Wearing an uncomfortable bra is one of those unpleasant things most women will have experienced more than once in their lives. A bra may be uncomfortable for a number of reasons, for example; it’s not the right size, it’s not the right shape or it’s just lost its support over time. In this article, we are going to explore how to know when it’s time to replace your bra, because after all bras don’t last forever.
Table of Contents
How long should my bra last?
A commonly asked question regarding bras and lingerie is their lifespan, how long should you expect it to last. Ultimately, a bra’s life span can depend on how often you wear it and how high quality it is. A good rule of thumb is that your day to day bras should last around 6 months to a year with regular wear and the right care. However, over time, despite how well you care for your bra, the elasticity of it will break down leading to a loss of support. This is when you know it’s time to let that bra go because it won’t be providing you with the right support which could lead to discomfort.
Other bras such as sports bras and occasion bras can be expected to last longer. Generally, when it comes to occasion bras, the chances are you have a variety to choose from. Strapless bras, pushup bras and even different coloured bras- because you wear them less often, they shouldn’t wear out as quickly as a day to day bra. Also, sports bras too have a longer life span on average than a day to day bra. This is because sports bras are built to be durable and to provide the ultimate support so you can workout without any restrictive movements or even breast pain.
How can I make my bra last longer?
We all know that feeling when it’s time to say goodbye to a really comfortable bra that has served you well during its time of use. To help you put this off as long as possible, there are some steps you can take to make your bra last longer. Here are some of our top tips for bra care:
- Do up the back during washing
- Use a mild detergent
- Do not put it in a tumble dryer- always air dry
- Wash your bra every 2-3 wears
- Hand washing is the best way to make a bra last longer
- Store your bras properly
When is it time to let it go?
Now that we have covered how long a bra should last and ways you can make your current bras last longer, it’s time to talk about when it’s time to let your lingerie go. If you haven’t been bra shopping in longer than 6 months, the chances are you are in need of a new bra. If you aren’t sure where to begin, one of our favourite bra retailers is Bras and Honey who sell a large range of popular brands for affordable prices. Here are some signs to look out for that suggest you’re in need of a fresh bra:
- The back is stretched out
- Cups don’t the same as they used to
- Cups are too big or too small
- The straps keep falling down
- The underwire is digging in
- The fabric has broken down
- The colour has faded
How many bras should I buy?
It’s completely up to you how many bras you decide to buy or how many you decide to own and depends on your lifestyle. Generally, it recommends that you own around 5-7 well fitting bras, we understand that this is easier than done. Why not start off building your bradrobe with around 2-3 different day to day bras and then begin adding in occasion bras and sports bras as you see fit. The benefit of having multiple bras is that it allows you to adequately alternate which ones you wear between washes meaning you get the best out of your bras.