You're the Breast!’s Post

The sports bra has come a long way since it’s first invention, the Jog-Bra in 1977, when Lisa Lindahl, Hinda Miller and Polly Smith decided to sew two jockstraps together. Their original requirements for the bra: Slip-free straps, chafe-free hardware, but most importantly; to be able to run in the bra without a shirt on. Today, a shocking 46% of girls reported that their breasts affected their sports and exercise participation according to Women in Sport, it’s a time where girls self-confidence is at an all time low. Come to think of it, I’m 34-years-old, and on a hot summers day I know I would think twice before going for a run in just my sports bra. Catcalling, staring, my nipples peeping through my bra, anxiety and self confidence would go through the roof, and I know I’m not alone. We are not yet living in Barbieland, in fact far from it. Having said that, it’s not all bad. The moment in the 2022 Euros when Chloé Kelly ripped off her top in victory in front of a sold out stadium to show off her white Nike bra went down in history and has been forever etched in my mind. We all remember it. And since that moment, the numbers of girls participation in sport has risen dramatically. Kelly, if she wasn’t before, has become our role model, which is exactly what every young girl needs, isn’t it? 'Support' is a great word. A sports bra does exactly that. It supports your breasts so you can run and be your absolute best. And thats exactly what our future genetation of girls need today too. Support. Someone to lay the path, someone to look up to. My daughter of six months very well might be the next Chloe Kelly. She’s young I know, but I’ve seen her hand to eye coordination as she wrestles me when I try to put on a new nappy. I want my daughter to live in a world where if she scores a goal on sports day (or in a sold out stadium) she doesn’t even think twice to rip off her shirt in celebration and confidence. Or when it’s 30 degrees in August, I, her mother, in 2024 want to run outside in just my sports bra and feel comfortable and safe to do so. We need to get that confidence back, make it the norm and show our future generation the support they need. Because back in 1977, when the sports bra was originally invented, running in the bra without a t-shirt on was exactly what it was intended for. -------------------------------------------------- Please check out and follow You're the Breast! A safe space created to educate girls on sports bras and breast health. #jogbra #yourethebreast #sportsbra #braeducation #keepherconfident #chloekelly #lionesses #sport #sportforgirls #pekit #physicalactivity Women's Running This Girl Can Youth Sport Trust Sport England The Female Lead London Sport --