How do you know when it’s time to get a new bra?

How do you know when it’s time to get a new bra?

As soon as it loses shape, or begins to fray and irritates the skin, or loses elasticity, it’s time to change.

How do you know when it’s time to get a new bra? Introduction

The more you wear them, the faster they wear out.

But how long does an average bra last and how do you notice when your bra needs to be replaced?

You’re in need of a new bra sooner than you might think.

Worn back strap of the bra as an indication | How do you know when it’s time to get a new bra?

You need a new bra as soon as the back strap (which sits under your breasts) has stretched to the point where you need more and more hooks to close it properly.

On the other hand, long shoulder straps can often be shortened or replaced.

But once the back strap is stretched, it’s the end of the story.

Your bra really doesn’t provide enough support and your breasts are no longer held in place.

And then there’s only one thing to do: buy a new bra.

If the shoulder straps are already at their tightest and still keep sagging, the bra has had its best days.

How do you know when it’s time to get a new bra?

After approximately how much time should you replace a bra? Of course, it depends on how you wash your bra.

If you wash a bra by hand, it will last longer than if you wash it in the washing machine.

It also depends on how often or how little you actually wear it.

If you’re unsure whether you need replacements, you might want to pay a visit to a lingerie store to get a feel for how a good bra should feel.

Signs | How do you know when it’s time to get a new bra?

The bra is damaged and in need of replacement

It can happen that your bra suddenly becomes defective.

The hooks suddenly start to pop off, an underwire starts to irritate as it sticks out of the fabric.

The fabric may show signs of wear and tear.

In short, your bra doesn’t actually fit the way it should.

No matter how fond you are of your bra,  it is time to say goodbye and look for a new comfortable bra.

The cups are suddenly too tight

Unless you are among the rare lucky ones, chances are that your breasts will grow (slightly) with age.

Especially after menopause, many women notice changes in their weight and breasts.

Do your cleavage a favor and stop cramming. Just go for a bra that is a size up, including a larger cup and wider-fitting straps.

Treating yourself to a shiny new bra actually has some appeal too.

The feeling of a comfortable bra is wonderful.

The bra is no longer comfortable

If your bra no longer feels comfortable and doesn’t fit properly, it’s best to replace it.

The cups of a bra get smaller when your breasts grow but, on the other hand, the cups can also get bigger.

When you have worn a bra often, the cups become increasingly deformed. And that can cause your breasts to no longer get enough support.

If your bra is actually not comfortable anymore, then you can check for yourself if it’s time for a new one.

After all, you don’t feel a good bra while wearing it. Dare to invest in quality because comfort and quality are important for your bosom.

Tips on how to extend the life of a bra

Advice on how to wear a bra and reduce wear

New bra

You always wear a new bra with the loops that are loose the most. Over time, as some stretching and wear occurs, you can put your hooks in a tighter loop. That way, you keep adjusting the bra properly all the time.

Alternate bras

Alternating bras is very important. It requires a larger investment initially, but you will be able to enjoy your favorite bra longer.

Try to wear a different bra every day. For example, you can change 4 bras every day.

That way, the 3 other bras have time to rest when you wear the fourth.

While doing this, make sure you haven’t sweated too hard throughout the day.

The sweat can soak into the fabric during the day so don’t let your bra rest for a few days before wearing it again.

This makes it more difficult to wash and, in addition, the sweat will act on the fabric.

It is then better to wash a sweaty bra immediately.

At night, you can wear a special sleep bra, more information here: Can wearing a bra to bed be harmful?

How to wash a bra to have as little wear as possible?

Because we wear a bra every day, we will also need to wash it often.

How you wash a bra has a big impact on its lifespan.

Therefore, the idea is to do this as gently as possible to obtain a clean bra while taking care of it.

Hand wash versus machine wash for a bra

In general, it is better to hand wash a bra.

This is because a washing machine leaves the bra lying around in the drum.

A bra thus loses elasticity and shape.

Think especially of preformed bras. Also, in a washing machine, the bra may change color a bit.

It is better to wash a bra in lukewarm water. Hotter water won’t make it cleaner.

It is also best to use a washing powder that is suitable for delicate fabrics. That way you can be sure it won’t damage your bra.

It is very important to also to sort your bras by color. Never wash a red bra with a white or blue bra as this can lead to nasty discoloration.

Related: What color bra to wear with each color top and outfit?

When washing a bra by hand, it is also better not to rub it too hard. Instead, soak the bra in lukewarm water with washing powder for a few minutes.

After soaking, rinse the bra out with cold water and let it dry gently open on the washing line.

Be sure not to wring out a preformed bra at the end of the hand wash as this will cause it to lose its shape.

Advice on drying a bra

You should never put a bra in the dryer because the elasticity and shape are lost.

In addition, a bra cannot tolerate such high temperatures well.

So, ideally, you wash a bra by hand and then let it dry gently in the classic way on a drying rack.

Never hang out your bra using pegs. This can also affect the shape.

Simply place the bra with the cups open on a drying rack or on a towel, never wring out the damp bra.

Ironing a bra in also absolutely out of the question. No one sees the bra so ironing is just not necessary and a waste of time.

How to store a bra to reduce wear and tear?

Storing a bra in the right way is also important as it determines the longevity of a bra.

For example, it is important not to push the cups together with a preformed bra.

You should just put the bra in your closet with the cups open. You can then just layer your different bras on top of each other.

How do you know when it’s time to get a new bra? Conclusion

It’s just like knowing when your shoes are only fit for the bin.

If the material is fraying, and it’s losing elasticity, then it’s time to go shopping.

If you are fortunate to have large breasts, read our other article to find the best bra for heavy sagging breasts.