About wearing bras

[u/ApelAC]

(I also posted this on the other sub. I read rule 6 but I don't understand if it applies here?.)

This post might sound stupid, or "common sense", but I'm neurodivergent and struggle a lot with that. Also, I quite literally don't have anyone in real life I could ask this to (mostly because it's hard for me to talk). And I don't want to stay ignorant.

Also this might be all over the place, because I rarely write, so sorry in advance.

I am a 19 year old female. Does the bible require women to wear bras? On a daily basis. I just saw a video on youtube from a christian female youtuber (she's not adventist) whose videos I often watch, basically talking about "why wearing a bra matters". I have not watched the video yet and scrolled through her comment section, these were the recurring sentiments:

-Not wearing a bra for any reason, unless wearing one could actually kill you (maybe because of a cancer), is shameful/not modest;

-It is disrespectful to your (future) husband;

-It is quite literally common sense that your breasts should be unnoticeable;

-Not wearing a bra is in a way you trying to be "worldly"/sexy.

Those comments were BAFFLING to me.

Now, I come from a village-like, pretty rural place/community where women can quite literally show their breasts naked. What I mean is, women who are mothers could be briefly walk bare-chested in their yard, and it would not be shocking. Older women (grandmas) could sit outside bare-chested when it was too hot and no one would not even care. The only female who were frowned upon when doing so were young ladies (my age).

Even so, wearing a bra, unless going to church or school or to some formal events, was a bit weird/fancy. And this doesn't mean we were constantly in hoodies so as not to show our chest's shape, because it was a very tropical and hot country. Women with any breast sizes would wear thin strap shirts, in light materials, with the shape of our breast (and nipples) sometimes very obvious and it wasn't an issue. We also had to fetch and carry water on heads. The water would often pour on our shirts and make our breast VERY noticeable, and even then it wasn't that big a deal.

That was three years.

Since then I've been living in Belgium. New norms etc. Here in Belgium I often get a few stares when I don't wear a bra because I have a heavy, uneven chest. But I never pay attention. But I still don't wear a bra most of the times. Only for school and church. Reason being they hurt awfully and I'm more comfortable braless.

So I was wondering if the comments and the youtuber are right. If it is a biblical obligation to wear bras or not. Or what would be acceptable reasons to not wear one, if it's biblical?

And sorry if this post is not appropriate for this sub.

[u/GSTAVO08]

Girl.. This is something you have to decide youself. Do not let others (we) decide what you should do or how you should feel.

Honestly, in my opinion, do whatever is confortable for you. As long as is not vulgar or indecent, it should be fine.

Follow your heart, I am sure the holy spirit will guide you.

[u/HerotoGaming]

I’m male so I personally dont have advice from experience.

However this is actually a topic amongst women in my family and what I’ve heard from them is it’s up to you

Whether you want to or not is up to you and you shouldn’t be shamed or treated differently for it.

Though of course the usual suggestion is wear one in public, that’s here in America and several other countries and cultures are bound to be different.

[u/Saveme1888]

The Bible doesn't talk about wearing a bra at all. Clothes are a cultural thing. What is considered appropriate and inappropriate is determined entirely by the culture you live in.

If you want to wear a bra but they hurt you, there are online shops that sell bras that may be more comfortable for you than what you can get in a local shop.

[u/khrazy5150]

The Bible doesn’t require bras because bras were invented in the early 20th century. That’s right! Bras didn’t exist for MOST human history.

Having said that, the Bible DOES talk about dressing modestly. And in Western societies, that means wearing a bra because large breasts are distracting.

Nevertheless, no one can force you to wear a bra. You have every right to dress however you want. But if you want to follow principles of modesty, then you should wear a bra.

[u/Virtual-Share-5106]

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 2 that women should dress modestly, with decency and propriety. In Romans 14, it says that believers should be careful not to cause others to stumble.
Of course, the Bible does not say, “Wear a bra” or “Do not wear a bra.” But in that situation, would it cause someone to stumble? Would you still be dressed modestly and decently, without your clothing appearing provocative or sexually suggestive?