We all know the feeling of taking off our bras after a long day's work.  Even if you have the perfect fitting bra, it's that sensation of being totally free from any form of fitting work clothes that provides us the relief as we stay cozy into the sofa or bed and unwind.  The Community Quarantine has given women the perfect opportunity to liberate the breasts.  

But has it really?  

"I went bra-less for the first week", confessed Maria R, 36, a Marketing Executive in a local consumer goods company. "In our company Zoom meetings, I would angle the camera upwards not to show my chest. I would go the entire day without a bra and even do household chores and light exercise bra-less".  "However, I went back to wearing a bra because I realized I was actually more comfortable wearing one. It actually felt like I had more energy throughout the day", remarked Maria. Studies have shown, especially for larger busted women, that the bras’ shoulder straps and the back panel provide support, help correct posture and reduce strain on the body.  

Luisa M, 48, a Lawyer and her daughter Krista, 20, a Junior in college, went shopping immediately after the lockdown restriction eased. Spending during a pandemic may seem superficial but according to Luisa it was essential. "Being a bit bored at home, I resorted to eating more than I usually do and put on some pounds. Our first stop was the underwear store where we got fitted for new bras". Breasts don't have any support except for skin and the Cooper's ligaments around the breast. Most experts agree that bras preserve both the skin and the ligaments to prevent breast sag. "My daughter is blessed with nice breasts and I don't want her breasts to droop while she's still young", remarked Luisa. "And as for me, I like to keep my shape."

Psychologists understand that mental health is closely associated with physical health. Liking how you physically look equates to feeling good emotionally.  "I am so done wearing loungewear", laughs Caroline, a PR Executive and owner of her own consultancy. "This whole lockdown just made me feel horrible mentally. I'm used to dressing sharply because of my social schedule, but locking down stopped that.  I realized one day I just wasn't feeling feminine and it was irritating me. I felt like a sack of potatoes. So, now, even while at home, I put on makeup and wear a bra just as I would every day before the quarantine simply because it makes me feel like a woman."

Wacoal, the popular Japanese underwear brand who has been in the Philippines for 30 years has actually seen women show up in in their store sales immediately after lockdown ease, according to Ms. Elmira Cadungog, Wacoal's Marketing Manager. "Women come in and pick up new bras when ECQ was lowered to GCQ"  

And what styles of bras has been selling the best?  "Our Comfort Fit collection has shown the most growth and our Gococi line is the best-selling within that range. Believe it or not, our Lace Collection has also shown uptick in sales. Perhaps there's more sexy time being locked at home?" smirked Ms. Elmira.

Reports from the US and the UK show the same trend, that bra and underwear sales have actually gone up during lockdown. Whether it's support or just to feel feminine, it seems like more women are choosing to wear bras during the period when they have the opportunity to go bra-less. "You've heard this before, says Ms. Elmira. ”If the bra fits perfectly, you will feel like you aren't wearing one at all, you just have to find the best brand that will give you the best feeling and support that your breast needs."