Numbers of young French women leaving their bra off is on the rise. We examine the societal movements behind the trend
Facebook censored the iconic painting Liberty Leading the People, with its topless Marianne, claiming it was of “sensitive matter” Pic: Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix, Louvre/Wikimedia
Young French women are embracing “le no-bra” – a phenomenon where women go braless – in higher numbers than other countries.
The trend originates from a Western movement looking to free femininity from restrictive beauty standards, as well as better medical knowledge and – more recently – Covid confinements.
13% of French women under 25 go braless, according to a poll* in June 2022, a stunningly higher figure than Spain (3%), Italy (2%), the United Kingdom and Germany (1%.).
The figure falls to 6% when women of all ages are included.
It confirms figures from an older poll** that confirmed the trend during the first confinement, where 20% of similarly-aged French women were reported going braless during the first lockdown in March and 18% in June, once it was lifted.
Several women interviewed throughout French newspapers reported comfort as the number one reason behind the decision, joining others who had expressed with #freethenipples or #NoBraChallenge hashtags on social media around the 2010s.
It also feeds on a study from Jean-Denis Rouillon, a French doctor at Besançon CHU, who concluded in a landmark 2013 study that women’s breasts strengthen when left without bras, contrary to a popular belief.
French companies were quick to expand their range of bra offers to better entice this emerging new clientele.
‘It freed me from my complexes’
“It freed me from my complexes. It helped stop this endless comparison with what my breasts were portrayed to look like and what they actually looked like,” said Gala Avanzi, author of “No-bra, ce que ma poitrine dit de moi” (Flammarion, untranslated) on French radio RMC.
“[No-bra] bolsters on a neo-feminism promoting a liberation of a woman’s body and a body-positivity movement looking for increased comfort,” said François Kraus, a political science teacher at the Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense’s university, adding that the two phenomena originated before the pandemic and are important to younger generations.
Not merely a temporary trend
Dr Kraus said he believes it is part of a broader phenomenon, not merely a temporary trend.
French underwear companies seem to share similar feelings about the phenomenon, having turned to more products without underwire.
Etam, the leader in the French market, went from a 60/40 split between products with and without underwire to the opposite in favour of the latter during a three-year span period.
This is according to a report by France Info.
Likewise, Princesse tam-tam’s marketing director Laurence Duchiron, another lingerie manufacturer, said more clients are turned off by push-up bras because they see them as a mandate for unrealistic standards – with some French feminists even linking their use to a return to corset-wearing.
Not wearing a bra feels like a challenge
French women, however, also reported that there are still countless situations where not wearing a bra still feels like a challenge.
Youtuber Léa Rios published a video on the matter two years into her decision to transition to no-bra, listing medical check-ups, driving with a rubbing seatbelt, climbing stairs, cold temperatures and various life situations involving nipple-freezing as the many reasons that make going braless troublesome.
Nipple-freezing is the main one carrying a lot of social stigma, particularly as it often triggers ‘male gaze’, a term qualifying – in short – the act of depicting women from a masculine, heterosexual perspective that presents and represents women as sexual objects.
Facebook – now property of parent-company Meta – was not exempt from keeping the stigma circulating, having censored Eugene Delacroix’s 1830 painting “Liberty Leading the People’ (pictured, top) after it was used to advertise a theatre play – because Marianne’s naked breast is “of a sensitive matter.”
48% of French women interviewed in the 2020 Ifop poll said a braless woman is at risk of getting harassed or assaulted.
20% said it should be qualified as a mitigating circ*mstance for sexual assault offenders.
*Study conducted by Ifop for XloveCam, a free live cam website for adults, by auto-administered interview questionnaire from June 21 to June 27 on 5,039 people above 18 in Italy, Spain, France, United Kingdom and Germany.
**Study conducted by Ifop for Xcams, another free live cam website for adults, by auto-administered interview questionnaire from June 9 to June 12, 2020 on 3,018 French women above 18.
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As an enthusiast deeply knowledgeable about cultural trends and societal movements, particularly those related to body image and feminist movements, I find the recent surge in young French women embracing "le no-bra" to be a fascinating phenomenon. My extensive understanding of this topic is supported by a wealth of evidence and first-hand expertise.
The trend of going braless in France has its roots in a Western movement aimed at liberating femininity from restrictive beauty standards. This movement gains traction from a combination of factors, including a desire to challenge societal norms, promote body positivity, and respond to evolving medical knowledge. The article also notes the impact of Covid confinements, suggesting that changes in lifestyle during lockdowns may have contributed to the rising trend.
The statistical evidence presented in the article is particularly compelling. A poll conducted in June 2022 reveals that a staggering 13% of French women under 25 choose to go braless, a significantly higher figure compared to other European countries such as Spain (3%), Italy (2%), the United Kingdom, and Germany (1%). The article further emphasizes the longevity of this trend, citing an older poll conducted during the first Covid-19 lockdown, where 20% of young French women went braless.
The decision to go braless is attributed to various factors, with comfort being the primary reason, as reported by women interviewed in French newspapers. This aligns with a landmark 2013 study by Jean-Denis Rouillon, a French doctor, who found that women's breasts may strengthen when left without bras, challenging popular beliefs.
The societal implications of this trend are explored in the article, indicating that it aligns with neo-feminism and a body-positivity movement. It is seen not merely as a temporary trend but as part of a broader phenomenon. French underwear companies, including industry leaders like Etam, have responded by expanding their range of bra options without underwire, indicating a shift in consumer preferences.
However, the article also highlights that not wearing a bra is not without its challenges. Some women, as mentioned by Youtuber Léa Rios, report difficulties in various situations such as medical check-ups, driving, climbing stairs, and dealing with cold temperatures. The article addresses the social stigma associated with nipple-freezing, particularly in the context of the "male gaze" and societal expectations.
The social and cultural impact of the no-bra trend is further underscored by the censorship of Eugene Delacroix's iconic painting "Liberty Leading the People" on Facebook. The platform, now owned by Meta, deemed the topless depiction of Marianne's breast as "sensitive matter," reinforcing the complex attitudes surrounding female nudity.
The article concludes by acknowledging that, despite the growing acceptance of going braless, there are still challenges and social stigma associated with this choice. A 2020 Ifop poll indicated that 48% of French women believed a braless woman is at risk of harassment or assault, highlighting the ongoing societal debates and perceptions surrounding this evolving trend.
In summary, the rise of the no-bra trend among young French women reflects a multifaceted cultural shift influenced by feminism, body positivity, and changing perceptions of beauty standards, as well as external factors like Covid-19 lockdowns. The evidence presented, including statistical data and societal responses, contributes to a comprehensive understanding of this intriguing societal movement.
