To pad or not to pad?

Women face critical decisions every day, from which low-fat yoghurt to buy to how to let the guy at work know you’re interested without seeming desperate.

But there’s one conundrum women rarely discuss: whether or not to wear a padded bra.

When I was 15 I suffered the public ignominy of making the wrong decision. At Bondi Beach with Ben Piper, the best looking boy in Year 10, my dream date came unstuck the moment we entered the water. Surfacing from the first wave, we noticed half a dozen handkerchiefs floating about.

The source of the hankies was my bikini: preoccupied with looking voluptuous, I forgot I’d packed my bikini top with my mother’s lace heirlooms. And now those little white patches of shame surrounded me. Ben was speechless. The date was over.

While no sane woman would build up her bosom with square bits of material, the incident highlights the problem with padded bras: they’re fine as long as you never have to take them off.

Consider this scenario: you’ve been seeing a guy for a few weeks, wearing sexy outfits replete with generous-looking cup-sizes. Tonight’s the night he’ll stay over. The moment arrives for you to reveal yourself for the first time: but what happens when your full curves are revealed as modest mounds? Can you be accused of misrepresentation? (Of course, if the guy accuses you of false advertising, explain you were angling for commercial advantage. Then kick him out).

When it comes to lingerie, your options are stark but simple: face the truth about your size and shop around for a flattering cut; or wear a padded bra and insist on keeping it on, come rain, hail or shine, until you’re certain he’s fallen in love with you – and save the hankies for the tears of joy.