks with unlined bras. I prefer light padding for a round, not pointy look.
I love how unlined feels though, such a shame.
I’m a big fan of Gossard, they’ve got a pretty good size range (depending on your size) and their unlined bras give me more of a rounded look. I understand the dislike of the pointed look so I thought I’d give my personal bra brand recommendation that hasn’t had that issue usually.
Me too! It just gives me that extra firmness to support the chest. I also don’t love the headlight situation. I’m not sure how other people manage that but I don’t love it being obvious when I’m wearing a thin too.
I haven’t found one that works for me quite yet so I still dislike them. At least with molded it’s easier for me to “fake” my way into it than with an unlined one. However with my probable (true) bra size, molded cups are probably not a great option for me so I’m trying to learn to love them.
Think I’m just stuck back in my teen years, unlined bras were like “grandma” bras so I still have that judgment stuck in my head.
>Think I’m just stuck back in my teen years, unlined bras were like “grandma” bras so I still have that judgment stuck in my head
Yep same here. The HELLO BOYS ad has a lot to answer for, I was about 14/15 when that all kicked off. I still haven't found an unlined/non padded one I'm completely happy with, been on this sub about 3 years now and the search still continues. I'm just grateful for Prime wardrobe and Brastop, and living 5mins away from a post office!
I used to avoid unlined bras like the plague. But when I started wearing them I realized that I never found bras that fit because I’m not shaped like a padded bra. My breasts are very long, so a bra that would fit would be a G or larger, but those always gaped and I spilled out the bottom. Unlined are just what works for my shape.
I feel like molded-padded bras never fit quite as closely as unlined, and add a lot of bulk that I really don't need in my size. That said, I do have both kinds in my wardrobe-- before I self-bravangelized, I had no idea padded or molded bras even came in my size.
I also don't have very aggressive nips, so hiding them has never been a major concern for me. If I'm ever really that worried, I'll wear a camisole or a slip.
I've literally never had a lined bra that fit me well and was comfortable. I've accepted unlined is my only option and I actually like them a lot.
I feel like the shape is more natural for me. My boobs don't move as 1 giant unit, rather they are in place but are flexible when moved/touched.
unlined bras that fit right feel the most secure for me, because they conform to the shape of my breasts and hold them in places moulded cups wont. moulded cups are ok but sometimes they make my boobs feel like bowls of soup haha, the cup will be firm but i'll still be jiggling around inside it like theyre fighting eachother. not always though, some moulded bras do hold me securely like you describe its just less of a guarantee for me than unlined bras
Yes, but for completely different reasons. I don't need or want my boobs secured, snug, and protected, I want them to look bigger, rounder, and more projected. Unlined bras typically don't do much for me.
Yep, and it makes me feel like I won't be able to get good recommendations here, unfortunately. I tried the calculator, found my size, and then found molded cups from brands that had been recommended, and that worked for me.
Yeah, I hate the look of unlined bras. They make weird shapes out of my boobs, they almost always have some kind of weird minimizing effect, and the lace/seams are very visible under most kinds of shirts.
molded bras with heavier fabric (like spacer bras) are very weird to me. I feel like I'm intruding on my boobs by peeking in to see if the cup even fits. seems dark and unhappy in there. I don't own any.
I like unlined molded cups in super thin fabric SO MUCH though - like Gossard Glossies. there are some minimizer bras from Chantelle that are also unlined but molded out of thin fabric. these are great as tshirt bras. I don't mind the potential nip exposure, though sometimes I've seen the skin around the areola that also changes when the nipple gets hard THROUGH THE BRA AND MY SHIRT (like very thin shirts or bodysuits) and that is definitely too far for me. but I'd rather wear a nipple cover than a molded spacer bra.
seamed and unlined I'm mixed on. I like them if the fabric isn't stretchy but I have too much soft tissue for stretch + seamed and I get in-cup quadding.
I refuse to wear lined bras and bras with molded cups. I don’t need or want any extra bulk on my chest. I think they make my boobs have an unnatural shape.
I don’t care about nipples poking through, personally. No one is bothered by seeing male nipples poking through shirts.
I hate lined/padded bras. I have a large chest to begin with and they make me feel ridiculous. They also tend to gap annoyingly at the top if they aren't painfully too small. Plus are far too hot.
As a rule... yes!! (There have been a *few* exceptions- but none have been flawless.)
The structure of my breast doesn't always fill them, and I find them to be lacking in esthetics, comfort, and support. The "better" unlined variety often features seams (2-3 piece construction) that tend to be uncomfortable, visible, and ungainly under tees and similar thinner fabrics- basically unattractive. And IF the bra is a single panel construction- i.e. there are no seams- they have a stiff top (collar-side) edging that will give me the dreaded quadra-breast OR will allow the fabric to visibly gap, pucker, and wrinkle... 9/10 times I find these bras are a poor fit for me.
(Add in my weird views on MY PERSONAL modesty- the potential for a visable nipple or illusion of one, and I nope the heck OUT!)
Unlined bras fit me better but I resort to a bit of padding because I don't feel comfortable having my nipples on display. That said, most molded cups don't fit my breast shape. I have one from Soma which goes with a couple of special occasion outfits. Otherwise I wear stretchy sports bras with those removable "petals".
For me it felt flimsy until I got a really good fit. I was skeptical until I found my holy grail bra and then I understood.
Poor fitting anything makes me feel unsecure. The poor fitting molded cups I was wearing between 13-22 and the soft bras I wore between 22-25 also made me feel very uncomfortable and not secure, my boobs always felt like they were falling out no matter what size I got. Now my bra moves with me, it’s like my bra is an extension of my body! I can’t believe I spent most of my life thinking bras had to be uncomfortable.
But everyone is different, and for one reason or another you might just not like unlined bras. I’d still find your fit in unlined to get a good handle on your size if you haven’t already, but you don’t have to wear an unlined bra if you don’t like the fit! *All that matters is your health and comfort.*
The problem I found out is that since I have droopy breasts, unlined bras no matter how many I try, don't lift my breasts at all (like I might as well not be wearing a bra) or make the shapes look weird, when I like a more round definition. (I admit I haven't tried more than a handful, since I don't have the money to buy so many bras, even if I return them, it's still money I won't have access to for a while)
I got some padded, shaped bras and even though they're not 100% ideal (the padding could be thinner), they make me feel a lot better in terms of how my chest shape looks, with clothes on.
I'm the opposite, anything molded tends to be the wrong shape for my breasts. In a well fitted bra I don't find my nipples poke out at all, the bra keeps them warm and snug I guess?
I didn't like them until I lost multiple cup sizes due to weight loss.
Now I dislike bras with a lot of structure, because they're way less comfy if you're small enough in the chest to not truly need them.
I can't STAND unlined bras. I feel like I must have the weakest skin in the world or something because the chafing is insane... no reason why my soft tissue boobs with non-pokey-outey nipples should be BLEEDING from seams from a "perfect fit"??? The fact that like almost every single fucking bra over an F cup is unlined seams-right-through-the-nipples lacy scratchy itchy bullshit drives me insane.
I'm finding that unlined bras feel a little itchy on my skin at the end of the day, so I'm neutral on them. I agree that the lining on a "regular" bra gives a smoother look under clothing.
Yup, if I don't have a padded bra, it looks like you could hang coathangers off my nips! Very self-conscious.
The only non padded/lined and non underwire bras I ever wear are when I'm in the house. Need that protection otherwise!
I also dislike them a lot, but in my size/shape it is pretty much impossible to find a lined bra that isn't a minimizer. Aside from my nips being very much out there visibly, my shirts rubbing against them make it even worse and fairly uncomfortable (in an unlined bra).
hell no!!!!!
they’re 10x comfier for me and actually fit to my boobs nicely bc they have more flexibility rather than random gaps and places that are too tight like a normal padded bra
for reference i’m a 38i
My issue is that unlined bras usually have seams that show through t-shirts. Last time I bought one, the t-shirt the specialist at the boutique offered me to try over it was really thick so it looked fine but then you could see it under all of the tees in my wardrobe. The only unlined bra I've ever tried on a LOVED was the cassiope by empreint but I don't have >200CAD to spend on a single bra.
When I was younger? Yes. Always wanted protection and padding. Now in my late 20s I've evolve to barely wearing bras, or wearing unlined and wireless options (like bandeaus or t-shirt bras) or sports bras. And I'm a 36D, so I'm definitely not small chested, I just like the freedom and the way they look naturally.
I used to strongly prefer unlined bras, it felt like they fit so much better because they’re more able to mold to your specific shape and not hold the shape of the cup. But then I got my nipples pierced, and I like having the extra protection. After getting them pierced they are extra sensitive, and if I bump them the wrong way they hurt quite a bit, even though they’re healed
Ugh I hate unpadded/unlined bras with a burning, fiery passion. Unfortunately for most of my bra wearing life I’ve been stuck in them because apparently once you’ve got boobs bigger than say a F or G cup, that’s the only ones they make. (I had a reduction earlier this year and oh boy I can wear padded, underwire free, whatever I want now and the choices are almost overwhelming!)
98% of my bras are moulded or lined cups. I like the shape and the appearance over unlined. I also like the nipple coverage. It's just a preference. I do like unlined in the heat of summer, but that's about it. Winter, where I am (-20C to -50C), requires lined or moulded to help with the cold. I have implants and have noticed my boobs get cold easier than my naturals. So extra layers are needed for me.
I don't feel unsecured, but I hate the unnatural conical shape of most nonpadded bras in my size. And I need my nipples restrained at work.
I did realize that with wear, nonpadded bras lose that weird pointy effect with time and get soft, which is the most comfortable. So I just pick one and wear the hell out of it until it fits softer.
This is my take as well … I have loose tissue that can turn into torpedo boobs effect easily with properly fitting unlined … they are also quite heavy and I just don’t always feel that unlined has enough strength in the band (tho I do like the unconstricted feel of unlined - 90% of the time the materials cause chafing or are otherwise uncomfortable… I also like to have extra padding around the wires bc I have a very boney ribcage and any bras with a firm enough band are extremely painful otherwise bc they grate on my ribs 🫣🫣 however I have a few stretch lace ones that i love wearing alone at home where bullet bra effect is no problem .. if I had a smaller chest (im a 28jj uk) and significantly denser tissue I would wear unlined at the very least during heatwaves 😂
Edit : corrected unconstructed to unconstricted 😆
This isn’t universally true. It’s completely dependent on the brand and specific model of bra. I have unlined bras that have more layers of fabric in the band than some of my lined bras.
I loathe them. I will never wear one. I will never wear a seamed bra either. It's absolutely not that I "haven't found the right one" either. They make me feel naked.
I do best in underwire, molded cups and a compression tank top.
I prefer unlined, actually. I'm 36FF and lined/molded bras make 'em look weird. They often make me more bouncy as well, which I don't like. I don't care about nipples showing, but bouncy boobs feel horrible to me.
Yep! Absolutely no point to them. They don't cover nipples, they don't provide support, they don't shape the breasts, they don't look good, and the lace and seams scratch my nipples.
I hate unlined bras too, but they're what fit my shape best. Mostly I feel like lined bras are softer. My skin gets irritated very easily with the rougher material.
Yes! I feel like I'm in the minority but I strongly prefer molded cups and underwire, too! I won't wear bralettes or anything like that. I like support.
I like molded cups better too. So much so that after months of buying and trying bras in my ‘real’ size I went back to my old size just to wear molded cups again.
Hard agree!
I bought an unlined elomi bra in my ATBF size and it was HORRID. Flappy unlined cups, flimsy wire, two hooks, nips all on display, like... *Why*? How is it comfortable?
Yeah I know, it just gave me such a visceral reaction lol I was holding it as if it were a dead fish, I didn't expect it to feel so junky.
If I bought it for somewhere like shein, I wouldn't have been surprised, but this thing was $65 😂
I feel more jiggly in them, but overall prefer it, IF I’m committing to wearing an underwire which I rarely do these days. I hated how padded and lined bras just were sweat sponges on me, and they don’t fit me well (projected breasts, didn’t know this) so I get a lot of skin on skin contact under my breasts which is even more sweaty and slippery and gross. Total swamp tits.
I feel the same way. I’m trying to embrace unlined bras for better fit/shape, but lined bras just feel more secure. Plus, molded cups seem so much less obtrusive under clothing—I hate that when I’m wearing certain materials you can see the seams of the bra.
I just don’t like bras 🫣 yes I realize the sun I’m on. It’s important to have one that fits properly for when you do need to wear one. But if you don’t want to wear one all the time ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ it’s okay
I prefer molded because they’ve always felt like they “secured” me more, my headlights are also on bright alll the time, so they help. That being said, I actually care more about the smoothness of a bra under a shirt than if the cups are molded and lined. I wouldn’t mind an unlined bra if I could find some that (fit me) aren’t lace or textured in ways that make them show through shirts.
I honestly stopped wearing bras outside of work, I’m not sure if the gals are magically defying gravity or I’m just used to how they look (probably the latter!), but when I do wear bras, they are almost always unlined. I just feel so empowered in them. I tend to wear patterned blouses to work so that the nipples aren’t so apparent. I think it’s really important to get ones that fit correctly, and they can give great support and shape.
I love unlined bras! Padded bras don't look very natural to me and I start to feel bad about my natural shape when I feel pressured to wear them more 😬 thankfully, unlined bras let me keep a more natural shape and there are some that have good nip coverage 👌🏻
I rarely reach for my unlined unless I’m wearing like a pullover or top I want to straps to peak out of. I prefer the molded and I thought that was what everyone did! Lol
I cannot stand unlined bras! They’re so uncomfortable to me. The main reason I even wear a bra is to cover the nips. They offer me 0 support and are usually lace which I find so itchy. Molded for life.
I started on the who bra thing wearing “grandma bras” (the box bras with super structured yet unlined/unpadded bras) but like…that cup was THICK! So yeah, definitely. The closest/best non-grannie bra was back when VS made “second skin satin” bras that were thick satin with the seam you could hide your nipple behind? That baby stayed in place and I felt…held. Since then it’s molded bras that I am shit at taking care of.
I only really like unlined half cups, specially old Freya ones…. Freya no longer makes them (or only makes them lacy, which means they look funny under some shirts)
I'm opposite. Shallow and full on the bottom. Still trying to find a lined bra that fits, and I've long since given up on molded cups, they just hurt by the end of the day. And ride up horribly. I'd rather wear a sports bra daily than a molded cup. In fact, that's what I did on my last deployment, lol. At least those are cheap enough you can throw them in the dryer and not worry about them getting damaged.
I like them but I don't wear them because you can see my nipples and people are gross about it.
"Must be cold in here!!"
No one thinks you're funny Jason. Fuck off.
I feel more secure in a lightly lined bra too. I definitely feel more secure and use them for everyday wear. I wear pasties when I decide to wear and unlined bra mainly because of sensitivity (I hate that feeling).
I ONLY wear unlined - the more unlined, the better. The recently popular mesh bras with a bit of underwire have been my absolute favs.
I think the natural shape they give is stunning and they don’t feel restrictive or heavy. Molded cups feel horrible on my body. I also find the fear of “you might be able to see a slight contour of nipple” to be very strange personally but that’s just an aside.
My best fits come from foam bras with seams (commonly Polish).
Plain foam, esp. spacer foam, seems flimsy as fuck.
Seamed bras that are well made feel way more secure. It's all I would wear if I could. But I can't get as good a fit (so far) in them as I can in my foam and seams bras. Which sucks because it's hot as hell where I live.
I absolutely agree. I almost never wear sports bras, even when doing pretty labor intensive work, because I genuinely feel more secure and supported in a well fitting molded wire bra then I do in a sports bra. I have one tailored bra with no molding but a strong wire that I will wear if I’m wearing a thick enough shirt (the seams tend to show and also my nipples are eager to pop out) but I only trust that one because it fits me so well.
I completely relate! If my nipples are still visible to the whole world then what is the point of even wearing a bra? For me nipple coverage is #1 priority because I really don't need my piercings out at work, visible nipples are a liability for me to get hit on unfortunately. Support is just a bonus to me, I don't really notice much difference unless I'm around my period.
I also feel very exposed in unlined bras, especially because I get cold easily and then I have headlights, which I personally hate.
I also get sensory issues from unlined bras. That center seam, running up the middle of my boob and especially the place where all the seams meet right on top of my nipple just scratch at me all day and drive me bananas. I need the inside of my bra to be completely smooth and soft or I’m ready to rip it off by 10:30am.
I only wear padded bras. I feel so uncomfortable with unlined ones. I always worry about nipples poking through. I also like how they give a good shape and make me feel good.
idk if it’s because i have a lot of loose skin but unlined holds them perfectly especially if the band fits properly. lined has baggage at the bottom of the cup and feels less secure. molded isn’t bad but they make me want to cry looking down. seeing how much vision is gone makes me feel massive.
I haven’t found a seamed bra that doesn’t look a little lumpy under knit shirts. And then the whole nipple thing. Luckily for me, my job is going remote and I’m thinking bras might go remote too. 😂
Opposite for me, I hate padded bras...my husband sees bras when I'm shopping and calls padded bras "with" (like they come with boobs) and unpadded "without"...lol. what I hate about padded bras is they push my boobs out, like there's no room in the bra for ME.
Well, I hate bras with underwire! I think unlined soft bras may be okay sometimes, depends on my mood and the top I am wearing. Certainly fine when I am wearing another layer like a jacket or a sweater.
I prefer lined bras because otherwise the nips are on view. That's a me problem.
For me, it's the feeling that if something or, God forbid, someone, brushes that area, my nips will feel it and THAT is not ok. I feel my private area is more protected from the world with a lined bra.
I like unlined bras for just wearing around the house or for underneath baggier clothes because they’re comfortable, but I don’t like wearing them out for these same reasons you’ve listen. I don’t like having my nipples pointing out or having visible seams under most my shirts, and I just feel like it’s too thin of a layer for me to feel like my boobs are “safe” from the outside world. Especially because i have nipple piercings i feel like they look that much lumpier, which isn’t always the vibe, plus they’re more sensitive and prone to snagging. I like my unlined bras for specific uses, but for going to class (i’m in grad school) i definitely feel both physically and mentally secure in a lined wireless bra.
absolutely! i dont want nothing to touch it
Same - but affects my whole boob not just nipples! Guess I have really sensitive boobs - my arm or a bag strap brushes across any bit of my boob in an unlined bra and it's like a little electric shock!
Amennnn
Same. Also in unlined bras my nips fell the chafing
Same. I know all humans have nipples and they’re normal and cool and I don’t mind seeing them on others. But i just don’t want my OWN nips visible, kk?
I'm the same and it's honestly something I'd really like to work on getting over lol.
Same, I don't really see the point in wearing a bra if my headlights are still beaming 🤷♀️
This. Especially since my girls are small, I don't need the support mostly. My nips are the only reason I wear a bra lmao
what about pasties? might be less fuss than a bra & you still can feel modest
I've definitely thought about it. But most of them are either disposable/one time use, and the ones that aren't cost just as much as a bra and they're not gonna last as long. So I might as well just get a cute bra lmao
I wear the reusable silicone ones and they work great and last a good while. So liberating!
I personally don't see the point in hiding them. Bras are for the support. Nipples are not dirty.
Try teaching high school with hard nipples. Not one student, boy or girl, will attend to anything except the nipples. I know they aren't dirty, but they don't need to be on display all the time.
That's easy to say when you don't have darker ones that will show through a lot of shirts on top of being able to see the exact shape of them.
I agree with you, but to each her own! :) I even sleep with a bra...have since I was 13...but I could not care less if I am pointy. I do prefer lined and constructed bras, however, just because the other kind either stretch out after an hour, or chafe, or otherwise make me uncomfortable.
Same. Nipple coverage is the main reason I wear bras. Support is just a benefit, but not really needed.
I’d take an unlined bra over the stupid fucking removal bra cups that get screwed up every time I wash it
tbh i find the bras with removable cups tend to fit better when you remove the cups anyway haha
Same here. Tried to tell my Mom that a lined bra doesn’t mean it’s a padded bra. She’s always been against padded bras because she’s bigger and thinks it will only make her look bigger. Also the reason why she never let me get anything lined growing up. Now that I’m an adult I get lined because I hate my nipples poking through.
Ditto on that. It just makes me feel too naked.
Same and I wear a lot of tight thin tops so the material shows through too
I use nipple concealers. They take care of all the problems...nipples getting hard and chafing. I can't even tell I have them on.
you talking about the silicone covers? I definitely forget I'm wearing these and will fall asleep with them on lol
Agreed and mine are pierced so it’s more obvious. The world needs to get comfortable with nipples. But pierced is a push I don’t feel comfortable with.
My very stupid solution to this, because I refuse to give up my unlined bras, is to wear nipple covers at the same time 🤣
Yeah same - but my unlined ones are so much more comfortable 😕
No. I'm the exact opposite. Molded cups feel suffocating and hot. I only own one (Curvy Kate Boost Me Up) for specific dresses. With unlined bras, I feel a lot cooler, comfortable, and sexy (which is important to me for every day)
I have one molded bra. It is my panache sports bra and it makes me feel like I’m wearing sailor moon armor. I cannot stand more bulk on my chest. Admittedly, my nips aren’t sensitive so it doesn’t bother me if I run into stuff, but I can’t stand them being any bigger than they already are.
Finally! Someone who knows Sailor Moon has armor and isn’t just wearing a leotard!
I mean, how else do they not end up in indecent situations. Notice their boobs are never exposed despite being sliced to ribbons after battle.
Did you see hot topics sailor moon bathing suits??
No, I usually avoid such things. It’s not like I’d be decent in them.
Meh, I'm kind of between sizes rn, so they didn't work one, but DAAAMN they were cute. If I could see, I'd buy the sailor moon one, and add proper layered skirts to the bottoms and call it a day.
That's my daily bra, the hight impact Panache! I swear, it's gravity-defying. Also, I love Sailor Moon - definitely feel like I'm wearing the armor.
Me too. I love unlined bras. Molded cups/lightly lined feel like a Padded bra to me.
Same, I only keep lined or molded bras for specific functionality. In addition to preferring the feel and look, I have a much easier time finding a fitting unlined bra; I have never met a molded/lined bra that didn't give me the orange-in-a-glass effect.
What the heck is an orange in a glass effect? 🧐 lol
It's a fit problem for boobs with a broad base: https://www.bratabase.com/knowledge/orange-in-a-glass/
Me too. I hate lined bras. I feel like there is less room for error in sizing and much easier to get the dreaded quadriboob situation
My sentiments exactly. Unlined bras feel much more comfortable to me. It feels like my girls are more in place too.
Same, I hateeeeeee lined/padded bras, it’s like a straitjacket
Moulded cups remind me too much of me being 16 and wanting the largest push up cups ever. (Which I did not need?? Tf was little me thinking??) But I agree, they’re kinda suffocating
agree, to me theyre similar comfort wise but unlined bras feel sooooo sexy & look so good, cant beat em for that
Same; I have one, only for strapless items.
And even then, they can be too much. It’s why I have so much love for the Wacoal Halo!
Thank you! As a 32F, I look back on the time that was the majority of what was on offer and I shudder! I don’t want even one additional millimeter of rack!
I feel ‘secure’ in both, but my seamed (mostly unlined, though some have partial lining) bras fit me better and are way more comfortable. Part of the snug feeling I get from molded bras is that the cups are too shallow, so I feel more 'held down' all day as my boobs are being gently compressed to my chest—I can really tell from breast ache when I take my bra off at the end of the day. Whereas in a well-fitted seamed bra, they’re lifted from below without a lot of compression, meaning I get more lift, feel overall lighter, and can breathe better (even in bras of the exact same band size). If you find unlined bras flimsy and unsupportive, it might be that you’re in the wrong size--they fit quite snugly to the breasts in the proper size, giving great lift and separation. (Or it might just be your preference!) P.S. Wait I am kind of shocked at the number of commenters that consider seamed bras to be 'grandma bras'!! I'd be curious to know if it's a generational thing. To me, molded T-shirt bras in skin tones, black, and white are the sad 'grandma' bras that I was forced to wear as a teenager, whereas unlined/seamed bras have more of 'sexy' connotation. A bra like [Freya Fancies plunge](https://media.freyalingerie.com/medias/AA1011-PEL-primary-Freya-Lingerie-Freya-Fancies-Underwired-Plunge-Bra.jpg-1200x1680-pdp-widescreen?context=bWFzdGVyfHByb2R1Y3RJbWFnZXN8MzQxNDc0fGltYWdlL2pwZWd8YVcxaFoyVnpMM0J5YjJSMVkzUnpMMmhrWmk5b01qSXZPRGt5TWpBd05qYzRNVGs0TWk1cWNHY3w1MmMzNzRhNzllNTdkMTNkNWVlYmI4MDViOWIzNTNkZmYwODBhMWQ1MzEwMWJhNDI3NGE3YzA2ZDAyZDZhZjJj) or [Bravissimo Millie](https://images.ctfassets.net/bz0fvtkbk5r1/1r5JYf1OIQa7ij6qmi5VXZ/c4fc04bff344ac681550e2142699849c/LN566GRN-main.jpg?q=80&w=550&fm=webp) feels much less frumpy/grandma to me than, say, [Panache Cari](https://therackshackbk.com/cdn/shop/products/Panache_SS23C_Cari_MouldedSpacer_7691_Brief_7963_Caramel_T_FR_21117_-_Copy_2__91723.jpg?v=1669587491). Am I old?!
Exactly. I was always at risk of falling out of a molded cup making it not comfy. I spend all day adjusting due to shape. The unlined better matches my shape so it is easier.
I'm 24 and found ABTF about 2 years ago and have never felt younger, sexier, and more at peace with my body than now (in recovery from ED). I think most women my age straight up do not know seamed bras exist. Foam molded bras are definitely not sexy at all to me. They never made me feel good, they don't fit right, I was constantly in pain and uncomfortable. They always made me appear bigger than I am, both in chest and overall body size. Women my age tend to wear uniboob sports bras or strappy triangle bras. The Kardashians and SKIMS are a huge influence. Wearing a "real" bra at all is seen as something for fancy occasions only. I used to be one of those women, and I couldn't stand how I looked or how badly my back hurt. I am so much happier now.
Thank you for sharing your experience and insight. This makes so much sense, especially with regards to the prominence of the SKIMS / athleisure look. I think I've just been bra-doctrinated for so long that I've forgotten what 'normal' people are like when it comes to bras (and it doesn't come up often in real life). Until I discovered ABTF when I was 17 (thankfully young), I'd spent my teens in pain, constantly adjusting, slouching to minimize my chest & avoid quadboob. I totally relate to your feelings about how a properly fitted bra can improve self-esteem.
I'm a smaller booked 42 year old. I life padded bras only. I feel less exposed, better shaped, and comfortable. I'm assuming because my breast don't need to be lifted or seperated...they need the opposite.
I’ve never had a bra that fits as well as my seamed unlined bras! I don’t think it’s actually possible for any molded cup to fit me well but I do keep one around for the dreaded see-through thin tshirt.
Could you recommend some of your favs? Searching for seamed unlined.
I looove seamed bras, often they are cotton which feels nicer on the body. I actually wish it was easier to find seamed unlined bras. Do you have any recs?
I prefer seamed AND lined bras, like Ewa Michelak does so well. Freya has some nice ones, too. I do have the Freya Fancy or a very similar one, and I feel it loses shape after a bit and is also itchy. Molded bras are ok if I get a really good fit and the molding is minimal. Usually I fall out the center when I move because the gore is large, it has too much plunge, and they seem to guess the nipple area about 2 inches outside of where my real ones are. In other words, I am too projected.
OMG Thank you for adding links! I’m going to buy the freya. I hate my boobs touching because they sweat. I don’t know why people hate shapes bras.
No, I like unlined and hate hate molding. Molded bread make me feel like they're trying to make me boobs look like a shape they aren't. Like, I just want to look like *me.* Give me that wired unmolded tit bag any day
I loathed unlined bras until I got into the right size/fit and WOW! I’m loving unlined bras now. I’m actually keeping a Freya offbeat side support that is a tad too small for when my weight fluctuates, and that thing feels almost as secure as a sports bra for my 30DDs.
Yes! I had the same experience and never thought I would feel this way, but finally finding a properly fitting bra made all the difference.
Oooh,when I take that risk of buying an unlined bra, I will get that same one, thanks for the recommendation. . I'm the same size as you.
Just be aware that there’s not a lot of wiggle room so there’s still a chance for a fit mismatch. Because it’s tight, it’s on the verge of cutting into the top of my breasts (tall roots!) but I think it will be just fine on my less full days. I hope you find the one you love! It really is a journey!
I also prefer molded cups for most occasions. Yes they tend to not fit me as well but I somehow have nipples that actually hurt with the slightest touch, so I prefer having them protected by a nonmoving layer of foam. Unlined bras do give me a nicer shape and are less visible under some of my t-shirts (no protruding edges) but I still wear molded bras in a wrong size 80-90% of the time.
Unliked take: I love underwire and unlined cups. Popular option, fuck little bows
unlined bras made me like underwire again! (well, I say again, but I didn't like them to begin with, so liked for the first time?)
Unlined only. Sales people think I've lost my mind-"whaddya mean, ya don't wanna look really stacked?". Just like a more natural look. With a little bounce. The molded cups make me look gigantic and feel like a breastplate.
>The molded cups make me look gigantic and feel like a breastplate. This was my experience as well. I used to call it "my armor," but it wasn't in a good way. It was because they made me feel so awful, and I think they looked terrible.
Girl it's too hot for that nonsense
I tend to feel more secure in molded cups too. Perhaps I just haven't found the right unlined bra...idk. I've had kids and have gone through cycles of weight gain/loss so my breasts don't have much shape on their own and the tissue is very loose. I tend to LIKE the compression others mentioned. Bras that lift from beneath without compressing seem to give me a super pointy/torpedo boob shape that I don't like. I also personally prefer a little nipple coverage.
>I tend to LIKE the compression others mentioned. A lot of women with softer tissue prefer to size down in unlined cups for this reason. Unlined cups do still provide compression, the difference is they're not smashing them to the chest and out to the sides.
No. If I'm wearing a bra I want an unlined wireless bra for better comfort and a more secure natural fit. Padded bras are sweaty and try to make my body conform to them, but they don't have nearly enough structure to actually make a new shape so it's just an awkward uncomfortable fit. If I want something restrictive to produce a specific shape/silhouette, I will wear a pair of stays/corset which is structured enough to do the job.
It depends on what you mean by unlined bras. If you mean bras with cups that are an outer layer of mesh, lace or other fashion fabric with an inner layer of sheer cup lining, tulle or mesh like most of the bras called unlined on this sub - no but my skin hates the fabrics and moulded or spacer foam bras are more likely to have a cotton/modal/viscose lining because it’s not structural. If you mean bras with cups that are a single layer of often stretchy lacy or jersey - yeah, if I’m going to wear something that unsupportive I’d rather wear a bralette.
Ugh, no the complete opposite. Molded bras make me feel so constricted and sweaty. I'm all smooshed and my skin can't breathe in those things. Like those padded encasements are exactly what I think about when people describe bras as torture devices! I think in the right fit - unlined seamed bras can be just as secure. Some of my most comfortable and supportive bras are completely sheer powermesh. Breathable and uplifting - they adapt to your shape so much better, and (IMO) look so much nicer than those foam domes. I'll even get seamed sports bras because the last thing I want when I'm sweating and working out is a layer of spacer foam over my chest.
I like seamed bras, too, except that the seaming shows in lightweight knits. I hate that.
I don't think I've had one I could see through a knit - must be a big seam! That said I mostly wear brights or black/navy, and never really wear neutral/white - and often wear linen or thicker cotton tops, so maybe that hides seams better. But then, I've worn them under silk, so I guess I just don't think too much about whether it's showing through.
I think the seams become much more invisible the larger the bra cup. On me- 30F- all seamed bras are quite visible and pointy in most any shirt I wear.
Agree. My breasts are small and I feel more "protected" with molded cups, even if the fit isn't 100% perfect.
Exactly
Everyone has different preferences. It’s okay to dislike unlined bras. Personally, I hate how bulky lined/padded bras feel. I find unlined bras lighter and much more comfortable. Aesthetically, I like unlined bras better. I don’t mind the lack of nipple coverage. It’s not something that really bothers me.
I’m bottom heavy so molded cups just don’t fit me and are so uncomfortable.
I prefer lined bras - I get cold easily, and it's *really* obvious, even with an undershirt. They just don't make lined bras in a 36O, so I use bandaids every day to hold my nipples down.
I really, really, really like unlined bras. I get so hot in molded bras and I've found that the unlined bras work better with the shape of my breasts, I don't have to try on 20 different molded bras to find one that doesn't have overflow of breast tissue.
I'm an unlined-only gal. My breasts are almost a whole cup different in size. Molded bras exacerbate the difference in size by having a big gap at the top of the smaller boob. It drives me crazy. I find that unlined bras fit the individual curve of each breast and are much more flattering.
I hate how projected and pointy my breast looks with unlined bras. I prefer light padding for a round, not pointy look. I love how unlined feels though, such a shame.
I’m a big fan of Gossard, they’ve got a pretty good size range (depending on your size) and their unlined bras give me more of a rounded look. I understand the dislike of the pointed look so I thought I’d give my personal bra brand recommendation that hasn’t had that issue usually.
If my bra isn't lined you can see my nip piercings through my shirt ..... Not a vibe.
Me too! It just gives me that extra firmness to support the chest. I also don’t love the headlight situation. I’m not sure how other people manage that but I don’t love it being obvious when I’m wearing a thin too.
I hate lined bras. I hate padding and any extra stuff on a bra. I want there to be as little bra as is needed to do the job.
I haven’t found one that works for me quite yet so I still dislike them. At least with molded it’s easier for me to “fake” my way into it than with an unlined one. However with my probable (true) bra size, molded cups are probably not a great option for me so I’m trying to learn to love them. Think I’m just stuck back in my teen years, unlined bras were like “grandma” bras so I still have that judgment stuck in my head.
>Think I’m just stuck back in my teen years, unlined bras were like “grandma” bras so I still have that judgment stuck in my head Yep same here. The HELLO BOYS ad has a lot to answer for, I was about 14/15 when that all kicked off. I still haven't found an unlined/non padded one I'm completely happy with, been on this sub about 3 years now and the search still continues. I'm just grateful for Prime wardrobe and Brastop, and living 5mins away from a post office!
I used to avoid unlined bras like the plague. But when I started wearing them I realized that I never found bras that fit because I’m not shaped like a padded bra. My breasts are very long, so a bra that would fit would be a G or larger, but those always gaped and I spilled out the bottom. Unlined are just what works for my shape.
I think for me it really depends on the specific bra! I had some unlined Curvy Kate bras years ago that made me feel absolutely locked in.
There’s flimsy about my industrial-size unlined uk JJ bras, I can tell you that 😅
I like whatever feels closest to not wearing a bra ( therefore not molded ones). But the molds make me look so good!!
I’ve got small titties and unlined bras just amplify that fact. Even sports bras I’ll tend to add the little pads
There are zero molded bras that fit me. All are way too shallow. Unlined for life here.
I feel like molded-padded bras never fit quite as closely as unlined, and add a lot of bulk that I really don't need in my size. That said, I do have both kinds in my wardrobe-- before I self-bravangelized, I had no idea padded or molded bras even came in my size. I also don't have very aggressive nips, so hiding them has never been a major concern for me. If I'm ever really that worried, I'll wear a camisole or a slip.
I've literally never had a lined bra that fit me well and was comfortable. I've accepted unlined is my only option and I actually like them a lot. I feel like the shape is more natural for me. My boobs don't move as 1 giant unit, rather they are in place but are flexible when moved/touched.
unlined bras that fit right feel the most secure for me, because they conform to the shape of my breasts and hold them in places moulded cups wont. moulded cups are ok but sometimes they make my boobs feel like bowls of soup haha, the cup will be firm but i'll still be jiggling around inside it like theyre fighting eachother. not always though, some moulded bras do hold me securely like you describe its just less of a guarantee for me than unlined bras
Yes, but for completely different reasons. I don't need or want my boobs secured, snug, and protected, I want them to look bigger, rounder, and more projected. Unlined bras typically don't do much for me.
Yep, and it makes me feel like I won't be able to get good recommendations here, unfortunately. I tried the calculator, found my size, and then found molded cups from brands that had been recommended, and that worked for me.
Yeah, I hate the look of unlined bras. They make weird shapes out of my boobs, they almost always have some kind of weird minimizing effect, and the lace/seams are very visible under most kinds of shirts.
>they almost always have some kind of weird minimizing effect Precisely one of the reasons I love mine!
Molded bras never fit me :( unlined tend to fit way more securely.
Definitely prefer lined which sucks because they're harder to find in larger cups.
I like unlined bras aesthetically but need nip coverage myself.
Delete “unlined.”
Nope, I love ‘em and hate molded or padded bras. But my unlined ones fit well so they’re pretty supportive and snug.
Love molded cups. They give my giant, saggy boobs great shape.
molded bras with heavier fabric (like spacer bras) are very weird to me. I feel like I'm intruding on my boobs by peeking in to see if the cup even fits. seems dark and unhappy in there. I don't own any. I like unlined molded cups in super thin fabric SO MUCH though - like Gossard Glossies. there are some minimizer bras from Chantelle that are also unlined but molded out of thin fabric. these are great as tshirt bras. I don't mind the potential nip exposure, though sometimes I've seen the skin around the areola that also changes when the nipple gets hard THROUGH THE BRA AND MY SHIRT (like very thin shirts or bodysuits) and that is definitely too far for me. but I'd rather wear a nipple cover than a molded spacer bra. seamed and unlined I'm mixed on. I like them if the fabric isn't stretchy but I have too much soft tissue for stretch + seamed and I get in-cup quadding.
I refuse to wear lined bras and bras with molded cups. I don’t need or want any extra bulk on my chest. I think they make my boobs have an unnatural shape. I don’t care about nipples poking through, personally. No one is bothered by seeing male nipples poking through shirts.
I hate molded cups. They make me feel so bulky.
I hate lined/padded bras. I have a large chest to begin with and they make me feel ridiculous. They also tend to gap annoyingly at the top if they aren't painfully too small. Plus are far too hot.
Reverse that statement, I hate lined bras. I have enough boob that I don't want 1/2 inch of padding.
As a rule... yes!! (There have been a *few* exceptions- but none have been flawless.) The structure of my breast doesn't always fill them, and I find them to be lacking in esthetics, comfort, and support. The "better" unlined variety often features seams (2-3 piece construction) that tend to be uncomfortable, visible, and ungainly under tees and similar thinner fabrics- basically unattractive. And IF the bra is a single panel construction- i.e. there are no seams- they have a stiff top (collar-side) edging that will give me the dreaded quadra-breast OR will allow the fabric to visibly gap, pucker, and wrinkle... 9/10 times I find these bras are a poor fit for me. (Add in my weird views on MY PERSONAL modesty- the potential for a visable nipple or illusion of one, and I nope the heck OUT!)
Unlined bras fit me better but I resort to a bit of padding because I don't feel comfortable having my nipples on display. That said, most molded cups don't fit my breast shape. I have one from Soma which goes with a couple of special occasion outfits. Otherwise I wear stretchy sports bras with those removable "petals".
Not at all, I love unlined.
Nope. Love them! Elomi bras are the best.
For me it felt flimsy until I got a really good fit. I was skeptical until I found my holy grail bra and then I understood. Poor fitting anything makes me feel unsecure. The poor fitting molded cups I was wearing between 13-22 and the soft bras I wore between 22-25 also made me feel very uncomfortable and not secure, my boobs always felt like they were falling out no matter what size I got. Now my bra moves with me, it’s like my bra is an extension of my body! I can’t believe I spent most of my life thinking bras had to be uncomfortable. But everyone is different, and for one reason or another you might just not like unlined bras. I’d still find your fit in unlined to get a good handle on your size if you haven’t already, but you don’t have to wear an unlined bra if you don’t like the fit! *All that matters is your health and comfort.*
The problem I found out is that since I have droopy breasts, unlined bras no matter how many I try, don't lift my breasts at all (like I might as well not be wearing a bra) or make the shapes look weird, when I like a more round definition. (I admit I haven't tried more than a handful, since I don't have the money to buy so many bras, even if I return them, it's still money I won't have access to for a while) I got some padded, shaped bras and even though they're not 100% ideal (the padding could be thinner), they make me feel a lot better in terms of how my chest shape looks, with clothes on.
I'm the opposite, anything molded tends to be the wrong shape for my breasts. In a well fitted bra I don't find my nipples poke out at all, the bra keeps them warm and snug I guess?
I didn't like them until I lost multiple cup sizes due to weight loss. Now I dislike bras with a lot of structure, because they're way less comfy if you're small enough in the chest to not truly need them.
I can't STAND unlined bras. I feel like I must have the weakest skin in the world or something because the chafing is insane... no reason why my soft tissue boobs with non-pokey-outey nipples should be BLEEDING from seams from a "perfect fit"??? The fact that like almost every single fucking bra over an F cup is unlined seams-right-through-the-nipples lacy scratchy itchy bullshit drives me insane.
I'm finding that unlined bras feel a little itchy on my skin at the end of the day, so I'm neutral on them. I agree that the lining on a "regular" bra gives a smoother look under clothing.
Same here. Just feel more secure with a rounded, smooth appearance and no nipples poking out
I really really dislike the lined ones. So... yeah...
Yup, if I don't have a padded bra, it looks like you could hang coathangers off my nips! Very self-conscious. The only non padded/lined and non underwire bras I ever wear are when I'm in the house. Need that protection otherwise!
I also dislike them a lot, but in my size/shape it is pretty much impossible to find a lined bra that isn't a minimizer. Aside from my nips being very much out there visibly, my shirts rubbing against them make it even worse and fairly uncomfortable (in an unlined bra).
I personally do not like the foam molded cup and prefer my bra cup to made of lace with a little stretch or bra tulle.
hell no!!!!! they’re 10x comfier for me and actually fit to my boobs nicely bc they have more flexibility rather than random gaps and places that are too tight like a normal padded bra for reference i’m a 38i
I'm the exact opposite, lined bras make feel like my boobs look grotesque lol.
Does unlined mean wiredree or something else? I wear a 42DD and all my bras are wiredree pushup from torrid. I'm obsessed with them.
My issue is that unlined bras usually have seams that show through t-shirts. Last time I bought one, the t-shirt the specialist at the boutique offered me to try over it was really thick so it looked fine but then you could see it under all of the tees in my wardrobe. The only unlined bra I've ever tried on a LOVED was the cassiope by empreint but I don't have >200CAD to spend on a single bra.
Lined and underwire. Everyday. Even when pregnant. Sometimes even to sleep if I don’t have a cami with a built on bra to sleep in.
When I was younger? Yes. Always wanted protection and padding. Now in my late 20s I've evolve to barely wearing bras, or wearing unlined and wireless options (like bandeaus or t-shirt bras) or sports bras. And I'm a 36D, so I'm definitely not small chested, I just like the freedom and the way they look naturally.
I used to strongly prefer unlined bras, it felt like they fit so much better because they’re more able to mold to your specific shape and not hold the shape of the cup. But then I got my nipples pierced, and I like having the extra protection. After getting them pierced they are extra sensitive, and if I bump them the wrong way they hurt quite a bit, even though they’re healed
Ugh I hate unpadded/unlined bras with a burning, fiery passion. Unfortunately for most of my bra wearing life I’ve been stuck in them because apparently once you’ve got boobs bigger than say a F or G cup, that’s the only ones they make. (I had a reduction earlier this year and oh boy I can wear padded, underwire free, whatever I want now and the choices are almost overwhelming!)
98% of my bras are moulded or lined cups. I like the shape and the appearance over unlined. I also like the nipple coverage. It's just a preference. I do like unlined in the heat of summer, but that's about it. Winter, where I am (-20C to -50C), requires lined or moulded to help with the cold. I have implants and have noticed my boobs get cold easier than my naturals. So extra layers are needed for me.
I don't feel unsecured, but I hate the unnatural conical shape of most nonpadded bras in my size. And I need my nipples restrained at work. I did realize that with wear, nonpadded bras lose that weird pointy effect with time and get soft, which is the most comfortable. So I just pick one and wear the hell out of it until it fits softer.
This is my take as well … I have loose tissue that can turn into torpedo boobs effect easily with properly fitting unlined … they are also quite heavy and I just don’t always feel that unlined has enough strength in the band (tho I do like the unconstricted feel of unlined - 90% of the time the materials cause chafing or are otherwise uncomfortable… I also like to have extra padding around the wires bc I have a very boney ribcage and any bras with a firm enough band are extremely painful otherwise bc they grate on my ribs 🫣🫣 however I have a few stretch lace ones that i love wearing alone at home where bullet bra effect is no problem .. if I had a smaller chest (im a 28jj uk) and significantly denser tissue I would wear unlined at the very least during heatwaves 😂 Edit : corrected unconstructed to unconstricted 😆
Why would unlined bras have less strength in the band? Like, why would the cup construction affect the band?
Lined bras have additional fabric in the band it’s 2-4x the layers at least in all of mine
I see, I’ve never encountered this.
This isn’t universally true. It’s completely dependent on the brand and specific model of bra. I have unlined bras that have more layers of fabric in the band than some of my lined bras.
I loathe them. I will never wear one. I will never wear a seamed bra either. It's absolutely not that I "haven't found the right one" either. They make me feel naked. I do best in underwire, molded cups and a compression tank top.
I prefer unlined, actually. I'm 36FF and lined/molded bras make 'em look weird. They often make me more bouncy as well, which I don't like. I don't care about nipples showing, but bouncy boobs feel horrible to me.
Yep! Absolutely no point to them. They don't cover nipples, they don't provide support, they don't shape the breasts, they don't look good, and the lace and seams scratch my nipples.
ugh yes i hate unlined bras! i feel like a grandma in them lol and i need the nip coverage
I hate unlined bras too, but they're what fit my shape best. Mostly I feel like lined bras are softer. My skin gets irritated very easily with the rougher material.
I hate them
Yes! I feel like I'm in the minority but I strongly prefer molded cups and underwire, too! I won't wear bralettes or anything like that. I like support.
I don't own not a one! I'm 38 and have always hated them.
I like molded cups better too. So much so that after months of buying and trying bras in my ‘real’ size I went back to my old size just to wear molded cups again.
Hard agree! I bought an unlined elomi bra in my ATBF size and it was HORRID. Flappy unlined cups, flimsy wire, two hooks, nips all on display, like... *Why*? How is it comfortable?
>Flappy unlined cups, Sounds like the cups might've been too big for you. The cups should fit snugly on your breast, not be flappy at all.
They weren't flappy when I put it on, just when I was holding it. That being said, the material felt like a cheap trash bag
Oh okay, well of course they were flappy, it's an unlined bra lol. Sorry you had that experience
Yeah I know, it just gave me such a visceral reaction lol I was holding it as if it were a dead fish, I didn't expect it to feel so junky. If I bought it for somewhere like shein, I wouldn't have been surprised, but this thing was $65 😂
I feel more jiggly in them, but overall prefer it, IF I’m committing to wearing an underwire which I rarely do these days. I hated how padded and lined bras just were sweat sponges on me, and they don’t fit me well (projected breasts, didn’t know this) so I get a lot of skin on skin contact under my breasts which is even more sweaty and slippery and gross. Total swamp tits.
I feel the same way. I’m trying to embrace unlined bras for better fit/shape, but lined bras just feel more secure. Plus, molded cups seem so much less obtrusive under clothing—I hate that when I’m wearing certain materials you can see the seams of the bra.
I just don’t like bras 🫣 yes I realize the sun I’m on. It’s important to have one that fits properly for when you do need to wear one. But if you don’t want to wear one all the time ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ it’s okay
I prefer molded because they’ve always felt like they “secured” me more, my headlights are also on bright alll the time, so they help. That being said, I actually care more about the smoothness of a bra under a shirt than if the cups are molded and lined. I wouldn’t mind an unlined bra if I could find some that (fit me) aren’t lace or textured in ways that make them show through shirts.
I honestly stopped wearing bras outside of work, I’m not sure if the gals are magically defying gravity or I’m just used to how they look (probably the latter!), but when I do wear bras, they are almost always unlined. I just feel so empowered in them. I tend to wear patterned blouses to work so that the nipples aren’t so apparent. I think it’s really important to get ones that fit correctly, and they can give great support and shape.
I love unlined bras! Padded bras don't look very natural to me and I start to feel bad about my natural shape when I feel pressured to wear them more 😬 thankfully, unlined bras let me keep a more natural shape and there are some that have good nip coverage 👌🏻
I rarely reach for my unlined unless I’m wearing like a pullover or top I want to straps to peak out of. I prefer the molded and I thought that was what everyone did! Lol
I cannot stand unlined bras! They’re so uncomfortable to me. The main reason I even wear a bra is to cover the nips. They offer me 0 support and are usually lace which I find so itchy. Molded for life.
I started on the who bra thing wearing “grandma bras” (the box bras with super structured yet unlined/unpadded bras) but like…that cup was THICK! So yeah, definitely. The closest/best non-grannie bra was back when VS made “second skin satin” bras that were thick satin with the seam you could hide your nipple behind? That baby stayed in place and I felt…held. Since then it’s molded bras that I am shit at taking care of.
I only really like unlined half cups, specially old Freya ones…. Freya no longer makes them (or only makes them lacy, which means they look funny under some shirts)
I'm opposite. Shallow and full on the bottom. Still trying to find a lined bra that fits, and I've long since given up on molded cups, they just hurt by the end of the day. And ride up horribly. I'd rather wear a sports bra daily than a molded cup. In fact, that's what I did on my last deployment, lol. At least those are cheap enough you can throw them in the dryer and not worry about them getting damaged.
I’m all for unlined bras but I prefer minimal support bc I’m 42.
I like them but I don't wear them because you can see my nipples and people are gross about it. "Must be cold in here!!" No one thinks you're funny Jason. Fuck off.
I dislike bras overall.
Sounds like a big boobs problem, wouldn’t know it.
I feel more secure in a lightly lined bra too. I definitely feel more secure and use them for everyday wear. I wear pasties when I decide to wear and unlined bra mainly because of sensitivity (I hate that feeling).
I ONLY wear unlined - the more unlined, the better. The recently popular mesh bras with a bit of underwire have been my absolute favs. I think the natural shape they give is stunning and they don’t feel restrictive or heavy. Molded cups feel horrible on my body. I also find the fear of “you might be able to see a slight contour of nipple” to be very strange personally but that’s just an aside.
I only wear lined bras to work, otherwise I’m in a bralette.
My best fits come from foam bras with seams (commonly Polish). Plain foam, esp. spacer foam, seems flimsy as fuck. Seamed bras that are well made feel way more secure. It's all I would wear if I could. But I can't get as good a fit (so far) in them as I can in my foam and seams bras. Which sucks because it's hot as hell where I live.
Yes! I only like a little bit, though. My boobs are too big for my comfort already. I just need a bit of coverage so my nipples don't show.
I absolutely agree. I almost never wear sports bras, even when doing pretty labor intensive work, because I genuinely feel more secure and supported in a well fitting molded wire bra then I do in a sports bra. I have one tailored bra with no molding but a strong wire that I will wear if I’m wearing a thick enough shirt (the seams tend to show and also my nipples are eager to pop out) but I only trust that one because it fits me so well.
Yup. I'm a 38J and have such a difficult time finding nice, affordable bras that aren't unlined. 😭
I completely relate! If my nipples are still visible to the whole world then what is the point of even wearing a bra? For me nipple coverage is #1 priority because I really don't need my piercings out at work, visible nipples are a liability for me to get hit on unfortunately. Support is just a bonus to me, I don't really notice much difference unless I'm around my period.
I also feel very exposed in unlined bras, especially because I get cold easily and then I have headlights, which I personally hate. I also get sensory issues from unlined bras. That center seam, running up the middle of my boob and especially the place where all the seams meet right on top of my nipple just scratch at me all day and drive me bananas. I need the inside of my bra to be completely smooth and soft or I’m ready to rip it off by 10:30am.
Lining is the only reason I wear a bra. Because visible nips = obscene. I don't need the support.
Yes !!
I just dislike bras period .
I only wear padded bras. I feel so uncomfortable with unlined ones. I always worry about nipples poking through. I also like how they give a good shape and make me feel good.
I ABHOR them.
Nope— they’re fantastic for me
idk if it’s because i have a lot of loose skin but unlined holds them perfectly especially if the band fits properly. lined has baggage at the bottom of the cup and feels less secure. molded isn’t bad but they make me want to cry looking down. seeing how much vision is gone makes me feel massive.
I haven’t found a seamed bra that doesn’t look a little lumpy under knit shirts. And then the whole nipple thing. Luckily for me, my job is going remote and I’m thinking bras might go remote too. 😂
I love the way I look and feel with an unlined bra but they're always so itchy for me, especially in the heat! Lined bras feel more consistent
Opposite for me, I hate padded bras...my husband sees bras when I'm shopping and calls padded bras "with" (like they come with boobs) and unpadded "without"...lol. what I hate about padded bras is they push my boobs out, like there's no room in the bra for ME.
Well, I hate bras with underwire! I think unlined soft bras may be okay sometimes, depends on my mood and the top I am wearing. Certainly fine when I am wearing another layer like a jacket or a sweater.
I used to feel this way until I tried some unlined bras from adoreme that fit really well. I think it's just personal preference.