When your nipples show through your shirt... sexy or tacky?

Question

I posted a poll earlier titled "Ladies... Bra or No Bra?" because I hate wearing bras, but feel like our culture demands it.

Growing up, we all knew (if you were a girl) that one day we'd have to wear a bra. By many, this day was looked forward to as the first step into womanhood.

And even if you didn't want one, Mom might have said... "You have to wear a bra. You're getting older now. You don't want your nipples showing through, do you? That's very unlady-like."

Being raised a "lady", I always considered nipples showing through a shirt as tacky... for both men and women. It's one of the main reasons why I wear a bra today. But even if I don't wear a bra, I go through great lengths to ensure that, in the event of a chill, my nipples don't protrude.

But some people (mostly men) consider it sexy and acceptable for nipple to show through. Do you agree?

If not, why should the nipple be hidden? Your thoughts on the when, where, how and why of the cultural nipple taboo...
:)

(lol...)

Billy K... honey... no "man-bra" needed... just wear an undershirt...

:)

I am surprised by many of the "pro-nipple" responses coming from the ladies... very cool...

:)

Answer 1

Fact from fiction, truth from diction. There are all kinds of excuses made why a woman should have a bra; support the "twins" so they don't droop in later years, to prevent stretch marks, because they will cause back pains if a bra is not worn, they will jiggle to much. In most cases, all BS. As you said, when a girl gets a certain age they are marched down to the department store to be fitted with a training bra. A always seen "training bra" as "we have to train you to live in the uncomfortable things". Because surely most teen girls had nothing to fill them out with. This myth has been handed down from generation to genteration. One can suspect it has it roots in Judea-Christian ethics. The sight of "bullets" on a girls chest would lead to thoughts of the breast, then thoughts of the rest of her body and then sex/lust. Same with the mini skirt and the bikini. We are a nation that in spite of every one saying if you ain't getting it 3 times a week you are a loser, have not come to grips with what is sexy. I think a woman au natural under her garments is very, very sexy. In media you can see the side of the breast, the top all day long, even the bottom. In some cases, the whole breast with pasties or if it is painted a solid color. But bring in the nipple element people start to come unglued. I believe that is the real reason behind the resistance to women breast feeding in public. God forbid the little one break the lip lock in a crowded comute train or at the air port waiting area and the nipple be exposed. Children might be looking at that very moment and have their eye's scorched(and if you taste the sarcasm, you don't need salt for it) From what I see 68% of all women do not need to wear one. It is perfectly OK not to wear one. It is not like not wearing deoderant. The only one who will be bothered is those who care to keep staring. Kudos for you. Keep the "twins" free and unshackled.

Answer 2

Nipples Through Shirt

Answer 3

See Through Shirt Nipples

Answer 4

IMPORTANT:

In out society the idea of showing nipples is considered an act to catch attention or to help to seduce an individual-mostly. But to show this particular body part is an option. For instance, my weight training teacher joined the other class so we could play football out side of school. The other teacher was a female. When we came back, we realized that her nipples were showing through her T-shirt due to the cold weather. No one was offended, and no one got second thoughts about her not being a lady. So go a head and show the nipple in the right place. A perfect time will be Valentines Day with your boyfriend, but never do that during work.

Answer 5

I think its a little tacky and a little sexy, you know at appropriate times. Like inappropriate time would be (tacky) at a family dinner with n laws or at church or any family gathering with lil kids but sexy when you are at a beach, club or some other place where tacky is sexy.
I also have always worn a bra and I was taught that it wasnt lady like either to be without one. I wear a bra all the time because I am rather a little well endowed, if I didn't wear one it would be tacky to women and sexy to men.
Women I think say that not wearing a bra is being cheap or slutty because men think of it as very sexy and will most likely think with thier other head.
Men dont care if we wear bras or not-its the women who make a big deal.

Answer 6

You ask a great question, so don't get me wrong when I state that the concern itself is culturally stupid. We all have nipples. Hello? Unless you're wearing battle armor, nipples with show through a bra at times. So what!

Yes, guys get excited when they see a nipple, but it's because it's uncommon and we like women's body's.

Seriously, our American society is just too screwed up when it comes to sexual values and nudity. We all have parts and we all have sex. What is the big freakin' secret.

Unfortunately, a woman in this country does need to think about how she dresses. You don't want to be at a board meeting where the only thing the other board members can think about is your visible nipples, but you also don't want to waste any time worrying about other people seeing that you have nipples. Find the balance and go with it.

Answer 7

RE:
When your nipples show through your shirt... sexy or tacky?
I posted a poll earlier titled "Ladies... Bra or No Bra?" because I hate wearing bras, but feel like our culture demands it.

Growing up, we all knew (if you were a girl) that one day we'd have to wear a bra. By many, this day was looked forward to as the first step into...

Answer 8

I think women's nipples protruding through tops are very sexy... and such a tease! What is really sexy is when a woman wears a shelf bra, which supports her breasts but exposes her nipples. Gives her the uplift, but allows the contour of the nipple to be visible through her top. Delicious!

Answer 9

I only wear a bra when absolutely necessary....I don't think it's sexy with nipples showing, although it seems to be the new rave!!! I think it looks slutty myself, I'm probably jealous because mine are so uneven from having children and being older...but I still thinks it looks tacky!!

Answer 10

I consider it appropriate to allow your nipples to show through.

Since you can't control their appearance anyway, even when wearing a bra, you probably should just enjoy the attention you get and not worry about hiding them.

Yes, the natural shape of the breast should be considered the optimum. Unfortunately, overly religious folks prefer women to be shackled a bit.

I think these taboos are put in place as a means of control.