DD started wearing the Maidenform girls bra at 10 / 5th grade, for modesty coverage. Some of her friends have been wearing sports bras for a year or so, but she didn't like the compression feel.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check this out for young girls.

http://www.yellowberrycompany.com/

Cute, but way too expensive for a size that a girl will almost certainly grow out of in a few months.

+1 we are very happy with the Target bralettes and they’re very inexpensive.

Kay I’m nine andI wear a Cami but I want training bra any advice

Just bought the Gap half-cami style "bras" for my 11.5 year old, who wanted/needed coverage, not support. She likes them and they are comfortable and inconspicuous.

I don't think it is as socially driven as OP suggests. IME kids start wearing bralets as needed. One DD started at 9, the other at 11.

Just spent a week with my 9 year old niece who has started wearing bralets and little camis. My daughter just turned 10 and does not wear anything yet.

My daughter used to wear the little cami tops then when she was eight I got her some training bras and for her ninth birthday I made up a puberty box with some some real bras and pads and liners and a razor and other things a developing young lady needs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am definitely not a fan of the 'girls develop earlier these days' argument. They do not. People these days tend to think it's okay to dress a 10 year old like a 20 year old and it's not. Girls should start wearing bras when they need them. Not when they want them. It's a step into adulthood that shouldn't be taken too lightly IMO.

Oh, so then all prepubescent girls should only wear bikini bottoms at the beach and pool? Can they go shirtless on the soccer field when they get hot like the boys?

It's fine with me. (Not the PP you're responding to.)

DD's 10 and wears a 32B. I was the same size at that age too.

Anonymous wrote:I am definitely not a fan of the 'girls develop earlier these days' argument. They do not. People these days tend to think it's okay to dress a 10 year old like a 20 year old and it's not. Girls should start wearing bras when they need them. Not when they want them. It's a step into adulthood that shouldn't be taken too lightly IMO.

Oh, so then all prepubescent girls should only wear bikini bottoms at the beach and pool? Can they go shirtless on the soccer field when they get hot like the boys?

Anonymous wrote:
Females should wear bras when they WANT to, period.

Bingo.

(Actually, males too.)

When they need them or 6th grade.

Anonymous wrote:I am definitely not a fan of the 'girls develop earlier these days' argument. They do not. People these days tend to think it's okay to dress a 10 year old like a 20 year old and it's not. Girls should start wearing bras when they need them. Not when they want them. It's a step into adulthood that shouldn't be taken too lightly IMO.

Females should wear bras when they WANT to, period.

"Need" them? Technically no person "needs" a bra. Humans existed a long time before the bra was invented. Our society finds it preferable that women wear bras to prevent jiggle and nipple show through. I find running much more comfortable with a serious sports bra. And if 4th graders want to wear bralettes to fit in, that is as much of a "need" as preventing jiggle and headlights when I go to the grocery store. Wearing a bralette actually helps pre-teens be more modest in their clothing, because unless you are making your own clothes, a lot of what is available to purchase (for a reasonable price) is too loose in the arms and/or rather sheer.

American girls ARE hitting puberty at a younger age than they did 30 years ago. Time to pull your head out of the sand:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/04/us-girls-puberty-idUSBRE9A304D20131104

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am definitely not a fan of the 'girls develop earlier these days' argument. They do not. People these days tend to think it's okay to dress a 10 year old like a 20 year old and it's not. Girls should start wearing bras when they need them. Not when they want them. It's a step into adulthood that shouldn't be taken too lightly IMO.

So if your flat-chested 12-year-old in middle school wants a bra because every other girl (most of whom are not flat-chested) in school is wearing one, you're going to say no? On principle?

In the case of flat chested girls who want bras it's about fitting in and feeling comfortable, especially when their friends and classmates are in varying stages of development. Why not let flat chested girls wear a cami or bralette if they want to? I don't think this is a case of making girls grow up to soon or sexualizing them. Don't you remember how important it was to fit in during middle school?

Anonymous wrote:I am definitely not a fan of the 'girls develop earlier these days' argument. They do not. People these days tend to think it's okay to dress a 10 year old like a 20 year old and it's not. Girls should start wearing bras when they need them. Not when they want them. It's a step into adulthood that shouldn't be taken too lightly IMO.

So if your flat-chested 12-year-old in middle school wants a bra because every other girl (most of whom are not flat-chested) in school is wearing one, you're going to say no? On principle?