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| Photo from www.bustygirlcomics.com |
Often times, during a fitting our customers give us a sheepish look and ask us one (or several) of the following 7 questions. Don't be embarrassed about not knowing the answer to these frequently asked questions. As we enter womanhood, there is no crash course on bra fittings & lingerie care...although there should be!
Q: How long should a bra last?
A: Manufacturers estimate that you can get about 6-9 months of wear out of a single bra. Keep in mind that this window of wear includes many factors such as how many bras you have, if you care for your bras in the proper manner, etc. If you have at least 4-5 good bras, you aren't wearing the same bra multiple days in a row, & you are washing the bras in the most gentle manner possible with the right fabric care, the 6-9 months is a pretty good estimate. However, if you notice that your bras are riding up in the back even after moving to the tighter hook & eye settings, that is a good indicator that the elasticity in the band of the bra has worn out and is no longer supporting the weight of your breast tissue.
Q: How many times should I wear a bra before I wash it?
A: One to three wears, depending on the "climate" of wear. If the weather is particularly warm and/or humid where you live causing you to perspire, you may wash your bras after every wear or two, while if the weather is drier & cooler you may tend not to perspire as much, you might be able to squeeze 3 wears in before washing. There is a fine line when it comes to how often to launder your bras, as the more you wash them, the faster the elastics in the fabric wear out.
Q: How should I wash my bras?
A: Of course, hand-washing your bras is best. Fill a sink or tub with cold water & a mild, residue free detergent formulated for lingerie & fine fabrics. If hand washing just doesn't fit into your lifestyle, you can launder your bras on gentle cycle in a mesh lingerie bag on the most gentle setting of your washing machine. Never put your bras in the dryer- the heat destroys lycra and other fabrics & fibers that your bra needs to stay strong & provide you with the proper support.
Q: How do I know if my shoulder straps are tight enough?
A: Shoulder straps should be doing very little of the work when it comes to providing support. Your shoulder straps should be snug enough to stay on your shoulder, but not doing any of the heavy lifting.
Q: When do I need to be fitted again after my initial fitting?
A: We recommend that you be fitted every 6 months if possible. Our bodies change without our permission, often in subtle ways. Bodies may loose inches, but not pounds from starting a new exercise routine. Starting a new medication can cause changes. Hormone level changes are also known to contribute to changes in our body shape. If you start to think about buying bras in the same way you might think of going in for a check up with your doctor, you'll stay on track and avoid any common discomforts from improper fit.
Q: How many bras should I have?
A: That depends! How much do you love lingerie? Just kidding- we'll actually answer your question. This ties into our first FAQ- how long should a bra last? We suggest having enough bras to rotate washing and wearing- so at a minimum, 3. You may also need to take into consideration the types of bras you need- sports bras, strapless bras, leisure or sleep bras, and of course, the right bras to wear with your daily wardrobe for work or school. Most women end up with about 4-8 bras.
Q: Why do the underwires sometimes come out of my bras?
A: Improper fit is the main culprit of this painful experience. If your bras are not fitted properly, you are not wearing a garment designed to support the weight of your breast tissue, causing unintended strain on certain parts of the bra, mainly the underwire (& sometimes the straps). The excess pressure the weight of the breast tissue puts on the underside of the bra often causes the wire to pop out. There are other reasons this happens too, such as hooking your bra in front & twisting it around which can cause seams in the underwire channel to pop and the underwire eventually working its way out. Additionaly, friction on either of the outer edges of the underwire (the point at which the underwire meets your underarm or the point at which the underwire meets your sternum) can cause excess wear at the tips of the underwire channel. If your bra band is too loose or your cups are too small, your bra will not sit snugly- nor stationary on your body. The bra is more likely to move about during the day causing the friction that leads to the underwire popping out.
Best Rack Around is a lingerie & bra fitting boutique located in Market Station in Leesburg, Virginia in beautiful Loudoun County. We proudly serve women of all ages, body types, and stages of life. In addition to the selection of every day bras and special occasion bras, we also have nursing bras, sports bras, mastectomy bras and forms and post-surgical bras. Call us at (571) 918-4738 to schedule a fitting or visit our website to book an appointment online!
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