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I once had a roommate who was less than selective about who she brought home with her. Since I never knew who I was going to run into on the way to the bathroom, I took to wearing a bra to bed; a revelation that alternately drew gasps of horror and “well, duhs” from my girlfriends. Seems there’s a line drawn squarely down the center on the issue of hitting the sack in your bra.
Rumors I’ve heard: sleeping in your bra is bad for circulation, underwires can cause breast cancer, your boobs will sag if you give them constant support, your boobs will stay perky if you don’t give them any opportunity to droop. None of ’em have been proven, and some (hello, breast cancer?) have been completely disproved, so it really comes down to a matter of preference.
Now that I live on my own and only run into my cat on the way to the bathroom, I’ve settled for the happy medium of a camisole. Victoria’s Secret sells a sleep-specific cami ($19) that has adjustable straps and a soft-lined shelf bra that offers subtle support. Jezebel: Striped Hype Camisole ($26) doesn’t have a shelf bra, but still gives breathable support and is made of the softest fabric. And On Gossamer’s Coral Reef Chemise ($76) offers light support with a little bit of shape around the bust.
And if you’re a lover of the nighttime bra routine, there’s something out there for you, too. Try a soft cup bra; it offers all of the support with none of the hardware. We recently rounded up the best of the best in our Wireless Bra guide.