To bra or not to bra? That is the question weighing on many people’s minds as we re-enter society as social beings post-pandemic. For some, #vaxxedgirlsummer will involve breaking out every outfit that never got to see the light of day outside their (super sanitized) apartment in 2020, never making it to those rooftop bars or bottomless brunches. But others are on the fence. After all, how do you go from wireless to wire clad after almost a year and a half off the hook?

The short answer: if you don’t want to, you don’t have to.

Contrary to popular belief, wearing a bra (or any undergarment, for that matter) isn’t mandatory. Just like there are no actual “body type” fashion rules you need to be following, you don’t need to wear a bra (in public or otherwise). Bras support your breasts, provide coverage, and help your clothes fit better; they serve a purpose, and it’s nice to have the option to wear them. But whether or not you wear a bra is a personal choice, just like shaving your body hair.

It sounds obvious, doesn’t it? If you want to go braless, just stop wearing a bra. But for most of us, it’s a sentiment easier said than done. If you’ve worn a bra almost every day since you were a teenager (maybe even younger), not wearing one might feel unnatural before it does liberating.

Celebrity stylist Cindy Conroy said it best: We may hate bras, but after years of a love-hate relationship, we’re accustomed to having that structure.

“We’re used to the support while we speed walk to meetings, stroll down the street as we window shop, or sprint to catch the subway before the doors slam shut,” she tells InStyle over email. “The feel of the wire under our bust has become normal, so when it’s gone, you’re going to feel a little weird.”

And that goes for any time you try something new: the first time is always the hardest. So for anyone ready to ditch their brasiers cold turkey, more power to you, but to those a little more hesitant, there are plenty of ways to ease into it. A great way to do this is to first take a look at your wardrobe and pick out pieces you can comfortably wear without a bra, like a tight-fitting black tank top or loose button-up blouse.

In case you were wondering, you can still go braless even if you’re well endowed. That being said, after going braless, you might find you prefer wearing one if for no reason other than the support a bra can offer. Jené Luciani Sena, an accredited stylist and fashion expert who specializes in bras, also adds that if you’re above a C-cup, reveals are other factors that might deter you from going braless.

“Multiple studies have shown that the constant bouncing of our breast tissue up and down over time will contribute to sagging and possibly cause pain and discomfort in the future. Our breasts are made up of ligaments and tissue that can stretch over time, and a properly supportive bra is essential,” Sena says – but reveals there is a workaround for bigger busts.

“That doesn’t mean it has to be a heavy foam bra with an underwire and a big contraption,” she adds quickly. “Often a simple wire-free style with soft cups is all that’s needed.”

Image consultant Christian Sismone says one of the easiest ways to go braless when you’re ‘blessed in the chest’ is to wear form-fitting workout tops.

“I love a great racerback workout top and it allowed me to get comfortable with the natural movement of my twins,” she tells InStyle.

Printed Tops Will Take Focus Off Your Chest

“I recently wore a spaghetti strapped dress that had a great deal of structure without a bra. I’m a 42H and it was amazing,” Sismone tells Instyle.

That being said, the image consultant admits wearing this sort of looser-fitting outfit does require a certain level of comfort. “Without a bra, you will have a bit more bounce,” Sismone says. “If you’re not good with that wearing a cardigan may help.”

Smocked Bodices Are Supportive

Bodysuits are a two-for-one special garment that’s stretchy enough to be comfortable, but that’s tight enough to give you support in lieu of a bra, Conroy tells us.

“If you’re nervous that it’s not enough coverage,” she adds, “gravitate towards high neck bodysuits. While a scoop neck or deep V is alluring, it’s also the perfect recipe for spillage.”