It's time to stop oppressing breasts, according to a massive 15-year investigation by professor Jean-Denis Rouillon, from the University of Besançon in eastern France.

Bras are a false necessity, he said in April, and his evidence was gained by carefully measuring changes in the orientation of breasts belonging to hundreds of women aged between 18 and 35 using a slide rule and a caliper. At least we think. The results weren't published, he just said them on a radio show, but that was enough to get him covered in misogynistic sites like the New York Times and Reuters. Oh, and most importantly, my blog.

What is happening on the continent? First, France lifts its 200-year-old ban on trousers for women and now they are getting rid of bras. Are there no Big Chic lobbyists employed any more?