Do boobs need to hold themselves up? Or does a bra prevent them from drooping over time? We asked experts

In 2013, news outlets across the world breathlessly reported on a French study that suggested there was no benefit to wearing bras. In fact, the study’s author, a sports scientist named Jean-Denis Rouillon, claimed that wearing a bra might do more harm than good as “the suspension system of the breast degenerates” when it receives outside support.

Only, the study was never actually published. Rouillon told Reuters that his findings were “preliminary” and not meant to be taken as universal advice.