Tara’s Toprating system.

Pages that contain camisole tops, vests or ‘T shirts’ here at Tara’s Choice will have a rating in the top right hand corner of the page which will indicate how kind the garment is to your breasts and upper lymph system. The higher the number the better!

Poor 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Excellent

Items in categories

1-5 include (in rising order):

All under wired bras, sports bras, bustiers, corsets, under wired tops and non-under wired soft cup bras.

Items in categories

6-10 include (in rising order):

Camisole tops with built in support, lycra camisoles and vests, cotton camisoles and ‘T’ shits.

We do not supply items with a rating below 6

Generally, items with a rating below 4 are the most restricting and our recommendation is that these garments are not suitable for extended wearing over 8 hours a day. Items with ratings between 4 and 5 are safer but should not be worn beyond 12 hours. Items with ratings of 6 and above we consider being the safest option for extended daily wearing beyond 12 hours.

Items in categories 1-5 include underwired bra’s, tankinis, bikini tops and sports bras.

Items in categories 6 and 7 include camisole style tops with built in support. Categories 8, 9 and 10 include lycra and cotton camisoles,

‘T’ shirts and blouses, etc.

The higher the rating number the better, the less influence or adverse effect the item will have on your breasts and upper lymph system.

The blarney…

Human beings are one of the few mammals that actually have very visible breasts even when not lactating (producing breast milk). Other mammals only have visible breasts when they are actually producing milk and therefore serve no purpose other than to support the needs of any offspring.

For womankind however, the breasts are an entirely different kettle of fish. The breasts are one of woman’s most powerful symbols of maturity and sexuality and unlike other mammals are visible all her adult life even if she has never had a child.

Breast size has little to do with being able to produce milk as even the smallest breasts can support an infant (given the necessary dedication and commitment). Breast size probably has more to do with the physical attraction angle and crafty old mother nature knows that a woman with larger breasts will be more attractive to a male (on average) as she would appear to be able to make a more successful mother.

For hundreds of years we have placed importance on the way we present ourselves evolving all kinds of fashions along the way. The female breasts have been subject to all sorts or restricting garments throughout the years culminating in the garment known as the brazier (Bra) which every woman now knows and loves (or hates?) and wears everyday.

It is our belief that restricting the natural flow of Lymph fluid within the breasts can eventually cause the onset of various breast diseases. Our modern lifestyle is actually aiding conditions for breast disease simply because we wear tight and restricting garments over the breasts. There are of course other factors that determine whether we will eventually be affected by breast diseases such as diet and hereditary factors.

The lymph system around the breasts, neck and underarms has no inbuilt circulatory system and so requires the bodies free movement to encourage the proper circulation of Lymph Fluid, thus allowing it do its heath-maintaining job properly.

How often have you noticed lines and marks around your breasts and shoulders when undressing in the evening? This is proof that your bra has been cutting off the proper circulation of Lymph fluid and reducing blood flow!

Modern lifestyle now dictates that we dress comfortably and fashionably for all sorts of occasions and environments from work to play and socially. Integral to this has become the daily wearing of the bra in its many forms.

As our daughters reach puberty many parents often can’t wait to buy them their first bra, and so starts a relationship with a simple garment that often cannot be broken. There is a place for the bra and it can be worn to great effect for all sorts of occasions and with all sorts of clothing - accentuating the breasts, boosting cleavage or even to adorn the body when one wants to flaunt a little!

Everyone is pretty much aware of the consequences of poor diet, taking little or no exercise and long-term smoking, but very few women would consider their bra to be a potential threat to their health. See Dressed to Kill.

As far back as the 1930s research had already started to indicate that the bra could cause damage to the breasts eventually leading to disease. With more modern research it is now becoming more widely accepted that we can reduce our risk of breast diseases or even cancer simply by wearing our bras less and by generally wearing less restricting clothing. This one simple action can be the salvo to many women who experience sore and painful breasts or who have been prone to the occurrence of breast lumps or fibro cysts.

Common sense will dictate that if we remove the restrictive and chocking bra as often as possible we are bound to improve the health of the breasts.

I am not saying that we should never wear a bra just don’t think that you have to wear a bra all the time.

There are many occasions that one can go bra-less; often we can even do this at work if some simple precautions are taken to stop tongues wagging. Stylish office dress with waistcoat style tops or jackets can easily hide the fact that one is not wearing a bra if a suitable camisole style undergarment is used. Many camisoles do offer some support, which can at least stop a larger bust moving perhaps a little too freely.

Women who are not bound by the formality of an office or retail environment or who are not liable to scrutiny by other staff and colleagues can please themselves what they choose as undergarments. Of course in your home environment and generally when on your own free time there will be no need to wear a bra.

Consider this…

How long could you stand something tight and restricting around your neck?

Because the bra is secured around the rib cage we do not have a sensation of restriction over and above tightness, so we are blissfully unaware of the stress caused to the breasts due to the reduction in the natural flow of blood and lymph fluid. It is also thought that the artificially raised temperature caused by bra wearing is also bad for breast health.

How long could you stand this kind of pressure and restriction around your neck!

In order to exist we do not have to wear a bra every day, all day – it’s not law!

Droopy?

Many of us wear a bra because we think it will stop the breasts from sagging. Research is now starting to show that bra wearing actually makes the support ligaments within the breasts (coopers ligaments- see main breast cutaway diagram above) lazy and unable to support the breast. Women who wear their bras less or not at all are finding that the natural shape of the breast is self-maintaining, in fact the breasts natural shape is more pert in appearance, possibly inclined to be slightly lower but actually more attractive! 

Image added for fun!

Removing your bra or wearing it less could make all the difference if you suffer from painful breasts, fibro cysts or just want to improve your breast health.

At the very least give your breasts a rest from the bra evenings, weekends or whilst on holiday.

The information I have given in this article is not based on conclusive or scientifically proven fact. Research into breast cancer and other breast disease is ongoing and will be for many years to come I suspect.

Note: Examine yourself regularly; this will give early warning of any possible problems and could even save your life.

Always visit your Doctor if you have any concerns about your health.

The purpose of self-examination is to buy time. Almost any disease caught early enough can usually be treated successfully.