As a woman, there are several questions that run through my mind regarding bras, on a regular basis. The foremost of which has to do with the necessity of the same; while the answer to that varies from biological to social, over time, I have learnt to pick my battles. So grumbling aside, there are more productive outlets for this curiosity. There are several woman, the world over, that look up questions regarding the workings of a bra. So we’re going to do our bit and help you out! If you’ve ever needed the answers to some of these lingerie questions, look no further.
Q1. Do I have to wear a bra?
A1. The eternal debate. While I love the feeling of not having to wear a bra, there are several studies that tell me it’s not the best idea in the long run. Here’s the thing, your breast tissue has virtually no support on it’s own and we all know gravity sucks, excuse the pun. So it only makes sense that having a good support system would prevent your breasts from sagging, or at least delay the process. That being said, it’s up to you! There’s no hard and fast rule, so you can definitely spend the occasional day free from the confines of your bra.
Q2. Do I need to get fitted? If yes, how often?
A2. The answer to that question is a loud, and resounding yes. You might think that you know your size accurately and chances are that you’re in the general vicinity of your exact size, but what you should also know is that over 80% of the global women population wears the wrong bra size and as many as 29% of them do so willingly! So if you’ve read that statistic correctly, you know you’re probably overdue for a fitting. And you’ll thank yourself later, after you’ve worn a bra in your exact fit, you will not want to go back. Fitters recommend that you make a visit at least once a year, and if you’ve recently gone through a drastic physical change- pregnancy, weight loss or gain, etc- more often than that.
Q3. How will I know that a bra is a good fit?
A3. Fitters will take your exact measurements and suggest the required sizes and styles to best suit your needs. If you’re wondering whether the bras you currently own are the best fit for you, there are a couple of things that you can look out for. First, if your breast is spilling over, or isn’t sitting comfortably within the cup of your bra, you’ve got the wrong size. The cup should ideally support the entire breast tissue, without it being too tight. Another thing that you could be looking for is the way the center portion of your bra, the gore, sits on your chest; if it’s sitting flatly on your skin, the bra is a good fit, but if it pulls away, it’s not the right one.
Q4. How often should I wash my bra?
A4. You should ideally wash your bra after every two uses, as it absorbs a good amount of sweat. But make sure to wash it properly, so that you don’t wear out the fabric.
Q5. Can I put my bras in the washing machine?
A5. Unless you’re severely pressed for time and have no time to hand wash them, we would definitely advise against it. The washing machine is too rough for the delicate clothing material that is used in bras and the rotating motion will affect the elasticity of the same. Hand washing might be a cumbersome task initially, but if you incorporate it into your daily routine you’ll notice that it only takes an extra couple of minutes! However, for those of you running against the clock in the mornings, you can put your bras into an lingerie washing bag, and go about your day. Try not making this a habit though; the better care you give your bras, the longer they will last with you!
Q6. Should I wear a bra while sleeping?
A6. This is a personal choice, at the end of the day. If you’d like a more comprehensive answer to this question, we’ve devoted an entire post to it, and you can check it out here(insert link to post). The abridged version is; women with breasts on the smaller side do not have as much to worry about, and can sleep without a bra if that’s what you want. For women with a bigger bust, you might be able to sleep better if you have a bra on, to give you the additional support. However, regardless of your size, there are women who cringe at the idea of sleeping in a bra, while others swear by it. So whatever floats your boat, as long as you get a good night’s rest.
Q7. Do underwire bras cause breast cancer?
A7. This one goes around a lot. Mothers tell their daughters, and daughters tell their daughters and nobody questions the validity of the statement. According to medical research that has been conducted, the correlation between wearing underwire bras and breast cancer has not been scientifically proven. That being said, while picking out an underwire bra, make sure the band is not too tight; it doesn’t have to be breast cancer, but if it’s too tight, the wire can cause some damage to the surrounding cells.
Q8. What do I do if my bra lines are visible through my t-shirt?
A8. Wear a different bra! You should ideally be wearing a bra that covers your entire breast tissue so as to avoid spillage, and the subsequent bra lines. Look for a good, and comfortable, t shirt bra to help you avoid these problems in the future. Avoid lacy materials and push up bras under a tight t shirt if you can help it.
Q9. What do I do if I have a big bust and need to wear a strapless bra?
A9. The strapless bra is every woman’s nightmare. The important thing to remember is that when you go strapless, all of the support will come from the back band, which should be a firm fit to the body. Women tend to be afraid of trying larger cup sizes, but it’s crucial that your breasts be in the right size with enough cup space in order for the design of the bra to do its job correctly. Don’t forget, as the bra size gets larger the band gets wider and so do the straps. And while you might experience some initial discomfort, you just have to keep at it; a good strapless bra will be the gamechanger. Try a different brand, if that’s what you need.
Q10. How tight should my straps be?
A10. When adjusting the straps of your bra and trying to find the middle ground between falling-off-my-shoulders and tight-enough-to-leave-marks, you need to find the length that allows for one finger to be inserted between your back and the strap. Furthermore, because of constant wear, the elasticity on your straps will also be affected; adjust them every two weeks to make sure that they can support your breasts best.
Q11. When should I retire a bra?
A11. The average lifespan of a bra is six to eight months. If a bra has lost all elasticity, it won’t offer the proper support. Take a look at the shape and elasticity of the bra – if it’s feeling loose and you’re using the third hook, then the bra is not providing the support you need. And If the padding or cups of your bra wrinkle or if your wires shift or pop out, it’s time to say goodbye. But look on the bright side, more shopping!
Q12. How often should I buy bras?
A12. It depends on your collection of bras really; if you own more, the less you’ll use each one and the longer they’ll last. If you’re on the heavier side, it is recommended that you replace your bras every six to nine months, while women with smaller chests can wait upto a year and a half. The trick is to start on your first set of hooks and then work your way inwards, you’ll get more out of them that way.
Q13. How do I make my bras last longer?
A13. The better you take care of the, the longer they’ll stay with you! Wash them by hand, don’t toss them in the dryer, fold them properly instead of scrunching them up and make sure to check on them ever so frequently so that you know you’ve got the right support system!
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