When did you last replace your bra? Whether you say two years or five years, we promise not to make any assumptions about you based on your answer. Despite the fact that we consider bras to be the most important piece of clothing for any woman (you wear one almost every day), many women don’t take very good care of them. Even if your old bra is still “holding up,” it is most likely far beyond its prime. Find out whether and when you should get a new bra.
how long do bras last, According to Ali Cudby, founder of Fab Foundations and author of Busted, “if you have a large selection of bras in rotation, you can go longer than six months before replacing your bras if you are caring for those bras properly.” Bras should be air-dried and, if possible, hand-washed to prolong the life of the elastic, which is shortened by using a dryer. No matter how carefully a bra is worn or maintained, the elastic fibers in the band and the straps will ultimately wear out, causing the garment to lose its original shape. We estimate that with the right maintenance, your bras may last considerably longer than the typical 6-9 months.
Bras, no matter how many you own or how well you take care of them, will need to be changed at some point because of natural weight fluctuations and normal wear and tear. According to experts, these are the unmistakable indicators that it’s time to go bra shopping.
How Long Do Bras Last?
Depending on how many you have and how frequently you use them, we advise getting a new bra every six months to a year. If, for instance, you only ever wear one bra, you’ll need to buy a new one much more often. That’s why it’s best to have a minimum of three and a maximum of five bras to rotate through (ideally, one for each day of the workweek). This will help your bras to survive for a lot longer.
Signs it’s time to change your bra
Damage that can be seen with the naked eye. There are blatant indicators of decline that should not be ignored.
1. There is a forward curve to the back.
Over time, the back of a bra may lose its support. Josie-Anne Le Diouron, an expert in Empreinte bras, suggests tightening the hooks until the bra fits snugly again across the chest as a possible remedy. However, you should know it’s time for a new bra when the band is still too loose even when fastened to the smallest hook.
2. Cups are stretched out or too big.
According to Le Diouron, a significant gap between the breasts and the bra cups indicates that either the cups have stretched out or your breast volume has decreased (which may occur with weight loss). She says that without a bra, your breasts would sag since the shape of the bra will show through your clothes.
3. Straps are loose.
Bra straps that slip down your shoulder are one of the most aggravating things to have to continually readjust. If this is occurring, it’s time to make some adjustments. The bra strap connects the cup to the bra’s back. It helps distribute the weight of the breasts so the cups may fit more comfortably, and this is what Le Diouron recommends.
4. Cups are too small.
The cups are too tiny or the straps are too tight if your breast tissue is overflowing out of the cups, as explained by Katie Donnelly of the Bra Fitting Blog. You may have gained or lost weight since your previous bra purchase and simply need a larger cup size.
She recommends adjusting the straps by relaxing them slightly if the cups are the right size but there is still any overflow. “The best fit allows two fingers to fit between your skin and the strap.”
5. The underwire really digs into your chest.
Is it a pleasurable experience for anybody to have a sharp underwire scrape against their skin? In my humble view, no. The creative director of Jockey, Laetitia Lecigne, has said, “Even if you try to put it back in and sew the area shut, that’s a temporary fix and it will likely come out again.” “Get rid of it!” was the warning. Get some new bras without wires right now.
6. The fabric has broken down.
To paraphrase what Lecigne has to say on this topic: “The lifespan of a fabric is determined by how often you wear and wash it.” When the spandex begins to flake off or the fabric loses its elasticity as a whole, it is time to retire the bra.
7. Your bra has hair.
Cudby warns, “If you’ve ever seen little hair-like threads of elastic popping out of your bra, it’s too late—that bra is toast.” Those strands of hair indicate that your bra’s elastic has given way. She explains that a bra without elastic will not provide enough support since “elastic provides 80% of the support your bra provides” and the band must be securely fastened to the body. It’s difficult enough for a little scrap of cloth to do its function! A bra’s ability to support and elevate your breasts depends on the elastic holding it together.
8. The color is faded or dingy.
Your black bra is fading or your white bra is looking dirty? You need to go to the lingerie shop right away.
9. Your taste has changed.
A woman’s taste in bras might alter over time. Spicy Lingerie CEO and creator Jaclinne Cheng says, “While bras normally get covered up, it is always important to choose one that makes you feel happy, comfortable, and even empowered.”
Concluding Remarks
Need to check the fit of your bra? If you want to know how to properly fit a bra, watch this video. Keeping your bras clean and in a dry, cool place can help them last much longer and make them feel like new. Keep them in a designated drawer and wash them by hand as often as possible. We acknowledge that it is not the quickest solution, but we are certain that it is the best.
Doing some cleavage work? It’s time you tried one of our comfortable, durable, and high-quality bras! Have a peek at the clothing and accessories we’re selling.
