Most women I know joke about the relief of getting home from a long day and flinging off their bra. Then there are the ones who banished this particular undergarment during the months of lockdown and now don’t want to return to wearing one. Others, like The Crown actor Gillian Anderson, have declared they’ll never wear a bra again.

Thankfully, for many women, many medical experts have given them a free pass to #freethenipple. Boobs are unlikely to sag due to lack of support and, unless you’re large breasted, they won’t give you poor posture. The most important aspect to consider when – of if – you do wear a bra is its fit. Get it done by a professional otherwise you risk shoulder pain from the straps and neck and back pain and rib issues from a bra that’s too tight. (If you’re a jogger or someone who exercises regularly a properly fitted sports bra is important piece of equipment in your armoury – it will stop back muscles from weakening and breast ligaments from straining.)

If you’ve decided it’s time to ditch your bra – whether all the time or part of it – it might feel a little strange the first time you go out into public. Not that you should – wearing a bra is really just a social construct and it’s no one’s business what you where or when. Even if you’ve been going without around the house it can be weird to venture out and wonder if people are looking at you. Just do quick trips first – ducking out for coffee, for instance – before you head off on a big night out.

Being in the business of shirts, including white ones, I realise ditching your bra can cause, ah, privacy issues. If sheer fabrics make you worry about shock factor, there are a few things you can do: scale back the underwire for a pretty bralette, stick on some nipple covers, or go for a shirt you can’t see through.

One of the favourite pieces in my collection is the aptly named Favourite Tuxedo Shirt, made from a fine cotton. It’s available in both black and white, and the delicate pleating over the front offers some coverage for the modest. It means you don’t get any see-through of bra straps or nipples. The result is a sophisticated yet sexy look whether you’re wearing the shirt in a classic fashion – think pin-striped trousers – or with jeans or a denim skirt for a more casual vibe.