I cannot imagine turning up to a state banquet at the Elysee Palace to meet the Russian president wearing a dress with no bra. How cool are French women? They are so comfortable with their own bodies that nipples on show is simply not an issue.
It would be unthinkable for a leading British female to do that.
Can you imagine Sarah Brown doing that?
Or Margaret Thatcher?
I guess it also depends on the type of body you have. Most women would find it difficult to expose their breasts to the world like Carla Bruni can in her Roland Mouret skin tight dress. I suppose having been a model she has little or no issues with her body. I on the other hand would be mortified. Not only would they be disappointingly small without my (padded) bra but I’d feel really exposed.
Would you go to the ball without your bra?? Is it to do with confidence? Size? Or culture?
London Dad
March 15, 2010Everyone wishes they Were French. Beautiful country, great food and wine, sexy women (and men I suppose), style, wine and above all they don’t give a dam what anyone else thinks of them. Socalism with panache. Vive La France.
Dumdad
March 15, 2010You wish you were French? I’m married to a French woman so here are some tips on how to emulate your phrase “How cool are French women?” Rule 1: wash once a month but only if really necessary (only if problems arise with flies etc). Rule 2: don’t shave underarm. Rule 3: eat escargots in bed and smoke Gitanes after sex (or even during). Rule 4: wear a beret, have onions dangling round your neck and cycle everywhere while whistling La Marseillaise. Rule 5, um, I think if my wife has read this so far I’m one dead anglais….
…. stereotypes apart, one thing I do like about the French is that in general they’re fairly relaxed about their body and parts. And that works both ways.
Vive la difference!
Family Affairs
March 15, 2010They might be awful stereotypes but I still prefer them to le roast beouf stereotypes any time. Lx
Dumdad
March 15, 2010P.S. I’ve just noticed you’ve dropped me from your blogroll. Did I say something to upset you?
Family Affairs
March 15, 2010SURELY NOT – how could that happen??? Will amend tomorrow. So sorry. Promise not intentional – are you sure???? Lx
Sarah in Italy
March 15, 2010Apart from when they swelled up during pregnancy/breastfeeding and the first year of not smoking when I ate for Italy and grew alarmingly, I am without a bra more often than I am with.
I guess being smallish I don’t really feel like they are worth the effort of trying to sort out hooks and eyes who plot against me.
However, I don’t go for the “poke your eye out I will” look in public, certainly not public to the point of photos, absolutely not to the point of internationally commented upon photos.
I’m of an age now where the last way I want to garner the bulk of interest and attention is via my erogenous zones. It’s fine when you are 20 odd and not sure what it is about you that is is worth other people getting excited about, so you fall back on the obvious.
Not so great at 40 where I feel you really should have worked out that there is so much more to you than lumps, bumps and fluffy bits and by then you really ought to have the nonce to know that the lumps,bumps and fluff (or lack of) will be used to detract attention from the far more profound and valuable gifts that you have.
I know that makes me sound like a humorless old feminist. Maybe I am, but for crying out loud has it got to the stage where even fully grown women still feel that their net worth needs to be advertised via their tits ?
Family Affairs
March 15, 2010Well, yes, you are entirely right, except when you are in a position where you are trying to distract the press from the rumours about affairs with ministers and musicians and what’s going on with the country in general and your husband wants a picture of him clinging tightly to your arm rather than a picture of the Russian president…..then you work out how to play the game to your advantage. Lx
Jon Storey
March 15, 2010I don’t feel qualified to comment…..
…but on the other hand, if you are comfortable with your body why not. If not no pressure has to be order of the day. In Britain we seem to be at either extreme instead of being in the middle and just comfortable with our bodies.
We do seem to be a particularly prudish nation.
Family Affairs
March 15, 2010Well for someone who doesn’t consider himself qualified to comment you’ve made quite a few relevant points!! Lx
teachingtaylor
March 16, 2010I taught in a high school for four years — I had actively sought to work there — and was immediately and profoundly horrified with how many of the girls STILL only see themselves in terms of their bodies. (Don’t times ever change?!) Despite all the efforts made, too many girls seem to feel they are only valid if people drool over their looks. Now nothing is wrong with great looks (These girls did look great), but they seldom if ever spoke up in class, and their responses on English essays were so weak.) In those same classrooms the boys were witty and intelligence and kept the class discussions lively. Now I taught mainstream classes, so perhaps in the advanced classes this did not occur with the girls, but still, what SHOULD the girls think when they turn on the tv and show after show has beautiful women and so-so looking (but powerful or wealthy) husbands?
Heather
March 16, 2010if i was without bra my boobs would be no where near the height that hers are, let me tell you!
Jon Storey
March 16, 2010Not qualified perhaps but for the last 30 odd years, I have tried to keep abreast of things…!
Family Affairs
March 16, 2010Ha ha x
AndyD
March 16, 2010Without wanting to dumb down the conversation…more of these type of points and posts please 🙂
Family Affairs
March 16, 2010Ha ha andy….first comment – how typical it had to be on my first post about breasts. Lx
Elisa
March 16, 2010I’m trying to think what the press would say if Michelle Obama would show up like this in public?
Personally, I don’t comfortable in my own skin to go braless!
fab feisty and fifty
March 16, 2010the moment l walk through the front door, l whip off mon bra bebe!!and yes l am French…but tits ot because of my nationality its because bras are bloody uncomfortable after a days wear…and unti l was 38 l had a flat chest and rarely wore one..now l have flip flops….not very french…but very scary!!
love FiFi sans peur!!
Hannah
March 17, 2010I think the world is not ready to deal with my unsupported boobs anytime soon. Two babies in two years and only a couple of months off breastfeeding have rather taken their toll and they need their scaffolding!
Janine Partington
April 10, 2010Let me tell you…totally my favorite movie star right now. What an amazing performer. Just fantastic!
Shavonne Py
May 4, 2010Thanks for making my morning a little bit better with this great article!!