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Are dudes into the extra stuffing? | Source: Tribune
Dear Ethan,
I’ll be honest – I have small boobs. I hate it! I wear padded bras all the time because I want them to look bigger. But I want to know: how do guys really feel about padded bras? Is it a turnoff?
First of all, there’s no reason to hate your small boobs! Check out my previous post on what guys really think about breast size.
In addition to the fact that male physical preferences are completely subjective, you need to own those perky pals of yours because excessively padded bras can be an issue for guys. Half a cup size is generally no biggie if you’re looking for a little boost — lots of guys honestly can’t tell the difference between a large A and a small B. But it’s usually pretty obvious when a lady undresses and her imposter Cs are actually As. Imagine kissing a guy whose sexy moustache were to fall off when your mouths meet – it’d be pretty shocking, if not disappointing. However, more than anything, padded bras are frustrating not because a modest chest is so unattractive, but because deception is.
Keira Knightley is gorgeous without the extra padding | Source: Bloggr.com
Let’s be honest here: if the relationship develops, and you’re anything like most couples out there, he’s eventually going to uncover what you’re truly working with. You shouldn’t pretend to be athletic to impress a jock, or a natural swimmer to woo a lifeguard, right? Well, while it may not directly result in injury or drowning, the same goes for lying about your boobs!
When a girl changes her appearance too drastically to look the way she thinks she “should,” the lack of confidence can be a turn off to guys. Subtle enhancements are one thing — we can appreciate a glossy lip or some leg extending high heels now and then. But remember that too much deceit not only sets the wrong precedent, it reveals a needless insecurity much less appealing than your beautifully smaller boobs can ever be.
Good luck!
Ethan
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Would you wear a padded bra? Join the discussion!
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I wear padded bras, not because I care what guys think but because girls are mean and will point out your flaws (including breast size) in front of everyone. So it’s better they don’t know . Plus I think padded bras look nicer anyway’s.
Wear a padded bra if you want. Seriously, guys can’t tell. And once the bra comes off, unless it’s a HUGE difference, he won’t notice that either. Breasts naturally look different naked than in a bra. Padding just makes you look better in cloths. I would say avoid the chicken cutlets, though. That could be embarrassing.
Since ive turned like 12/13 and developed a lot my bras wear padded so i could never wear a flimsy bra without padding as i would be so un-comfortable and embarrassed if my nipples start poking tru my top!!! i HAVE to wear a padded bra ALWAYS i would never ever be seen without one!!! I would die of embarrassment if i wore an un padded bra
I see wearing a padded bra like stuffing your bra with socks, socks push your boobs up and they make em look bigger. If you use them for support cus your boobs are too big that’s fine but i think there just fake other wise. I have D’s, but there more like C 1/2′s.
I think that’s awesome advice. I’m a 32dd and I still wear padded bras because it looks better in my opinion. But honestly, I’ve never heard of a guy taking off a girl’s top, seeing that she’s wearing a padded bra, and then saying “oh, never mind I’m actually not that into you anymore”! Guys like boobs, and they’re excited to see them no matter what size they are.
Thanks, Synesthe — I appreciate the support! (Pun NOT intended this time…).
-Ethan
I wear padded bras, not for the guys, but actually because if I don’t, my breasts pull me down (Not to boast… ^^;) and padded bras for me pulls it back up. But it’s annoying when guys stop me in the street and say, “You wh*re, you have big enough jugs yet you still want bigger ones by using padded bras?” and gang up on me. I believe there are a lot of ladies like me who keep wearing padded bras nevertheless.
The female figure is beautiful in so many ways, if you have a problem with the size of a girls chest then you probably don’t deserve to be unwrapping the presents anyway.
Ladies, take note: every day is Christmas when you’re dating James. Scoop that man up!
-Ethan
I personally think that it is weird when girls wear padded bras. Dunno bout you but…
I wear padded bras… Not for the boys tho. Just for me.
Then I say go for it!
-Ethan
All my bras are padded nd i dont care! guys i have been w/ never complained bra on or off! there pretty nd not supper padded. it really just makes them look fuller in my opinion.
Whatever makes you happy, DiamondGrrl! I support that 100%.
-Ethan
I just want to say I’m not offended by your advice, it makes sense. I think everyone is just making too big of a deal out of it, the girls asking, and only because they were asked, any guys who answer with this question.
I have worn padded bras almost the entire time I’ve worn a bra. When you can see any of my boobs, I have less padded bras for pushup qualities and others I just wear because they look the best in my clothes. But there is no bra I own, nor that I’ve ever SEEN, that makes a woman look like she has large boobs or even medium sized boobs when they’re really small. And no guy has ever even been slowed down when I got naked, even ones I know were there for less than honorable reasons. Most of them will feel of the boobs through the bra like they don’t even notice, because I’ve always been surprised.
Hey Lara,
I think your point about guys being unfazed when you remove your padded bra or pushup is a good one — many guys are just so excited to be undressing a lady in the first place, they won’t even notice a slight discrepancy between bra and breast size!
Thanks for your thoughts,
-Ethan
No, I don’t wear padded bras because my boobs are too huge for my own damn good! These puppies are a hassle! And you should be lucky that you don’t have to worry about some of the things big chested girls have to worry about like wearing a bra when it isn’t necessary or picking out a dress that fits around the chest area or, in a worse case scenario, back pains… Just be happy w/ what you got!
I agree that there are pros and cons to all physical features — way to look at the bright side, Angie. And although they may be a hassle, I’m glad you can be happy with your “puppies”!
-Ethan
lol I believe the headline was ‘what guys think’ and well, that’s what they think. Actually there are lots of issues regarding padded bras which guys should be more aware of before they make superficial judgments. Because as with alot of other things we do or wear etc, it has almost nothing to do with ‘what guys think’. Contrary to popular male belief, it is not out purpose in life to be or do things pleasing to them.
Honestly it should be ‘what conclusions guys leap to without having a damn clue about the female mind’
…but then again, we knew that already, didn’t we ladies
Ha, I like your alternative title for this entry, Shandy. Because, yeah, when it comes down to it — most guys don’t know all the reasons *why* girls do many of the things they do, and often make ignorant judgments based purely on aesthetics. Even I didn’t know just how many ladies prefer padded bras simply for the comfort until people started responding to this post! So the best you can do is just be patient and keep educating us dudes…
Thanks for your note!
-Ethan
The real reason why women use padded bras…
WE DON’T DRESS UP FOR MEN!!! We dress up for us, and for other women. Men don’t really care if we use jeans that are Levi’s or DKNY or some unbranded denims. We buy just to compare ourselves with other women and satisfy our own necessity of comparison and superiority which is lame.
We use padded bras (especially for parties, or social events), because we don’t want to feel left out of the “big boobs group”.
Men are equally happy with a girlfriend with big or small boobs. It’s all about women trying to impress other women.
Interesting take, Caro. I think the point about women wanting to impress women is an important one that I originally overlooked in the piece above. Still, if you can come to peace with whatever you’ve got, and not compare yourself with your peers, you’ll simply wear whatever makes you comfortable — whether padded or not!
-E
Caro,
Some of us do realize this, but whether you’re dressing up to impress guys or compete with other women, we still may notice. As others have said, we probably won’t comment in the heat of the moment, but it will stick in our mind as a red flag indicating insecurity, and that’s something many of us find unattractive, perhaps making us start looking at you a bit more critically if there are other signs as well.
Of course, a simple padded bra is nothing, if we’re talking about a structured cup that gives a more uniform shape… but if we’re talking about a padded bra with some additional foam or silicon inserts, that’s something else.
A simple question to ask oneself (and this applies to anything appearance related, not just the bra padding) is this: am I doing this to enhance my natural features or am I misrepresenting myself? It’s only the latter that we find unflattering.
Just a quick follow up/clarification:
I think a girl who can confidently and comfortably rock what she was born with, big or small, is more attractive than a girl who’s ashamed that she doesn’t fit a perceived “ideal” body type most likely perpetuated by media without any basis in reality. I think the rationale is that if the girl can’t even be confident in her own skin walking around town, she probably couldn’t function well in a serious relationship.
I don’t get it! 97% of the time, it’s like un-padded bras don’t exist! Like Dragons or Mermaids (unless someone can prove other wise)!
Ha, are you speaking from experience, Rowan? You haven’t encountered any non-padded bras? They’re out there!
-E
So if he’s disappointed because I care more about my comfort than his damn opinion, I can be disappointed in the size of his ‘package’, an eye for an eye! I never had big boobs, then again i’ve never weighed more than 102, I have no extra fat to go anywhere, I’m a small B but whatever, my bf loves them and I’ve never had a bf complain either! if I wanna wear a slightly padded bra I will, and If I wanna buy tits I will, the only opinion I care about is mine, I can’t waste my time caring about what people think about me.
i think you’re right.although i’ve got big boobs (like cup C) i like to wear padded bras to make them look a bit bigger (something like cup D)..my first bras were mostly padded bras and so i’m used to them now..if you really REALLY think you need that kind of bras coz that’s the only way you’re gonna feel confident then just go for it (as long as it isn’t too obvious or too unatural-like)
i agree, i’m size d, and i still wear a bit of padding for cleavage haha…
it’s just a girl thing, we like to look nicer and show off whatever we have, and anyboy who looks a girl’s chest and sees giant melons and doesn’t realize they’re fake, i mean come on, that’s just plain stupid…
my boyfriend really doesn’t care what bra i wear, he’s like most boys, just likes boobs
…said the girl who came to an article all about what guys think of you…
I’ve been blessed (or cursed) with rather big boobs- I’m a D cup!- but I still wear a padded bra. As Missfiction said, they give xtra comfort. But more than that, they give a smooth appearene. When someone is wearing a tshirt and you see their nipples, you cant help but cringe! Its better to just to avod the risk! I also think that padded bras have more material in them, which some people use to make their boobs look bigger, but it gives you waaaay more support than a flimsy normal bra! If a guy is “disappointed” then thats fine, but he should take you as you are!
Hey Sara,
Yeah, as I said to Missfiction, your comfort is definitely important — and as a guy, I certainly don’t know what it’s like to carry around a pair of large breasts all day! If padded bras make a big difference, then I fully SUPPORT your choice to wear them (amazing, hilarious pun intended).
-E
I wear slightly padded bras because I am almost flat so I wear an A cup that makes me look like I a B if I don’t wear anything too revealing but my first bra in grade 8 was padded and anything else I find would be embaressing if I walked to school. My friend she doesn’t wear a bra and she is constantly teased by people who have like C or D cups and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Also I’m not really looking for a boyfriend so by the time I have one and when we decide to do something that could be revealing I will either hope that my chest is bigger or learn to embrace it because everyone inmy family has a small chest so I will probably have to accept it but I don’t fake it much I just find that padded bras enhance or make boobs look more rounded.
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ok some girls wear padded bras for extra “ooommff” i gues….. but the only reason i wear padded bras is because i like the extra soft padding.. not to impress anybody …. and i really dont give a rats butt if the guy is “disappointed” in my boob size..im really just comfortable with my boob size…. im totally comfortable with having a little extra padding and its comfortable. Dont care wha people think, if you like wearing padded bras then wear em as long as your not trying to impress anybody and if you wear them only for your comfortable-ness then let nobody judge you and say your not comfy with your boobs and plus some girls have big boobs who want them to be smaller so just be lucky with what God gave you….
Hey Missfiction,
If you like the way padded bras feel, that’s a totally different story! I am all for them if it’s a comfort issue — I’m just encouraging ladies to ditch them if they’re using them for aesthetic purposes. Which, I think, is in line with your advice to feel “lucky with what God gave you”!
Thanks for writing,
Ethan