Believe it or not, bras actually do have an expiration date. Having the same two bras on rotation isn’t doing your boobs any favours—they deserve so much more love and support (literally and figuratively). Follow our signs and see for yourself if you should be tossing out any ‘dead’ bras in your wardrobe…
- When your bra has to be on the first hook and it doesn’t stop your bra from riding up and down your back
- When the elasticity of the band is so stretched out that it won’t bounce back
- When your body has changed and you need a new size
- When molded cups have lost their shape
- When your straps won’t sit up properly on your shoulders anymore
- When your bra is covered in stains and splotches
- When the hooks are broken or the wires poke through the cup and/or have broken
- When your bra has literally given up all hope and leaves you with a droopy bust
Typically, a bra is built to have the shelf-life of 6-9 months. However, there are a lot of factors that go into this. Some things help bras last longer, and some will make them die faster.
Rotation, Rotation, Rotation
The best thing you can do is have at least 3-5 basic bras on rotation. We recommend having a T-Shirt bra, a strapless bra and a wireless bra in your wardrobe. Everyday needs and most special occasion outfits are covered with those three essential bras. In a perfect world, you’d have 2-3 T-Shirt bras, each in a different colour way, on rotation ready to be mix-and-matched underneath your favourite tops.
TLDR; The more bras you own, the less often you’ll have to wear them and the longer they’ll last! Check out our smooth everyday bras that are ideal for wearing under T-shirts, camis and dresses.
Quality Factor
Last but not least, quality plays an important role. Just like your clothes, some bras are made better than others. Stay away from bras with thin straps and lots of lace or sheer tulle if it’s shelf-life you're after. A higher price does not always mean better quality, but actually, sometimes it does. It pays to invest in comfort and style.
