How Old Is Your Bra and When To Retire That Bra

I read this post at https://vsjulia.wordpress.com/ about how to find the age of your Victoria's Secrets bra.  Today I have on a VS Biofit bra that I love.  I have a couple of the Biofit bras and sadly Victoria's Secrets has not sold them in a few years.  They do a very good job of giving lift and cleavage without feeling like I have couple pillows on. So I checked my bra's birthday, August of 2010... WOW.. I did not realize I had this bra so long.  I will have to check to see how old some of my other bras are. 

 

 

So when do you know it is time to retire your bra? Your bra won‘t last for years.  Here are some signs that your bra has to go:

• When you have to wear your bra on the tightest hook and it’s still roaming around or riding up your back
• When the elastic is so stretched out that it doesn’t bounce back anymore
• When it’s covered in stains or splotches
• When your band or cup has holes in it
• When your body has changed and you need a new size (for us guys, that means we have been having that extra beer a night)
• When molded cups have lost their shape
• When wires poke through the cup or break
• When the hooks are broken or ripped out

What factors affect a bra’s lifetime?  The typical answer for a bra’s lifetime is 6-9 months. But there are  a lot of factors that go into this. Some things help bras last longer, and some will kill them faster.

• Number of bras: Have at least 3-5 good basic bras to rotate. I on the other hand have way too many, I bet I have 20 or more in normal rotation. The more bras you own, the less often you’ll have to wear them and the longer they’ll last.
• Quality: Just like clothes, some bras are made better than others. We all love those super sexy lacy styles with thin straps and sheer tulle, but those bras may not last as long. Also, some brands are just not made well. Even popular brands! A higher price doesn’t always mean better quality, but sometimes it does.
• Washing: Washing or drying your bras in the machine is the #1 way to kill them. Bra murder! Using harsh soap will also cause the elastic to become brittle which will stretch out the band even faster than usual.
• Doing the Flip: There is a wrong and right way to put on your bra. Women who do the “flip” will ruin their bras. This means putting the bra against your body, upside down and hooks the bra in front. Then she rotates the bra around so that the crushed cups are in the front and flips the bra up to meet your bust. This will cause the wire to poke out, dents the cups, and stretches out the band. Yikes.
• Basic versus Special Occasion: Let’s face it, that lace number that only comes out for your birthday and Valentine’s day is going to last a lot longer than that nude basic molded bra you wear to work almost everyday. Special occasion or specialty bras will always last longer than your “work horse” basics. Don’t expect your basic bra to live as long as that specialty bra if you wear it more often.

How to help bras last longer: All is not lost. You don’t have to think of bras as totally disposable! Want your bras to last more than 6-9 months? Here are a few ways to help them last longer.

• Have more to rotate: Especially your basic bras that you wear more often. I say 3-5, but that’s the minimum. Have a favorite bra? Buy two or more of that one so you’re not tempted to reach for the same one everyday. Also, do your bras a favor and stock up on even more to rotate.
• Don’t wear the same bra two days in a row: Just like a hardworking woman, the elastic on your bra needs a break. It’s under a lot of stress while it’s stretching around your body and hugging you all day. Giving your bras a day of rest will help the elastic relax and last longer.
• Wash them properly: So important! Never use regular detergent, and I caution you not to use most “delicate washes."  Hand wash, air dry!
• Invest in quality bras: Again, I don’t want to name names, but there’s a very popular bra company out there that is just not made well. You know you have run into a dud when you wear and wash them just a few times and it’s already stretched out. A good bra, if taken care of properly, will take much longer to stretch out. Look for sturdy elastic, reliable stitching and trustworthy material.
• Put your bra on properly: The ideal way is to put your straps on first, then lean over and place your breast tissue inside the cups. Next, hook the back of the bra behind you (It’s doable -I promise). Then adjust the cups and your breast tissue slightly so that you’re all in place. If you have to turn the bra around to hook it, it’s ok. Just be sure to start with the cups “up” and not crushed against your body so you won’t have to flip. No flipping, no crushing, no extra stress on your bra.