A woman’s relationship with her bra is no simple thing. Just think back to fifth grade and the time Billy (or Jimmy or David — every fifth-grade class back then had a bra snapper) grabbed your training-bra strap and gave it a thwack. A lovely introduction to the world of lingerie, huh?
It’s a love-hate relationship, to be sure. True, wearing a bra helps make our clothes fit better. Yes, a sports bra allows us to go for a flop-free run in the park (but flattens us like a pancake, creating that oh-so-coveted “uni-boob” look). But then there’s the eternal question: Why is it so hard to find a bra that fits?
Don’t Go it Alone
It’s tough because many of us wander the lingerie aisles without knowing the best bra style for our figure and our true bra size. “Too many women don’t take the time to work with a professional bra fitter,” says Lisa Cole, author of Lingerie: The Foundation of a Woman’s Life and president of www.asklisacole.com, a Web site dedicated to lingerie fit and fashion.
A professional fitting is free at most major department stores. Schedule an appointment to ensure you have enough uninterrupted time with the fitter.
Getting Wired
To underwire or not to underwire? Some women simply hate the feeling of an underwire bra pushing against the rib cage. But the secret to wearing one comfortably, says Cole, is getting the proper fit. “Underwire bras truly help to define a woman’s natural curves,” she says. “You will certainly get a better fit and shape in an underwire bra.” But non-underwire bras have improved over the years, she adds, and many now provide good support.
Choosing a Sports Bra
There are two main types of sports bras. Compression-style bras are the original pull-over styles that have no individual cups. They press the breasts against the chest to minimize movement. These offer the most “bounce” control. They’re best suited for smaller cup sizes and for lower-impact activities. Encapsulation-style sports bras have separate cups that support the breasts individually. They get extra support from an underwire and a firm chest band. They’re recommended for larger cup sizes and higher-impact activities.
Give Your Bras a Break
We’ve all done it — thrown our bras in the washing machine and then (even worse) in the dryer. But in an era of drive-thru Starbucks stores, who has time to hand-wash their dainties? Well, have you priced a good bra lately? Taking care of your bras means they’ll continue to do their supportive job a whole lot longer.
“Elastic in the fabric, straps and back is the magical component in bras that fights gravity’s pull,” says Christi Andersen, CEO of Zyrra, a custom-bra company (www.zyrra.com). “Just like certain body parts, elastic stretches and droops with age,” she adds. “Heat speeds up this process by breaking down the elastic fibers. So washing machines and hot water are a big no-no.”
Andersen suggests hand-washing bras in cold water for 10 minutes. And skip the dryer completely. Hang bras to dry or dry flat. Giving your bras a day to recover between wearings will extend their life, too. “It gives the elastic time to recover its original shape after being stretched around your body,” says Andersen.
With proper care, a bra should last for a year or longer. “Discard a bra when it begins to stretch out in the back, when it puckers in the cup and when the underwire does not feel comfortable after a few hours,” Cole suggests.
