BRAS, like boobs, come in all different shapes and sizes and the right one can really help boost your chest – and confidence.

But they can also be restrictive, uncomfortable and expensive, which is why more and more women are ditching them for good.

Like 24-year-old PR Manager Pearl, who has thrown caution – and her bras – to the wind, and made the decision not to buy them ever again, believing they're a complete waste of money.

'I stuffed it with balled up socks'

Pearl got her first bra when she was eight.

She says: "I didn't buy my first bra, my mum did for my birthday and I was so excited.

"I remember that it was a pink and purple sports bra that I wore to school every day.

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"I would stuff it with balled-up socks because I wanted the kids in school to think I had boobs!

"Then, when I hit puberty, my mum got me a whole set."

'I was wearing the wrong size'

Like many women, for years Pearl made the mistake of wearing the wrong size bra.

She says: "Unfortunately, I never understood the complexities of bra sizes until I was about 19.

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"That's when I realised I'd been wearing B cup bras when I should have been wearing C cups.

"When I was between the ages of 20-22, I rarely bought new bras, because I only wore them for "special occasions" or for complicated dresses that needed bras.

"I didn't value bras so I rarely purchased them and when I did, I'd get the cheapest ones available."

'I liked how bouncy my boobs looked'

Despite the drawbacks, for a while Pearl persevered.

She says: "My favourite was the push-up bra.

"I didn't wear it for convenience – I just liked how bouncy it made my boobs look!

"I started hating bras when I was 19, but I kept wearing them because I thought that's what I was "supposed" to do."

'They were so uncomfortable'

Ultimately the discomfort was the reason for Pearl ditching lingerie for good.

She says: "I remember always feeling confined and uncomfortable during the day.

"My shoulders would ache because of how tight the bra straps were, and the straps would slide down my arms when I loosened them so there was no winning.

"I would get in the car, and remove the bra before even starting my journey home.

"I never wore bras longer than I needed to.

"I always felt a huge sense of relief once I took the bra off and that really made me question why I forced myself to wear them in the first place."

'Friends are always surprised'

While many women would consider this quite a big decision, most people don't even notice Pearl isn't wearing a bra.

She says: "My friends are always surprised when they find out that I'm not wearing one. It's interesting how they'll see me wearing a dress and ask, "what kind of bra are you wearing?"

"Then they would be shocked whenever I told them that I wasn't wearing one.

"My friends always say that they have to wear bras for various reasons, but I have never heard a woman say 'oh my god, I love wearing bras every single day of my life'."

'I don't own a single bra now'

Now, Pearl recommends doing whatever makes you feel comfortable.

She says: "I think that women should do whatever they want.

"I don't own a single bra now. I don't think I've worn a bra for over a year.

"I think that women should pay attention to what they feel when they wear particular items of clothing.

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"If wearing a bra stresses you out, then maybe stop gaslighting yourself or dismissing your emotions and try to understand what the issue is.

"If going bra-less brings you peace, do it!"

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