The bra is the burka of the West!!
(About nipples, lingerie and what women really think about them…)
According to the cliché, a woman’s problems start outside the closet and with her choice of clothes. Bra or no bra, free will is not always required…
The burqa divides Germany. In addition to the sensible discussions about whether burqas are appropriate in road traffic or should be allowed at demonstrations, there is also the fear of everything that is different. Instead of talking about it openly and breaking down prejudices, people prefer to turn to hate speech. It also works better at the regulars’ table than showing understanding for other cultures and talking openly about one’s own fears.
But a burqa also has advantages for the wearer that cannot be denied. Bad hair day? Not in the mood for make-up? Gained another 2 kilos? Never mind, throw on a burka and you’re ready to go out.
Nipplegate
In the same breath, however, there is gossip about acquaintance XY. “Her nipples are all showing. That bitch! Both headlights on. Haha!”. The idea is to hide what is socially unacceptable. Nipples are the axis of evil, so to speak - when it comes to clothing. Only for women, of course. Men also have nipples, but they don’t sit on breasts and are therefore uninteresting.
Am I the only one who recognizes parallels to the burka here? In the western world, there are women who feel comfortable wearing bras and some who only wear them to avoid ridicule and malice. I don’t have a statistical analysis of burqa wearers in my pocket, but I suspect that the situation is similar. Some feel comfortable with it and others wear it because the culture demands it of them.
Free the nipples!
I’m not saying that all women should burn their bras, as happened in the 70s. It’s just that women should have the choice. Do I feel like wearing a bra today or not? Do I enjoy the beautiful cleavage that the pretty lace models can conjure up? Or do I want to be able to take a deep breath without it pinching? No straps that constantly slip or are so tight that they cut in. We women are prepared to suffer for visual improvements - otherwise high heels would hardly be sold. Only with shoes do women have a choice without being socially ostracized.
Men are often more practical and pragmatic when it comes to fashion. I’m sure if you told them that from now on they would have to strap on lined pieces of fabric with wires to make sure their nipples didn’t show, it would go something like this. The man looks at himself in the mirror and turns back and forth a little, noticing that the thing pinches. In the same minute, “the dirt” would probably end up in the bin and it would never be an issue again.
But maybe the next time he sees a woman who has decided not to wear a bra, he’ll think to himself: “Hey, she’s comfortable these days and all those who condemn it are no better than the men who force a woman to wear a burka.” But that’s probably just as likely as a unicorn riding over a rainbow tonight.
